Crushed in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon

Author:Meg Muldoon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vacant Lot Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

June looked at the screen and smiled a little.

Chapter 10

I slipped into the dark auditorium, a big blast of cool air hitting me. I marched down the aisle, carrying my Mrs. Claus costume over my arm along with those damn heels.

It was about an hour before rehearsals were set to begin, and I’d closed the ornament shop an hour earlier than usual so I could get over here early.

I followed the path around the stage and then headed into the back where the dressing rooms were and where the theater office was.

I needed to have a word with Doreen. I’d told Riley that I’d show up to rehearsals, but after seeing June in the hospital, I’d decided that enough was enough and I was going to quit. I wasn’t sure who was behind all of this. But what I did know was that I wasn’t going to get in their way. I valued my life too much.

I’d rehearsed it all in my head to say to Doreen. But, as I neared her office, I realized that someone else was already talking to her.

I paused in the hallway and listened.

“You should have never agreed to any of this, Dorie,” a man’s voice boomed. “This ridiculous event will sink us. I’m not exaggerating this time. If we go through with the parade and play, we’re cooked.”

There was a long pause. Then I heard Doreen’s distinct grating voice.

“I had to do it, Bob. This parade and play is a Christmas River institution, and I will not let it die just because this town is run by philistines who can’t see the value in theater arts.”

“That’s all very nice and well, honey, but this isn’t just your money here. You’re blowing our retirement on some stupid ideal that—”

“What are we if we don’t have our ideals!” Doreen shouted in a dramatic tone worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy.

“Smart, that’s what. And a hell of a lot richer.”

I thought I heard sniveling after that.

“But fine. Have it your way. Run us into the ground, honey. You don’t care enough about our future to call this off.”

“Bob, that’s not—”

There were heavy footsteps, and a moment later, the door to the office swung open.

I should have seen it coming and tried to find a place to hide. But I didn’t, so all I could do was stand there in the middle of the hallway, looking down awkwardly, trying to pretend I hadn’t heard any of their argument.

The short, balding man stopped abruptly when he saw me. He eyed me for a long moment.

“Oh, I was just, um… just—”

“Eavesdropping, that’s what,” he growled, his cheeks flushing red.

“No, I wasn’t. I mean, I didn’t—”

But he had already turned around and started walking swiftly down the hall, his dress shoes pounding the linoleum.

“Damn it,” I muttered, letting out a sigh.

I’d never met Doreen’s husband — but based on the conversation I’d overheard, that must have been him.

After a little while had passed, I walked over to the office door, stomping my sandals loudly so I wouldn’t surprise her.

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