The night of the play was cool and crisp, the sky absolutely clear without a hint of clouds. We had to arrive an hour early, and Id been feeling pretty bad all day about the way Id talked to Jamie the night before. Shed never been anything but o me, and I khat Id been a jerk. I saw her in the hallways between classes, and I wao go up to apologize to her for what Id said, but shed sort of slip bato the crowd before I got the ce.
She was already at the Playhouse by the time I finally arrived, and I saw her talking to Miss Garber and Hegbert, off to one side, over by the curtains.
Everyone was in motion, w off nervous energy, but she seemed strangely lethargic. She hadnt put on her e yet-she was supposed to wear a white, flowing dress to give that angelic appearand she was still wearing the same sweater shed worn at school. Despite my trepidation at how she might react, I walked up to the three of them.
"Hey, Jamie," I said. "Hello, Reverend . . . Miss Garber.」
Jamie turo me.
"Hello, Landon," she said quietly. I could tell shed been thinking about the night before, too, because she didnt smile at me like she always did when she saw me. I asked if I could talk to her alone, and the two of us excused ourselves. I could see Hegbert and Miss Garber watg us as we took a few steps off to the side, out of hearing distance.
I glanced around the stage nervously.
"Im sorry about those things I said last night," I began. "I know they probably hurt your feelings, and I was wrong to have said them.」
She looked at me, as if w whether to believe me.
"Did you mean those things you said?" she finally asked.
"I was just in a bad mood, thats all. I get sort of wound up sometimes." I knew I hadnt really answered her question.
"I see," she said. She said it as she had the night before, then turoward the empty seats in the audience. Again she had that sad look in her eyes.
"Look," I said, reag for her hand, "I promise to make it up to you." Dont ask me why I said it-it just seemed like the right thing to do at that moment.
For the first time that night, she began to smile.
"Thank you," she said, turning to face me.
"Jamie?」
Jamie turned. "Yes, Miss Garber?」
"I think were about ready for you." Miss Garber was motioning with her hand.
"Ive got to go," she said to me.
"I know.」
"Break a leg?" I said. Wishing someone luck before a play is supposed to be bad luck. Thats why everyoells you to "break a leg.」
I let go of her hand. "We both will. I promise.」
After that, we had to get ready, and we went our separate ways. I headed toward the mens dressing room. The Playhouse was fairly sophisticated, sidering that it was located in Beaufort, with separate dressing rooms that made us feel as if we were actual actors, as opposed to students.
My e, which was kept at the Playhouse, was already in the dressing room.
Earlier in the rehearsals wed had our measurements taken so that they could be altered, and I was getting dressed when Eric walked in the door unannounced.
Eddie was still in the dressing room, putting on his mute bums e, and when he saw Eric he got a look of terror in his eyes. At least once a week Eric gave him a wedgie, and Eddie kind of hightailed it out of there as fast as he could, pulling one leg up on his e on the way out the door. Eriored him and sat on the dressing table in front of the mirror.
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