Evolving Dreams (New Beginnings Series) (18 page)

Meg was so busy she didn’t see Trace as much as she would have liked. A couple of the nights she had worked late, he met her over at Tobi’s place to hang out for a little while, and one night he had met her out for a quick dinner. They talked quite often on the phone during breaks. During the few quiet times during the week, she tried not to panic about her time running out. She had no clue what she would be doing after the SDDI gig was over, and no time to be planning for anything, either.

At least she had a nice financial cushion in her savings account. Her gypsy lifestyle had meant she didn’t have a lot of living expenses. There were no rent or mortgage payments since she had no permanent residence. Her accommodations on the road were usually written into her performance contracts, so she didn’t have to worry about those, either. Consequently, a lot of the money she had earned over the last several years she had been able to save. She found she didn’t accumulate much because it was so much easier to travel light. Now she was grateful she had that cushion to fall back on, because she didn’t know how long it would take her to get her new career on track . . . or even what that new career would look like.

It was Wednesday morning and she had just pulled into the SDDI parking lot when her phone rang. She parked and flipped it open as she stepped out of the car. “Morning, Trace!”

“Hey! Are you working yet?”

“No, I just got here. I’m walking across the parking lot right now. How ‘bout you?”

“Me too. I won’t keep you, but I have something I want to run by you. I know you were going to talk to the owner of the Hideaway about the wrap party on Saturday night, but I have a better idea. Why don’t you do it at my house? We can build a bonfire on the beach and grill burgers and hotdogs. I could even run out to the Hideaway and get some steamed crabs. We’ll ice down some beer and soda in tubs. It could be fun. What do you think?”

“Wow, Trace. That sounds great, but it’s a lot of work. I’ll be busy up through Friday night. Do you think I could pull everything off on Saturday?”

“Don’t worry about it. I can arrange for the food and drinks and everything. All we’ll have to do on Saturday is set it up, and that shouldn’t be too hard to do. I’m sure Sonny and Charley would be willing to come over and help out.”

“It’s asking too much of you. I don’t think . . .”

“Meg, come on! This’ll be fun. I’ve done this before with the guys and their families. We can do this. I really want you to let me help with this.” He paused. “I understand, though, if you’d rather find somewhere else.”

She laughed, “I love your beach! If you’re sure you don’t mind all the work, I think it’s perfect. I hate to put you out, though. I’m just so busy I’m afraid you’d be doing most of the prep work.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’d run everything by you before I do anything.”

“It’s not that. I trust you . . . I just don’t want to be a deadbeat.”

“Stop it. This is going to be great. The guys’ll give me a hand.”

Meg perked up. “Hey, let’s invite your teammates too—and their wives or dates. If we’re going to do it we should do it up big.”

“Will the SDDI people mind?” he asked.

“I don’t think so. You’ve met some of them already. The more the merrier.” Meg had reached her studio and was trying to unlock the door while juggling her phone, coffee cup and several bags. Of course, she dropped the phone. After she set everything else down and scooped up the phone she said sheepishly, “Trace? Are you still there?”

“Yeah. What was that? It sounded like an explosion.”

“Sorry. I dropped you. Trying to do too much at once . . . that’s a metaphor for my week,” she laughed.

He laughed along with her and said, “I’m going to let you go. Don’t worry about the wrap party. I’ll text as things progress and keep you in the loop. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of things I’ll need your input for, but don’t worry. Have a great day!”

“You too . . . and thanks so much. This is load off my mind. I appreciate it. Bye!”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The next day Meg jumped
up from her seat in the front row of SDDI’s theatre and clapped wildly. “That was awesome! You guys really rocked that out!”

The four couples on stage stood in various stages of exhaustion, some bent over at the waist, all trying to catch their breath. She motioned one of the younger students over to bring water and towels to them. The underclassmen were acting as stage crew for the showcase and dreaming of their chances to perform under the lights.

Meg turned to several of the Institute faculty. “What do you all think of moving this jive number to right after the jazz piece? I like the idea of spacing the Latin routines apart a little more and this ‘honky tonk’ scenery really lends itself to both the jive and the jazz. Is it too late to move this around a little?”

Estelle looked over the schedule. “I think that works fine. Takes a little of the strain off the stage crew too.”

The other faculty members nodded. “Do you think we’re good with the rest of the schedule? We don’t want to throw too many changes at the kids this late in the game,” Anthony said.

“Yeah. Unless any of you have suggestions I’m pleased with the schedule. We’ll get all the kids out here and give them the final line up. This afternoon they can finalize their costume fittings. We’ll run through the whole show start to finish in the morning. Then . . . curtain up at seven-thirty tomorrow night,” Meg finished.

After the cast meeting, Meg dismissed the group for lunch and asked the kids to be back for final costume fittings by one thirty. As she left the auditorium she checked her cell for messages. She’d been at it since six o’clock that morning and was exhausted. She smiled as she saw Trace’s text message:
“Party plans are coming along. Don’t worry and don’t work too hard. Call when you get home no matter how late. If you don’t I’ll worry.”

She finally dragged her aching body through Tobi’s front door at midnight after a long day of dancing, planning and coaching the student performers. She dialed Trace’s number as she slumped onto the couch, craving a shower.

“Hey. It’s me.”

“Whoa. You sound like the walking dead. Are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah. Just tired. It’s all going to be worth it. The show’s looking great. How was your day?”

“Cold and wet. We spent most of the day in the surf . . . PT. I don’t think I was even able to get all the sand off. At least I’m starting to warm up, though,” he laughed.

Meg winced. “Oh, babe! Wish I was there to fix you some soup or something.”

“I’m fine. I think you worked harder than I did.”

“I doubt that. Anyway, I just wanted to remind you that the guys could pick their tickets up at the box office when they get there tomorrow night. I reserved a whole block. Is everyone still coming?”

