Page 56 of The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever
“Yes, but I wouldn’t want to be up onstage doing it,” Janie said.
Nana mumbled something Reed couldn’t hear, and then she said, “Let’s get down to business. Grace, can you produce this for us?”
Grace’s brows knitted. “Well, I’m leaving in less than two weeks, but that gives us time to go through the script and tweak it. Maybe we can think about doing it as a community play when I come back over the holidays. Do you have friends in mind for the cast? And what about a venue? Do you want to do it in one of your backyards or something? We’ll need sets and props, and—”
“Theholidays?” Nana shook her head. “Oh no, that will not do. We’re ready to do it now, and this is not a play for ayard.”
“This story is worthy of a bigger venue. A huge audience,” Hellie said. “And it’s not a winter play. It’s a summer story. It reallymusttake place in the summer, regardless of where we do it.”
“What about next summer? Will the Majestic be done by then?” Grace asked Reed.
“It’s a huge project,” he said. “A year might be enough, but it’s hard to say until we’re inside.”
“But that’s such a long time. We don’t want to wait a year,” Phoenix said. “Can’t we do it before you leave, Grace?”
Grace’s expression softened, and she closed the folder. “I wish we could, but productions take time. Even elementary schoolers have several weeks to prepare. The cast has to be chosen, and they have to memorize their lines. You know that can’t happen overnight. And if you want to try to hold it someplace…” Her eyes lit up. “Like the Jerichos’ barn?” Her voice escalated with excitement. “Or maybe the No Limitz community center? I could ask Haylie. They have a great auditorium. Or the high school auditorium? Brindle might be able to pull some strings.”
“The community center!” Lauryn clapped her hands. “That’s a great idea. They have lots of room.”
“I like the barn,” Janie said. “The story revolves around a small town. What’s more small town than a barn?”
“I like the barn, too. But, Lauryn, if you’re set on the community center, we can consider that,” Hellie said.
“No. I think Janie’s right. The barn is even better,” Lauryn said.
“That’s set, then,” Nana said. “I’ll talk to Nancy Jericho, and my granddaughter Lindsay can throw together a party in a heartbeat!”
“A party? You’re getting way ahead of yourselves,” Grace said. “There’s costumes, seating…” Her brows knitted again. “Morgyn might be able to help with costumes.”
“And my knitting club gals can pitch in.” Hellie withdrew a phone from the pocket of her skirt and began typing a text.
“The high school drama club would probably help with sets.” Lauryn whipped out her phone and began texting, too.
Grace paced. “This is exciting on so many levels! You guys are from very different generations, and you were able to come together and create something wonderful. Or at least it seems like it will be wonderful. I haven’t had time to read all of it, obviously. I think the community would be excited to see this play, but we still can’t pull it together that quickly. There are things wecando to get started. We can come up with a list of what we need to accomplish, and when I come back in a few weeks, we’ll see where we are.”
“A fewweeks?” Nana’s gaze moved between Grace and Reed. “Do not tell me that you’re going to go a few weeks before seeing Reed again. Oh no, missy. That won’t do any more than waiting a few weeks to do the play will.”
“I still need toreadthe script, Nana. I’m sure it’s good, and I want to give life to your play because you have all worked so hard on it, but some things can’t be rushed. Why don’t we have breakfast and work through a timeline?” Grace suggested. “Once we have a breakdown of who’s doing what for the prep, we’ll have a better idea of how long it will take to reach out to the right people. Productions cost money, so we might need to reach out to local businesses about sponsoring the event, or putting ads in the program, like they do in the schools for fundraising. I think Brindle would be willing to help with that, too. And my mom spent years on the PTA. I bet she’d love to pitch in.”
Reed could practically see the gears turning in Grace’s mind as she mentally ticked off ideas. He loved seeing her so enthusiastic.
“We need music,” Phoenix said. “Do you think there’s any chance Sable would be willing to help out?”
“I’ll call her.” Grace pulled her phone from her pocket, and then, as if a breeze had swept the wind from her sails, she lowered her phone and turned her back toward the others, speaking quietly to Reed. “I just realized we agreed not to work on Sundays, and here I am…working. Sable’s right,” she said just above a whisper. “I don’t know how to draw a line between relaxing and working. I’ll tell them we’ll do it tomorrow.”
He took her face between his hands and said, “Baby, are you having fun thinking about this project? Because you sure seem excited.”
“Well, yes, but we just said we’d take Sundays off, and I’m leaving in two weeks.”
Reed was aware of the others listening to their every word despite Grace’s hushed tone. But it wasn’t just the girls waiting with bated breath.Hisgirl was waiting, too, looking at him like she was ready to walk away from the dance she’d waited a lifetime to attend.
“I don’t want you to think I’m a workaholic.” Her brows wrinkled, and then she added, “But I’m pretty sure Sable’s right. I have some of those traits.”
“Some?” Nana said. “Your mama says you work twenty-four-seven.”
There was a collective, “Shh,” from the others, and Grace’s expression became even more strained.
Reed wanted to kiss that worry away, but since that wasn’t an option at the moment, he said, “When you fall for a passionate woman, you have to know her passion touches all aspects of her life.” He felt the tension around her begin to dissipate. “It’s not work if we’re doing it together, and I’m sure you’ll need someone to help pull together sets.” He felt himself grinning. “I have tools, and some people think I’m pretty talented with my hands.”
