Page 21 of Curtain Call
The neighborhood he grew up in hasn’t changed much since he left home. As he runs, he remembers riding his bike down these same streets with Mac and Colin. Riley crosses the street and takes a shortcut through the park. The park where he and Colin would sit for hours and talk about their plans after graduation and how excited they were to be roommates in New York. He also thinks that’s when he had hopes that he and Colin could have been more than just friends. Riley’s feelings for Colin grew from platonic, to crush, then to love. Thinking back over the past few days, maybe Colin wanted that too.
Sweat beads pool on Riley’s forehead as he makes his way down the paved road toward the Concord River. A makeshift trail cuts through the trees from his neighborhood leading to a hiking trail off the eastern bank. It’s a short trail, that he and Colin discovered as kids one afternoon on a bike ride with Mac. The trail ends about three blocks from Main Street.
The morning jog helps Riley clear his head while maintaining his weight. He can’t let his mom’s cooking, or lunch dates with Colin, get him off track. The early morning workouts help maintain his clarity and maintain what he’s already achieved on his fitness journey.
Riley also has fears. He fears going back to his larger self. He wants to be thin. He knows that he will be more castable if he keeps the weight off. He also knows that Colin will like him more, too. Everyone will like him more. A memory from the subway pops into Riley’s mind and he shakes it out.
Jules: It’s been 10 min. Silence. Are you dead?
Riley caught a glimpse of the message on his watch the second time and only read,‘are you dead?’ A faint laugh slipped from his mouth, but he was in a rhythm and wasn’t going to break his stride. He did, however, believe the message warranted an eye roll.
Another mile down.
Jules: I’m calling 911. They will send out search dogs to feast on your rotting carcass.
Riley finished up his run as he reached Charlie’s Coffee Shop on Main Street. There isn’t a Starbucks in town and Riley admires the town for keeping the charm alive. There is a sense of romanticism here. The chime on the door reminds Riley of the same chime at the theater. Not paying attention, he nearly knocks coffee out of the hands of an all-too-familiar face.
“You’re up early,” Mac says holding a tray with two-sleeved cups and a small white bag rolled at the top.
“Always,” Riley tells her before using the cuff of his sleeve to wipe the beads of sweat from his brow.
“You’ve always been an early bird, haven’t you?”
“Some things don’t change,” he shrugs with a grin. “Besides, I can’t let you get all the worms,” he continues while eyeing the contents in her hands.
“Sorry, I got the last maple donut, but I think the cream-filled ones are still in there,” she retorts while licking her lips and winking.
“It’s too early for sex jokes, Mac,” Riley grins with raised eyebrows.
“It’s never too early for sex jokes, sweetie.”
“Agree.”
“I’m running late and need to bounce,” she says with her head motioning toward her truck, “but you should stop by the theater later. I’ll be there all day working on the set. Besides, I miss your face.”
“I missyourface.”
Riley goes in for a side hug to not spill her coffee. Maple donuts were always Colin’s favorite and knowing of his sweet tooth, Riley would bet anything that donut was for him. ‘There’s something about the sharp sweetness with a hint of saltiness,’ he’d say. Riley had one once and it was too sweet for him. He never tasted the salty side of it, just the stabbing pain of sweetness in his molars.
“Let me see if the folks need me for anything, if not, I might stop by after I shower.”
“See ya later, gator.”
“Bye, crocodile.”
Sitting with his Chai in a comfy chair in the corner of the coffee shop, he pulls out his phone from his waistband pocket and reads the text exchange. The three words that pop out at him are LEAD, BROADWAY, and DEAD. His insides feel like a ball of yarn that has been favored by a young kitten. He hits reply to text back.
Riley: Not dead . Out for my run . What musical ?
He takes a sip of his hot Chai while staring down at the 3 dots flashing on his screen. The dots disappear with no message following. Riley will not let his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder run loose in his head. After all, he’s on vacation. He takes another sip of his Chai to show that he doesn’t care. His foot shakes from a dangled leg that has been crossed at the knees. He sets his Chai down on the small table next to his chair.
He won’t text his agent back. He doesn’t care. He’s on vacation. He got to kiss Colin. He doesn’t need a lead role, he’ll just go back on tour when it kicks back up in January. Maybe he will stay locked away at Colin’s place and become a sex slave. Colin can feed him tiny chocolates that are individually wrapped while reading poetry to him.
Fuck this.
Riley: Areyoudead? Don’t leave me hanging! What musical??????
The phone vibrates in Riley’s palm causing him to jump. Clicking the green button on the screen with his index finger to accept the Facetime call.
