Just Breathe - Adopted by Mandy Gonzalez - COMPLETED

55 - Distancing and Pay

June 10th 2018
I sat once again in Mandy's dressing room before the show, when I got a bank update. I checked it seeing that $950 had been put into my account. "Mom, where's this come from." I showed her my phone not knowing the account details. She smiled at me and handed my phone back.

"That's your first pay check sweetie."

"What do you mean?"

"After talking to Lin, the producers and company managers I finally convinced them that it wasn't really fair that you were here without payment. They went away to discuss everything and then told me that they agreed with your point and said they would pay you half the minimum Broadway salary as you aren't officially a company member yet, then once you become a standby on your birthday you will get the full pay that the other standbys get. Meaning you will earn more than I do!" I laughed at that and then hugged her tightly.

"Thank you so much mom. I could never have gotten that without you. I love you so much mama."

"I love you so, so, so much too Mija. I'd do anything for my baby girl."

"Thanks mom, I'd do anything for you too." We head down towards the stage door when I see Josh talking to one of the other ensemble girls. I felt a pang of jealousy, but I knew they were just friends. Isabella went out to the stage door and I went over to my boyfriend. "Hey handsome, how was the show?" I said wrapping my arms around his neck.

"It was good. I miss you being in the chill area."

"Same, but I'm trying to work on something that Lexi can't see. After it's done I promise to hang out there more."

"Okay." He finally puts his hands around my waist and kissed me quickly. "Becky, I really ought to go. I'll see you tomorrow right?"

"Yeah. I had something exciting to tell you babe. It can wait until tomorrow though."

"No, you can tell me." He moves his hands from my waist and takes my hands in his, but surprisingly weakly.

"I'm getting paid. It's only half the usual standby rate, but it's only until I'm 18."

"Wow that's amazing Becky."

"Yeah. Mandy spoke to Lin and the producers and other people and eventually persuaded them that it wasn't fair that I had to sit there every day and go to all the rehearsals and not get anything from it. So I got my first pay today."

"That's good. Anyway I have to rush Becky. I'm sorry. I'll see you at half hour Tomorrow."

"Oh Okay. I was going to ask if we could hang out, go on a date, do something together tomorrow morning or over lunch before the show. I've not spent much time with you and I  miss hanging around with you babe."

"I'll text you. I need to check. I may have a vocal clean up in the morning."

"Oh, right. Maybe between shows?"

"Becky! I'll have to see. I've been busy, auditions and everything. It's a lot." He said stepping away from me and heading towards the door.

"Okay." I frown. "I love you Joshy." I call after him almost weakly.

"You too." I hear faintly back. I head round to the back door to find my mom. She's waiting for me and I give her a tight hug.

"Everything okay Becky?" She says rubbing my back.

"Sí mama. Can we just go home please?"

"Of course Baby." We head out and onto the subway. I lean against her in our seats and close my eyes, tears dripping out of them. "Mija?"

"Joshy and I barely see each other and he keeps finding reasons for us to not go on dates. He's not used pet names with me at all in the last week or so, he's been hanging in the female ensemble room so much and is always talking with the new girl Isabella."

"Shhhh, Baby, he's just being welcoming I'm sure. Try and talk to him about him being so distant and find out why. I don't want you getting hurt. Can I just ask, do you love him?"

"Yes mama." I nod my head. "I do love him. I love my family more, because I know we may not last if we find something that breaks us apart, but our family will last forever. Everyone goes though a break up once in their life. Or at least most people. But right now I really love him mommy. I love him so much and it hurts that he's not taken me on any dates since my opening. We used to have two show dates. Where we would have a date in the morning and over lunch and we would have a coffee and light dinner break in between shows. But he keeps passing on them since I opened."

"Okay honey. Let's calm down baby. I'll talk to him if you want. You will be okay Becky. If you want I can cuddle with you in bed?"

"Thank you for the offer mom. But I think I'm grown up enough that I don't need you in bed with me."

"Okay honey. Just let me know if you change your mind. Daddy will understand if I'm not there."

"Mom, it's fine. Don't worry about me."

"I'm going to worry you're my daughter and I love you so much."

"I love you too mama." I kiss her in a daughterly manner and we get off the subway and head home to bed.