Page 85 of To the Moon and Back

“What about you?”

“The play is over and I’m taking a little time for myself.Sleeping in. Taking Rocky for long walks.”

“Enjoying it?”

Lauren hesitated. “It’s been an interesting time. My crossroads, Iguess.”

“I miss you.” The words were so automatic. That’s how Carly knewhow deeply she meant them.

Lauren’s voice was quiet. “I miss you, too.”

“Good night, Lauren.”

“Sweet dreams, Carly.”

They hadn’t spoken about their romance or a possible future, butCarly knew without a doubt that their connection remained very much intact. Shesmiled and slid beneath her sheets. She just had to stay the course. Patiencewas a virtue, right?

* * *

New York City in winter was something to behold. Lauren exited thecrowded subway station and found herself in Times Square. It was getting darkout, even though it was only four p.m., but the streets were illuminated byomnipresent neon. She gave herself a small hug as she walked, inhaling thesweet scent of roasted nuts from a street vendor on the corner. In just a fewhours, audiences would take to the streets, heading out in their nice clothesfor the theater, a concept that always left Lauren feeling invigorated.

The trip was entirely unexpected. She’d surprised even herselfwhen she’d agreed to the audition her agent sent her way. She wasn’t entirelysure about the future of her career, but there was no way she was passing up ashot at a new Heather Kim play. She’d be happy to get coffee for people on thatproduction. In good news, she’d felt great about the audition. She was happywith her reading and seemed in sync with the director.

They’d invited her back for a chemistry read the next day, in anattempt to match actors up with others who might complement them in the worldof the play. They’d scheduled her for two such readings.

After snagging a sandwich and a giant chocolate chip cookie fromSchmackary’s, Lauren took in a performance ofCleanSlate, one of her all-time favorite musicals that had been runningon Broadway for years, and headed back to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

The next afternoon, she met with the creatives for her secondaudition.

“What I loved about your reading yesterday was the way you infusedcompassion into what also had to be a high-pressure case for her to solve,” thedirector, Jeanine, told her before they got started. “You took time to check inon a very human level, rather than sticking to the business of the job.”

“Oh, okay, great. I can stay in that mode.” She tried to remaincalm, knowing Heather Kim herself sat in the corner of the room, taking notes.

“We’re gonna first test you with the character of Jimmy,” Jeaninesaid. She introduced Lauren to Freddy Hale, the young boy they’d cast in theshow.

He seemed precocious and excited. “Cool to meet you.”

“Back atcha,” Lauren said, as they exchanged a high five. They dida short reading from a scene, listened to some notes, and tried it again.

“Perfect,” Jeanine said, jumping to her feet. “Freddy, I thinkthat’s all we need from you.” He offered Lauren a final high five, saidgood-bye to the team, and joined his mom, who held his coat by the door.

“So, your background is in stage management,” Jeanine said, withan amused grin. “That’s great. I used to stage manage myself. There’s nothinglike it.”

“You’ve got that right. I just wrapped a show at The McAllister.”

“Which is the theater where I first encountered you.Starry Nightswas apoignant one. I might have teared up.”

Lauren was honored. “I didn’t know you’d seen it.”

“Oh yeah. Fantastic piece. Carly’s the one who thought you mightbe good for this. She wasn’t wrong.”

“Carly Daniel?”

“She’s our Reagan.”

Lauren was shocked.

“Hey,” a voice said from the door. “Sorry I’m two minutes late.They wouldn’t let me cross the street until a crane had been safely lowered. Iwill not be late again. You have my word.”

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