Chapter Eleven: On with the Show
Author's Note: This chapter marks the return of Aunt Kara! Yay! Thanks to ALL my reviewers, especially for Chapter Ten. I'm so very very glad that you like my little interlude with Henry and Tina. I liked writing it... Henry's so cute! And Storm and Norah, your reviews always make me smile and feel so happy, so you two get to share the dedication of this chapter!
Also, Di Casablanca one of Kara's characters from her wonderful story Ecstasy (go read it!), is mentioned in this chapter. I'm giving Kara full credit, though without permission for the moment... I've asked, but her internet usage has been restricted right now so I don't know when she'll reply. Karita dear, if you mind my using her, let me know and I'll edit it out, no problem.
One more note... yes, Frankie, you can save this on you computer to make it easier for you. Thanks for asking.
* * *
The show did go on. Opening night was an immense success. The crowd was standing-room only, making the play one of the most popular productions ever. But that knowledge somehow didn't make Chris any less gloomy. He responded to any and all compliments and congratulations with an unintelligible grumble.
Tina was distant as well. Her bruise had indeed been covered up by makeup, but it didn't hide the scars on her soul. She performed beautifully, probably the best she had ever done. But she couldn't find it in herself to care. At curtain call, amidst thunderous applause, she quickly walked out and bowed, her fake smile quickly fading as her eyes fell on Chris in the front row.
After the performance, she quickly changed and hurried home in the rain, which had not stopped since the night before. She didn't want to join the rest of the cast for the traditional going-out-to-eat. All she wanted to do was go home.
Chris didn't join the cast either. He muttered a lame excuse about schoolwork to anyone who asked, including Nina, and headed to The Rhythm, where he sat at the bar, attempting to forget his problems by consuming large amounts of alcohol. Six beers later, Kara found him. She wore all black, including her fishnet stockings, save for her favorite red beret.
She slid onto the stool next to him. "Why so glum, chum?" He muttered something at her before taking another long swig. "What's that?" she responded. "I couldn't hear you around the mouthful of beer."
"Go 'way," he slurred, glaring at her.
"My, what a look. You really are quite pleasant when you're drunk. You should try it more often. It'll be a hit... the girls will love it." She clucked her tongue at him in reproach as she propped her elbows on the counter. "Now tell Auntie Kara what's the matter." She grinned. "You know you want to, all the other kids are doing it."
He buried his head in his arms, moaning. "Kara..."
"I'm not leaving, so you might as well tell me. I get annoying fast, especially once your hangover starts to set in."
He groaned, finally giving in. "She hates me."
"Ah, a girl problem. The sum of all fears." She scooted closer. "Go on. Who hates you and what did you do?"
* * *
Tina sat alone in the basement in front of her TV, surrounded by Kleenex, sobbing at the end of An Affair to Remember. "See?" she sniffed. "They ended up together... they had a happy ending... they had love..." She blew her nose loudly. "Cary Grant didn't run off with some SLUT to Prom..." Angry, she thrust the Kleenex at the TV screen.
Switching off the movie, she watched the latest annoying informercial for OxyClean. "Dammit, it's all my fault... dammit, dammit, dammit!" This time she chucked the whole Kleenex box at the TV, nailing the OxyClean guy right in the head. If she hadn't been so miserable, she might have cheered.
But miserable she was, so she collapsed against the pillows, her elbow hitting the remote control. It switched to a music channel, where a voice-over announced, "Next is the late Di Casablanca, with 'Goreki.'"
Soon, a haunting voice filled her ears, singing sadly, "If I should die this very moment, I wouldn't fear, for I've never known completeness like being here... wrapped in the warmth of you, loving every breath of you. Why live life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming... ends."
Her breath caught in her chest. That was it. That was exactly how she felt. Except her dreaming had ended the moment Chris had walked out with Nina. She choked back a sob as the image came back to her of Nina's smirking triumph. But to Tina, it hadn't been a contest. She loved Chris, she knew now... she loved him more than anything. She would give anything, do anything, to be wrapped up in his warmth, to feel his breath on her skin.
She glanced at the Prom dress hanging in the corner, radiantly dazzling with sparkles and beads. Prom was in two days... It was the dance she was meant to go to with the man she truly loved. It was supposed to be the best night of her high school life, but she had a sinking feeling that it would be her worst. She knew what Mike wanted... nothing but her body. To him, she was nothing but a mindless slut. For so long she hadn't minded the stereotype, but then again, she hadn't known better. Chris had showed her what love could truly be like... pure and innocent. But that was gone. She was Mike's now.
She clutched the pillow close as hot tears spilled from her eyes. Her tortured soul ached inside of her with a pain that seemed to never end. Finally, at two a.m., she had cried herself into a dreamless sleep with the thought that it was all her fault.
* * *
"So you see, it's all my fault," Chris finished, staring forlornly into his glass. "She wouldn't want me back if I begged. She has Mike, after all. He's everything she ever wanted."
