Chapter 2
752 Words
New York, 2 years later.
“What’s happening is they want things they can’t have, shouldn’t have, but are still willing to risk to get it,” argued Fallon.
“But that’s not what I’m getting in the dialogue,” retorted the T. Juwan. A director extraordinaire, he knew his craft, but was a force to be reckoned with.
“The stage directions…”
“Give it to me in the dialogue,” T. Juwan said. “Now the next page.”
And so their conversation had gone. The actors were due in any moment and it was making her more nervous as the time slowly crawled along. On a last minute replacement, the acting line up now included none other than Kadeem.
It had been two years since they saw each other and Fallon had changed quite a bit since then. Determined to network and broaden her horizons, she moved to New York to get a taste of what it could be like if she took some risks. And they had started to pay off, at least to the point of her securing a full production of her work in a major theatre house.
That wasn’t the only thing that changed. Fallon was, more assertive, more confident. She didn't have a great makeover, as they like to say, but she took a little more care in what she wore and her bodily care choices, as was evident in her form fitting boot cut jeans and loose knit grey sweater, with a white tank top underneath and black flats. Something not too warm for outside, but warm enough for the often frigid rehearsal hall. Fallon was certain of who she was now, but still has a little seed of doubt about seeing Kadeem face to face.
The door opened just then and the actors started to pour in. No time to wonder about Kadeem, who probably wouldn’t remember her anyway. It wasn’t as if they’d kept in contact. She proceeded to shake everyone’s hand and introduce herself to the room. The actors chatted while they waited on a few others to arrive before making full introductions.
Maybe I should just get some water, Fallon mused. Would certainly take the pressure off the initial meeting. She moved to walk out the door.
“I’ll be right back,” she called to T. Juwan, who was now in his element of setting the tone.
Fallon walked outside of the rehearsal room into the hallway of the theatre. She meandered to the restroom, went in to clear her mind for just a few minutes more. She came out of the door to the water fountain and there he was, the one who haunted her dreams. In a grey tee-shirt, grey sweat pants and tennis shoes, obviously ready to move around if T. Juwan requested, he still seemed to have gotten more defined. But then, his shows always incorporated music and dance. Fallon stopped in her tracks as he rose up from the fountain, water dripping from his thick lips causing him to pass a gentle lick. Fallon tried to introduce herself as she did with the others, but her throat caught.
“Hello there,” said Kadeem. “I wondered if that was you.”
“Guilty,” responded Fallon, handing out her hand to shake. “It’s good to see you.”
“Likewise,” he said, grabbing her hand and shaking it. Just then, he grabbed her up and wrapped her in a hug, that hug Fallon remembered from two years ago. The familiar sandalwood and musk so much apart of her dreams once again surrounded her. All the reimagining, the possible conversations and the witty banter quickly exited from her mind. This time she held on just a little longer than she’s hoped to. The all too familiar whisper came in her ear just shortly after,
“It’s the next time,” his voice, like the wind, floated. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“Promise, promises,” Fallon said before she could catch herself.
“Ones I intend to keep.”
“Are we ready?” T. Juwan called opening the door to the rehearsal hall. They let go quickly. Fallon bent to get water.
“Hey man,” said Kadeem, giving him a special handshake. They’d known each other for years and he tried not to betray Fallon with T. Juwan’s all too knowing eyes.
“You ready to work?” asked T. Juwan.
“Can’t wait.” said Kadeem, looking at Fallon then turning to go into the rehearsal room. This was going to be a long two months.
“Then let’s start,” said T. Juwan, Fallon a quick glance before going into the rehearsal room.
Fallon took a deep breath. She wouldn't survive the run of the show, she was certain of it.
- Writer
