Fourteen
SLEEP DIDN’T COME EASY AFTER FRANCESCA’S WARNING AND Chrissy’s refusal to accept her help. But Bailey avoided talking to her parents or to Brandon. She was too embarrassed to know what to say. Anyway, that could come later. Now already she was back at the theater, ready for another show.
She walked toward the dressing room and stopped before she reached the door. Two of the actors from the show were talking, their tones sharp.
“I don’t care who she is.” The voice belonged to the girl who played Tracy, the show’s lead. “She’s only here because of her Brandon Paul connection. People loved Unlocked and now their curiosity brings them to New York to see if Bailey can perform on Broadway.”
“Which she can’t.” The other girl laughed. Bailey couldn’t make out her voice.
“Well,” the first girl chuckled. “Let’s just say there are a hundred Broadway dancers who could take her spot. People who could use the money.”
“Exactly.” The girl clucked her tongue. “I hate the trend in New York, producers bringing in actors with no Broadway experience just because they have a name. Let her work for it like everyone else.”
Bailey intentionally dropped her dance bag. At the sound, the conversation on the other side of the wall stopped. She grabbed her gear and hesitated before walking in. “Hey.” She smiled at them, determined that they wouldn’t see the way their remarks hurt her.
“Hey.” They answered her in unison and quickly fell quiet, turning their attention to preparing for that night’s performance.
Bailey couldn’t imagine how hard she’d have to work, how much better she’d have to become on stage before she had their respect. But combined with Francesca’s comments from last night and the whispers she’d heard since she started, she felt like a pariah.
The thoughts plagued her then and that Saturday morning as she headed to LaGuardia by herself, and even as she shared a happy reunion with her family at the Indianapolis airport.
Bailey figured she’d wait until the picnic to talk to her mom more in depth about the way things were falling apart back in New York. So far she hadn’t told anyone about the situation, and only Chrissy had noticed there was something wrong with her the last few days. Brandon was overseas for a week as part of the shoot for his current film. He planned to call when he could, but they hadn’t talked since Wednesday.
Now it was the morning of July Fourth, and as Bailey woke up in her old bed and stretched out her legs, she felt a peace that had eluded her most of the week. With all that was happening, she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to go back. She sat up and stepped onto the thick cushion of carpet. Her room still looked just like she’d left it.
She walked to the window and looked out across their manicured front lawn, the winding drive, and the full trees that lined either side. She had a million happy memories from past July Fourths. She and her brothers chasing each other across the grass with squirt guns, or her parents hosting a barbecue for all their friends.
But the only memory that played in her mind, the one she woke up thinking about was last July Fourth. Her family had gone to Lake Monroe with the Baxters. Bailey had broken up with Tim Reed by then, but she hadn’t told Cody. When he showed up at the picnic, she wasn’t sure if they’d have a moment alone to talk, but they’d taken a walk around the lake and along the way everything changed.
They admitted feelings they’d had for years, and in a moment she could still remember in vivid detail, Cody had kissed her. When they returned from that walk, the pretending was over. Everything they felt about each other was out in the open and there would be no looking back. At least that’s the way Bailey felt about it. But only a few months later Cody was back to being distant, pulling his usual running act. The one that had finally and completely separated them.
Bailey sighed. Dear Lord, I can’t do this to myself … not every Fourth of July. Bailey let the prayer echo in her heart for a few seconds. A sad laugh came from her. It wasn’t only the Fourth of July. She thought about him every day. Or most days, anyway. Every time she was on Facebook, and when she walked into her room at the Kellers’ — always aware of the framed photograph on the floor under her bed, right against the baseboard, getting dusty.
She sat up and stretched as her mom knocked on the door and opened it. “Good morning.” She smiled. “Another Fourth.”
“Yes.” Bailey yawned and pulled her knees up close to her chest. She patted the spot on the bed beside her. “Come talk.”
Life had been so busy lately, between shows and rehearsals and her mom’s schedule with the kids and her writing. They hadn’t talked for more than five minutes in a week. Her mom stepped inside and took the spot next to Bailey. She breathed in deep and looked out the window. “Should be a hot one.”
“Always.” Bailey smiled.
