Page 6 of Crash
Before getting ready, I do some light housework leaving me more free time while I’m off.
I bundle up my uniforms to drop off at the cleaners, run the vacuum, and wipe down my kitchen counters. Once I finish, I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower to allow the water to warm then return to my room and grab a pair of jeans and a fitted t-shirt from my closet. With my selected attire complete, I jump in the shower and start cleansing my body.Why am I stressing this?I feel like I’m preparing for a date with all this effort I’m putting into getting dressed for a dance presentation from my sister’s best friend.
After my shower, I dry my body, put on my clothes, and head out to run my errands before going to the theater. Along the way, I spot a few colleagues assisting with an accident. This makes me think about what Caleb said to me earlier. I had dreamed of becoming a fireman when I was younger, but my time here has changed my path. Mainly because, I find myself developing relationships and having a more consistent schedule and not having to stay at the firehouse for long periods of time.
“Hi, Austin. I see you are dropping off earlier than usual,” Mrs. Corrine says, when I enter the storefront.
“Yeah, got an extra day off this week, so I’m using today to knock out all my errands, leaving the next two days clear to relax.”
“Sounds good. Wish I had a day or two off. Your clothes will be ready tomorrow after five p.m. See you then.”
The chimes ring once again, signaling my exit. My stomach rumbles from the whiff of cheese and marinara from the pizzeria next door. I check my smart watch and notice I have time to grab a slice.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” the middle-aged man from behind the counter says. The way the place is set up, you can see the staff make the pizza right in front of the customers. From the dough being tossed into the air, to an employee shredding the mozzarella cheese.
“I’ll take one slice and water.”
“That’ll be five bucks.” He hands me my number and bottle of water. I take a seat near the window.
Scrolling through social media on my phone, I see my sister’s post about tonight’s production. The thing that catches my attention the most is the picture of Tessa. She’s dressed in a flowy skirt, standing on the toes of one foot, and the other leg is extended straight above her head with her toes pointed.
“Whoa. She’s flexible,” the young man says, as he brings my food.
I quickly close my screen and give him a sideways glance. “Thank you.” The gratitude comes out, stopping any unpleasant words from falling out of my mouth. The first bite quells the rumbling in my stomach while the second bite satisfies. My phone rings, and I roll my eyes.
“Court, I’m trying to eat.”
“Cool. You need your nutrition. I just wanted to say I got you a VIP pass, so you can come backstage and let me know you’re here. Just give them your name at the box-office window.”
“Okay, thanks, sis. I’ll try to be there soon so you can stay with Tessa. How is she doing?”
“Her nerves are a little calmer since I got here, but she’s still a wreck.”
“You guys perform all the time, why is this one any different?”
“Well, I’m not at liberty to say. Just know she has a lot riding on this. Something she wants to do for her future.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. I’m finishing up my pizza and I’ll be on my way. Do you need me to bring you two anything?”
“She loves sour gummy worms. She’ll need those after tonight. That and a shot of something strong.”
“I’ll stop and grab a bag or two. See you soon.” The time flashes on my phone, and the performance starts in an hour. The thought of going backstage without a gift or something for the star is bad karma. I chase the rest of my food with water and go outside to the corner market and grab the candy and pocket mints to kill the pizza on my breath. A bouquet of flowers catches my eye, and I add them to my items before checking out at the register. Jumping into my Jeep, I proceed to the Majesty Theater.
Okay, maybe I need to own up to the fact that Courtney was right, and I do have a crush on Tessa. I think I’ve had feelings for her for a little while. From the time they graduated high school, I’ve always felt something but never knew what it was. Infatuation surely wasn’t on my radar. I’m only three years older than they are, so dating her would’ve been on the grounds of wrong. When they graduated high school, I could tell she had matured from the braces-wearing little girl I’d come to know, but when they left college, she was different. Some part of me always knew that, I guess.
The line outside the box office stretches along the sidewalk and down the street two blocks. Fortunately, I’m able to grab a parking spot near the backdoor exit. I tap at the door to see if anyone will answer before sauntering up to the ticket window.
“If you are on the VIP list, please check in with the usher on the inside,” the woman says, using the loudspeaker. “If you are not on the list, you will be redirected back out here to the end of the line. I suggest you think twice about trying to pull a fast one.”
A few people who started to make their way out the line quickly retract.
Stepping up to the podium inside, I state my name. “Austin Lancaster, I should be on the VIP list.”
The tall, thin young man with glasses uses his flashlight to go over the list.
“Hmm, Lancaster, Lancaster, Lanc— Oh yes, Austin Lancaster. There you are. Here is your access badge, and you are in the center section, row A, seat five. Good spot for tonight’s show. Enjoy.”
I detour and go to the stage entrance on the left, looking for my sister and Tessa. The hustle and bustle of people getting ready is what I run into when I step behind the scenes.
