by Linda Ellen
Chuckling, Fleet reached out to grab their friend Eleanor by the arm as she hurried past on her way to have a problem with her costume fixed. Fleet whispered to the raven haired girl, “Tell this goof that everything’s gonna work out.”
Eleanor, thinking the concern was merely the play, leaned to give Louise a quick hug. “You’re gonna do fine, Lou. Don’t worry. You look beautiful – and you sing like an angel!”
Louise smiled and reciprocated the hug, murmuring, “Thanks…if I remember to breathe.”
The girls giggled nervously as Fleet turned to look through the slit in the curtain again, reaching out to touch Louise’s arm. “Your family just came in.”
“Oh good…where are they sitting?”
“Um…” Fleet paused as she watched until they decided on seats. “Over to the right, about middle ways back. I don’t see Sonny, though…”
“Oh, he said he’d be late, but he’d come as soon as he sold all his papers. What about…” Louise whispered, but Fleet had scanned the faces in the folding chairs quickly filling the large auditorium. She shook her head. “Not yet.”
Just then, Mrs. Herndon motioned to everyone to come over for a last huddle of encouragement and instruction before the play would begin. All of the kids and teens were brimming with nervous excitement, wishing it was over, yet thrilled to be involved.
*
Ten minutes later, Vic jogged up to the outer door of the Neighborhood House, aggravated that he had been delayed. After slipping inside and giving his ticket to the girl at the table in the vestibule, he moved forward, viewing the action on the stage and looking for a place to sit. Empty Seats seemed to be a luxury, and other than a few at the very front, he couldn’t see any. Opting to make the best of it, he settled for leaning against the wall by the door.
Contemplating the kids in the play, he wondered when Louise would come on and if he had missed any of her scenes. The story’s cute, I guess, but kinda hokey. But maybe that’s because the younger kids ain’t much on actin’…he mused as he snorted quietly at a funny line delivered by a young boy. The audience laughed appreciatively.
Minutes went by…and then he saw her, wearing a beautiful antebellum long-sleeved costume of royal blue with black lace. Carrying a delicate fan trimmed in blue lace and ribbon, which she fluttered graciously as she talked, Louise strolled onto the stage and spoke a few lines to the young boy. She’s a natural. She don’t seem nervous at all…Vic reflected as he watched, totally spellbound. But for him, the scene was over far too quickly, and she continued on to the other side of the stage and disappeared behind the curtain’s edge.
After another minute of action, the curtain closed and a young girl came out from the wings carrying a sign that read, ‘Act 3’. Vic clamped his lips in a tiny pout of frustration, wondering if he had missed any of Louise’s scenes. I’ll ask her to act them out for me, he daydreamed with a half grin as the curtains opened and his attention was once again drawn to the stage. However, he couldn’t have told you later what the plot was about, because the only thing that held his attention was Louise when she was featured. Throughout the performance, Vic watched closely as Louise smoothly handled her scenes with the boy he assumed was Herman, even when they danced a few moments of a waltz.
Sonny arrived mid way and took up a spot on the other side of the door. At one point between scenes, Sonny glanced around the large room and spotted Vic, his sister’s crush, on the far side of the door. Eagerly, he scanned the audience until he spotted the family. This could prove interesting…he thought with a rakish grin.
*
Finally, the last scene came and Louise walked onstage, having changed her costume for another hoop-skirted dress of deep emerald green. Even from the distance, Vic could tell the color set off the auburn tint in her brown hair.
Vic watched from the back, captivated, as the other characters left the stage and Louise wandered gracefully around the set, speaking her lines of pondering her future, while gazing out over the audience. She met her father’s eyes, and tried to stifle her smile caused by the pride in his countenance. A soft lilting melody began to play and she started to sing a song entitled ‘Song of Songs’. The lyrics were all about two lovers who had met on a night in June and spoke tender vows to one another. It spoke of magical moonbeams and golden dreams, summer roses, and vows that were made to be broken. The words, and her voice, were equally lovely, and she held the crowd of enthralled patrons in the palm of her hand. Her eyes scanned the assembly of familiar and unfamiliar faces. And then…
Vic moved, straightening up from leaning against the wall. Louise saw him in that instant, stopping dead as their eyes connected. Until that point, she had thought he hadn’t come. The sight of him caused her to catch her breath for a second and pause, before she controlled her emotions and continued to sing. He’s here! He came! She squealed silently as her heart kick-started into racehorse speed. It took great effort on her part to concentrate on the lyrics to the song.
