Written ✓

Three

     The crowd tonight was far less crowded than the night before. A least about a dozen seats were empty. Anne glanced worriedly at the people, fiddling with her wedding ring. She stood backstage, muttering words of worry.

     Phillip emerged from his office. He saw Anne biting her lip worriedly and pacing the ground. He took both her hands, swaying them as his thumb rubbed her palm.

     "Don't let them get to you," Phillip said in a stern voice. "We can't show them."

     "Phillip," Anne said, looking out as the tent zipped shut and the lights dimmed. "Through adversity, I'll stand by you."

     She pecked him on the lips, running over as she heaved herself up into the air, waiting for her cue.

     The crowd applauded them, but it wasn't deafening. It had a feeling of pity in them. It was like the people only came to the circus to pity them and take pictures.

     Anne swallowed hard, taking Phillip's hand as they bowed curtly. They jogged off stage, and her smile faltered. Barnum emerged from the curtains, thanking the people for coming before he turned to look at Phillip wearily.

     "At least about one hundred people missing tonight," Barnum said in frustration, rubbing his temples. "What the hell is wrong with these people?"

     "Mr. Barnum," Anne began glumly, her hands on her face. "We're the ones wrong."

***

     Phillip helped Lettie as they cleaned up the rotten food thrown at them that had made their way, to the floor.

     "I don't know what to say about that performance..." Phillip said, heaving a big sigh as he threw a banana peel away.

      "Oh, stop it," Lettie said, chuckling. "Even if we didn't get as many people tonight, we still had fun. This whole circus is about entertaining people."

     "Are we really entertaining people?" Phillip turned to look at her with his hands on his hips. "The people hate us. Anne and I knew this was going to happen, we were ready for it. But now it's going to cost the circus? Because we only loved each other?"

     Lettie made a face. "Your love for Anne should reach beyond this, beyond the circus. Beyond life. And I assure you, the crowd is going to miss the showstopper, me."

     Phillip smiled at her. If you wanted someone to cheer you up, it was Lettie that would fix you right up. He put on his coat and top hat as he turned to see Anne, her smile radiating, but something was off.

     "Ready to go?" Anne asked, slipping a hand under his arm as they walked to the automobile. "Goodbye, Lettie!"

     "See ya."

     Once Phillip started the engine, they were off.

***

     Anne looked at the streaming Christmas lights she and Phillip put up the night before. It shone brighter than ever. She placed a hand on his chest tenderly, leaning on him as they looked at the colorful Christmas lights.

     "Beautiful, isn't it? I almost want to thank the protestors for egging our house." He asked Anne softly, kissing the top of her head before opening the gate.

     "I still can't believe this is my new house, I'm getting used to not smelling elephant poop every morning." Anne laughed, removing her coat and shoes.

     "Anne," Phillip began feebly, removing his coat and tie. "I'm sorry about the protestors. I'm sorry about the press. I can't give you the life you've always dreamed of, peace."

     Anne gulped, she turned to smile at Phillip. He has such a sincere expression that she almost felt bad for herself. "Why, as long as I have you, I'm halfway there."

     Author's Note: Hey readers! Thank you so much for reading Three! I'm so lucky to have such supportive Bookworms! Stay tuned for more...!

-E.S.M (AuthenticBookworm)