Josh makes a pitcher of iced tea while DeMar
unpacks. He can hear his friend moving around in the extra bedroom
upstairs and wonders again if this is such a good idea. As he stirs
the tea, a memory comes unbidden to him, so sharp and clear, it’s
as if it happened yesterday—DeMar on a stage devoid of props, lit
by a solo spotlight. This had been their first full run-through of
the script, and DeMar’s deep timbre rang out across the empty
auditorium as he began to sing one of the play’s powerhouse
ballads. Halfway through the first stanza, Leila was supposed to
enter stage left and join him for the duet, only she missed her cue
and DeMar stood there, gazing longingly at the still curtains,
drawing out his note as he waited for her entrance.
After a few beats, Josh realized Leila
