A Boy to Remember

by Cynthia Thomason

  Of course he was. “Yes, you have talent.” He kept his voice as even as he could. The last thing he wanted was to exaggerate his opinion of Lizzie’s acting ability. But the girl was darn good. He knew it, and so did the audience tonight.

  “And you believe that everyone should follow their dreams?”

  For the most part, he did. When he’d first met Lizzie, she’d been quiet and withdrawn, still grieving over the loss of her father. The theater had brought her out of the dark place she had been, allowed her to grow and develop her creative skills. No one, not even Alex, could deny that this summer at the Red Barn had been just the tonic Lizzie needed. And maybe acting was truly the stuff of her dreams.

  Unfortunately, he didn’t know how strongly Alex had her mind made up on Lizzie going to Bryn Mawr.

  “Daniel?”

  He realized he’d been lost in thought. “Oh, sorry.”

  “You do believe in dreams?”

  He managed a slight smile. “Sure. Dreams are important for everyone. But your mother has dreams, too, dreams for you.”

  “Those are her dreams. Mine are at Ohio State. And it’s a lot closer than Bryn Mawr.” Lizzie grinned. “You live in Columbus, just minutes from OSU. It would mean so much to me to have you as a mentor, someone I could talk to. And I’ll be much closer to Mom, as well, than I would be in Pennsylvania.”

  He couldn’t argue those points. Maybe having Lizzie nearby would be enough reason for Alex to at least consider the other school.

  “Say you’re on my side, Daniel,” she pleaded.

  He sighed. “I’m not not on your side, Lizzie. I want you to be happy. I want your mother to be happy, too. And I’m not your father...”

  He recalled his earlier pondering about whether or not he actually might be Lizzie’s dad, but he’d accepted that he wasn’t. He and Alex had grown so close. She would have told him. They’d had deep conversations about Lizzie.

  “I don’t have a father, Daniel,” Lizzie said. “You are as close as a father to me as anyone could be. I trust you. I admire you.” She leaned forward, rested her palms on his hands. “I need you to believe in me. I know acting is what I want to do. I don’t have any doubts. Please say you’ll talk to Mom for me.”

  “I can’t tell your mother, Lizzie. It’s not my place. You have to tell her. You’ve got to be as honest with her as you’ve been with me. See how she reacts. She might surprise you.”

  Lizzie gave him a petulant look, but she followed it with a nod. “Okay, I’ll tell her tomorrow night after the opening and the cast party. As soon as we get home. She’ll be in a good mood.”

  Yes, she probably would be, Daniel thought. And the next morning he would be on his way to Columbus, already missing Alex, but grateful he wasn’t taking sides between these two strong women. Being a politician had its challenges, but maybe dealing with policy and budgets was slightly easier than being a parent.

  “Here you are,” Alex said from backstage. “I’ve been looking all over for the two of you.”

  Daniel stood, walked over to her. “I think we’re ready for ice cream.”

  “What were you guys talking about?”

  “Oh, nothing,” Lizzie said. “I was just getting some tips from Daniel on how to make my portrayal of Zaneeta even better tomorrow night.”

  Alex smiled at Daniel. “He’s a pro,” she said. “I’m sure he would only give you good advice.”

  Lizzie smiled, a little too brightly.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE THEATER WAS filled the following night for the official opening of The Music Man. Once again Alex was so proud of Lizzie and grateful that her daughter had chosen to join the production. At the final curtain call, she said to Daniel, “Thanks for coming with me and enduring this two nights in a row.”

  He smiled. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  “I know I mentioned this last night, but isn’t she fabulous?”

  “You’re a proud mother and you have a right to be. I agree with you. The best part is she loves performing so much.”

  Alex put her hand on Daniel’s arm. “That’s the mystery to me. Lizzie acted in a couple of school productions, but I never knew she had such talent for the other things, the singing and dancing.” Her face flushed. She well knew that Lizzie could have gotten her talents from her biological father.

