Chapter 12 Sydney - Performance Jitters
Chapter 12
Sydney - Performance Jitters
M y two older sisters, Abby and Brooke, flew in from opposite coasts on Friday for Showcase and my graduation. Showcase was a big deal here at our college. Alumni made a point to come each year, and some of the biggest schools only have that happen for football games. That’s saying a lot for the caliber of talent in our music department.
I could’ve done without this episode of The Brooke Show, though. My mother hunkered down in the kitchen, pulling out all the stops to have Brooke’s favorite foods for dinner this evening: Creamed Chicken and Rice Bake, green bean casserole, and a homemade German chocolate cake. I knew that Brooke was her favorite daughter, but it made me feel as if my special day didn’t exist at all. At least I knew my place, right?
When the five of us sat down to an early family dinner, Brooke regaled us with tales about her adventures in L.A. She worked in the production department for a major motion picture company, and she knew things about celebrities that the tabloids would never discover. Abby and I exchanged eye rolls several times in solidarity.
After dinner, I went to my room to get ready for the showcase. I put on a simple black, sleeveless dress. The velvet top half cut into a respectable V at the neck. The black metallic material of the full skirt had silver threads spaced in a crisscross pattern. My black sandals had silver jewels across the straps, matching perfectly with my dress. I chose my diamond earrings from my grandma and my favorite pearl necklace. Makeup to a minimum, hair falling in loose waves down past my shoulder blades.
My stomach felt like I’d swallowed a few goldfish. I tried to remember to breathe deeply and focus on keeping calm. All performers were required to be at the school an hour before the show. My family would ride together in my mom’s minivan since parking at the auditorium during events on campus was always a challenge. I peeked between the blinds in my bedroom window and saw Danny’s blue compact Hyundai pull up the driveway. Grabbing my sheet music, cell phone, and purse, I hustled to the front door.
“I’m leaving! See you all after the show,” I announced as I pulled the door closed behind me.
Danny kissed me on the cheek when I got in the car. “You look amazing!” We pulled into traffic. “Austin told me you did a phenomenal job in rehearsal. I know you’re going to knock ‘em dead tonight.” He kept his eyes on the road as he talked.
“I appreciate your vote of confidence.” He offered me his hand and I took it. “It won’t make me any less nervous, but I’m glad you will be in the audience cheering me on.”
“You’re my girl. That’s why I’m here. Should I drop you off at the stage door?”
He called me his girl, didn’t he? I didn’t have much experience with dating and relationships, but in my mind, Danny being willing to come watch me in a glorified talent show already had me thinking he liked me back. Now “my girl”? I could stand that! “Yes, stage door would be perfect.”
He pulled up to the door. “Can I give you a kiss for luck?”
I leaned toward him, and our lips met in a passionate kiss. His touch melted my jitters, and my toes curled as my face flushed. A car behind us honked, causing us to separate. I got out of the car.
“No PDA before the show, Sydney!” Meghan came up behind me and put her arm over my shoulder.
“I didn’t know you were performing tonight. Why didn’t you tell me? ”
“I’m not. I’m playing the accompanist for a few singers who didn’t know how to play an instrument. They have that sticky rule for Showcase about not singing with a canned track. My mother is happy all those lessons paid off, although I’m not getting paid for this. Irony. But I’m putting it on my resume.” She cracked a wry smile. “So, how’s the Brooke Show?”
I sighed. “Going on as we speak. I love her, but God, she upends our entire existence.”
Backstage, chaos ensued. The stage manager pointed to a corner where we could watch the other acts without being seen. I searched for Austin but couldn’t locate him. I pulled out my phone.
Me: You here yet?
AM: I was about to text you. The Pinto Bean is not cooperating with me.
Me: Oh no. Do you need a ride?
AM: I thought my mom would be home by now, but I haven’t seen her.
Me: We don’t go on until after intermission. Do you want Danny to come get you?
AM: I’m going to try using a sledgehammer on the engine. Don’t panic, I will get there.
I showed my phone screen to Meghan. “Austin’s having car trouble. This is not helping me keep calm. What am I going to do if he doesn’t show? I can’t do this by myself.” I felt my breath getting short.
Meghan took my hand and sat me in a rocking chair that was used as a prop. She crouched down and looked into my eyes. “It’s going to be fine. I’m going to go let Professor Nelson know. Stay here and stay calm.”
She scurried off, and I sat in the chair, rocking back and forth. I texted Danny.
Me: Did you come in yet?
DP: No. Austin texted me. I’m going to go pick him up now.
Me: Okay. Drive safely.
DP: Be back soon!
Meghan came back with her report. “Professor Nelson is aware of the situation. I’m going to hang with you while we wait. Except when I’m needed onstage. You’ll still be able to see me from here.”
I sighed. “Okay. Thanks, Meghan.”
We watched our classmates perform. We had dancers, singers, gymnasts, musicians, and a person who could make complicated balloon animals. Then we reached intermission. Austin had not yet arrived, and the goldfish started swimming in my stomach again.
Someone put their hands over my eyes, and I exhaled in relief. I grabbed one of Austin’s arms and pulled him around in front of me. “Thank goodness you’re finally here! I had visions of beating you silly for leaving me in the lurch.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s nice to know how much you love me.”
