Prompt: Marshall Mann - "Lucky for you, my interests are varied, my career options infinite. If this whole thing goes horribly pear-shaped, whatever's next for me, my coat-tails are always there for you." - 'In Plain Sight'
"I got a part in Wicked," Rachel said excitedly as I answered my cell phone while grading test papers.
"That's great, Rachel," I replied trying to sound happy for her. It was getting harder and harder as her graduation from NYADA approached and she became even more focused on her career. All our conversations were about her. She probably didn't even know the name of the school I was student teaching in.
"It's only Madame Morrible not something more glamorous like Elphaba or Galinda but it's another role to add to my resume. Eventually they'll all realize that I'm a born star but until they come to that realization I'll have to just take what I can get."
"Ah huh," I murmured, not at all surprised that she hadn't even mention Kurt's casting as the Wizard in the musical. My stepbrother had called me this morning to tell me while apologizing for calling as I was getting ready for work. He had also volunteered the information that Rachel hadn't heard anything about her role yet. Sometimes I wondered how the two managed to live together, and I always chalked it up to Kurt's forgiving attitude.
"You'll be there on opening night, right?"
Rachel's question caught my full attention. Kurt had already told me when opening night was and it was the same Friday night that my students here were starting their production of Guys and Dolls. As director, the teacher who had been doing it broke her leg in a car accident and I had stepped in to keep the show from being cancelled, I had to be there. Kurt had understood. Somehow I didn't think Rachel would.
"I'm sorry, Rachel. I can't."
"But it's opening night, Finn! You're supposed to be there to support me!"
"I'm sorry but the drama club here-"
"You're picking a bunch of middle school kids over me?" Rachel asked, sounding completely insulted.
"I'm the director, Rach. I've got to be there."
"When did you become director?"
"Ah, three weeks ago. I told you and Kurt over dinner."
"You did? Still it's just a middle school production. I'm going to be on Broadway."
"And I will make one of the performances," I promised her. "Just not opening night."
"Fine! I need to go start my skin routine. Bye," Rachel said right before the line went silent.
I stared at the phone for a moment wondering why I put myself through this. Did I really want to be with a girl who expected me to hang onto her coat-tails my entire life? It was the one question that had kept me from proposing to her again. As much as I loved Rachel, I wanted more for myself than that.