Learning to Walk Again

by S. L. Kassidy

  Dane went to grab the keyboard, poking out from under the ladder hiding the other instruments. It was covered in dust, but seemed to be in working condition. With some effort, she dragged the damn thing over to the desk, hoping he didn’t notice her limp. He didn’t say anything as she set the keyboard on the edge of the desk and cracked the knuckles in her left hand. Okay, hand, you’re a pain in the ass, but you’ve gotten better since I’ve been using you, so let’s make it through this and maybe do something in life. She plugged the keyboard in, checked everything out, and started playing.

  ***

  Nicole sat in the car, hoping and waiting, feeling like there was a swarm of bees buzzing under her skin. Danny had been gone for almost a half-hour already. That had to be a good sign. If things had gone sideways, Danny probably would’ve stormed out. She had to see signs this wasn’t an automatic hook up from Christine.

  Added to that, she was fairly certain the longer the interview, the more likely someone was to get the job. If Danny hadn’t seen any reason to leave and was still wowing them, then that had to be a good sign. You’ve got this, Danny. I know you do. She was taken from her thoughts as her cell phone sounded. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Crow.

  “Hi,” Nicole greeted her and turned down the radio. It was simple, soft classical playing, but she didn’t want any distractions, knowing Crow was as anxious as she was over this interview.

  “How’s it going?” Crow blurted.

  “She’s not out from the interview yet,” Nicole reported with a smile.

  “Is that good? Can that be good?” Crow’s words were fast, and she squealed. She was so excited it made Nicole laugh.

  “I think it is good. I’ll tell her to call you as soon as she comes out.”

  “This is why I wanted to drive her!” Crow groaned and then yelped. “But, I totally support you in doing it.”

  “That’s good.” Nicole tittered. She and Crow got along well enough now, but sometimes there were little things to remind her that in the beginning, Crow wasn’t fond of her.

  “Okay, but a long interview is a good thing, right?”

  “Yes. I’m sure things are going well if she’s still in there.” Nicole wasn’t entirely sure how an interview went to write music for a play. Did Danny have to play something? Did she have to discuss music she made in the past? She hoped the portfolio came in handy. I should’ve asked Crow if she had any recordings of Danny’s past performances. Her stomach dropped a little, fearful the oversight of not having recordings could cost Danny the job.

  Crow sighed. “This could be big for her, right? I mean, it’s back into real music. Sure, she’s not performing, but she’d be creating music for a lot of people to hear, right?”

  “Yes.” The fact that this could be a chance to do real music again was one of the reasons why Danny was anxious. If Christine had set this all up, Danny would be in Christine’s debt for something most people wouldn’t even be able to understand. Danny probably looked at it as a deal with the Devil, and she’d have no choice but to sell her soul. No child should feel like that with their mother.

  A strange, almost nervous laugh escaped Crow. “Wow. I don’t even know what to make of that. It’s been quite a while.”

  “You know this music will be different.” She hoped Crow didn’t hype Danny up into thinking music in the theater would be like the world of rock and roll. But, then again, Danny had gone to plays with her, so she should know what to expect, as best one could with a play that wasn’t a musical.

  “It’ll have Dane’s flare. Even listening to her play now with her hand all messed up, she’s still got her own unique signature, and it still hits you right. Maybe she can’t play the way she used to, but that hasn’t stopped her mind. It’s still going to be fucking awesome.”

  Nicole chuckled. Danny’s injuries might stop her from playing, but she never let them lock up her mind once she finally got back to writing. Maybe she’d be able to write something for someone else to shine. Maybe the job would take her to a different level.

  “Thank you,” Crow said.

  Nicole blinked and looked at the phone for a second. “Why are you thanking me?”

  “She wouldn’t have done this if you weren’t there. Hell, her mother wouldn’t have gotten her this chance if you weren’t there. You got her back on her feet.”

  Nicole shook her head. “She got herself back on her feet.” Does Crow tell her that? Reinforcing this idea, I did something? Danny had to want to get back on her feet or it wouldn’t have happened.

