Page 11 of Love Me Not
“You think this club doesn’t have an impact? Five of my kids have gone on to college drama programs. One of them is already an understudy on Broadway. This isn’t some hobby group, Carole. The club makes a difference in these students’ lives.”
“I don’t want to see the club go any more than you do, but I have to make decisions that are best for the entire school.”
Rising from my seat, I leaned over the desk. “We even made money last year. Enough to cover the cost of all the set design materials.”
“And we lost money on the costumes,” she pointed out, green eyes locked on mine. “Even with the volunteers, we still had to buy the fabrics and accessories. The props. Then there’s the cost associated with buying the rights to the plays. I can’t justify those expenses for half a dozen kids.”
Pacing the small space, I racked my brain for a way to convince her. “Fine. Then we’ll get more kids involved.”
Carole sat back and crossed her arms. “How are you going to do that?”
Excellent question. “I already plan to change things up. We aren’t doing a musical this year.”
“That could lose you the kids you already have.”
I didn’t believe that. “Emma isn’t happy, but she won’t jump ship. This will give her a chance to show off her acting chops and not just her voice. It’ll also offer more opportunities for students less comfortable with singing and dancing. We’ve had previous club members drop out that I’m sure I can coax back in.”
She shook her head. “Even if you can make that happen, the club is still on the chopping block.”
Over my dead body. “You said yourself, it’s a numbers game. If I get enough students involved, then we deserve to keep going.” Her hesitation told me I was making ground. “Give us the chance to prove that we deserve the funding.”
Rising to her feet, she stepped around the desk. “I’ll do what I can to at least let you keep going through this first semester, but I can’t promise anything beyond that.”
So if we wanted to do a play in the spring, we’d need to put on the best fall show of our lives. Challenge accepted.
“I’ll get the numbers up. You’ll see.”
“Like I said, I can’t promise anything beyond this fall.”
That was all I needed. “We’ll earn the funding.”
More determined than ever, I strolled toward the exit when she said, “Lindsey.”
I turned with my hand on the doorknob. “Yeah?”
“Good luck.”
With a nod, I walked out, knowing I was going to need more than luck. I was going to need a miracle.
Chapter Four
“Maybe we shouldn’t go,” Becca said. “It’s too soon.”
“He’s four months old,” Jacob assured her as I ignored them both and touched my nose to Noah’s. Each time I pulled back he flashed a chubby cheeked smile. “Lindsey will take great care of him.”
The couple hadn’t been out on a real date since before the baby was born in early May. They deserved this. I’d even venture to say they needed it. Neither could probably remember the last time they had a conversation that wasn’t about poopy diapers or baby burps.
“Tell her,” I said, turning the baby around to face his mom. “We’re going to have a rave and it’s going to be awesome, but we can’t get the party started until you guys leave. So go already.”
Becca looked at Jacob. “She’s kidding, right?”
Baby brain was a real thing. “Of course, I am. The truth is we’re going to watch trashy reality TV, and the little one here will be out by seven. Now you crazy kids go have a good time so little man and I can get our night started.”
Since Becca’s mom took on baby duty when Becca went back to work, I’d had very little alone time with the butter bean, as I liked to call him. This was my chance to squish his cheeks and get all the cuddles I could stand. At least until he passed out in an hour.
With little enthusiasm, she picked up her purse and rushed over to drop a kiss on Noah’s forehead. “I pumped so there’s plenty of bottles in the fridge. Remember to warm it up, but not too hot.”
She acted like I didn’t have a bazillion nieces and nephews, whom I watched all the time. At least until they got old enough to have opinions of their own. Then I only watched the ones who were smart enough to see me as the cool aunt.