Ring by Spring

7- Max

Before Bertie called me, I thought about what Dane had said to me at the wedding. Willow told me he loved a good wedding, so when he approached me with his face colored not by excitement, but something closer to nervousness, or even mortification, I steeled myself for news of sexual relapse, or worse.

"The assistant director from the New Jersey Shakespeare Company is involved with the national tour of bare: A Pop Opera and he wants me to come and audition for the role of Peter. He says I'm bound to get the part."

"Dane! That's fantastic! Why aren't you thrilled? Are you concerned about school? You can always take time off and come back; Jesse did it for Sweeney." I wasn't familiar with the show, but Jesse would know it. I'd have to ask him later.

"I had to say no. Besides being great experience, it's a beautifully scored show, but...playing half of a pair of male lovers at a Catholic boarding school....It would come too easily for me. I would be just like Jesse when he accepted the role of Cody Malone in Skeletal...and you know how that ended."

"Did you tell your director all that?"

Dane looked even more uncomfortable.

"I used school as an excuse. It's hard to be a Christian in the acting industry. But if I see him again, I'll be honest."

"Does Willow know?" With Ellie nearby, I felt like I needed to lower my voice. I didn't want her asking questions about Willow yet. From Dane's facial expression, he couldn't believe I asked about her.

"She thinks I should take it. But she doesn't understand - you know that, Max!"

"How is she?" Willow surprised us all when she chose Florida State University. Many figured its reputation as a party school had influenced her, but why would a girl with all those social connections and strong ties to her family want to go so far when there were schools which had the same type of reputation nearer to her home? However, according to Facebook and Dane, she thrived there.

"Up to the usual antics. Enamored with some guy, she decided to mail him a pair of her panties."

"Through campus mail?" It horrified me regardless of the transport method, especially because I could have been that guy three years ago. Could I arrange it so that she and Ellie would never meet?

"And that's why I go to a Christian college. But people like her attend our schools, too. They wouldn't judge me for taking the role, but there are so many people that would."

"Well, they shouldn't. It's just a show." But it wasn't just a show for Dane.

"There are other roles," I said, wanting him to have this opportunity without risking his hard-won heterosexuality, as well as his faith. "What about Matt? You'd be great as Matt, and it wouldn't be quite as much work as Peter or Jason. You don't even know if you'll get in. I think you should just go for it."

"Okay," said Dane. "Thanks, Max."

I had just enough time for a quick prayer that God would guide Dane through this before picking up Bertie's incoming call.

"Are you going to Jesse and Lavender's tonight?"

"I wasn't planning on it since I have an 8 a.m. class tomorrow." Turning down the invitation made it the first year ever I hadn't gone. I regretted it, but also wasn't ready to face everyone. They'd only chatter about Ellie and I didn't want to hear it.

" Then come to work. Remember we're having a party?" How could I forget when I'd spent a good hour or so wandering campus and hanging up the posters Katya designed? I expected Karaoke Night, but more themed, with costumed attendees. Now I wondered if I had to dress up. Since opting out of the usual party, I hadn't made any Halloween plans, and so I didn't have a costume...but I could come up with something.