Chapter 11

"Attending the First Performance"

So after a very informative breakfast at the exclusive and secretive Club 33, I returned to the Disneyland Hotel where Ron and I awaited the arrival of my folks after their own trek across the country. Clearly, they were tired from all the travel that they had done, but they were happy to see me nonetheless. The rest of the day went by uneventfully and then, the time had come for us to get in line for Beau's performance of the Candlelight Processional. While we were in line for our VIP seating, I reached into my purse and began to silently pray a Hail Mary to myself.

"Kim," whispered Ron, nudging me slightly. "Is it really necessary that you should have those out? Some people might be offended."

But, I said nothing and continued to silently pray. Ron was probably thinking that I was being paranoid, but I wasn't. This was a dress rehearsal for my performance the next night and I had to take in every single bit of detail that was going to go into my performance.

"Hello? Earth to Kim?" asked Ron, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Ron, can't you see I'm praying?" I snapped sharply, jerking around to look at him in the eye. "What is it?"

"All I'm saying is that I don't want us to get unwanted attention," retorted Ron. "Put those away and pull yourself together. Come on now, you're embarrassing me."

Part of me wanted to slap Ron smack clean in the face for not being sensitive to my feelings and another part of me just wanted to leave. But, I couldn't do one way or the other and instead kept my feelings to myself as we began to make our way towards our seats, which were roped off from the rest of people in attendance.

Ron and I were seated in the front row, right in front of the podium where Beau was to narrate the story of Christ. Furthermore, the beauty of the decorations caused me to let go of my ill feelings towards Ron.

"Hmm, they seem to really go out," remarked Ron, admiring how decorative the stage was. "Too bad that nothing is as cool in my house."

"That's because you are of a different faith," I replied, still clutching my rosaries tightly. "But, nevertheless, the processional is meant to bring people of all backgrounds together, including people of the Jewish faith."

"Indeed," sighed Ron. "Still, I think that there should be a processional for Hanukkah."

I merely just ignored the remark and soon, the band began to play and after a few minutes of epic Christmas music, the sights and sounds of a large group of people holding candles in the darkness began to make their way towards the stage. Seeing this made me feel of the uncertainty of that was going on between me and God. Eventually, the sounds of trumpets were heard and then, Beau stood up to read the story of Jesus.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed," Beau began. "And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

The next part of the story involved a song that I remember my mom telling me about that made both her and dad cry. It was the song that came to symbolize the relationship between Jesus and his mother, the most Blessed Virgin Mary.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Yes, it was the song "Candlelight Carol" that always got to them and it was going to get to me. From the moment that the female soloist began singing the open words, I felt myself getting choked up and tears were beginning to form in my eyes.

"Hey," whispered Ron. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, feeling choked up. "I...just…can't abide to listen to this song."

Ron sighed as he pulled me to his shoulder and Beau began to suddenly take notice of this as he waited to resume. He was probably thinking that I was trying to back out because I couldn't handle the song "Candlelight Carol."

…

Eventually, I did pull myself together and the processional came to an end on a high note. But, Beau had his concerns.

"Kim, what was going on during the Candlelight Carol?" he asked as we had the ending dinner at Carthy Circle restaurant in California Adventure. "You were crying."

"I wasn't crying," I answered. "I was just emotional, that's all. Haven't you ever have gotten emotional during a song?"

"No," said Beau, sharply. "I've never gotten emotional. But, I am worried that you are going to break down crying onstage tomorrow night. You can't let them see your emotions get the better of you."

Ron could see that Beau was starting to become more than a little harsh towards me. However, part of me that Beau was right on not letting the audience see me show my emotions.

"Hey, leave her alone, Bridges!" cried Ron, getting in between me and Beau. "Kim is very sensitive to certain songs, okay?"

"Sit down, young man," he ordered, grabbing a glass of wine to throw in Ron's face. "This doesn't concern you at all!"

"She's my girlfriend," Ron growled, staring right in Beau's face. "And I will defend her to the ends of the Earth. So, if I were you, I'd back off and focus on your own famous life."

Beau was not going to stand for this and decided to leave his own dinner in a huff. Part of me couldn't believe that Ron had done this act out of love for me. However, another part of me was angry for the disrespect that he showed towards a major actor like Beau Bridges.

"So what if you were crying?" remarked Ron. "You are who you are, Kim and nothing is going to change that."

But, I had my reasons and what Beau was giving me was something that was going to help me get through this. Later that night, unbeknownst to Ron, I decided to pay Beau a visit long after Disneyland had closed…