  The crowd began filing out of the theater. Alex and Daniel remained seated, knowing they had to wait for Lizzie. Alex appreciated the time alone with him. In just a few hours, he would be headed back to Columbus, and she wouldn’t see him for at least a week.

  “How does your father feel about you returning to your job?” she asked.

  “He’s okay with it, better than I am, actually. His sister is coming for a few days beginning on Sunday. I’ll call every day to check up on him.”

  “And how’s he doing?”

  “He’s getting weaker, but his pain meds are keeping him mobile. He’s still planning on taking that trip west, and if the doctor’s prediction is correct, he should be able to do that.”

  “Is he satisfied with the deal he made for his inventory?”

  Daniel had told her about the offer that came in and how grateful he was that finances wouldn’t be a problem for Gus. Once the building sold, there would be even more capital.

  “He says it’s a fair proposition and the guy’s deposit check didn’t bounce, so all is going forward.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I think it’s wonderful that you could take some time to be with your dad through this ordeal. You’re a good son, Daniel.”

  He smiled down at her. “Thanks, but right now I’m just as interested in being a good boyfriend.” He took her hand. “I am your boyfriend, aren’t I, Alex? I feel like I am. I definitely want to be.”

  She sighed. “We’ve been together almost every day for a week, and even before that. If you’re not my boyfriend, then I’ve become awfully fond of a stalker.”

  He chuckled. “Can you imagine? You and I calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend just like we were teenagers again. I have to admit, Alex, the first couple of times I ran into you I didn’t think we’d make it to this point, although I wanted it to happen.”

  She turned her hand over in his and threaded their fingers. “I kind of wish we weren’t celebrating with the cast tonight. I’d like to find a park bench somewhere and just sit and look at you.”

  “We’ll do that after the party. I don’t plan on getting any sleep tonight, and it’s a short drive to Columbus.”

  Glen came out on stage and waved to them. “Hey, you two lovebirds, let’s get moving. They’re waiting for us at the Tinker’s Tavern on the green. Appetizers, drinks and of course—” he waved his arm with a flourish “—champagne!”

  Daniel stood and put his hand out to help Alex. “Is the cast going together?” he asked Glen.

  “Yeah, everyone has a ride, including Lizzie, so we’ll meet you there.”

  When the two of them got in Daniel’s SUV, he leaned over and gave Alex a long and passionate kiss.

  “Wow,” she breathed. “You’re not leaving for nine hours yet. I hope you have more of those saved up.”

  “I do, and for the record, I’m crazy about you, Alexis Pope.”

  She stared out the windshield. Daniel’s words brought back all the guilt and anguish she’d kept buried for so long. How could Daniel, how could any man, love her after what she’d done, what she was still doing? Confessing the truth to him would be the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. When her eyes burned with tears, she blinked hard to clear them.

  “Alex, what’s wrong?” he asked. “Did I say something to upset you? If you don’t feel the same about me, it’s okay. But I should warn you. I’m not giving up.”

  She shook her head. “I don�
�t know what’s wrong with me, but it’s nothing you’ve done.” That was a lie. She was falling in love with Daniel a little more each day. And the realization devastated her even though she let it happen. She cleared her throat. Daniel was waiting. She had to say something. “I was just wondering how you’ll feel when I go back to Chicago.”

  “The same. Chicago is still less than a day’s drive from Columbus, and I have a feeling you might be driving to my city with some regularity.”

  “Oh, really?” She turned to see his profile. “And what makes you think that?”

  He opened his mouth as if he would speak, but then closed it again and shrugged. “Just a thought, that’s all,” he said after a moment.

  She wondered what he meant by the comment as they drove to the Tinker’s Tavern. Did he believe she would come to Columbus to see him? She would, anytime she could, but would he want her to after hearing the truth? Alex no longer believed that she would return to Chicago taking the secret with her. That had been her safe plan, and it was falling apart a bit more every day. She couldn’t keep telling herself that this summer would be like the one so many years ago. A magical, wonderful dream she could take with her, and no one would get hurt.