Then Herman, her leading man, shuffled forward and joined her in finishing the number in what was the play’s finale. Louise turned toward him and he took her hands as they had rehearsed dozens of times, and they harmonized perfectly as they sang of dreams of delight and nights of bliss. Allowing her imagination to take flight, and injecting much feeling into the words, Louise sang not to Herman, but to Vic. Totally caught up in the part she was playing, she had become Annabelle, and Vic was the ardent suitor holding her hands. As a result, she sang the song even better in performance than she had in any of the rehearsals. As the last note held and then ended, Louise’s leading man leaned to place a kiss on her lips as the curtain slowly closed, revealing the words THE END written on a paper pinned to one edge.
The cast members assembled for their bows in front of the closed curtain, and the audience erupted in heartfelt applause. Louise dared not turn her head in Vic’s direction, though she could feel his eyes on her – but if she had, she would have chuckled at his expression of almost comic jealousy stemming from the ending kiss.
Sonny applauded along with everyone else, and then suddenly remembered his promise to help his sister out. Looking around for ideas in case the need arose for him to run interference, he saw their father stand and begin escorting their mother and siblings into the center aisle. Looking to his right, Sonny saw Vic begin to make his way against the crowd as he headed toward finding Louise.
The brother quickened his step and intercepted the family. “Aw man, I missed the first half, but what I saw was great,” he began, enthusiastically engaging Willis and Lilly in a lively conversation about how good they all thought Louise had been in her scenes. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Vic reach their position and hesitate. Apparently deciding not to interrupt a family moment, he went on, excusing his way through the crowd toward the front.
Edna rolled her eyes after a few moments of the family gushing about Louise, and casting her gaze toward the stage, saw the profile of a man she could have sworn was the one who had rescued them the night of the evacuation. Wondering his reason for coming to a play by a bunch of neighborhood kids, she observed him for a few moments, admiring his rich wavy hair and broad shoulders. Mmm, I wish he woulda stopped to chat… Just then, Billy got her attention as he mentioned a funny line in the play.
A few minutes later, Sonny offered, “Pop, I’ll stay and walk Louise home if you want.”
Anxious to get home and relax in his big chair, having had no time to do much more than grab a bite to eat before heading over to attend the play after his ride had let him off at the house, Willis agreed with a relieved smile. “Thank you, son. Tell your sister we’ll see her at home.” With that, he began to escort his family on down the aisle.
Sonny watched them for a moment, and then with a happy-go-lucky whistle, he turned and began to make his way down toward the stage.
*
It had taken twenty minutes for Louise to remove her costume, as everyone in the cast, plus Mrs. Herndon, had wan
ted to congratulate her on her fine performance. She truly had been the star of the production, and she deserved every accolade they offered. Talking and laughing with her fellow cast members, she finally emerged from behind the curtain. Hoping Vic hadn’t grown tired of waiting, she quickly scanned the few people left in the large area before spotting him talking with her brother Sonny.
Vic turned his head then and saw her, pausing in mid sentence. Noticing the direction of his gaze, Sonny followed his line of sight. He chuckled as he observed the other man, who appeared to be as ‘smitten’ as his sister.
As she came toward them, Vic couldn’t take his eyes off her, his intense stare causing Louise’s cheeks to pinken.
“Hi,” she murmured as she reached their position.
“Hi,” they both answered, and Louise grinned delightedly, then laughed as one of the kids in the cast bumped her as he ran past. “You were great, sis,” Sonny offered, leaning in to give her a quick hug. Before he pulled away, he whispered, “I ran interference for ya with the folks. You owe me one.” Their eyes met. Hers sparkling with gratitude, she nodded her thanks.
