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journal here and read her Bible here and even on the craziest day, after crazy difficult rehearsals with Francesca, she would have this respite to come home to. “It’s perfect. Really.”
    Her mom agreed, and for a few minutes they talked about the flight in, and the stop at rehearsals earlier today, and all that lay ahead for Bailey once she began working with the rest of the cast.
    “Francesca is a friend of ours,” Betty winked. “Most people don’t know that. We’re … well, we’re very different.” She slipped her arm around Bob’s waist. “We love Jesus in our house,” she smiled at Bailey, “as you know. Francesca … well, she’s not a believer. She has made that clear a vast number of times, isn’t that right, Bob?”
    “It is. She doesn’t believe a word of it.” He winked again. “Not yet, at least.”
    Bailey felt a ripple of anxiety. She knew about Francesca’s lack of faith. Tim’s girlfriend had told her that. But this confirmation was just a little chilling. “Does she … does she hold it against youif you believe?” If so, then fine. Bailey was ready for the challenge. But she wanted to know now, rather than find out later.
    “Not really.” Betty led them through the living room, around a corner, and down a hallway. She looked back at Bailey. “The thing to remember is, you must show your love as a Christian on Broadway. No one wants to hear about your faith. They must see it.”
    Wise words,
Bailey told herself. She nodded. “I’ll remember that.”
    Bob had stayed back in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the lunch. Now Betty opened the first door on the right and stood back while Bailey and her mom entered first. “This is your room.” She put her hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “I hope it’ll work for you.”
    Again Bailey wanted to stop and catch her breath. The room had plush white carpeting and an elevated queen bed, with pale yellow and white bedding. The walls were a deep taupe, and the trim was painted the whitest possible white. All that and she had a window — one that overlooked a part of the street below and more of Central Park. “Mrs. Kel — “ Bailey caught herself. “Betty … it’s beautiful. Beyond anything I ever imagined.”
    “Well, good.” She stood back, happy with the situation. “That’s how God works.”
    “Sound familiar?” Bailey’s mom moved Bailey’s suitcases into the far corner of the room. “Not that we’ll always have a view of Central Park,” she laughed quietly. “But He’ll always exceed what we can imagine Him to do, the ways He comforts us and leads us.”
    “Amen.” Betty turned smiling eyes at Bailey’s mother. “You remind me of my oldest daughter. I’m sure the two of you would’ve been friends.”
    Bailey looked forward to learning more about Betty and Bob, about their family and their lives together, and about their adventures on Broadway. After she’d looked around her new room andnoted the large empty closet space and the small attached bathroom and shower, they moved back to the living room. Along the way, Betty explained that she and Francesca had performed in the same cast of
Forty-Second Street
back in the day. “Not a person on Broadway would’ve figured Francesca would be a director one day,” Betty said. “She was the least serious person in the cast. But something happened to her back then. It’s a long story.” Betty looked back at Bailey. “I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to talk later, when you get in your routine.”
    They all agreed, and for the next hour they shared lunch and talked about how Bob was the cook between the two of them. “I got tired of eating crunchy pasta and microwave dinners.” He chuckled, a fond look on his face. “Bless my Betty’s heart. She’s a much better singer than she is a cook.”
    Bailey flashed a nervous grin at her mother. The same could be said for her, she was sure. She might have to spend a little time with Bob … learn a