“I was hoping you were awake.” Her mom turned to her. “I haven’t had a minute to tell you, but … Cody stopped by last week. Didn’t call … just drove up.” She smiled, and the sadness in her expression was clear. “It was nice seeing him again.”
“He stopped by?” Bailey sat up straighter. “That’s sort of a big deal.”
“I know.” Her mom managed a sheepish shrug. “Seriously every time we talked I didn’t think about it until we hung up. I hate that part about you living so far away. The everyday stuff falls through the cracks.” She angled her head. “I figured we’d talk longer this weekend, but now you’re here.”
The sick feeling hit her instantly. This was the day she needed to tell her mom the reason she was home. “Yeah. I have things to tell you too.” She tried to picture Cody dropping in. “So why’d he stop by?”
“He wanted to talk to Dad. About football and camp, drills … that sort of thing.”
“Hmmm.” Bailey’s heart felt raw and maybe a little jealous. “What about the boys? Did they see him?”
“They did. They played a little football out back, and then Cody stayed for dinner and he and your dad talked after that.”
Bailey hugged her knees a little closer and wrestled with her emotions. “Was he nice?”
“Very.” A sigh eased from her mother’s lips. “He misses the boys and us. And he misses you, Bailey. You have to know that.”
“Not really.” Bailey didn’t feel bitter, but she had to be honest. “He hasn’t called or texted.” She raised one shoulder and let it fall again. “How much could he miss me?”
“He asked about you.”
Bailey hated the way her heart jumped. “What did he ask?” She kept her tone neutral. Not that she wanted to hide her feelings from her mom. She wanted to hide them from herself.
“How you were doing, how the show was going.” Her mom smiled big, her eyes kind. “I told him you were doing great. The best dancer on Broadway.”
The sick feeling grew, and her mind raced. Cody had been here, at her house? For most of an evening? And he’d asked about her? She should’ve been here instead of making a fool of herself on Broadway. Then they could’ve taken a walk and figured out what went wrong. What really went wrong. Bailey waited. She didn’t want to ask her next question, but finally she couldn’t stop herself. “Did … he talk about Cheyenne?”
“The friend in the car accident?”
“His girlfriend, Mom.” Bailey’s voice was even, without a hint of sarcasm. “Did he mention her? Or did you ask?” “I didn’t ask.”
“So he mentioned her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Not really.” Her mom’s tone was gentle. “He told me they spent time together. That’s it.” Her mom had hesitated. “He asked about you and Brandon.”
Bailey felt her breath leave her for a second or two. “Okay.” She paused. “What did you tell him?” She didn’t like the idea of her mom talking to Cody. After how he’d treated her, she felt like she needed her mom on her side. There wasn’t room in the situation for her mom to be both Cody’s ally and hers.
“Don’t worry.” Empathy shaded her expression. “I said Brandon and you talk. Nothing more.”
“Good.” Bailey felt relieved. Of course her mom understood. “He could reach me if he wanted to.”
“You’re right.” Her mom looked like she wanted to say more, but she hesitated and the change in her eyes said she was switching topics. “So what’s new in New York?”
Bailey felt her heart drop to the floor. She’d dreaded this since Francesca’s talk with her, but now there was no better time to break the news. She exhaled and searched her mom’s eyes. “It’s not good.”
Her mother showed no obvious reaction. She clearly didn’t worry that Bailey had made some tragic decision, or gotten into trouble. Instead she put her hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Well,” Bailey hadn’t thought she’d cry, but suddenly her emotions turned to liquid and filled her eyes. “Francesca pulled me aside … and told me I wasn’t cutting it. I need to get better or …” Her voice cracked and she hung her head.
“Bailey …” the shock in her mom’s voice was genuine. “What are you talking about? You’re wonderful on that stage.”
She shook her head. “No. Not … not like I need to be.”
“Oh, honey.” Her mom took her in her arms and hugged her. “That’s ridiculous. You won the part over hundreds of dancers.”
A quiet sniff came from Bailey, and again she shook her head. Her throat was too tight to speak.
“You did … I was there, sweetheart.” She ran her hand along Bailey’s back. “The director’s just being tough on you. She has a reputation for that.”
Bailey wiped at a few tears on her cheeks. “It wasn’t that.” She wanted to cry for an hour, let out all the feelings she’d bottled up over the last week. But she had to explain. “I didn’t tell you before, but … I had a feeling I wasn’t keeping up. Like … I don’t know, like the level was over my head.”