  * * *

  THE CELEBRATION LASTED until after midnight. Daniel drove Alex and Lizzie home. When they stopped in the drive at Dancing Falls, Alex assumed Lizzie would go in, and she would have alone time with Daniel. After all, Lizzie knew Daniel was leaving in the morning, and she had been enthusiastic about matching her mom with Daniel since she met him.

  Lizzie stood outside the car. “Mom, I need to talk to you. Can you come in with me?”

  Surprised, but not worried, Alex looked at Daniel. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” His features had taken on the sharp angles of concern.

  Alex wondered if perhaps he minded more than he let on. “I’ll call you when we’re done. Maybe we can still find that park bench.”

  “Sure. I’ll be waiting.”

  She got out and walked to the front door. The living room was quiet, with just a low lamp glowing in a corner. Martin, Jude and Wesley had gone to the performance but not the party. Alex assumed her father was in his room with Maggie, and Jude and Wesley had gone to their place above the tack room. Alex lit a brighter lamp. “Is this good?” she asked. “Can I get you something, a glass of milk, maybe?”

  Lizzie furrowed her brow. “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. You don’t have to bring me milk and cookies.”

  “Okay. I’ll try to remember that.” She sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to her. “What did you want to talk about, honey?”

  Lizzie sat but did not lean back. Her demeanor was guarded, her back straight. She didn’t waste any time. “Mom, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go to Bryn Mawr.”

  Alex told herself to stay calm. This was just a young girl getting carried away by her opening night success.

  For ten minutes the conversation was mostly one-sided as Lizzie went over all the details about her choice to go to Ohio State. Most of what she said was mixed with the continuous buzz of alarm that had begun playing in Alex’s mind ever since Lizzie’s announcement.

  ...great Department of Theater

  ...cutting-edge program

  ...closer to Chicago

  ...acting is what I was born to do

  When she finally drew a breath, Lizzie regarded her mother thoughtfully. “So, is everything okay, Mom?”

  Alex licked her dry lips and swallowed. Her first instinct was to play the role of mom and declare the idea was nonsense, and she would hear no more about it. But she’d never assumed such a dictatorial attitude with Lizzie before, and she couldn’t now. Though, in fairness, Lizzie had never come up with such an illogical choice before, either.

  “Is everything okay?” Alex repeated. “No, honey, everything is not okay. I don’t agree with or approve of your decision.”

  “Mom, I just told you all the best reasons why I want to do this.”

  “Yes, you did. And not one of them is good enough to cancel the plans we made for you to go to Bryn Mawr. Do you realize what an honor it is to be accepted by this institution?”

  “Well, sure, but...”

  “This is your future, Lizzie. We had it all mapped out for you.”

  “You and Daddy mapped it out, Mom.”

  “You were sitting right there at the dining room table when we were looking at catalogs. Why didn’t you say something if you didn’t want to go to Bryn Mawr?”

  “Well, at first I thought I did. I mean, Daddy was so excited that I would be following in Grandma’s footsteps. It meant so much to him. And teaching literature seemed like a solid, safe thing to do.”

  “It is. Teaching is a rewarding profession. What could be better than introducing books to a new generation? Once you have your master’s you can join a small college community and enjoy all that life has to offer. Sabbaticals, opportunities for study overseas, lasting friendships...”

  “All that may be true, but it doesn’t excite me. Not anymore.”

  “You mean not since you snagged a small role in a summer stock theater?” Alex realized she was minimizing what Lizzie had devoted the past weeks to, but she had to make her daughter see the foolishness of this irrational and impulsive decision.

  “That’s not fair, Mom! You were totally behind me getting a part in the play. You drove me there!”

  “Yes, I did, so you would have an opportunity to clear your head this summer, so you could forget your grief for a few blessed weeks. And you did! The play worked wonders for you. But it will be over in a few nights and you’ll be off to college.”

