Page 27 of To the Moon and Back

“Let’s give Lauren some space.”

Kirby beamed and pointed at Carly as a light bulb appeared. “Gotit. Say no more. You’re doing great, Lauren. Gonna smash some faces, which is agood thing. It’s like the new break a leg.”

“Is it?” Carly asked. Because that seemed aggressive.

“Yes, and that’s exactly what Lauren is going to do,” Kirby said,with confidence.

Except, once they got started, Lauren wasn’t herself onstage.There was a stilted quality to her delivery that hadn’t been there in dayspast. She didn’t hold eye contact with Carly for very long during any of theirscenes and seemed unexpectedly clumsy all of a sudden.

“I am so sorry,” Lauren blurted to TJ, as she turned and ran rightinto him on her downstage cross.

He steadied her by the shoulders, in character, and continued on.Company members seemed tense yet supportive as they watched, only exchanging afew looks when the same moment had to be restarted six different times. Carlyfelt responsible for Lauren and reassured her every time she apologized.

“And that’s lunch. See you back in one hour,” Trip announced.

Lauren’s face was red and flushed as she moved to the door. Shekept her head down in what looked to be mortification.

“Hey, Lauren, wait up.” Lauren paused her exit and glanced back atCarly. “We’re grabbing lunch.”

“No, no. Thank you, though,” Lauren said. “I’m just gonna dashback to my house and freshen up.”

Carly allowed her face to fall. “No, you’re coming with me. Sayyes.” She batted her eyelashes at Lauren and hoped she hadn’t lost her touch.

Lauren opened and closed her mouth before finally settling on,“Well, when you look at me like that.”

“Then I will always look at you just like that.” She grabbedLauren’s hand and dragged her out of the building to the parking lot.

“Where are we going?”

“To Pete’s.”

“To Pete’s?” Lauren squeaked, mid-drag, in the cutest voice.“That’s kind of a bar, more than anything.”

“Yes, I’ve been there and I’m dying to go back. Killer fries.”

Carly secretly had another motive, however, and knew exactly whatLauren needed to get through this day and loosen the hell up. When they arrivedat the dimly lit pool hall, Carly headed straight for the bar. “Fries for all?”

Lauren shrugged as she slid onto a stool at the bar, not asengaged in this field trip as Carly was. It was clear she was carrying a lot ofdisappointment in how the morning had gone. “Sure.”

Carly took the stool next to her and signaled the bartender, whomoseyed over, towel on his shoulder.

“Carly Daniel is back. We need to get you to sign the wall beforeyou head out of town.”

“I’d be happy to.” She beamed. “We’ll take a large order of fries,a side of nacho cheese, two Diet Cokes, a shot of whiskey, and a pickle. No,two.”

Lauren raised an eyebrow. “Normally, I would question that whiskeydecision, but I’m not your stage manager anymore.”

Carly laughed. “Except the whiskey isn’t for me.”

“Who’s it for?” She balked, knowing the likely answer.

“That liquid courage is for you, my friend.”

Lauren backed away from the bar, hands out. “No, no, no. I don’t drinkduring the workday. Ever. Strict rule.”

“I applaud your resolve, and you’re right. Not advisable. Butyou’re nervous, and you’re in your head, and just for today, let’s help you outof it. Your rule can go firmly back in place tomorrow. What do you say?”

Lauren let her head fall back as if she was a teenager who hadjust been asked to clean her room. “Fine. I surrender to your wisdom.” Shepopped back up. “Not on everything. You struggle with decorum, responsibility,and arriving on time.”

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