Her mom’s body tensed, and for a moment Bailey thought she might disagree again. But instead she waited, letting Bailey finish.
“They were going to let me go.” She drew back and searched her mother’s face. “Last week would’ve been my last if,” she sniffed again, “if I hadn’t found another level.”
The surprise and shock hit her mom then. “I can’t believe that.”
“I can.” That was the hardest part. Bailey had wondered if she wasn’t quite where she needed to be, but when no one told her so, she figured she was at least good enough to stay.
“I guess, I don’t get it.” Her mother folded her arms, clearly baffled. “You won the part over so many girls.”
“No.” Bailey shook her head. Her tears were under control again, but the heaviness in her heart remained. “They hired me because of Unlocked. Because of my connection with Brandon. That’s what Francesca said.”
A soft groan came from her mom. “Oh, Bailey, … I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She tried to find a smile. “I’m doing my best. I rehearse longer than anyone, and I feel like I’m getting better. But that’s why I’m home. She wanted me to take a break and think about how badly I wanted it.”
Resignation came over her mom. “And?”
“I still want it. But I have to get better. Francesca told me that.”
Again her mom leaned in and hugged her, longer this time. “If you want it, then you’ll get it. I know you.” When they pulled back, her mother put her hands on either side of her face. “God has good plans for you, honey … if Broadway isn’t what He has in mind, He’ll show you.”
“I know. Thanks.” They were quiet for a few seconds, Bailey still wrestling with the embarrassment of her director’s words. But that wasn’t all. “The cast is still acting weird. Not really talking to me … But at least I know why.”
“The Unlocked thing?”
“Exactly. It’s like they all know I’m not good enough, and that I won the part because of the movie.” Bailey stood and opened the window. Immediately a breeze drifted into the room and with it the sound of finches and robins outside. Bailey turned and leaned against the windowsill. “And I’m still not making even a little impact on anyone else.”
Bailey told her mom about Chrissy and the dancers who did drugs or drank. “Chrissy’s anorexic. I’m almost positive.” Bailey felt tired imagining going back to New York on Tuesday. “She says she’s getting help, but what if she’s not?”
Her mom was slow with her answer. “If people don’t want help, we can’t force them.” She stood and joined Bailey near the window. For a long time she waited, like she was thinking through the options, any way Bailey might’ve actually been able to help Chrissy. “You could tell Francesca your concerns.”
“Yeah.” Bailey wasn’t sure. “She leads rehearsals. You’d think she could see for herself.”
Again they were quiet. “Keep praying … God will make your purpose clear in His time. He really will.” Her mom gave her another long hug. “You’ll be fine. It’s okay if you have to work hard to keep your spot.”
“That’s what I told Francesca. I’ll work harder than anyone.”
Her mom checked her watch. “Come down and help me with the picnic when you’re ready.” She smiled. “Be in the moment, Bailey. We’re all glad you’re home.”
“Me too. Thanks for understanding.” For the first time that morning the sadness eased. “You really are my best friend, Mom.”
Her mother’s smile said what no words could. “Oh … and Brandon Paul sent a fruit basket … wished us all a happy Fourth.” She raised her brow and uttered a quiet laugh. “That boy doesn’t miss a beat.”
As her mom left the room, a smile played on Bailey’s lips for the first time that morning. A smile because Brandon had a way of making her troubles seem small and insignificant. She missed him more than she realized until now. A fruit basket? How thoughtful was that? Today — instead of worrying about her role on Broadway or thinking about the texts and calls she wasn’t getting from Cody — she would focus on something she did have.
The friendship and attention of Brandon Paul.
Bailey dressed and then jogged down the stairs where she found her mom and Justin working to finish a batch of deviled eggs. Bailey jumped in, glad for the distraction. Her mom smiled at her. “You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” Bailey elbowed Justin lightly. “I was just going to say how buff this brother of mine is getting.”
“I have a long way to go.” Justin flexed and laughed, humble about his solid physique. “NFL players my height have forty pounds on me.”
“And seven years.” Their mom waved her spoon at him. “You’re on your way, Justin. Bailey’s right.” Their mom raised her eyes in Bailey’s direction. “Your dad has the boys on a strength and speed training series for the summer. They’re all bigger and faster than when you left.”
