This was one of her worst nightmares come true. At least once it was over, she’d never have to spend time with Vaughn ever again.
Three hours later, Vaughn stood on stage with Benita and the rest of the Mystic Park cast as they accepted the audience’s standing ovation. Despite Ginny not showing up, the night had been better than he’d ever hoped. Once the applause died down, Vaughn led the cast, musicians, and crew backstage for the after party.
“Congratulations, everyone. Congratulations.” Vaughn stood in the front of the break room and raised his voice to get the group’s attention. The room grew quiet. “I’d like to thank you all for a wonderful performance tonight. You were all great: actors, musicians, and crew. You deserved the audience’s ovation and another round of applause.”
The room erupted in cheers and handclapping.
Ethel Knight shouted above the cacophony. “You deserve another round of applause, too, for that phenomenal script and those songs.”
More cheers, and this time foot stomping joined the applause.
Vaughn raised his hands again and called for order. “I asked a lot of you to prepare this show in just seven weeks. But you pulled it off and your performance was better than I’d even hoped. Thank you.”
He waited for the din to quiet down. “Special thanks to our last-minute water fairy, Benita Hawkins, who filled in for our female lead and provided us with an outstanding performance.”
The roar of approval almost brought down the house. Vaughn was thrilled for Benita, especially considering how nervous she’d been.
“Thank you, Benita, for saving the show.” Simon Knight shouted the words above the cheers, and the noise grew even louder.
Vaughn smiled as Benita’s golden brown skin took on a pinkish hue. He wanted to talk with her. He needed to tell her how much he appreciated her finding the courage to do the live performance. If it weren’t for her, his dream of producing Mystic Park would not have been realized tonight.
He worked his way across the room, stopping often to offer congratulations and to accept them. There was an electric current in the room. It was made of excitement, success, victory, and relief. He’d felt it before in other performances he’d been a part of. It was heady. It made people chatty, giddy.
Vaughn finally made his way to Benita’s side. He noticed right away that she seemed neither chatty nor giddy. “Thank you again so much. You really went above and beyond for the play.”
“I’m glad you were able to bring your musical to the stage.” Benita’s smile didn’t make it to her eyes. “It was the realization of your dream. And, judging by the size of the audience, it also was a very successful fund-raiser.” She started to turn away from him.
Vaughn caught her arm. “I’m sorry for the things I said the last time we talked.”
“Are you?” She walked away from him before he could say another word.
Vaughn didn’t know what he would have said if she’d stayed but he would have liked to have found out. Instead he watched her disappear into the crowd of cast members, stagehands, musicians, friends, and family.
Darius’s hand on his shoulder startled him. “Well done.”
“Thanks.” Vaughn turned to offer his friend a smile.
Darius jerked his chin in the direction Benita had disappeared. “She was fantastic.”
Vaughn’s smile was much more natural this time. “Yes, she was.”
“Were you able to resolve your issues or are you breaking up?”
Vaughn glanced over his shoulder. “I guess we’re breaking up.”
CHAPTER 30
Alonzo’s wedding day was perfect: cloudless blue sky, gentle breeze, and scores of friends to wish them well.
Someone pinch me.
Alonzo stood with Darius, Juan, Jackson, and Father Steven on a low platform in an open clearing near Pearl Lake at Harmony Cabins. Vaughn sat at a baby grand piano, playing “Air,” by George F. Handel, for the wedding processional.
All of the bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets of purple roses and soft white calla lilies. They wore different variations of the same basic Chardonnay dress. Audra appeared first, walking the path that led from the main cabin. Her version featured capped sleeves and ended at her knees. Ramona’s dress was sleeveless with a high waist and a hemline above her knees. Megan’s dress had a cinched waist, three-quarter-length sleeves, and ended just below the knees.
After the bridesmaids were in position, Vaughn changed the music to “At Last,” sung by Etta James. It was the perfect song for them.
And then Doreen appeared.