The Hourglass Door Read Online Free PDF Page B

accomplished. I thought for sure I’d find the whole lot of you lounging around, but instead—”
    Dave paused to catch his breath and I seized the moment. I had learned early on to interrupt if I wanted any kind of conversation at all with Dave. “I’m glad you’re back. We were getting ready to run Scene One again. Do you want me to do it, or do you want to jump in?”
    “Oh, you go right ahead. You’re doing fabulous with Act One. But maybe, if I could steal Benedick and Beatrice for a moment, we could rehearse the last scene in the play. We’ve been over it a thousand times but it’s still missing something. And, Abby, you know, it’s one of the most important scenes in the whole play. It’s the kiss—the ado the whole play is based on—and it’s just not working. I just don’t know what I’m going to do—” Dave stepped up on stage and clapped his hands for attention. “Isaac. Cassie. You’re with me. The rest of you—”
    The main doors to the auditorium creaked open.
    Dave whipped around, anger in his eyes. Everyone in the cast and crew knew how particular Dave was about his space. No one—and he meant no one —came to rehearsals without his permission. He claimed the invasion brought in a negative energy that interfered with the creative process.
    A tall boy stood with one hand still on the door. He wore a heavy wool pea coat, a leather backpack slung casually over his shoulder. Snowflakes melted in his dark hair.
    “This is a closed rehearsal,” Dave shouted, striding up the aisle and flapping his hands as though brushing away flies. “You’ll have to leave. Now.”
    The boy let the door swing shut with a clang. “I’m sorry?” he said, a trace of an accent underscoring his words. It sounded familiar but I couldn’t quite place it.
    “Closed rehearsal!” Dave said.
    “I have a letter,” the boy said, holding out a scrap of paper like a peace offering. “I am sorry I am late.” His voice was low, sultry, and just the sound of it sparked a flash of heat at the base of my skull.
    “What’s that now?” Dave accepted the slim paper and unfolded it with three sharp gestures. “Let’s see. Let’s see. Mmm-hmm. I see.”
    I stole a glance at Valerie. She raised her eyebrows and edged closer to me.
    “Well, well, well,” Dave said, all traces of annoyance gone from his voice. “This is unusual. But . . . come with me.”
    “Who is it?” Valerie asked.
    I shrugged, trying to get a better look without seeming like I was trying to get a better look.
    Dave led the boy down the aisle and to the stage, talking nonstop. “We’re rehearsing Much Ado about Nothing. I assume you’re familiar with the play? But we’ve already cast all the speaking parts, so you’ll have to be one of the members of the court. Hmmm, we’ll have to make sure Amanda starts on your masquerade costume.” Dave snapped his fingers. “Though if you’d rather be on the crew, I suppose we could find a place for you there. Are you any good with your hands? Woodworking? Carpentry, perhaps? Or painting?”
    The boy tugged at the sleeves of his coat, hiding his fingers from view. “I’m very good with my hands,” he said, the smallest of smiles curving his mouth. “But I will be happy to help in any way I can.” He avoided looking at all of us standing on stage and kept his attention focused on Dave. If he was uncomfortable with a crowd of strangers staring down at him, he didn’t show it.
    “Excellent! Perhaps I can find a place for you yet.” Dave stopped, a frown furrowing his brow. “What did you say your name was?”
    All the females in the cast seemed to lean forward to hear his response. I heard Lily catch her breath behind me. The quiet in the auditorium stretched for several long seconds.
    “Dan, did you say? Dan Alexander?”
    “It’s Dante, sir,” the boy said. “Like the poet.” That small smile made another appearance.
    Dave swept his arm in a welcoming gesture over the cast.