Bailey smiled at the idea, but it made her sad too. Her brothers were growing up without her, while she was fighting to make a name for herself in New York City. And for what? She looked at Justin and then she glanced around the house. One day everything here, everything she could hear or see or know would be gone. And in these final seasons of life as she’d known it, she spent her time alone in Manhattan ineffective in every possible way.
The day stretched out sunny and beautiful — like almost every July Fourth Bailey could remember. Ninety degrees and a light breeze, with only some of the humidity that was bound to hit full force any day. She played frisbee on the shore with her brothers and tried not to remember how last year at this time she was playing catch with Cody. Tried to forget the way they’d both wound up in the lake trying to grab the football at the same time.
Bailey stepped away from the game long enough to catch her breath, and as she did she surveyed the group around her. The Baxter family was doing great — all of them here with their families. Landon Blake looked thinner than usual, and she remembered that he was struggling with some problem in his lungs. But otherwise, he and Ashley looked happy.
Even Katy and Dayne and their little girl Sophie had made it back home for the annual picnic. The laughter and joy among the group was again enough to make her want to forget ever going back to New York. She had nothing in common with the cast, and if there were more qualified dancers who could take her spot, then so be it. But here was the thing. She couldn’t give up that easily. Not after spending a lifetime dreaming about performing on Broadway. God had opened this door, Bailey was convinced. Now she would have to work harder than anyone else to keep her spot.
She sat on the edge of an open picnic table and watched her brothers. She was about to join them again when Katy Hart Matthews took the spot beside her. She was tanned — probably from her time in Los Angeles — and breathless from racing her little girl around the beach all afternoon. But now her husband, Dayne, had Sophie by the hand. “Whew … it’s getting hot.”
“It is.” The breeze had let up, and the sun was hot on their shoulders. She welcomed the partial shade of the trees that lined the picnic area.
“So,” Katy caught her breath and grinned at Bailey. “How’s New York?”
Bailey wondered how much she should say. Katy was her first drama instructor, after all. The person whose belief in Bailey was second only to her parents and Brandon. “Not great. Not really.”
“Bailey … I’m sorry.” A troubled look quieted Katy’s tone. “I feel so out of the loop spending most of my time in California.”
“It’s okay.” She sighed, glad there were no traces of this morning’s tears. “At first glance everyone looks so happy, dancing and singing about the sixties.”
Katy nodded. “New York can be a tough place.”
“So hard.” She sighed, her eyes on the blue sky ahead. The story about Francesca spilled out, how Bailey wasn’t making the grade no matter how hard she tried. “There’s more. One girl is anorexic, and lots are on drugs. And so much homosexuality.”
“In Los Angeles too.” Katy’s expression held no judgment, just a deep sorrow. “Our culture celebrates it these days.”
“Exactly. If someone asked me what the Bible said about it, and if I told them the truth, I feel like they’d shoot me.” She squinted against the sharp afternoon sun. “You know?”
“I do. It’s hard to be a light in the entertainment industry.” Katy smiled, and a peace resonated with her. “But it’s possible. Otherwise, God wouldn’t have put you there.” She was quiet and the laughter and voices of their families filled the air around them. “Maybe God’s closing the door on Broadway.” Her tone was easy. “If you ever want to do movies, Bailey, … you could live with Dayne and me.” She slipped her arm around Bailey’s shoulders and hugged her. “Just so you know.”
“Thanks.” Bailey leaned her head on Katy’s shoulder. The offer meant more than Katy could ever know. But even so the timing felt wrong. She stood and grabbed the suntan lotion from the table. Her shoulders were getting burned for sure. “I mean, I can handle it in New York, and I’m willing to work harder. I guess I’m not sure I’m doing all I can to help the cast, to make an impact. Or even to keep my job.” She poured the lotion into her hand and worked it into her left arm. “Like maybe God’s disappointed in me.”
“Bailey,” Katy looked straight at her. “God’s not disappointed in you. He’s just not finished with you. That’s all.”
The sound of that soothed Bailey’s uncertain soul. “Just pray for me … that I’ll hear His voice … do whatever He wants me to do.” She finished putting the lotion on her other arm and set the bottle back down. “Thanks again … for the offer. That means a lot.” She thought about Brandon, how happy he’d be if she moved to LA and focused on film. A smile started in her heart and made it to her eyes. “I’ll pray about it. You never know.”
