“What happened? I thought you said you didn’t mind doing it.” Max asked. He cradled his cell phone in between his right ear and shoulder as he continued writing something down on a clipboard that was hanging up on the wall.
“I don’t mind doing it,” Kiara replied through the phone. “I just forgot that it was today.”
Max sighed. He dropped the pencil letting it bungee downward, the string it was tied to saving it from falling to the ground. Max took the phone back into his hand and turned around leaning his back against the wall. “How could you forget that it’s today?”
“I don’t know,”
“You know, I’m beginning to wonder if you agreed to help me out because you felt bad saying no. Now you’re trying to think of excuses to get out of it.” Max looked to his left seeing a couple of teenagers trying to put together some of the backdrop on the stage. It was obvious they were struggling.
“No, that’s not what it is at all.” Kiara said becoming slightly annoyed.
Max leaned over to see if anyone else could help the kids since he was busy with Kiara. Sure enough, one of the teachers was standing by watching the kids struggle.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to do it, I just honestly forgot. You know, my life has been pretty busy too. You wouldn’t know that though because you’ve been spending all your time at the theater and talking about the show rather than asking me how my day went.” Kiara continued.
Max snapped his fingers a couple of times trying to get the other teacher’s attention but it didn’t seem to be working. The teacher was leaning against the podium off the stage watching the teenagers argue with one another about the backdrop.
“Hello? Are you listening to me?” Kiara grumbled.
“I heard you, I’m sorry.” Max replied hastily. “So, what you’re saying is that I’ve been reminding you of the play every single day and yet you still forgot to come today?”
There was silence.
Max paused. “Hello?”
“If I could reach through this phone, I’d slap you.” Kiara said through gritted teeth.
Max sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He turned his back on the teenagers pretending he didn’t see them. He’d deal with them – and that teacher – afterward. Right now he needed to give his attention to Kiara.
“Then what did you mean?” Kiara challenged.
“Forget I said anything.” Max said with a wave of his arm even though she couldn’t see him. “I’m just stressed out, tonight’s opening night, and I thought I could count on you for your help. You’re the only person who I knew would actually do your job… Seriously, none of the other teachers are taking it seriously and the kids are just happy to not be doing their homework.
“So, yeah. I’m a little frustrated you didn’t come because I thought I could count on you. I thought I would have at least one other person here that had a good head on their shoulders and knew what they were doing and would take this a little bit seriously.”
“It’s a high school play.” Kiara said exasperated.
“Yes, and it’s important to me.” Max replied with no hesitated.
There was silence again. Max waited knowing she was still on the line. He could hear her breathing. He just hoped she wasn’t thinking of another excuse to back out on him. He really needed her help.
Kiara groaned. “I’ll be right there. I honestly did forget about it though.”
Max nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I accused you of trying to get out of it. I mean,” he looked at his surroundings again, “I couldn’t blame you if that was truly the case.”
“I put up with this because I love you. But honestly, never again.” Kiara stated firmly.
Max couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fair enough.”
“Alright,” Kiara said, “I’ll be there in about ten minutes. I just have to put my face on.”
“I promise, when the night is over, we can go to a fancy restaurant or you can pick out a piece of jewelry from any expensive store you want.” Max smiled.
“Oh, save it.”
Max let out a sigh of relief. “Okay good, because I don’t think I’ll be making any profit from this play.”
“Again, it’s high school.”
“Yeah… right.” Max said rubbing the back of his neck. He wanted to be a director and was just trying to get some sort of experience. Maybe going back to his old high school wasn’t exactly the best place to start.
Words: 776
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