Triage: A Backstage Story

Chapter 3

March 2024

"Scarlett, what is Curtis doing here?" Bianca pulled Scarlett into the bedroom she shared with Alya. They hadn't been able to afford a three bedroom apartment and, as always, Scarlett the Starlet demanded her privacy. The mussed sheets on Alya's bed didn't reveal if she'd been back or not, but everything else on her side of the room remained the same.

Bianca didn't have long to wonder before Scarlett said, "It's just for tonight."

"It better be," she warned. Bianca sat on her neatly made bed, wrinkling the black and white floral pattern.

"Why is Curtis here?" Alya walked in. Grease clung to her hair in clumps. Her eyes were swollen and a small ridge of pimples lined her forehead.

She flopped onto her bed, not bothering to fix the covers.

"Where have you been?" Scarlett demanded.

Bianca scowled. "Don't change the subject. Curtis can stay one night. We're already supporting one person." She narrowed her eyes at Alya.

"He'll be homeless in New York!"

"This is not a homeless shelter."

"Fine," Scarlett placed a hand on her hip.

She huffed out of the room.

"Where were you?" Bianca finally asked, voice softening.

Alya remained on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "A shelter."

"Oh?"

She turned to face Bianca. "It actually a mental health nonprofit. They offer counseling and creative therapy."

"That's awesome," Bianca forced a smile. "Have you started looking for a new job yet?"

"I will. I'll start tomorrow."

"Good." Bianca stood and walked to the door. Then she turned back. "I meant what I told Scarlett. This isn't a shelter, Alya." She closed the door gently behind her.

In the living room, Scarlett and Curtis had already gotten into another argument. Bianca put her coat on and walk out the apartment, down the stairs, and then headed for the subway. She didn't really have anywhere to go. She hated coffee shops, and Kit had recently moved to California.

But Jax lived a few miles away. So, she rode the subway to his apartment. He opened the door with sleepy eyes.

"Hi," he yawned.

"Needed to get away from the drama queens," she said, offering him a bashful smile.

"Yeah, sure." He opened the door wider, and Bianca walked into his studio apartment.

"How's Kit? I haven't heard from her in awhile."

Jax scratched them back of his head. "Yeah, neither have I. Long distance is... hard. And she's off djing for famous people. I guess it just feels like I got left behind."

"Yeah, I feel that." Bianca swallowed the harsh lump in her throat.

They sat on his couch and started to watch tv. After about an hour, Jax leaned closer. And then they were kissing.

Bianca pulled away. "Jax, stop. You have a girlfriend."

"Yeah sorry." He shook his head. "It was a mistake."

"Yeah," she said. "Just a mistake."

Bianca left, riding the subway to kill time. She couldn't face Alya and Scarlett, yet. She just wanted to be alone.

Her phone rang. "Hello?"

"I don't see your name on my audition list."

"Who is this?" It was the same annoying man from yesterday.

"Bianca, trust me. It's the perfect role for you."

"And if I did?" She asked. She glanced at the subway map. Two stations to Manhattan.

"Well, it's your choice," he said.

"I'll be there in ten."

"Good." She could imagine him smiling over the phone. "I'll see you soon."