  “Yeah, but it was because she wanted to be with you. You’re the one who helped her. No one else would’ve been able to get through to her. Hell, I didn’t even know where she was, and she wouldn’t have let me in if I did, anyway. Really, even my real friendship with her is possible because of you.”

  Those words rang true, but Nicole still didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want credit for Danny’s life. She wanted Danny to be all right. “It doesn’t matter. What does matter is Danny landing this job.”

  “She’ll crush this gig, no matter how small.”

  Small. That was a thought. Plays didn’t usually have music, not something big and flashy like Danny anyway. Not to mention, this theater didn’t exactly scream ‘giant production.’ But, maybe it was what Danny needed.

  “You’ll have her call me, right?”

  Nicole rolled her eyes. “You’re probably just going to call back in another fifteen minutes if she’s not out.”

  Crow laughed again. “Yeah, ten minutes probably, but who’s counting, right? Anybody else calling to check up on her?”

  “I’ve been ordered to text Mina every ten minutes. I think Terri is going to survive.” She spoke too soon as she got another call. “Okay, no, that’s her.”

  “Of course. I’m gone.”

  Nicole chuckled once more and bid Crow farewell only to greet Terri seconds later. Terri wanted to know the same things as Crow. Nicole wished she had answers.

  ***

  “You weren’t blowing smoke up my ass about your talent.” Calvin chuckled from his seat. He leaned against the desk as Dane flopped back into her chair, causing it to groan. The screeching noise against the hard floor echoed through the empty backstage.

  She gave him a waning smile and flexed her hand. It hurt like hell. Sure, it was used to playing for a couple of minutes, but switching instruments and trying to make it through almost ten minutes of playing? Cramps didn’t even begin to cover it. She hoped Nicole had a solution for it, because she didn’t have a clue on what to do. Is a hand massage a thing?

  “Well, I’ve been told if I was cut, I’d bleed musical notes.” Dane was good at one thing in life, and she’d never been shy about it. Besides, he just witnessed her play the shit out of three rundown, off-key instruments.

  Calvin’s expression was beyond a grin. “I can believe that. I’ve heard a lot of different musicians for this, a lot of different songs, genres, and styles, but you are something else. I think you’re exactly what this play needs.”

  Dane nodded. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.”

  “A play with music that’s not a musical? I don’t understand what you want me to do. You want to make a score or a soundtrack or something, but not like a musical?”

  Calvin nodded. “Good question. I do want something like that. I wanted to produce something different. A play with a soundtrack would be accurate. I want it to be similar to a movie in that sense. I want something that after opening night, the papers are talking about it.”

  “If it’s a good show, wouldn’t they be doing that, anyway?” For some reason, the question made him laugh. That didn’t seem like a good sign.

  He held up a finger. “Give me a second. I want you to have a copy of the script. Look at the scenes and start figuring out what you want to do. Be aware the script is subject to change since we haven’t started anything really, but it’ll give you a good idea of the storyline.”<
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  Dane nodded, but again, that didn’t seem like a good sign. He was gone before she could figure out a proper way to question his response. Also, since he was getting her a script, did that mean she landed the gig? It sounded that way, but she wasn’t sure.

  While she waited, she noticed Andrew sneering in her general direction. Producer and director definitely weren’t on the same page. She got an understanding why when Calvin put the script in front of her. The cover page said it all. Andrew was director and writer. Music probably wasn’t in his vision. It had to hurt to have his art changed without his consent, and there didn’t seem to be anything he could do about it beyond pout.

  “Is this a go? I got the gig?” It’d hurt her ego if she thought she got the gig and he just wanted to pick her brain about music for the script.

  Calvin grinned at her. “You got the gig. You will write up a score and lead the orchestra in playing it while the play runs. I think we have something special here if you can make it happen.”

  Dane wasn’t sure. She wouldn’t be sure until she read the script. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Not to pressure you or anything. Come in on Monday at eight. There’ll be a group of musicians here for you to start with and you’re in charge of them.”