Sonny pulled back and added out loud, “I told Pop I’d stay and walk ya home. They said they’d see ya at the house, I think he was tired – he just got home.”
Vic took a step closer to Louise, reaching out to cup her elbow. “I’ll see her home…that is, if you’ve got somethin’ else to do…” he offered, conveying his wishes as the two males met eyes.
Sonny tipped his cap at the pair and with a grin, turned and sauntered toward the door.
Vic reached out to gallantly take one of Louise’s hands and place it in the crook of his elbow as he turned them toward the exit. They strolled along slowly. Neither spoke at first. The big room was alive with laughter and a dozen conversations going on at once.
Glancing up at him, Louise asked shyly, “Well…? What did you think?”
Vic’s eyes twinkled as he gazed down at her. “You were great.”
She smiled happily, feeling on top of the world. “Thank you. What’dyou think of everything else? The play, the costumes…”
They had reached the vestibule by then and Vic paused in answering while he maneuvered them through the outer door. Once outside, he grasped her hand again as he directed them down the sidewalk and into the cool evening. Glancing down at her as she pulled the edges of her sweater together for warmth, he grinned and winked. “I don’t remember none ‘a that. All I saw was you.”
“Vic!” she laughed delightedly.
“I’m serious. I didn’t see nothin’ else…’cept you and that twit at the end and how he couldn’t keep his mitts off ya.”
“Herman?” Louise giggled. “He was my leading man. He was Annabelle’s true love,” she added, unable to resist teasing him.
Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he playfully growled as he pulled her close, “He was a twit, and he kissed ya.”
“So?” She goaded, catching her lip between her teeth and gazing up at him. Still half in character, she fluttered her lashes at him in true Southern Belle form.
He allowed his eyes to roam over her exquisite features, attracted to her like a bear to honey. “So…I don’t want nobody kissin’ you…except me.” The look in his eyes at that moment was so piercing, her heart skipped a beat and then sped up.
“…Oh…” was all she could manage. Her mouth went dry as she forgot to continue in her teasing.
Their gazes held for another few moments, but a family with a fellow cast member passing by made them separate.
They walked along in silence for a bit, just enjoying one another’s company. After a while, Vic tightened his hold on her hand. “You really were good. You could be in the movies.”
Infinitely pleased, she giggled softly. “Oh goodness, you can’t imagine how nervous I was. I was scared the whole time that I’d forget my lines, or trip over my dress. Or even that something worse would happen…like my costume falling off,” she added, remembering her embarrassment when her skirt had fallen down in rehearsal.
He snickered, and lifting her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her fingers. “If it had, I’d a rushed up onstage and put my jacket around ya,” he offered graciously.
She paused in their stroll and swept one arm out, bowing gracefully. “A gallant gentleman. I am in your debt, kind sir,” she drawled one of her lines, with the more pronounced southern accent she had used in the play.
Straightening back up, they laughed together joyously as they strolled on down the street.
All too soon, the duplex where she lived came into view.
This time, Vic insisted he walk her to her door. Gulping and whispering a quick panicked prayer for help, she nodded and they walked up the steps and down the hall.
At the door, she turned to him and he reached out, touching a finger to her chin, whispering, “Goodnight, sweet Mary Lou. Lovely Annabelle,” he added with a twinkle.
Her eyes fluttered shut as his head descended, his lips touching hers warmly. They lingered there for some seconds before he reluctantly released her.
“Goodnight,” she whispered in return, reaching blindly behind her for the doorknob and hoping fervently that he wouldn’t insist on waiting until she was inside. She smiled as he gently palmed her cheek with a grin, before he turned and sauntered to the door. There he looked back and lifted a hand in farewell before opening the door and slipping outside. Sighing in relief, she turned the cold brass knob on the door and slipped inside the cozy apartment.
