~*~
Having to keep to the schedule, rehearsals were grueling. Under ideal conditions, summers are hard enough with vacations, camp, and other activities. It’s even harder when the director and the lead actor are working, too. Jillian found a job that was too good to pass up. Luckily, it was part time.
Despite progress on the production, she felt something was brewing.
Jillian cornered Jake after a particularly hard rehearsal. Everyone but Sam had gone.
“What’s with the attitude? I want the scene blocked that way.”
He shrugged and turned away.
She grabbed his arm and spun him around. “Don’t walk away from me.”
“Leave me alone, Jillian.”
Sam, putting away the props, spotted them fighting and ran over. “Hey—cut it out. You both need to chill.”
“Good idea.” Jake stomped out. A minute later, they heard his car burn rubber on the concrete parking lot.
“Jake?” Sam’s words fell on deaf ears. She looked at her friend.
Jillian put her arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Don’t worry kiddo. I’ll run you home.”
The two rode in silence. Jillian stole several glances at Sam, but getting no reaction from the younger girl, Jillian turned her attention back to the road.
“Jake’s unhappy,” Sam blurted out.
“Okay… but it’s not good to keep it bottled up.”
“He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“I meant you. Do you know what’s bugging him?” She stole another glance at the girl. “Sam—you do know, don’t you?”
“I don’t know for sure…”
Yes you do. “How does a milkshake sound? My treat,” Jillian added.
Sam pursed her lips. “You don’t play fair. That’s bribery. Can I have a piece of pie, too?” Sam asked slowly.
Jillian laughed. “It must be a biggie. Sure, I’ll toss in a piece of pie.” Jillian pulled into the parking lot.
As soon as the waitress was out of earshot, Jillian began. “So you’re saying he gets like this periodically?”
Sam nodded, slurping a gulp of milkshake. “Yep,” then volunteered, “Every time he comes back from New York City. Though the last time was when he and Vicki separated.”
“So you’re saying his attitude this time from the divorce?”
“No, not this time.”
Getting information from Sam is like pulling teeth. “Do you know why?”
“I think he wants to move.” Sam looked up, tears welling in the corner of her eyes. “I don’t want him to move, Jillian. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Jillian smiled at the young girl’s loyalty. “Truth be told, Sam. I don’t want him to move either. I feed off his creativity. Jake has triggered my deep interest in writing and in the theater. Our group has provided the perfect outlet for my plays and skits; even the poems that Vicki set to music. I couldn’t have done any of this without Jake. I’m afraid if he’s gone, my creativity will dry up.”
Eyes wide, Sam whispered, “Do you know what I’m afraid of Jillian? That we’ll never see him again and the group will fold up.”
Me too. Jillian sighed. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
My Life Would Suck Without You Page 28