  “I don’t want to go to Bryn Mawr, Mom. Or be a teacher. I’ve always enjoyed acting, so don’t make it sound as if I heard applause for the first time and became a completely different person.”

  Alex stood, paced in a small area. After a moment she said, “I can’t let you do this, Lizzie. What sort of a future will you have with a degree in acting? I can just picture you waiting tables in Los Angeles, hoping your agent calls with an audition—that’s if you’re even fortunate enough to get an agent.”

  “Why do you have to paint the absolute worst picture?” Lizzie said. “Who knows if I’ll end up in California? Maybe I’ll go to New York or some other city. The point is I want to act. I know that now, and it’s not too late for me to change my mind and withdraw from Bryn Mawr.”

  A solution occurred to Alex, the last card she could play. “Have you checked into acting classes at Bryn Mawr?” she asked. “Why can’t you have a double major, theater and literature? You can make up your mind what you want to do at a later date.”

  “No. I want to go to Ohio State.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of the program there. And Daniel is close by.”

  Daniel? Did he know about this? Alex recalled his comment about her driving to Columbus, his wary expression when he dropped them off at the house a while ago. If he did know, the decent thing would’ve been to have given her a heads-up.

  “Have you discussed this with Daniel?” Alex asked.

  “Yes, and he agrees with me.”

  “What?” The sting of betrayal gnawed at Alex’s stomach. How could Daniel have gone along with this wild plan? He had no right to interfere! At least, no right that he knew about. “What did he say?” she asked. “That he thinks it’s the best choice for you?”

  “Not in so many words,” Lizzie admitted. “But he said that everyone should have dreams and be able to follow them. And he went to Ohio State, and he knows a lot about the theater department. And look what an OSU education has done for him.”

  She paused as if waiting for her mother to say something positive. Alex kept quiet, so Lizzie pressed on. “And he’s my mentor, Mom. He’s helped me all summer, an
d I can call on him for advice anytime since he’ll be in Columbus, too. He’s already promised that I can call him whenever I want. It’s perfect, don’t you see that? I mean, I like Daniel, you like Daniel. What could be better?”

  What would be better is if this entire conversation could be rewound and deleted from Alex’s memory. She sat back on the sofa, took a breath. “Think about what you’re saying, Lizzie. All at once you’re ready to give up everything you’ve planned based on a few weeks of summer stock theater and a man you’ve known for such a short time. You’ve always loved books—novels, poetry. Literature is the ideal major for you. I’m sorry, but this doesn’t make any sense!”

  Lizzie leaned forward, stared into her mother’s eyes. “Mom, think about this. I’ll be within a few hours’ drive from you in Chicago. Daniel and I can take off for occasional weekends together and come and see you.”

  Daniel and Lizzie confined in a car together for hours? As what? Mentor and protégée? Father and daughter? Alex didn’t know anymore. If Daniel was having this much influence over Lizzie as a good friend, maybe she should rethink her resolve to tell him the truth.

  She tried the most immediate and practical rebuttal she could come up with. “What makes you think I have any plans to see Daniel once I go back to Chicago?”

  “I just thought... I mean, you like him, and he obviously likes you. You’re great together. Why wouldn’t you see him?”

  Great together. In the back of Alex’s mind, she believed that she and Daniel might have a future. Once she told him about Lizzie, once he’d processed that information, maybe they could make a go of a relationship. Or maybe not. He might never forgive her, never want to see her again. She couldn’t let Lizzie base her entire future on the possibility that Daniel would become a permanent fixture in their lives.

  “You’re jumping to conclusions, Lizzie,” she said. “I don’t know that I’ll ever see Daniel again once I leave Ohio.” And now that she knew he’d encouraged her daughter in this ill-thought-out plan with his speech about dreams, Alex didn’t know if she wanted a future with Daniel. He hadn’t mentioned anything to her about Lizzie’s plans, and yet he clearly knew that this conversation was going to take place. He’d allowed her to walk into an ambush. What about these past weeks, the time they’d spent together? Did that mean nothing?