Chapter 5 The Man from the Past

(Lydia)

When will I ever be able to erase him from my memory and never get reminded of him again? I had spent so long removing him from my mind. And here I was, moving back to his city.

“Denver’s a big city!” Ruby protested when I repeated my concerns. “You would never run into him there. And, besides, it’s not as though you’re going to live there.”

“Yeah, it’s only going to be for a couple of days,” chimed in Adam. He and Ruby had perhaps planned this intervention after I had first told Ruby about the offer.

“Honey, this is a great opportunity for you,” continued Ruby. She clasped my hands into hers, her eyes pleading for me to acquiesce.

“It’s literally your life’s dream,” agreed Adam, “I would never pass up a big shot like this.”

He stared at me intently from across the table.

“It’s just that …” I gasped in exasperation, “I’ve spent so long trying to forget him like he forgot me. If I catch even a glimpse of him, I’ll come crumbling down.”

“Pfft!” Adam shook his head. 

“When has that man ever even been interested in the arts?” said Ruby, “He wouldn’t be found dead in a theater.”

She had a point. They both did.

So, I signed my agreement with Giovanni’s.

***

I began preparing for the play.

“If I got rid of my demons,” I said, “I would get rid of my angels.”

I was trying to practice.

“You’ve got this, Lydia!” Adam exclaimed. He had been helping me practice.

I did not seek his help once; I sought it every single day. And he never failed to deliver.

“You can do it!” he exclaimed, “I’m rooting for you.”

So, I kept trying until my gestures became as smooth as cream and my words spilled off my tongue like silky butter.

“Vacation!” Miles exclaimed when I told him that we were going to Denver. He and Mabel practically jumped up and down. 

“My baby, you’re so clever!” I said, swooping him up in my arms, “I’m so proud to be your mother!” 

“Travel!” Mabel shouted.

I laughed. “Have you two gotten yourselves a thesaurus?”

The day before my departure for Denver, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt proud of who I had become. I was no longer a weak girl who was hankering after her estranged ex-husband; I was a woman who was holding, in the palm of her hands, the very beginning of all of her dreams.

The young girl who had fallen in love with Thomas had been bright and pretty but this woman who stared back at me in the mirror … She was beautiful, strong, and supported. She had suffered and survived. This was the best version of me.

I could not wait to show it to the world.

***

In the make-up room, I anxiously skimmed through my sheet through cold and sweaty palms. I wanted to make sure I remembered everything. 

I hadn’t had a bite of breakfast.

In fact the egg sandwich that Bonnie, the assistant, had brought me three hours ago was now cold and still untouched in its paper bag.

This was possibly the most significant moment of my life after the birth of the twins; of course I was nervous.

I just hoped I wouldn’t bumble it up on stage.

In fifteen minutes, we would start. The door behind me creaked open and Bonnie and Sylvester entered.

“You good?” Sylvester asked. He was one of the setup staff.

“I’m fine,” I smiled weakly and followed them backstage.

The performance was a whirlwind. I deliberately placed my focus on nothing except the dialogues that I had practiced for countless hours.

I knew that Ruby and Adam would be in the front row but I tried hard not to look towards the audience. Today, I would not let anything distract me. I wanted to stay on as a lead actor with Giovanni’s. I need to prove myself to them.

So I gracefully glided across the stage and melted into the act.

When the curtains were drawn, my team and I arranged ourselves horizontally into a queue in order to take a bow and receive our applause.

I had delivered a flawless act. And, now, it was time for me to be seen.

I gazed intently at where I knew the front row would be, readying myself for the warmth in Ruby’s eyes and the excitement in Adam’s when the curtains were pulled back.

I did not see them then. Instead I found, front and center, a man giving us a standing ovation. Three years had not changed him in the slightest. In fact, the excited look on his face was just like his son often wore.

Thomas was clapping and cheering. And, for the first time in three years, he recognized me.

I gulped down my shock and felt a pit in my stomach. The moment seemed to go on forever. But I quickly regained my composure and noticed that the rest of the crowd had also stood up. They were all applauding us. My eyes scanned the room for Ruby and Adam but instead caught Sarah’s blonde hair.

In her elegant black evening dress and hair pulled up into a braided bun, she and Thomas looked perfect together.

And then, mercifully, the curtains fell. The sight of them was cloaked from me. I hurried backstage and gulped down a glass of water.

“Lydia!” Adam darted in my direction.

“Where were you?” I exclaimed, putting down my glass.

“I was in the middle row but I guess you couldn’t see me. You were absolutely remarkable!”

He clasped my forearms and smiled warmly at me. His eyes brimmed with adoration and pride.

“Where’s Ruby?” I asked and craned my neck over his shoulder.

“She’s in the parking lot,” he said, “I came here to fetch you.”

Ten minutes later, Adam picked up my bag and we left the make-up room together. The whole crew was hugging and congratulating me.

 “Adam, I need to tell you something,” I said when the crowd left. I opened my mouth to tell him but, just then, Richard Pike appeared. He beamed brightly at me.

“You’ve done a spectacular job, young lady,” he said.

“Yes, thank you—”

“In fact, there’s someone who would like to come to see you in person,” he continued.

Thomas approached in the corridor behind him. Richard turned to look at him.

“Ah, Mr. Lombardi,” he exclaimed. Thomas nodded his head at me politely but his gaze was piercingly intent.

I felt Adam shift to look at me. And then he said to Thomas, “What brings you here?” His voice was cold and discouraging as though he were issuing some sort of secret warning.

“I just came here to congratulate the actress,” Thomas replied.

“Well, thank you. Now, would you please leave? We’re getting late.” Adam snapped.

“Of course,” said Thomas gruffly and left.

Pike shot Adam an angry stare. But I finally heaved a sigh of relief. I hoped I would never encounter him again.

“How are you enjoying Denver, Lydia?” asked Pike.

I smiled and nodded, “It’s very nice here, thank you.”

“Excellent!” he exclaimed, tilting his head comically, “Because we’re coming back here soon. Mr. Thomas Lombardi just bought the company!”