Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
So, if something doesn’t give, I would guess Kristy is going to get tired of being pulled apart, and eventually she’s going to give up something, and I know that something is not going to be the kids. Plus, Kristy can do so much better than him. She’s gorgeous, smart and really sweet.
When the lights flicker, the crowded auditorium grows quiet, and a voice comes out of the speakers around the room announcing that the show will begin in three minutes. Nervous that Kristy is going to be late, I turn to look behind me and let out a relieved breath when I spot her and an older couple coming down the aisle. Lifting my hand, I wave, and she looks relieved when she sees me.
“I’m so glad we weren’t late,” she says, leaning over Logan to give me a hug.
“I thought I was going to be late too,” I tell her when she lets me go to hug Cooper, who has gotten out of his seat to say hi to his mom. I look around Logan to say hi to her parents, who both have kind smiles and don’t seem to mind at all that their daughter’s ex-husband has brought another woman to see their granddaughter perform.
“I’m so excited,” Zuri whispers when the auditorium goes dark and the curtains begin to open. Looking down at her, we smile at each other, and I grab her hand. She and Billie have gotten so close over the last few months, and she looks up to her the way that I looked up to Willow and Harmony. It’s such a special bond, and I really hope that it just continues to grow over the years as they both get older.
When Billie comes on stage during the first act, I have to force myself to keep my seat and not get up and clap like a lunatic and scream her name. I’m so proud of how hard she’s worked, she is amazing and looks so beautiful. Even if she doesn’t want to perform on Broadway professionally, I have no doubt that if she did, she would take over New York City with her voice.
While we are watching the show, Gigi passes the box of candy and treats she always seems to have in her bag during baseball games down the aisle to Zuri and me. I take a few gummy worms and Zuri takes some M&M’s. I offer some to Logan, Kristy, and her parents, but they all decline, so I pass it back down to Logan’s mom.
When the curtains close and the lights come on for intermission, people begin to get to their feet to stretch their legs or to go get popcorn, candy, or drinks from the concession stand the school set up in the lobby. Both Kristy and I volunteered to work the stand tomorrow during the show after Billie told us they needed the extra help. We also agreed that after the last show on Sunday afternoon, we’d all come and help take everything down so that Monday, the kids can start working on whatever their next show will be.
“We’re going to go get a drink. Does anyone want anything?” Kristy asks, looking around Logan at all of us while Cooper stands with his arms wrapped around his mom.
“I’m okay, thank you.” I look down at Zuri.
“I have to pee,” she whispers, but Kristy hears.
“Come on, you can come with us,” she tells her, and Zuri gets up.
“I’ll come too.” I look at Logan. “Do you want anything?”
“I’m good, baby,” he says, squeezing my thigh, his hand resting on it.
“We’ll be right back.” I get up from my seat. Zuri and I follow Cooper and his mom out of the auditorium. The restrooms are at the end of a long busy hall the opposite direction of the concession stand so I go with Zuri and tell Kristy we will come meet them.
“Billie is doing so good,” Zuri tells me as we wash our hands after using the restroom.
“Does it make you more excited to try out for the play at your school?”
“Yeah, but also more nervous.” She looks at me in the mirror above the sinks with a bright smile. “There are so many people here.”
“There are.” I laugh as we exit the bathroom. “Do you want anything from the concession stand before we go back in?”
“Popcorn.”
“Alright.” We walk towards the lobby. On the way through the cafeteria Zuri sees one of her friends from school who waves at her with a bright smile.
“Can I go talk to Evelyn?”
“Sure, just meet me in line when you’re done.”
“Okay.” She skips off.
With Cooper and Kristy nowhere in sight, I join the line for the concession stand and as I’m waiting, they announce that the show is going to start in three minutes.