“Yeah. I think they’re all looking forward to it. Actually Gomez went down and picked them all up after work yesterday. We got them handed out to everyone so they could take them home tonight and impress the girls by how on the ball we are. Thanks, Meg. This means a lot to them, especially since we just got back from deployment. It’ll be a special night out for them.”

“Well, it means a lot to me that you all want to be there. Tatiana will be sitting in your section too.” She paused to yawn. “I’m going to jump in the shower and hit the sack. I’m exhausted.”

“Okay, honey. Wish I was there to take care of you tonight like you always take care of me.”

“That’s okay. With luck I’ll be sound asleep in twenty minutes. Good night.”

“Break a leg!”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Friday, like all show days, was even more frenetic than the previous few days. Excitement buzzed through the air like an electrical current. All classes had been suspended for the day as everyone prepared for the show. Most of the underclassmen undertook the grunt work with a minimum of grumbling. They knew their day under the spotlights would come and they had to pay their dues first. Meg walked through the backstage area and saw that performers were busy getting into costume and working on their makeup. Most of them were applying their own makeup, but there were a few of the more skilled theatrical students offering help wherever needed.

Tobi rushed up to Meg, “We’ve got it under control, hon. You need to get ready for your first number.” She grabbed Meg’s arm and led her to the dressing area where her costumes were hanging on a rack. She pulled out a flirty outfit covered in flapper-type fringe and thrust it at Meg. “Come on. Get in your west coast swing state-of-mind and stop worrying about anything else. We’re on it!” She walked back around the corner leaving the dressing area clapping her hands as she called out, “Okay, everyone! We’re thirty minutes ‘til show time!”

Meg turned toward the mirror and held the dress up in front of her. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and said a little prayer. Then she started getting dressed, knowing that they had done everything they could do to prepare and if anything were to go wrong at this point, there was nothing that could be done except to just go with the flow.

Twenty-five minutes later everyone was gathered just off stage. Anthony walked up behind Meg and hugged her from behind. “Full house! We almost sold out.”

She smiled over her shoulder at him. “Are they all settled in?”

“Getting there. They will be once Marcy goes out to open the show. Are you ready?”

“Yep. All warmed up and stretched out.”

Monte walked up to them dressed to partner with Meg for the first routine, the west coast swing. “Anthony, we’ll try to do you proud. This is great choreography!”

“I know you’ll do great. I’m honored to have you perform my stuff. Dress rehearsal looked really good.”

They all turned as Marcy called for everyone’s attention. “As I said earlier, after dress rehearsal, I am so proud of each and every one of you. You all have gone above and beyond to meet some unexpected challenges. You’ve impressed me with your work ethic and your spirit of cooperation. Meg has expressed to me, many times, her admiration of the Institute and all of the participants from the performers down to the stage crew volunteers. The publicity team has outdone themselves. We have almost sold out this show and that is quite a feat for a mid-year program. As the director of SDDI, I couldn’t be more proud of everyone here.” Applause broke out from everyone assembled and she smiled as she looked around at all of the faces. “There is nothing left to do now but have a lot of fun out there. I’m going to go start the show. Good luck, everyone!”

Meg and Monte made their way to the entrance of the stage as everyone shifted around to wait for their turn. Marcy squeezed Meg’s hand as she skirted around her and stepped out on stage. The murmuring from the crowd stopped as Marcy took center stage and the spotlight came on. She began her speech welcoming everyone, thanking them for coming and then launched into a rundown of what they were about to see. She then spoke about Meg’s background, the work she had been doing with the SDDI students, and informing them of her talent and how lucky they all were to be able to see some of that tonight. Meg tuned that part out, because she didn’t want to psyche herself out. She never felt as talented as they made her sound. She and Monte were standing there doing a few stretches and shaking out their muscles as Marcy finished with a short rundown of Monte’s credentials and accomplishments, and the Institute’s appreciation for his willingness to come in and be part of the showcase as well. When they heard the applause they knew it was time and snapped to.

The lights went down and Marcy passed them as they went up stage to take their positions. “Good luck,” she whispered as she passed.

The music started . . .
Little Sister
by Dwight Yoakam . . . the lights came on and off they went. It was a fast-paced routine and they got lost in it like they always did. The west coast swing was a fun, bouncy dance that was always a crowd-pleaser and a great way to kick off the show. At the end, the crowd went crazy and Meg and Monte left the stage making way for a student group’s jazz number. The show was well underway.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Trace sat out in the audience clapping along with everyone else, but he was stunned. He shouldn’t be, he guessed. He’d heard from his family how talented she was, but he’d never seen it for himself. She was like a different person . . . magical . . . almost a stranger.

He hadn’t seen or talked to her that day. After he got off work and cleaned up he met his parents, and Meg’s, for dinner at their hotel. Claire and Michael decided they wanted to come out and support Meg even if Sean wasn’t performing with her anymore. Tatiana joined them for dinner too, since Monte was busy preparing for the show.

It had been a little nerve-wracking for Trace because he’d never met Sheila and Doug, and he knew they knew he and Meg had become involved. He needn’t have worried, though, because it had gone very smoothly and her folks seemed down to earth and easy going. He did wish Meg could have been there with them, though.

After dinner they had made their way over to the San Diego Dance Institute and ran into his friends in the lobby. Most of them had made an entire evening out of it and hired early babysitters so they could meet for dinner before the show too. They all had made their way into the theatre and found their seats. Meg had arranged really good seats for all of them and the excitement built even more. They all chatted, waiting for show time. Claire and Michael had met some of Trace’s friends on previous trips out to San Diego so they were doing some catching up. Sheila, Doug and Tatiana joined right in and everyone mingled until the lights went down, signaling it was time to start the show.