"Now, Chris," admonished Kara. "Girls are complicated and confusing creatures. Believe me, I know. We say one thing and mean another, and sometimes we don't even know what we mean. When Harold first asked me to marry him, I said no. I said that I hated him, that I never wanted to see him again. I stormed out of his house, swearing to never come back. But you know where I was the next day?" She paused, waiting for Chris to ask.
With a sigh, he complied. "Where were you?"
"I was right back on his doorstep, begging him to take me back. I was confused, Christian McDeere, confused and scared. The thought of someone really loving me for who I was frightened me more than the possibility of living a life without love. And a life without love is a terrible, terrible thing. You'd better realize that now."
"So what, you think she's on my doorstep now?"
Kara shrugged. "Possibly. Or possibly she's at home, crying herself to sleep."
He forced a laugh. "I doubt it. She's probably out with Mike." He spit out the name like it was poison. "She's probably fucking him now, laughing at that silly writer who she tricked into loving her."
She gripped his hand as he raised it to take another drink of beer. Her voice was severe, the first time he'd ever heard it that way. "That's quite enough for one night, Christian. And you watch what you say. I might just slap you if you were my boy, for saying that. Very few women try to trick men into falling for them, and the ones that do should be ashamed to call themselves women. We have a name for girls like that- bitches." She let go of his hand, relaxing. "I very highly doubt that this Tina of yours tricked you. From what you told me, she just needed to sort out her feelings. Love is a scary thing, Chris. Not everyone is ready to jump into it as quickly as you are."
"So what should I do?"
She stood, moving behind the bar to gather up his glasses and dump them in the sink. "You've both said and done some things you probably regret. You, being the man in this relationship, should take the first step to apologize. Do something to make her see that you really do care about her. Buy her a present..."
"Flowers?"
She waved her hand as if dismissing the very idea. "No, not flowers. Something nicer than flowers, something that lasts longer... something from the heart." She wiped off the counter, pausing to kiss him on the cheek before leaving. "Just think about it. You're a smart boy, you just need a little womanly advice." She smiled as she walked away. "You'll make the right choice, Chris. Don't worry."
He stared after her. "Thanks, Aunt Kara."
"Don't mention it, doll, but I'll take it personally if you and your girl don't hook up before summer."
He smiled for the first time that night. "I'll work on it." He sat there long after she left, trying to come up with something he could do to gain Tina's forgiveness. It had to be something really, really good...
As he left The Rhythm at three-thirty in the morning, the idea hit him for the perfect apology present. All he had to do was find it. Of course, that might take awhile. But if it worked, it would be well worth it.
END CHAPTER ELEVEN
Author's Note: This chapter marks the return of Aunt Kara! Yay! Thanks to ALL my reviewers, especially for Chapter Ten. I'm so very very glad that you like my little interlude with Henry and Tina. I liked writing it... Henry's so cute! And Storm and Norah, your reviews always make me smile and feel so happy, so you two get to share the dedication of this chapter!
Also, Di Casablanca one of Kara's characters from her wonderful story Ecstasy (go read it!), is mentioned in this chapter. I'm giving Kara full credit, though without permission for the moment... I've asked, but her internet usage has been restricted right now so I don't know when she'll reply. Karita dear, if you mind my using her, let me know and I'll edit it out, no problem.
One more note... yes, Frankie, you can save this on you computer to make it easier for you. Thanks for asking.
* * *
The show did go on. Opening night was an immense success. The crowd was standing-room only, making the play one of the most popular productions ever. But that knowledge somehow didn't make Chris any less gloomy. He responded to any and all compliments and congratulations with an unintelligible grumble.
Tina was distant as well. Her bruise had indeed been covered up by makeup, but it didn't hide the scars on her soul. She performed beautifully, probably the best she had ever done. But she couldn't find it in herself to care. At curtain call, amidst thunderous applause, she quickly walked out and bowed, her fake smile quickly fading as her eyes fell on Chris in the front row.
After the performance, she quickly changed and hurried home in the rain, which had not stopped since the night before. She didn't want to join the rest of the cast for the traditional going-out-to-eat. All she wanted to do was go home.
Chris didn't join the cast either. He muttered a lame excuse about schoolwork to anyone who asked, including Nina, and headed to The Rhythm, where he sat at the bar, attempting to forget his problems by consuming large amounts of alcohol. Six beers later, Kara found him. She wore all black, including her fishnet stockings, save for her favorite red beret.
She slid onto the stool next to him. "Why so glum, chum?" He muttered something at her before taking another long swig. "What's that?" she responded. "I couldn't hear you around the mouthful of beer."
"Go 'way," he slurred, glaring at her.
"My, what a look. You really are quite pleasant when you're drunk. You should try it more often. It'll be a hit... the girls will love it." She clucked her tongue at him in reproach as she propped her elbows on the counter. "Now tell Auntie Kara what's the matter." She grinned. "You know you want to, all the other kids are doing it."
He buried his head in his arms, moaning. "Kara..."
"I'm not leaving, so you might as well tell me. I get annoying fast, especially once your hangover starts to set in."
He groaned, finally giving in. "She hates me."
