Page 42 of Wild Love

A child tugged on my sleeve. "How do we act?"

"What's your name?"

"Nathaniel."

I addressed the group rather than just him, since everyone probably had the same question. "Nathaniel wants to know how to act. You put yourself in the position of your character and think about what you'd be doing if you were going through the same thing they are. What would you be saying? What would your expression be? The most important question you can ask yourself is, how you would feel if you were in that same situation."

The kids nodded, their expressions intent.

We started from the beginning again, and this time the kids really got into it. Everyone laughed when they went over the top with their acting. It was the most fun I'd had in forever. The parents faded into the background as I engaged with the kids.

It reminded me how much I loved acting and interacting with other people who enjoyed it too.

When we did a complete run-through, I clapped for them. "That was great. When I start a new production, we always getto know the other cast members. Then we run through our lines. As we get more comfortable, we add in stage positions and physical actions."

Marigold approached from the side. "We're out of time."

I said, "If you don't have any questions, I'll let you get on with your day."

The parents stood at the back of the stage area. I even saw Chance in his uniform and Eli stood next to him. I started to sweat. What did they think? I hadn't realized everyone was coming to watch.

The parents crowded around me, throwing out questions like, "Will there be another class? Will you be working with a nearby theater program?"

Marigold held up her hands. "I'll let you know if the library will be sponsoring another class. Let's allow Scarlett to get some water and sit down."

Marigold maneuvered me to a small room in the back. "Sit." Then she grabbed a water from a small fridge. "Drink."

"Is this your office?" I asked, feeling a little lightheaded.

"It is." She plopped into the chair across from me.

Then I glanced at the time. "Did I go over the time?"

"You went for about two hours."

I winced. "I'm sorry. It was only supposed to be forty-five minutes. I completely lost track of time."

Chance appeared at the door with Eli next to him.

Marigold hopped up and moved to the doorway. "What are you two doing here?"

"Came to support our favorite actress," Chance said.

I rolled my eyes. "You shouldn't have. If I'd known, I would have been more nervous." I moved around the desk to hug Chance.

"I couldn't tell you were nervous. You looked great up there," Chance said.

I scoffed. "But I didn't teach anything. I let them act out a play."

Marigold's brow furrowed. "The kids loved you, and the parents wanted to know when you can do it again."

I wasn't sure I believed that. "I'm sure they expected something more formal. I thought I'd show them what I do."

"I thought you were great. The kids were engaged, and the parents were talking about how much fun everyone was having," Eli interjected.

I mulled that over. Was it a success?

Chance moved toward the door. "I have to get back to work. I just wanted to stop in and see how it went."

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