“I hear you, I hear you,” Jen had replied, “and I’m starting to feel that way myself.”
“Good. I think a lot of what happens is about timing. Look at our gang at work.
We were all chugging along for a few years, but now things are changing, and sometimes it’s hard to adjust. Anyway, I’m glad we’re still here in town. At least for now.”
Alexis was right about changes, but Jen hummed as she set her bag on the floor.
The difference Doug caused in her life now seemed wonderful. Nothing to be afraid of. The knock came exactly as she wheeled the suitcase into the hallway.
“Ready?” asked Doug, examining her face. “You’re good with this?”
“A weekend in New York is great. With all that’s available for tourists, I can surely keep myself busy while you’re working. There’s actually a tour of Radio City Music Hall—a behind-the-scenes look. I’d love that.”
“Of course, you would! But remember, show time is at eight o’clock. I’d like us both to see the Friday night and Saturday matinee performances.”
“Why?” she asked, leading them out the door. “Sounds a bit bor—… ah, too much, no?”
“A bit boring, you say?” But his eyes twinkled. “Not to the playwright. Every audience is different, particularly matinees versus evenings, and I always like eavesdropping and watching reactions to each performance.”
“Has the new actress studied the current production?”
“Oh, yeah. She was actually in the original cast in a supporting role for six months. Then went to another show in a bigger role. And when she heard we were going to cast a new lead, she auditioned. She’s really good, and I’m sure she’ll want to interpret the part her own way.”
“Then, I guess you’ll have to go back and see her in it?”
“Yup. Her opening is in two weeks.”
Something in his voice…a tightness, wariness. “Just think of it as a commute, Jenny. Lots of people do that.”
She watched him stow her bag in the trunk of his car and slam the lid.
“I know that. Business is business,” she said, “and a playwright always aims for Broadway.” Her thoughts raced. They were paying a fortune for a three-night stay at a hotel, and if he had to commute regularly…
“Maybe,” she said, hearing her voice quiver, “you shouldn’t have given up your apartment. Hotel costs are outrageous.”
He spun toward her. “Don’t even go there. I couldn’t lie to you about that. My home’s in Boston now. That’s where I want to be.”
But maybe not where he should be.
“Besides,” he continued. “I can bunk in with Steve Kantor when you’re not around. Hopefully, you’ll meet him this weekend. He knows the business and we’re good friends. Actually, I want to introduce you to everyone, and I’ll also take you on a personal tour backstage after the matinee.”
Jen absorbed his words and nodded. He was anxious that she understand his world. To make her part of it. Did he simply want to educate her so they could have lively conversations? Or did he want her buy-in so she’d consider making a change in the future? A future that was becoming more definite. In his quiet way, Doug was like a five-star general executing a complex campaign.
##
They stopped off for dinner half-way through the almost five-hour drive, but
Doug’s mind seemed to be elsewhere. “Just order me anything.”
“We’re standing in line in a fast food joint,” she said. “Hamburger or chicken?”
“I hope you don’t mind,” he said. “I really don’t want to linger over dinner. Next time we’ll fly.”
She pressed herself against him. “Hey. What’s wrong? It’s your first time back since you moved. Are you facing a reality check of some kind?”
He snuggled her in close. “The usual. Only twenty-four hours in a day. I’m going to be buried in work the entire weekend.” He looked sad, and so apologetic.
“I know that. Business is business behind the scenes. The audience is having all the fun.” She reached for their food order and led the way to a table.
“If it will make you feel better, we don’t see the starting quarterback of the Boston Riders very much during the season either. He comes, he goes, he sleeps.”
His grin slowly emerged. “Then I owe him another one.”
“Oh?”
“I once told him I’d hoped to make my own kind of touchdowns one day. And he shook my hand.” Doug spoke as he unwrapped his burger. “Eat up.”
Jen nodded, but was thinking about her brother-in-law. “Mike’s living the American dream himself. Why wouldn’t he encourage you?”
Doug’s brows rose, his eyes widened. “A career in the arts? C’mon Jen. Most people couldn’t imagine it. In fact, they’d discourage it.”
But she’d always loved his work. “Forget about your dad. You’re proving him wrong.”
“But now I see he’s got a point. There really is no guarantee every show will be successful.” He gathered her hands into his larger one. “I’ve got to be honest here, Jen.” His eyes darkened; his voice was intense. Not knowing what to
expect, she took a breath.
“You’re scaring me, Doug,” she began, her fingers pressing back against his.
