Chapter 4
Zac looked through the program for the play as Kate laced her fingers through his.
“You look nervous,” she remarked, giving his hand a squeeze.
“Just nervous for Jody.”
With that the lights faded and the curtain rose, giving the entire audience a view of the stage and the cast members already there. Zac scanned the faces. No Jody.
“Isn’t she supposed to be the lead?” Kate whispered. Zac nodded, still confused.
Jody’s grand entrance came in the second musical number. She waited nervously in the wings as everybody else in the cast made their entrances. She did a last second touch up on her hair and double checked her outfit and taking a deep breath, putting on a smile, and taking the stage.
To Zac and Kate’s surprise, Jody was wonderful. She hit her high notes, sang a capella, and charmed the audience with her character. All of her hard work, dedication, and sleepless nights had paid off and she was met with thunderous applause when she took her bow.
“Great show, everyone,” the stage manager called as everybody started to pack up in preparation for the next night. “Go home and get some rest. See you at 4:30 for sound check.” He scanned the room quickly and headed in Jody’s direction. “You killed it out there tonight, Jode.”
“Oh, thanks,” she said shyly. “It was a good opening show for everybody.”
He shook his head. “Modest as always.”
Jody shrugged in response.
“And there’s a few people out there to see you, so pack up and see them.”
“Yes, sir,” Jody teased as she grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder.
Jody, as promised, exited out into the mass of people in the lobby.
“Jode!” a familiar voice called.
Her head turned in the direction of the voice.
Sure enough, there were Zac and Kate waiting with flowers and congratulations.
“Jody you were amazing out there!” Kate gushed as she gave her a hug.
“Yeah. We never knew that such a big voice could come out of you,” Zac told her as Jody was passed onto him.
“Oh, thanks guys. I’m just glad you could make it to the show.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it.”
“And congratulations on getting hitched!” Jody exclaimed. “I’m so happy for the two of you!”
“Yeah, well someone had to marry her before she married someone else.”
Kate rolled her eyes good naturedly and took his hand. “Thanks, Honey.”
“So what are you two up to for the rest of the night? There’s a diner around here if you wanna grab something.”
“Um, yeah. That sounds good, actually,” Zac responded.
And so the three piled into Jody’s car and spent an easy evening catching up on everything, including wedding pictures.
“Oh my God, is that Ezra?” Jody gawked as she stared at the picture.
“Yeah.”
Jody was still perplexed. “He’s gotten so big!”
“Tends to happen with kids. He’ll be 6 next month.”
“What?” Jody looked to Kate for some sort of reassurance. “Tell me he’s kidding.”
“Nope. I’m afraid he’s right this time.”
“Six?” Jody repeated.
“Yeah, past 5 before 7.”
Jody flipped a few pictures. “Kate, you looked so gorgeous. That dress is unbelievable.”
“She cleans up nice, doesn’t she?” Zac teased his wife.
“You didn’t look so bad either,” Jody remarked. “You done good, Kate.”
Kate shrugged. “I try.”
Jody flipped some more pictures. “Is that little Penelope?”
Zac looked over at the picture. “Yeah. That’s her.”
“She’s so cute.”
Jody’s breath caught in her throat momentarily with the next picture.
Taylor.
Jody smirked and tried to put on a brave face. “Penelope looks just like her dad.”
They stayed at the diner for a few more minutes before they all piled back in Jody’s little car and she drove them back to their hotel.
“How long are y’all gonna be in town?” Jody questioned.
“Just until tomorrow morning. I’ve gotta be back in the City by 9 for a meeting or something.”
“Oh the perils of being a pop tart,” Jody mocked as she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming out tonight.”
“It was our pleasure,” he responded. “You’re really something out there on stage.”
Jody blushed. Taking compliments was never her strong point.
“And Kate it was great to see you again.”
“Same to you. Great show.”
“Thanks.” She stepped back for a minute. “Send my regards to Issac and everybody.”
Zac and Kate exchanged a knowing look. “We will.”
Jody slipped back into her car and went to fasten her seatbelt when Zac knocked on the passenger window.
“Everything OK?” she questioned.
“Yeah,” Zac responded. “Break a leg tomorrow night.”
Jody smiled. “Thanks.” She rolled her window back up and pulled away and back toward her apartment.
Chapter 5
Index
The Divorce
Email: BunchOfFrogs@aol.com
