Chapter 37
Maren
Mare: I just put your playbill and ticket for the show in the mail. When you get here, show the ticket collector and they will scan the barcode on the paper. If you lose it, just text me and I will bring my phone upfront to have them scan it. I can’t wait to see you!
Ruby: Watching you is always my proudest moment!
Ruby: I got the playbill and ticket in the mail. Your new headshot is stunning. I cut it out and framed it above the bar!
Mare: Did you book your flight and hotel already? If not, I can help.
Ruby: All booked. Sadie helped me.
Mare: I love that! Can’t wait to see you.
December 7th
Mare: Have a safe flight! See you tonight!
I look at the text exchange one more time as I peer out at the crowd through the curtain. I check the confirmation on my phone and check the seat where Ruby should be sitting. Empty.
“Ron, can you radio Becks and see if the ticket was scanned yet?”
He gives me a nod and puts his ear up to the mic so he can hear better. A few long seconds go by before he finally mouths back. “Not yet.”
I send her a quick text before going to change into my costume. Not only did I choreograph every single number in this show for the first time, I get to perform in the opening number.
Mare: Just checking on you.
Delivery failed.
Mare: Sadie, have you heard from Ruby? I just tried to text her but my text won’t go through.
I finish changing and run back over to the curtain, but Ronny intercepts me. “It was just scanned.”
Relief washes over me. She must have just had bad service. I take a deep breath and make my way over to the other dancers, and we all get into position.
I’m not close to my own parents, they were always too busy to be bothered with things like this, so having Ruby in the audience is a feeling I look forward to every time she comes.
A mix of pride, nerves, and excitement run through my veins, and I can’t wait until after the show. She’s the mother figure I’ve needed.
As I lock into position, the warm smell of dust baked into the stage lights rushes by as the curtains are drawn.
The faint sound of Christmas bells ring in the distance as “We Need A Little Christmas” rings out over the speakers.
My back is to the audience but the second the words spill out over the stage, I turn around and am stunned still—as my eyes lock with Ozzie, in Ruby’s seat.
Expression flat, cloaked by the darkness of the theatre.
The spotlights flash across the stage, blinding me, and when the tiny little specks of light leave my eyes and I regain my vision, the seat is empty.
I continue dancing, the motions are second nature by now, so to the naked eye, nothing happened. I try my best to get a glimpse of the empty seat again, but it’s no use. Between the lights, the fog, and my constant change in position on the stage, all I see is the outline of heads.
Once the show got moving, my line of sight only got more obstructed from the side of the stage.
When the show is over, my heart is racing and I can’t wait to get to the front of the house to see what the hell is going on.
I quickly meet with the dancers for a post show debrief, and tell them all how insanely proud of them I am. Because I couldn’t imagine doing this without them. I change, grab my bag and make my way up the stairs to the lobby entrance, when Becks stops me.
“What’s wrong?” The look on his face is nothing short of concerned.
“Becks, who scanned the ticket?”
He looks at his tablet, “Door 2.”
I frantically push past him without so much as another look in his direction and dart through the crowd. Searching for a tall dark figure. I get to Door 2 and all of the staff has packed up and gone home.
I circle the floor one more time before surrendering to the idea that my brain was playing tricks on me.
Bzzz.
My phone vibrates in my hand with a text from Ruby.
Ruby: Hi sweets. I wasn’t feeling good, but I left a little surprise by your front door.
Mare: I’m sorry. Breakfast tomorrow?
This little conversation is all the confirmation I need that my mind is playing evil, dirty tricks on me.
So much so, that all the way back to my apartment I rehearse an imaginary conversation with Ozzie, practicing what I will say to him if I walk up and he’s the surprise she left by my front door.
“I’ve missed you.” And I imagine him crashing his lips to mine. No words. No apologies, just heated tension snapping like a brittle rubberband.
I eagerly turn the corner from the elevator, and am disappointed when I see a small white bag by the door.
I pick it up, smile when I look inside and find a single pink cupcake with little candy versions of the iconic theater masks on top.
When I get settled, I snap a picture of me with the cupcake and send it over to Ruby.
She doesn’t respond to my invitation to breakfast, but hearts the picture.
She really must not feel well.
After washing my face, putting on an oversized t-shirt and sleep shorts, and pouring a glass of wine, I cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and my cupcake, settling in for the night.
Bzzz.
Sadie: Sorry, girl. Just saw this. Ruby said she isn’t feeling well. How was the show?
Mare: Great! She texted. Thanks for letting me know.
Seconds later my phone rings and Sadie appears on the screen when I answer.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you out with the crew?”
“We have a big party tomorrow night, they know I had plans tonight.”
“Yeah, but they cancelled. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just— I thought—” My words are interrupted by a light knock at the door and my eyes drift curiously in that direction.
I see a notification pop up on the screen as I look back at Sadie.
Ruby: I ordered you pizza. You need to eat.
“Let me call you back in a second. Ruby sent pizza over. I’ve gotta grab cash for a tip.”
“Ok.” She doesn’t even wait for me to hang up, she just ends the call without warning.
I shoot Ruby a quick thank you, and dig through my purse for cash as I open the door.
“Sorry, hang on a second,” I say, as the door swings open. “Sorry, I don’t usually carry cash.”
The sound of a pizza box hitting the floor startles me out of my search.