Page 66 of Curtain Call
“I’ve been carrying it around for a couple of weeks and wasn’t sure if I was brave enough to give it to you. You make me brave.”
Riley offers Colin a little wink. Then he’s gone.
Colin watches Riley walk through the double doors before they swing closed. A white rectangular sign readingno visitors allowedreminds Colin he can’t chase after him. To hold him one more time. Riley has come so far, and he has to be patient to let him continue this journey on his own.
Colin sits in his Jeep in the near-empty parking lot, heat blasting high, as he slowly unfolds the sheet of paper Riley gave him.
Dear Colin,
When I think of the word bravery, I think of you. I think back on all the times in our life that you were there to not only lift others up so they could follow their dreams but how you stepped up to help your family when they needed you most. You put your life, dreams, and happiness on hold so that you could help where and when you were needed most. You are the definition of selflessness. You have sacrificed so much in your life, and the only wish I have for you is that you will find what truly sets your heart on fire.
I have loved you since high school, and maybe before then even. I loved you in New York. I loved you while I was on tour. I fell in love with you all over again during Christmas and yet, I never told you those 3 little words that carry so much weight.
So here, in this letter, I want to tell you. For every year I didn’t sayI love you, I am telling you now. I would love nothing more than to build a future with you by my side if you will still have me after all this.
Yours,
Riley
I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Act 3
Epilogue
9 months, 23 days later
Scene 1
Riley
Backstage, lying across one of the vanities, a dozen white roses are wrapped in cellophane. The card attached readsbreak a leg. Riley smiles as he walks past, running his fingers across the sleek tabletop in the newly renovated space. Some of the performers are stretching on the ground while others are performing vocal warmups. His heart is full.
As he works his way through the mass of performers and to the main stage to begin the program, a young girl grabs him by the arm causing him to pause in his tracks.
“Riley,” she calls out with wide eyes, “what if I mess up my lines?”
Rebecca is performing her first supporting leading role. During her audition, she mesmerized the casting directors with her amazing voice and years of dance training. Not to mention she is also a perfect typecast for the role of Judy Haynes.
“Then you own it,” he tells her. “You make it part of your character and just keep going. Nobody in the audience will know you messed up your lines.”
“Thanks.”
She squeezes his arm before releasing it.
Riley gives her a comforting side hug, so he doesn’t get snagged on one of her sequins or feathers. He reflects on the moments he starred in his first leading role in high school. A solid hand on his back to calm his nerves before Colin made his way back up to the lighting booth. Years later, he never imagined he would get to experience a different kind of touch from him. Tonight, no back rubs were needed as Riley was confident in the work he has put into this show and the strength he has by overcoming his body image struggles. He doesn’t like to call it adisorder. He prefers to call it a minor setback or struggle.
The house lights flash through the electricity buzzing in the air.
“Five minutes to curtain, people. Five minutes,” the stage manager yells out.
The performers take their position behind the curtain, weaving their way through a war-torn stage set. Riley uses the dim backstage light to find his position center stage behind the crack in the curtain.
Heart pounding.
He takes a deep breath as the introduction music leads him to the other side of the thick velvety red curtains.
Colin