  She blinked. “Monday? You want me to have music by Monday?”

  “No. I want you to have read the script, have ideas, and be ready to work on Monday with an orchestra of five.”

  Dane nodded. “I can do that.” She better do it. This was a chance, a real chance. This was a real job. She could finally bring something more to the table. She could be better. “Now, how much money for this gig?” She hoped that wasn’t rude. There really wasn’t a number he could tell her that would be a deal breaker. She’d be able to pay bills and treat Nicole to things with money she earned.

  He chuckled. “We can discuss that.”

  Dane nodded. She didn’t know how much money she should walk away with for something like this, but it had to be more than tutoring. It probably wouldn’t be as good when clubs booked her a lifetime ago, though. It didn’t matter. Time to negotiate. She’d like to find out if she had any benefits, too, not that she needed them. It’d just be nice to have them without Nicole’s help.

  ***

  Nicole almost jumped as the door opened and cold air rushed in as Danny eased into the passenger seat. She wasn’t sure what to make of Danny’s expression, all pinched eyebrows and pursed lips. It was something new.

  “You okay?” Nicole thought things were good despite the expression. Danny had been gone for almost an hour.

  For a long moment, there was silence. Danny flexed her left hand and cracked her knuckles before putting her hands together to blow on them. I hope she wasn’t trying to play for most of that time. If Danny had overextended herself, Nicole would do everything she could to help Danny’s hand feel better.

  “Yeah. I mean.” Danny shrugged. “I got the gig.”

  “That’s great!” Nicole wrapped Danny into a hug. Danny returned it tightly, but when they pulled apart, Danny’s face was still kind of twisted. Nicole studied her. “Is it not great? Did it turn out Christine really did arrange the whole thing?”

  Danny shook her head as she sat back in her seat. “No, I don’t think she did. It was just a little weird in there. Pretty sure the director and producer are related, but they don’t seem to agree on how this thing should go.”

  Nicole scoffed. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that, baby. All you have to worry about is arranging the music.”

  Danny’s hand went through her hair and she stared straight ahead with wide eyes. “Oh, my god.”

  Nicole put a hand on Danny’s shoulder. “What’s up?”

  “Baby, I got a job. Not a gig. A job!” Danny panted. She sounded like she was having trouble breathing again and possibly on the verge of a panic attack. Nicole rubbed her back.

  “Yes, love, you have a job.” Nicole kissed her. She couldn’t believe Danny was so overwhelmed. She kissed her again, and Danny laughed before turning to face her completely.

  “I got a job!” Danny threw her arms around Nicole and held her to the point it almost hurt, but Nicole didn’t say anything.

  “I’m proud of you. So proud,” Nicole whispered.

  “I’m gonna do better for you, baby. So much better,” Danny promised.

  Nicole pulled away and shook her head. “You’re perfectly fine.” She caressed Danny’s cheek.

  Danny’s whole face was lit up, and it seemed like a halo surrounded her. Nicole’s heart jumped. She wasn’t sure she had ever seen Danny look happy. She couldn’t wait to watch her experience this new joy.

  “We have to call everyone when we go home,” Nicole said. Danny grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.

  Chapter Eight

  NICOLE WATCHED FROM THE sofa as Danny sat on the floor with the script in her hands. Haydn tucked under Danny’s elbow, trying to get her attention. From the pinch of Danny’s face, Haydn had his job cut out for him. Nicole had to give it to Danny, ignoring Haydn was a tall order, especially once he started to whimper and nose around the script. Even when he hopped on Danny’s back and neck, she didn’t cut him a glance. Eventually, he gave up and bounded over to Nicole.

  “Aw, sorry, puppy, but your mom has work to do right now,” Nicole said as he nuzzled her hand. She offered him a sad smile while petting his head and back.

  Out of the blue, Danny huffed and slammed the script down. “Chem, can you read this? I mean, I feel like I might be stupid.”

