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can be there for Ben in his time of need, when he realizes I’m the girl he longs for.”
    “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time, Lanie.”
    By the time Saturday night rolled around, I couldn’t take it any longer. I decided I should make an attempt at some sort of exchange with Adrienne, as we would be working together within the week. I didn’t want there to be any awkward feelings. Since Saturday was a two-show day, with a matinee in the afternoon and evening show
    to follow, Craig arranged for dinner to be brought in for the cast and crew. I knew after she’d eaten, Adrienne would probably spend some down time in her dressing room, resting for the performance that night. I didn’t want to bother her, but felt compelled. As I approached her door, I noticed it was open. I casually popped my head in. “Hey, you.”
    She looked up from the crossword puzzle she was working on and smiled. “Hey yourself. Do you know a six-letter word for pillow lace?”
    I thought for a moment. “Try bobbin.”
    She glanced at the puzzle and shot her hand into the air in silent victory. “Are you a professional lace maker and I don’t know about it? How’d you know that?
    “My grandmother. She was very much into arts and crafts. I picked up what I could.”
    “Were you close?” she asked.
    “Definitely. When I decided to pursue acting, she was my biggest champion. She came to see every show I ever did, even if she had to travel. She died after my freshman year at CCM. I miss her.”

    said.
    “If it helps, I have a feeling she still sees each show,” Adrienne

    “Yeah, I kinda feel that way too. What about your family?” “Well, close isn’t a word I would use to describe our family,”
    she said. “You’ve surely heard the horror stories of child actors and their stage parents who push them into the business and then squander away all the kid’s money? Well, that was me and those were my parents. I’m not sure either one of them could tell you what my first words were, but they could definitely quote you the amount of my first paycheck. They’re divorced now, but only because when I turned eighteen and got out of there, they had no common goal. I was the business venture that was holding them together. I haven’t heard from my father in years, and my mother, well, let’s not go down that road. She’s still around. Let’s leave it at that.”
    “That sounds awful.” I’d witnessed those kinds of stage parents
    firsthand at auditions in Boston.
    “It was awful, but I try not to dwell, you know? Honestly speaking, I love to perform, and I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for what I went through with them.”
    I nodded. That was a mature way of looking at it. I would be bitter as hell if I were her. “Well, listen, I’ll let you get ready for the show,” I said as I headed for the door. “Are you coming out with us afterward?” She hesitated at the question as if she were mulling it over.
    “Yeah, I think it’s a definite possibility.”
    ❖

    The Davenport was extra crowded due to the weekend, but Kyle managed to snag us a few tables near the dance floor. I sat with my normal group of Craig, Kyle, Georgette, and Lanie. I hadn’t seen Adrienne after the show, and I had my doubts she would show up, but that didn’t stop me from glancing at the door every five minutes. Kyle noticed my preoccupation and followed my eyes to the door. “A watched pot never boils,” he said. “And just who are we waiting for, may I ask?”
    “We are waiting for no one in particular,” I said nonchalantly. “Just watching for any stragglers who don’t see where we’re sitting.” Kyle and Craig eyed me suspiciously and looked around. “Sweetie, everyone’s here,” Craig said. “Well, almost everybody.” His eyebrows shot up. “Are you watching that door for Ben? Oh
    God, not you too.”
    “What? No, absolutely not. I know I’m not exactly a poster child, but I’m gay.”
    ”Well, that’s news,”