Lilly looked up from her mending. “There you are. Where’s your brother?”
Louise had to shake off the delicious enchantment of the evening as reality forced itself back upon her, and for a tense moment, she grappled for an answer. Then, hearing footfalls coming down the steps, she shrugged, “Upstairs,” before she moved on into the room and enjoyed the compliments and proud congratulations of her father and younger brother.
“You were wonderful, honey,” Willis intoned warmly and she sailed over to give him a hug. “I was so proud of you. We both were,” he added, nodding toward Lilly.
“You were great!” Billy added. “All of that practice musta really paid off.”
She gave them all a pleased, but secretive grin, thinking…if you only knew…
*
Later that night, as she and Edna settled into the bed they shared, each one moving to the opposite edge as usual, Edna murmured, “You did okay in that play.” It was the most complimentary thing she’d ever said to her sister.
“Thanks, Edna,” Louise whispered, immensely pleased.
“Guess who I saw there tonight,” Edna continued nonchalantly.
“Who?”
“That Vic guy that rescued us. Remember, the one that came out to Dove Creek and told flood stories?”
A feeling of panic immediately assailed Louise and she swallowed dryly. “Yeah.”
“He’s a looker, that’s for sure. I bet he’s hot to trot, too,” Edna went on, with a few colorful phrases that made Louise blush. “Wish I knew more about ‘im. I was too scared the night of the flood to pay ‘im any mind. But now, well… Wonder what he was doin’ there tonight. Think maybe he knows one a’ the kids in the play?” she pondered, adding with a risqué snort, “He’s got them dark handsome looks and big muscles that dreams are made of.”
Louise’s heart by then was hammering so loudly, she was afraid her astute sister would hear it. “That right?” she managed, closing her eyes with a grimace, thankful for the darkness of the room so that Edna couldn’t see her face. She wondered, and not for the first time, what punishment her sister would mete out when she found out the truth.
“Mmmmm hm. Anyway, like I said, you did good tonight,” Edna returned, turning on her side and stretching out to get more comfortable.
“Thanks,” Louise again whispered, silently wishing and praying that Edna would forget her sudden interest in Vic and move on to someone else. Something else. Anything else!
&nb
sp; That night, her dreams of Vic and his charms were intermixed with disturbing images of arguments, yelling faces, and tears.
It was a long time until morning.
‡
CHAPTER 16
The Brownie, The Stash, and The Derby
Weeks passed, and Edna’s comments from the night of the play slowly faded with time.
For the young couple, the month of April floated by as if suspended in a sea of bliss. Louise dreamed her days away in classes at school. Vic pounded the pavement looking for steady work, and took every opportunity he found to earn money.
One low spot did occur for Louise when she came down with yet another case of tonsillitis, a malady that had plagued her for most of her life. As it happened every time she had been stricken, her mother became her caregiver, coaxing chicken soup and hot tea down her throat in small increments, and helping her gargle with warm salt water. Despite feeling downright lousy because of the illness, those were sweet times for her simply because Lilly treated Louise as if she were special, as if she were precious. Luckily for Louise, she was able to persuade Sonny to locate Vic to let him know she wasn’t able to join him for their date.
One day in mid April, both Earl and Alec secured jobs at a local factory that produced wooden shipping pallets, but try as they might, they couldn’t persuade the hiring manager to extend one more position to include their friend. This was quite a blow, which resulted in a few rough, uncomfortable days between the friends, especially since Vic was now residing with the Alders. Although it wasn’t the best situation, he did sleep comfortably on the couch in their living room.
That Friday night, the gang was once again cruising in the old black car, singing at the top of their lungs and enjoying one another’s company. The young people had pooled their money and were heading to their favorite haunt, the White Castle on First Street.
As Vic and Louise cuddled near the back door, they heard Alec’s voice say, “Hey you guys,” and turned to face him. Their mouths dropped open in shock to find the lens of a black and silver, box-shaped ‘Brownie’ camera pointed their way as Alec crooned, “Cheese!” just before snapping the shutter.