"Ah, a girl problem. The sum of all fears." She scooted closer. "Go on. Who hates you and what did you do?"
* * *
Tina sat alone in the basement in front of her TV, surrounded by Kleenex, sobbing at the end of An Affair to Remember. "See?" she sniffed. "They ended up together... they had a happy ending... they had love..." She blew her nose loudly. "Cary Grant didn't run off with some SLUT to Prom..." Angry, she thrust the Kleenex at the TV screen.
Switching off the movie, she watched the latest annoying informercial for OxyClean. "Dammit, it's all my fault... dammit, dammit, dammit!" This time she chucked the whole Kleenex box at the TV, nailing the OxyClean guy right in the head. If she hadn't been so miserable, she might have cheered.
But miserable she was, so she collapsed against the pillows, her elbow hitting the remote control. It switched to a music channel, where a voice-over announced, "Next is the late Di Casablanca, with 'Goreki.'"
Soon, a haunting voice filled her ears, singing sadly, "If I should die this very moment, I wouldn't fear, for I've never known completeness like being here... wrapped in the warmth of you, loving every breath of you. Why live life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming... ends."
Her breath caught in her chest. That was it. That was exactly how she felt. Except her dreaming had ended the moment Chris had walked out with Nina. She choked back a sob as the image came back to her of Nina's smirking triumph. But to Tina, it hadn't been a contest. She loved Chris, she knew now... she loved him more than anything. She would give anything, do anything, to be wrapped up in his warmth, to feel his breath on her skin.
She glanced at the Prom dress hanging in the corner, radiantly dazzling with sparkles and beads. Prom was in two days... It was the dance she was meant to go to with the man she truly loved. It was supposed to be the best night of her high school life, but she had a sinking feeling that it would be her worst. She knew what Mike wanted... nothing but her body. To him, she was nothing but a mindless slut. For so long she hadn't minded the stereotype, but then again, she hadn't known better. Chris had showed her what love could truly be like... pure and innocent. But that was gone. She was Mike's now.
She clutched the pillow close as hot tears spilled from her eyes. Her tortured soul ached inside of her with a pain that seemed to never end. Finally, at two a.m., she had cried herself into a dreamless sleep with the thought that it was all her fault.
* * *
"So you see, it's all my fault," Chris finished, staring forlornly into his glass. "She wouldn't want me back if I begged. She has Mike, after all. He's everything she ever wanted."
"Now, Chris," admonished Kara. "Girls are complicated and confusing creatures. Believe me, I know. We say one thing and mean another, and sometimes we don't even know what we mean. When Harold first asked me to marry him, I said no. I said that I hated him, that I never wanted to see him again. I stormed out of his house, swearing to never come back. But you know where I was the next day?" She paused, waiting for Chris to ask.
With a sigh, he complied. "Where were you?"
"I was right back on his doorstep, begging him to take me back. I was confused, Christian McDeere, confused and scared. The thought of someone really loving me for who I was frightened me more than the possibility of living a life without love. And a life without love is a terrible, terrible thing. You'd better realize that now."
"So what, you think she's on my doorstep now?"
Kara shrugged. "Possibly. Or possibly she's at home, crying herself to sleep."
He forced a laugh. "I doubt it. She's probably out with Mike." He spit out the name like it was poison. "She's probably fucking him now, laughing at that silly writer who she tricked into loving her."
She gripped his hand as he raised it to take another drink of beer. Her voice was severe, the first time he'd ever heard it that way. "That's quite enough for one night, Christian. And you watch what you say. I might just slap you if you were my boy, for saying that. Very few women try to trick men into falling for them, and the ones that do should be ashamed to call themselves women. We have a name for girls like that- bitches." She let go of his hand, relaxing. "I very highly doubt that this Tina of yours tricked you. From what you told me, she just needed to sort out her feelings. Love is a scary thing, Chris. Not everyone is ready to jump into it as quickly as you are."
"So what should I do?"
She stood, moving behind the bar to gather up his glasses and dump them in the sink. "You've both said and done some things you probably regret. You, being the man in this relationship, should take the first step to apologize. Do something to make her see that you really do care about her. Buy her a present..."
"Flowers?"
She waved her hand as if dismissing the very idea. "No, not flowers. Something nicer than flowers, something that lasts longer... something from the heart." She wiped off the counter, pausing to kiss him on the cheek before leaving. "Just think about it. You're a smart boy, you just need a little womanly advice." She smiled as she walked away. "You'll make the right choice, Chris. Don't worry."
He stared after her. "Thanks, Aunt Kara."
"Don't mention it, doll, but I'll take it personally if you and your girl don't hook up before summer."
He smiled for the first time that night. "I'll work on it." He sat there long after she left, trying to come up with something he could do to gain Tina's forgiveness. It had to be something really, really good...
As he left The Rhythm at three-thirty in the morning, the idea hit him for the perfect apology present. All he had to do was find it. Of course, that might take awhile. But if it worked, it would be well worth it.
END CHAPTER ELEVEN
