Page 29 of Bring me Back
“Yet.”
She watched me in a way I didn’t like, even though it was way more docile than the way she looked down to Cricket Sunday past.
“Principal Anderson must have told you we are enrolled in a competition. There’s a committee arriving in a couple of weeks and we might be invited to a camp at Spring’s Harbor.” I put all my cards on the table. “Not having money to proceed with costumes would hurt the kids’ chances.”
Sharon licked her front teeth. “So we are all running around so Hallie Delos Santos gets what she wants?”
Don’t ask why she hates Cricket.
Don’t ask why she hates Cricket.
Don’t ask why she….
“There’s any problem with Hallie, Sharon?” I winced as the words left my mouth.
She sucked in a breath, tugging her lips inside. I waited for her to tell me she was secretly in love with Preston White, or Hallie actually killed someone before I arrived in Bluehaven. Something, anything.
“She isn’t a student anymore. What she wants and needs shouldn’t matter.”
“And it doesn’t,” I cut it in. “The money isn’t for her and what she needs. It’s for the kids.”
“The school survived before.” She pondered. “The theater department never needed its own fundraiser.”
She was right. But then again, Helen was never so ambitious, but I wasn’t about to throw Helen under the bus.
“You know about the cut in the budget.” I did not know why she would know, but something told me she did. “And it’s good we have so many kids involved in the play. It looks good for college applications. It looks good for the school. The competition could bring money for next year. It’s a win for everybody.”
Sharon put her phone down, leaning over the table. “The school year is full. The fundraisers are planned in advance. There’s no way to do something on such short notice.”
I knocked on the table between us. “Come on, Sharon, there must be something you can do. If anyone can do it, it’s you.” I had a wild guess that flattery would get me anything.
She twisted her lips. “There’s the carnival. I could get you a booth, but Mr. Miller…”
She shook her head as we both realized that, unlike her, I never asked her to call me by my first name.
“All booths are taken. Baking goods, drinks, games and anything in between. All departments fought over the booths last year.”
I straighten my back. “So it’s a question of coming up with something new.”
To my surprise, she smiled. “Yes. Something new that won’t take business away from other departments. If you can think of something, you get your booth. I’ll give you the space and we can talk prices, but anything else is up to you. And Mrs. Carr I’d imagine.”
“E-mail me what booths we have in place.” And I rattled off my e-mail address.
“Surprise me, Mr. Miller."
“How now, my love? Why is your cheek so pale? How chance the roses there do fade so fast?” Tommy’s voice ricocheted through the theater.
“Belike for the want of rain, which I could well. Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes.”It was Delilah’s reply.
“You have to feel it, Delilah!” Mrs. Carr called. He asked about your feelings and you aren’t giving it to him.”
“Well, because I don’t know whatbeteemmeans!” Delilah whined, and I tuned out.
It was an hour into the rehearsal, and Daniel wasn’t anywhere to be found. It was ok, I told myself, even though I looked at the door every five seconds and then winced at my own pathetic eagerness.
I had no business getting attached to Daniel Miller.
I shook myself from my stupid thoughts. I was working backstage, gathering a piece of fabric to a mannequin’s right shoulder to drape and pin it. I could’ve just sat and cut the fabric right away, but I liked to see the rushing beforehand. I wanted to make the perfect dress, regardless that it was Delilah who was going to wear it.