It’s Your Lucky Holiday by David Connor & E.F. Mulder

Author:David Connor & E.F. Mulder [Mulder, David Connor and E.F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2023-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4: Halloween Parade

I worried all through my Friday rehearsal, the first for the Halloween series. It was Friday night. With our regular conductor back, we were on our normal evening rehearsal schedule. Sterling was supposed to be onstage. He hadn’t shown up at the house before the show, and he hadn’t answered a single text.

“Of all the ways he could take after his mother,” Cyan commented, “it sucks it had to be this way.”

During a break at the symphony, I chewed my lip as my finger hung over the icon on my phone that would dial Jordan. Finally, I let it tap the screen.

Renny: Hey, Jordan. Hope you’re doing okay.

True as it was, I felt guilty saying it for a couple of reasons.

Renny: Hope the play’s going well. Did Sterling show?

Straight and to the point seemed best.

Renny: We haven’t heard from him at all, and we’re worried. Maybe I don’t have the right to ask, but please let me know.

One of Jordan’s few breaks between scenes, apparently, he texted back right away.

Jordan: Ster is here. Not sure what’s up, but he good.

I read the text several times forming at least a dozen responses in my head, a dozen questions, a dozen emojis that would convey a mix of feelings and remind Jordan of a couple of inside jokes.

Renny: Thanks.

That was the response I settled on.

Sterling was no more receptive after the final Saturday matinee. I spotted him across the lobby after the show, but by the time Waz and I got to the other side of the room, he was gone.

“I’m sorry if I fucked things up with your nephew.”

I took Waz’s hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Jordan betrayed our trust. If that has anything to do with what’s up with Sterling, we can talk it out. He’ll come around eventually.”

After the final performance on Sunday, I waited around through all the speeches and all the crying that came with closing night.

“Hey.” I had to practically trap Sterling between the rest room and concession stand to present him with a little School of Rock playbill charm. “It’s sterling silver, because…”

Sterling’s eyes were puffy. His very first time saying goodbye to a cast that no doubt came to feel like family or at least close friends. “Thank you.”

“I told him that was corny.” Waz smiled.

Sterling sniffled.

“From Cy and Waz and me. Maybe you can collect them. Ya know, if you do another show.”

“Maybe. The drive’s not so bad, really.”

“So, that’s what you’ve been doing?” I spotted Jordan. Since I’d ordered the charms weeks earlier, I had one for him, too. “Driving…” I focused back on Sterling. “Driving back and forth?”

“Yeah. School and everything.”

“Cool.” I wanted to ask Sterling if he knew where Jordan was staying.

“I should go.” He seemed in a rush anyway. “No party until we finish strike.”

“What’s strike?” Waz was never show people.

“Where we dismantle the set and put everything back in storage.”

“Enjoy.” My last request was for Sterling to keep in touch. Chances seemed slim.

* * * *

The National Enquirer ran a second article the next week.

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