They talked a little while longer about the cast, and Bailey’s frustrations. “I think my faith bugs people. Which is okay … it’s just sad.”
“What makes you think that?” Katy didn’t sound surprised, just curious.
“I told Chrissy I pray about my performances.” Bailey sat back down beside Katy on the picnic table. “I’ve talked with her a few times about God, and then last week … she told me the rest of the cast knows.”
“About your faith?”
“Yes.” Bailey had never experienced anything like this, the way she felt like an outsider because she loved Jesus. “They have such a bad view of Christians. They think we’re all hateful and judgmental. That’s the vibe I get anyway.” She thought for a moment. “I mean, I can see it in the eyes of half the guys when they walk past me, like they’re mad at me for something I haven’t even done.”
“Hmmm.” Katy’s tone held a wealth of understanding. “They see God in you — even though you’re not perfect. And God scares a lot of people. They aren’t used to being around someone who loves Jesus. It’s completely foreign.”
Bailey looked at the ground, fighting the defeat that clouded her soul. “My dad told me to shine for Jesus on Broadway.” She sat a little straighter. “How can I do that when almost everyone I’ve met doesn’t seem to believe in Him?”
“It’s a tough question.” Katy smiled, thoughtful. “But Bailey, honestly … have you actually talked to them? Or does it just seem that way?”
The question hit her straight at the center of her soul. Katy still knew her so well. “I’ve kept pretty quiet.”
“That’s understandable.” She smiled. “It’s why you still have your spot in the show. God wants more from you.”
The possibility seemed pretty right on.
Katy glanced at her. “I’m not sure I have the answers. But the Bible says to love … if we love people, they’ll know we are Christians and they’ll want what we have.”
“True.” Bailey still wasn’t sure what that would look like. How was she supposed to love people who didn’t like her? People who understandably doubted her talent and maybe even resented her place on the cast? “Pray for me … that I’ll be bolder.”
“I will.” Her eyes only accentuated her promise. “So what’s this about Brandon Paul? We run into him now and then. He’s a nice guy … totally different from what everyone says.” Katy grinned. “Because of a certain someone’s influence in his life.”
“I didn’t do much.” her heart felt lighter as she said the words. “I like Brandon. He’s fun. He makes me laugh all the time.”
“And Cody?” Katy knew more about Cody than anyone outside her family. After all, she lived with the Flanigans in the same season Cody lived with them.
“Nothing.” Bailey couldn’t hide her sorrow in her voice. “He doesn’t talk to me at all.”
“Guys …” Katy frowned. “He still cares, Bailey. No matter how distant he seems. I know him that well, at least.” She waited, letting her statement settle for a few seconds. “God will make it all clear in time.” She stood and shaded her eyes. “Better go help with dinner. Smells like the barbecue’s ready.”
Bailey thanked her again and Katy ran off to be with Dayne and Sophie. After a few minutes, the boys stopped playing football and the Flanigans worked together to get their own barbecue on the table. The smells and sounds, the feel of everyone together on the Fourth. All of it made her think about Cody, and how they’d been last year at this time. Happy and together. Why would he stop by her parents’ house, hang out with her brothers and visit with her mom and dad — and yet make no effort whatsoever to contact her? Okay, so he had a girlfriend … and she had Brandon. But after so many years could he really pretend she’d never existed?
Sure, she could text him … make the first move. But she’d done that last time — when she drove to Indianapolis and found him at the hospital with Cheyenne. She’d even given him the box of things he’d left at her house. So if he was interested, it was his turn to reach out. Like her mom had said a few months ago … next time around, he’d have to pursue her like a dying man needing water in the desert. And no matter how she wanted to enjoy this July Fourth, no matter how much she loved the time with her family and the talk with Katy, there was no avoiding the painful truth when it came to Cody Coleman. He wasn’t pursuing her like a dying man needing water in a desert. He wasn’t pursuing her at all. Between that and the uncertainty of her place in New York City, Bailey could only hold onto the truth Katy had shared before dinner. Somehow, someway … God would make all things clear to her in time.
Even if that truth was hard to believe today.