Excerpt

In contrast, Carly, who had been Katie's closest friend since they were toddlers, was very different. She was quieter, had a more introspective demeanor, was a little fey at times, and her seductive, rather dramatic looks belied her retiring, gentle nature. Eyeing her, Katie thought that even in her school clothes she looked voluptuous. Carly had a beautiful if diminutive figure, and with her short dark curls and pansy-violet eyes she had the look of a young Elizabeth Taylor.

With a sudden rush of emotion, Katie felt her abiding friendship and love for them both flowing through her...they were her dearest, her very best friends.

"It's the three of us or nothing!" Katie exclaimed emphatically. "And I'll be glad to rehearse with you tomorrow. But listen up, you two, you're much better than you think. Just remember that."

Carly and Denise beamed on hearing these words, but neither girl made a comment and, arms linked, the three of them left the stage together.

As they always did, they went through the long-established ritual of sitting at the table, drinking a bottle of Coke each. Today they were intent on dissecting Katie's performance, and generally discussing their parts, their set pieces for the concert. It was Carly who changed the subject, when she suddenly straightened in her chair and said to Katie, "Do you think your aunt Bridget will be able to find us an apartment in New York? Do you really think it's all going to happen for us?"

Katie nodded. "I do. Absolutely. And she said we can stay with her at the loft in TriBeCa for as long as we want."

Denise interjected, "Mrs. Cooke is sure we'll be able to get into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She even said she'll help us." Denise reached out, squeezed Carly's arm. "Don't be such a worrywart."

Carly let out a sigh, then she leaned back in the chair, relaxing, sipping her Coke. After a moment, she said in a reflective voice, "Just think, next year at this time we'll be in the big city, attending drama classes and camping out at Aunt Bridget's fancy loft."

"Hey, it's not all that fancy," Katie exclaimed, grinning at her. "But it's comfortable, I'll say that." She jumped up, headed towards the curtained alcove which they used as a changing room. Pulling the curtain open, she stepped inside, then swung her head, explained, "I've got to hurry, I'm really late to help Mom with supper." She eyed the Portia and Desdemona costumes and other items strewn around haphazardly, and shook her head. "I just don't have time to help you tidy up, I'm sorry."

"That's no problem," Carly assured her. "Anyway, it doesn't matter if it's messy in here. Nobody ever comes to the barn except us."

"Uncle Ted says that after all these years it's ours." Denise looked from Carly to Katie and grinned, then reached for the copy of Othello which lay on the table. She started to flip through the pages of the play, looking for the part she was learning.

Katie disappeared behind the curtain; Carly opened The Merchant of Venice, wanting to study Portia's famous "quality of mercy" speech, wondering if she would ever master it, worrying about it again, as she had for several weeks.

Within seconds, Katie was stepping out of the curtained alcove, wearing her school clothes and struggling into her jacket. "See you in class tomorrow," she said as she rushed across the floor to the door.

Denise flashed her bright smile, and Carly, looking up, asked, "Can you please bring the long black wig tomorrow, Katie? I think it might work for my Portia."

"Yes, it'll look great on you. I'll bring it to school, Carly." She waved nonchalantly over her shoulder as she left the barn.

Copyright © 2001 by Beaji Enterprises, Inc. .

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