Page 40 of Every Star that Shines

The kids, catching the signal that it was time to break up, dropped character and turned to listen in more casual poses. Grayson slid the swazzle out of his cheek and tucked the small reed device into its plastic storage case, which he’d fished from his pocket.

“Keep working on those lines,” Delanie said, “and get those lyrics memorized. We’re going to start blocking the songs next week, and I want you off book by then. It’s time for the big song rehearsal with the rest of the cast, so go take a quick bathroom break and come back to the hall as soon as you can.”

After a round of acknowledgements, the kids shuffled down the stairs that led into the auditorium at stage left. As the group moved past her, Delanie called Celeste aside. The girl came over, looking anxious.

“You’re doing well with your lines, Celeste, but you need to project a bit more. It was tough to hear you even from here, and your voice needs to go all the way back there.” Delanie pointed at the back of the theatre.

Celeste nodded, her shoulders bunching. “I know. I’m so sorry. I’ll do better.” She looked like she might cry, reminding Delanie of the tension she had felt at the Leclerc residence the day before.

“Hey, no. That wasn’t to make you feel bad. Here, let’s try something. Come stand here next to me.”

Delanie planted her feet at shoulder width facing the back of the hall. Celeste mimicked her pose, though with less confidence.

Delanie smiled encouragingly. “Great. Now, what’s your best friend’s name?”

“Zoe,” Celeste said.

“Okay, I want you to pretend Zoe just walked up the stairs at the back there, and you want to say hi to her. How would you do it?”

Celeste glanced at the back of the theatre with a dubious expression, but Delanie kept her gaze fixed on the girl’s face.

“Hi, Zoe,” Celeste said half-heartedly.

“I don’t think she can hear you,” Delanie said kindly. “Put your hand on your diaphragm, like this.” She put her hand on her own midsection, and Celeste copied her. “Now, feel it get firm and full when you breathe in?”

Celeste nodded.

“You need to push that air out when you call your friend, like this.” Delanie pushed in on her diaphragm as she called, “Hi, Zoe!” to the back of the theatre, and a few parents who were having a conversation in the back row glanced their way.

Celeste glanced uncertainly around at the kids gathering in the seats, then looked at the rear of the auditorium and straightened her neck. “Hi, Zoe!” she called, louder this time.

Delanie grinned. “Much better. Tell her that you had a burrito for lunch.”

Celeste gave an embarrassed giggle. “I never eat burritos.”

“Pretend,” Delanie said gently.

Celeste nodded, then resumed her erect posture. “I had a double-bean burrito for lunch. What did you have?”

Delanie relaxed, patting Celeste on the arm. “That’s the way to do it!” Delanie said, mimicking Punch’s squeaky catchphrase.

Celeste giggled again, and Delanie smiled.

“If you use that voice when you’re on the stage, they’ll be able to hear you over at town hall, which is exactly what we want.”

Celeste nodded, looking embarrassed but pleased. “Thanks, Miss Fletcher.”

“Anytime. Seriously.” Thinking of her suspicions, she added, “If there’s, uh, anything I can do to help you, you let me know, okay?”

Delanie didn’t know if the fervency of her meaning would come through her words, but she didn’t dare say anything more, in case she was wrong. And even if she was right, she didn’t want to embarrass Celeste by saying something so openly.

Celeste nodded with a confused expression on her face. “Thanks, again. I, um, better run to the washroom before the song rehearsal.”

“Sure.”

As Celeste walked away, Delanie looked up to see Amber standing nearby, watching with a tight expression on her face. Delanie braced herself for the expected tongue-lashing for helping her perfect, talented daughter. But instead, Amber looked thoughtful and came a few steps closer, watching her daughter leave.

“Thanks for doing that. I think it will make a difference,” Amber said.

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