Read Afraid for Free Online Page B

of her costume for the play.”
    â€œI removed them when we put her on the stretcher. There’s a lot of swelling with leg injuries and it’s a standard precaution.”
    â€œA precaution?” Steve looked puzzled.
    â€œIf the shoes were too tight, we’d have to cut them off. It’s easier and safer to remove them before the swelling starts.”
    â€œWhat did you do with them?” Donna held her breath and hoped that he remembered.
    â€œI put them on the table in her dressing room. They’re probably still there.”
    â€œThank you.” Donna grabbed Steve’s hand and pulled him toward the door. “Let’s go, Steve. We’ve got to find the red shoes before someone else decides to wear them!”
    Â 
    Rondelle Green was so happy she felt like she was floating on a cloud of pure joy. She’d never thought she’d get to play the lead in the fall play, but thanks to Tammy’s broken leg, she’d just received a standing ovation. It had been a night of incredibly good luck for her. Rondelle had finally gotten a chance to show what a good actress she was.
    Tammy’s red shoes were still on the dressing table where the paramedics had left them. Rondelle smiled as she reached out to stroke the satin. She was sure the shoes weren’t cursed, and they certainly weren’t to blame for Tammy’s accident. If anything was to blame, it was Tammy’s almost legendary temper.
    Mr. Carlson had told them all what had happened. The dressing room door had stuck, and Tammy had been so angry, she’d kicked it. But Tammy had kicked much too hard. She’d hit the door with so much force, she’d shattered the bones in her leg.
    The red shoes were beautiful. When Rondelle picked them up, they felt warm, almost as if they were alive. Rondelle giggled. Of course she was imagining things, but she just couldn’t resist trying them on.
    She slipped on one shoe and then the other. They seemed to fit her perfectly. She was just admiring the way they looked, when there was a knock on her dressing room door.
    Rondelle frowned. It was probably her best friend, Alice Mayfield, coming to congratulate her on her performance. Alice loved to gossip, and Rondelle didn’t want to be accused of wearing Tammy’s shoes without her permission. She slid her feet under the dressing table, where they couldn’t be seen, and put a smile on her face. “Come in.”
    But when the door opened, it wasn’t Alice. It was Mr. Carlson and Mr. Michaels. Both of them were smiling and Rondelle smiled back. “Did I do all right, Mr. Carlson?”
    â€œYou did a fine job, Rondelle.”
    â€œWonderful!” Mr. Michaels nodded. “It takes a real trouper to come in at a moment’s notice and take over someone else’s part.”
    Rondelle blushed. She’d just received a compliment from Mr. Michaels!
    â€œWould you like to read for me, Rondelle?” Mr. Michaels looked very serious. “I may have a small part in my movie for you.”
    Rondelle was so shocked, her mouth dropped open. Everyone had thought that Mr. Michaels would offer Tammy a part, but now he was interested in her!
    â€œIt won’t take long.” Mr. Michaels smiled at her kindly as he handed her several pages from a script. “And there’s no reason to be nervous. You’ll be reading for the part of Betsy. She’s a bubbly, energetic high school student, the younger sister of the lead. Just take a few moments to go over your lines and I’ll cue you.”
    Rondelle’s hands were shaking as she read over the lines. Mr. Michaels had said there was no need to be nervous, but he didn’t know how important this was. She simply had to get the part! It was the chance of a lifetime!
    â€œReady?”
    Rondelle nodded, even though she’d never been good at cold readings. She took a deep breath, prayed that her voice wouldn’t shake, and