  Nicole squinted as she turned her attention to her lover. “Well, I know you’re far from stupid. What’s the problem?”

  Danny scratched her head. “I don’t get it. I’m reading this thing, and I don’t get it.”

  Nicole arched an eyebrow and leaned over some, trying to see the script without getting up. “What don’t you get?”

  Rubbing her furrowed brow, Danny frowned. “Well, I’m trying to figure out if it’s a retelling of Robin Hood or King Arthur.”

  Nicole scratched her chin. “Well, those are two distinctive legends. Is the main character an outlaw?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” Sounded Robin Hood–like. She rubbed noses with Haydn to let him know she hadn’t forgotten about him. He tried to lick her, but she pulled back in time. She doubted she’d ever get used to him licking her, especially in the face.

  “But, he becomes king in the end.”

  Not quite Robin Hood. “Well, is he an archer or a swordsman?”

  “Both.” Danny bit her bottom lip and squinted at the script.

  Yeah, this was harder than it seemed. “Is the main villain a sorceress or an evil king?”

  “Evil sorcerer king.”

  “Wow. Is the story any good?” She never considered a mash up of Robin Hood and King Arthur. Maybe Andrew Mason made it work or maybe there was a reason no one had ever done it.

  Danny held up a hand and wiggled it from side to side. “It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. From skimming it, it just seems weird. Like I said, I don’t know what the story is beyond some generic medieval hero crap with a damsel in distress and evil king.”

  “A damsel in distress?” Wow. I thought entertainment was trying to move beyond that cliché. Guess I was wrong.

  “Yup. I’m talking trapped-in-a-tower-waiting-for-the-dashing-knight-in-shining-armor-to-come-rescue-her damsel in distress. She doesn’t even have any funny lines from what I can tell.”

  Nicole frowned and then grunted as Haydn shoved into her. She made a face at him and scratched behind his ears. “I didn’t think people still went for that sort of thing. Is this a story for adults?”

  Twisting her mouth up a little, Danny shook her head. “I think it’s supposed to be for kids. There’s a lot of magic, and there’s a dragon. Probably get a better idea of it on Monday.”

  “Do you have any ideas for music yet?”

  Danny grimaced. “Not really because I do
n’t get the story much. Like I said, is this Robin Hood or King Arthur?”

  “Well, maybe he’s trying to be original. He could’ve taken characteristics from those and other classic heroes to build his story. Or maybe he’s trying to poke fun at those stories by showing all of the clichés.” She’d rather that than kids watching a damsel-in-distress and thinking girls were incapable of doing anything without a man around.

  Danny nodded. “That’s possible.”

  “If you can’t get a feel for the story, what are you going to do?”

  Danny shook her head. “I’ll figure something out. The story isn’t awful. Probably just need to get through not knowing who these characters are supposed to be.”

  “Just treat them as their own characters,” Nicole said.

  Danny nodded. “If nothing else, I could talk to Andrew, even though he seemed kinda pissed about me being there.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’ll get over that. He undoubtedly would want the best music to go with his art, right?” It seemed logical to her, but she had also come across more than her fair share of illogical humans.

  Danny shrugged. “I dunno about all that. He’s not looking at it as going with his art or even enhancing his art, but possibly ruining his art. It’s weird to look at someone else’s art and try to add my own. I’m used to working on my own with my music. Even with a band, they played what I wrote.”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  Danny grunted and went back to the script. She needed to find her rhythm. A smile slid onto Nicole’s face as she watched Danny work, jotting down notes on the script.

  Haydn pushed into her face. She rubbed his head and gave him kisses. He nuzzled her, pressed his paws against her, and bumped his wet nose into her face. Giggling, she entertained him, talking to him, scratching his head, and letting him tug on his toy rope for several minutes before she looked at Danny again.

  Nicole wondered if this was how she appeared when she studied for exams—intense, focused, determined with hard eyes and a tense face. Pride swelled in her chest as she watched Danny make notes on the script. Is this how Danny feels when she watches me work?