Page 61 of Curtain Call
“Looking forward to it.”
Riley heads back to the entrance and turns around one last time to see Mac climbing into her truck. She looks over her shoulder and smiles at him before giving him a little wink. The corners of her eyes creased so he knew that smile was real.
Journal Entry
January 25th
I saw Mac today and when I hugged her it was like someone threw a warm blanket from the drier over my shoulders. It was familiar and soothing like a family quilt. But why do I feel like there is something she’s not telling me.?
Scene 7
February 1st
Riley
“Hey Riley, Good morning. You’re looking very well today. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Not much. It’s like that movie Groundhog Day around here. Every day it’s the same thing. Medical check-in, breakfast, group, rec time, lunch, blah, blah, the same ol’ thing really.”
He sighs more out of boredom with the routine than sitting here with Dr. Rick. In fact, Riley looks forward to his visits. Now that Riley is no longer bitter about being here, Riley notices that Dr. Rick is easy on the eyes. He’s not attracted to Dr. Rick, per se, just an observation.
“You know, some routines can be healthy. Tell me about a routine that you use in your career that helps you be better at your art,” Dr. Rick responds.
“Um, well, I guess while we are traveling and on the road, we are very scheduled with workouts and rehearsals in the morning, but our afternoons are free before we have to report to the theater to get ready for that night’s show.”
“Riley, imagine if you didn’t have that kind of routine on the road. Tell me how the show might go.”
“To start, the morning routine keeps us accountable, so we aren’t partying every night, so we are refreshed the next day. We also know what time we have to check in with the stage manager to ensure all cast members are at the theater. Without at least those two things scheduled, it would probably be a shit show.”
“You see then, the routine here may be dull, but it ensures that your life-show isn’t a disaster. Do you get it?”
“I understand. Oh, here’s something,” Riley begins while changing the subject, and Dr. Rick cocks that one eyebrow that makes Riley uneasy, “I had an awkward visit with Mac on Saturday.”
“Talk to me about it.”
“Well, it was great seeing her and really did my soul some good. But halfway through the visit my friend Jax, whom she is dating, called. It seemed the conversation was strained somehow when we were talking on FaceTime. Almost as if they were hiding something from me.”
Riley is looking at the new blue and gray oriental rug Dr. Rick has in the office to hide the ugly carpet. It’s a nice touch. He couldn’t meet Dr. Rick’s eyes.
“As I recall, your friend Jax was with you at the audition. Keep in mind, you have only been here just five weeks. You have done a great deal since checking in here, even though you think the schedule may be boring. Tell me more about your feelings for Jax.”
Riley finally looks up and meets Dr. Rick’s eyes.
“Not much more to say. He was a great friend in New York and while on tour. We have grown quite close but for some reason, I feel bothered by the phone call and the way Jax and Mac were acting. Almost secretive.”
“Think for a minute about your relationship with the two of them. Now that the two of them are together, this throws a curveball into the way you view those relationships.”
Riley asks, “Explain in plain English. I’m not following.”
“In the past, each of them placed you in a central role in their lives, and while you are a major part of their lives, they now have each other. So instead of you being the centerpiece for them individually, you are now a good friend on the side because they will go to each other first. Just like when you were with Colin, you placed him at the center and Jax and Mac were on the periphery.”
Riley sits quietly while taking everything Dr. Rick said into account.
“Try not to overthink this. Stay focused on your program and regain your footing. Your friends are not going away. Your relationships are still intact, just developing in a different way that you aren’t used to,” Dr. Rick adds.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Thank you for the confidence,” Dr. Rick grins at him trying to give him that reassuring tease that he knows Riley responds well to.