The stage lights flashed to signal the end of intermission. “We’re up, sweetheart. You ready?” He grabbed my shoulders and faced me. “Remember, it’s just us out there.”
I followed him onto the stage. We positioned ourselves behind the closed curtain, me in front of a microphone placed behind the piano, and Austin on the bench. He nodded towards a stagehand, and the curtain parted. I willed myself to fix my eyes on him and not face the audience.
Austin addressed them. “This is an original song called ‘Our Dance.’ Lyrics by Sydney Campbell and musical arrangement by Austin Mitchell. We hope you enjoy it.”
I closed my eyes and listened to Austin as he sang the first verse. His voice rang out into the darkened auditorium. The spotlight glared right in my face, making it almost impossible to see anyone in the audience if I tried. I reached down inside to find my courage. Taking a deep breath, I began singing my verse, concentrating on the words and getting the melody right. I opened my eyes and focused on Austin. He winked at me and that encouraged me to keep going. I let go of my fear and gave myself fully to the performance. It ended as quickly as it had begun.
The roar of clapping met my ears. People stood and even whistled. I couldn’t believe their reactions! Austin walked around the piano. He took my hand and dragged me out in front to bow. Danny ran up from his seat near the front and handed me a bouquet, then we rushed off stage. The entire experience felt surreal. I felt like I was watching myself from above on the catwalk.
Austin hugged me when we cleared the closed curtain. “Sydney, you did great! We both did great! They’re still clapping!”
Professor Nelson rushed up to us from stage left. “Go back out and take another bow!”
For real ?
The stagehand parted the velvet drapes and we bowed again. When the curtain closed again, Professor Nelson gushed, “I hate to be whoever follows your act this evening. What a reaction!”
Jessica popped out from behind Professor Nelson. “Congratulations, Sydney. That was some performance. Everyone loved it.” Her mouth said all the right things, but her scrunched face didn’t match her words.
“Thank you, Jessica. Your team did well. I liked your song, too.” She wore a chip on her shoulder, and I didn’t care for her negativity. When we were at the sorority house, I tried to avoid her as much as possible.
“You know, I saw your performance going a little differently in my mind.” Her subtle shift in tone made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “I thought for sure your crippling stage fright would get the best of you. You surprised me, that’s for sure. Now I’m out twenty bucks to Denise.”
“Austin helped me figure that out.”
“I see. That must have been a lot of work for him.”
What the hell? Did she see me as competition for Austin? “We both put one hundred percent into this.” I kept my voice civil, but barely. “It was a team effort.”
Her mouth crept up at the corners and her eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. Good luck with the awards.” She flipped her hair and moved along, a trail of invisible slime behind her. I didn’t trust her slippery ways.
Until this moment, I’d wanted to make it through the show without passing out or barfing. Now I wanted to win.
After all the performances, the judges deliberated while we waited. All the performers came out on stage and Professor Nelson addressed the audience.
“Thank you all for coming this evening. As you witnessed, we have many talented young adults in our theatrical arts programs. Thank you for supporting them in their artistic endeavors. It means a lot to me as the head of the Creative Arts Department to see many parents, families, and alumni here tonight. I also want to thank the students for their commendable efforts in providing you with such quality entertainment. Let’s give them all another hand.”
The audience clapped again as the stage manager came out with three envelopes .
“Ah! The moment we’ve all been waiting for.” He waved the envelopes in his hand. “Third place and a one-hundred-dollar Visa gift card goes to…” He ripped open the envelope and pulled out a card. “Allison McDonald, for her amazing balloon animals!” Allison stepped forward and shook his hand, claiming her gift card.
“Second place, the winner of a two-hundred-dollar gift card, is the Tapping Trio of Vanessa Wilson, Tara Snyder, and Mandy Bateman!” He congratulated each of them with their prize.
When the clapping died down, he continued. “And now, the winner of first place, with bragging rights and a five-hundred-dollar gift card, is…” He paused for dramatic effect. “Austin Mitchell and Sydney Campbell!”
The audience erupted in applause with a standing ovation. Austin and I hugged each other—then he grabbed my cheeks and kissed me on the lips. I didn’t have time to process what happened before he grabbed my hand and dragged me over to collect our prize.
I couldn’t believe it. I sung in front of a full house and then won Showcase ? This was crazy. We bowed repeatedly and waved. The curtain came down in front of us and I finally released the breath I had been holding all evening. What a whirlwind!
Backstage became a celebration, with our classmates congratulating us. Austin couldn’t hide his joy. He reminded me of Tigger bouncing around the forest on his springy tail.
“Sydney, a bunch of us are going out to celebrate. You’re coming, right?” I’d never seen him show his dimples until now.
“I don’t know. My parents probably want me to go home since my sisters are here.”
He grabbed me by the shoulders. “You have to come with us!”
I blinked at him. “I’ll ask. No promises.”
My whole family stood in the hallway outside the stage doors.
“There she is!” Abby exclaimed. She handed me a bunch of Gerber daisies, my favorite flower. “Congrats, Sissy! I knew you’d be great!”
The rest of my family echoed her sentiment, except for my mother. “Your performance would have been better if you faced the audience,” she observed. Her comment got under my skin, but I chose not to address it directly. I knew from repeated attempts over my childhood that I’d never meet her standards of achievement.