I sat curled at the base of the twisted, gnarled tree, my knees drawn up to my chest. The cream-coloured shift billowed about me, its sleeves too tight on my small wrists, as always.
As I gazed about the small backstage area, I felt a few tears well up in my eyes. Eric lay on his side, his back to me, the loud orange and green pattern of his costume clashing violently with the muted greens and browns of the trees. Shalea and Tammie sat before me, patiently awaiting the intermission so they could talk. Thora watched the sky, daydreaming, one wool-covered arm thrown up over her forehead to shield her made-up eyes from the sun. Ian and Tabitha perched on the low wooden fence, talking softly, Ian trying not to shift too much, because his armor clattered loudly enough to wake the dead when he did. Alex was out in the warm, sunbathed street, dodging and defending against an invisible opponent, getting used to the new and heavier sword, his movements fluid and confident. Ben's voice was audible, clear and strong through the layers of cloth that shielded the backstage area, and Lindsay's answering lines were delivered in her soft, girlish voice.
Tammie reached out a tentative hand and touched my hair, smiling and asking if I were getting into character. Overwhelmed a bit, I nodded and put my head down, rocking back and forth slightly. Two more days, and most of these people would be quite lost to me. Ben and I would retreat back to our acquaintance mode, while I would at least see Lindsay slightly more often. The folks from Provo would be gone, difficult to get hold of if I wanted them. I wouldn't see baby Margaret again, because there would be no occasion to visit Elizabeth without Tabitha towing me behind. The play was ending... nearly ending, and I hadn't forged a lasting friendship with anyone.
Or had I? I gazed at Eric, then turned my ears to the sound of Lindsay's voice. Ben came stumbling offstage, pausing briefly to smile at me and wipe his forehead with exaggeration, making me understand without a word how hot it was out of the shade. I smiled quietly to myself. After all, wasn't I in charge of these friendships? I could keep them going or let them sputter. As Lindsay came offstage and fluffed my hair, I smiled at her quietly.
I can pick up a phone just as easily as they can.
As I gazed about the small backstage area, I felt a few tears well up in my eyes. Eric lay on his side, his back to me, the loud orange and green pattern of his costume clashing violently with the muted greens and browns of the trees. Shalea and Tammie sat before me, patiently awaiting the intermission so they could talk. Thora watched the sky, daydreaming, one wool-covered arm thrown up over her forehead to shield her made-up eyes from the sun. Ian and Tabitha perched on the low wooden fence, talking softly, Ian trying not to shift too much, because his armor clattered loudly enough to wake the dead when he did. Alex was out in the warm, sunbathed street, dodging and defending against an invisible opponent, getting used to the new and heavier sword, his movements fluid and confident. Ben's voice was audible, clear and strong through the layers of cloth that shielded the backstage area, and Lindsay's answering lines were delivered in her soft, girlish voice.
Tammie reached out a tentative hand and touched my hair, smiling and asking if I were getting into character. Overwhelmed a bit, I nodded and put my head down, rocking back and forth slightly. Two more days, and most of these people would be quite lost to me. Ben and I would retreat back to our acquaintance mode, while I would at least see Lindsay slightly more often. The folks from Provo would be gone, difficult to get hold of if I wanted them. I wouldn't see baby Margaret again, because there would be no occasion to visit Elizabeth without Tabitha towing me behind. The play was ending... nearly ending, and I hadn't forged a lasting friendship with anyone.
Or had I? I gazed at Eric, then turned my ears to the sound of Lindsay's voice. Ben came stumbling offstage, pausing briefly to smile at me and wipe his forehead with exaggeration, making me understand without a word how hot it was out of the shade. I smiled quietly to myself. After all, wasn't I in charge of these friendships? I could keep them going or let them sputter. As Lindsay came offstage and fluffed my hair, I smiled at her quietly.
I can pick up a phone just as easily as they can.
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