Porgy and Bess

Woman Vs. Words Day 3

The crowd stood and cheered, the noise echoing throughout the sold-out theatre. Todd had given the performance everything he had, so much so, that his throat burned. They’d been doing two shows a day for the last four weeks and as much as he loved performing, he welcomed the oncoming break. 

Taking his cast mate's hands in his, the actors bowed together, accepting the praise heaped on them by the appreciative audience. There would be interviews and an after hours party to attend, but Todd only had one thing on his mind, asking Anne how she felt about him. 

The velvet curtain came down with a sweep, giving the actors the space to finally relax and show their true faces for the first time in two hours. He stretched his arms high in the air and pulled each of his cast mates into a round of hugs until he reached Anne’s side.

“We did it, Todd! I’m so proud of what you’ve done up there. No one sings like you.” Anne smiled that bright grin he’d come to love so much. Despite his sweatiness, Todd wrapped his arms around Anne and twirled her.

“You were beautiful Anne. The crowd loved you and so do I.” The declaration of love caught in his throat. He hadn’t even admitted his fondness to himself, let alone the object of all his desires, but Anne didn’t seem put off. She giggled at the embrace, high on the good fortune of a successful show run.

“Are you going to the wrap party tonight? I hope to see you there,” Anne asked. 

Was it his imagination or did she like him as he liked her? They’d been together for months on end, rehearsing and producing. He’d sung in her arms and she’d cried in his. If asked, Todd wouldn’t be able to recount the moment when he’d truly fallen in love with her. He’d look you straight in the eyes and tell you it was the first moment she’d walked in the theater.

Todd shrugged, wondering if he should take the opportunity in front of him.

“I’d actually like to get a bit of dinner, so I wasn’t entirely sure about the cast party. We’ve been together for weeks and some downtime would be nice.” 

That didn’t come out right. The melee of the cast and crew was jumbling his thoughts. He only had a few moments to say how he felt before someone tried to get either of their attention. Todd stepped closer to Anne and took her hand. 

“I mean, I would like for you to have dinner with me. It would be my honor. Then maybe, we can see about the cast party.” 

Anne squeezed his fingers with happiness. “I’m starving and I’d love to go to dinner with you. Let me take this makeup and stuff off. I’ll see if Josiah wants to come with us.”

Todd nodded, his throat constricting. He, Anne and Josiah had been dinner partners all month, eating together after shows, but this time, Todd wanted Anne alone. He needed to tell her how he felt. If he didn’t ask to court her, the ache in his stomach would never leave. Before he could clear the confusion, Anne whirled off.

Todd took two minutes to put on his own clothing, then found Josiah smoking out the window of a random dressing room. Josiah winked as Todd neared. Jo held out his hand to shake, but Todd offered a five dollar bill. 

“I asked Anne out to dinner tonight. She said she was going to ask you to join. This is for you to say you’re busy.” Todd pushed the greenback in Jo’s hand, but Josiah refused.

“Keep your money. I won’t take it if you promise me one thing.”

Todd nodded. “I’m listening.”

“Tell her how you really feel. Don’t pussyfoot around. If she don’t like you then take it on the chin like a man. If she does like you, well then, you won. I won’t be around to spoil it.” Josiah took a final drag on the cigarette, then stubbed it out on the sill. He tossed the butt from the window and crossed his arms. 

“I was planning on telling her.”

“Good. I want to hear all about it.” 

Todd left the five dollar bill on the desk next to Josiah anyway, for his help and friendship and went in search of Anne.

When she deemed herself appropriate for the real world, Todd escorted Anne to the stage door. 

“Is Josiah coming with us?” she asked.

“Not tonight. He says he has something else he wants to do.”

Anne's face fell and Todd's stomach turned. He’d be a fool to admit his feelings. If she wanted him, she’d flirt and coo and bat her eyelashes like the other women. Anne had been perfectly professional, never so much as looking at his crotch or anything.

“Anne, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s important.” The frog that had been jumping in Todd’s stomach moved to his throat. There was no time like the present. She nodded, encouraging him to say it.

“I like you. I mean like you more than a friend. I want to court you, so I asked Josiah not to come.”

A silence descended on them like a deep chasm. Anne smiled.

“I like you too as more than a friend. Let’s go to dinner.” 

Todd whooped and twirled Anne in his arms. 

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This story was written as part of my Woman Vs. Words Challenge. Learn more on my Youtube Channel here.