(Lydia)
It had been difficult for me to afford a life in Denver so I had packed my bags and moved to Welby.
Ruby marched beside me in the hospital corridor. We had spent the last few weeks discussing how we would raise the children. Ruby wanted to chip in but, thankfully, I could put my alimony to good use. Children, yes. The ultrasound from three months ago had told us that I was having twins: a little girl and a boy.
Ruby had flatly informed me that she would spoil them. I gazed adoringly as she knitted their rompers. Her presence inspired so much gratitude: my sister had been a steady pillar throughout my pregnancy as she accompanied me to routine check-ups, fed me bread and bone broth, and signed me up for yoga classes. I had no idea how I would have handled this alone.
“I want you to be strong!” she had said when I had expressed my appreciation, “I want you to remember who you are on the inside!”
I had thought of Thomas a lot during the months leading up to pregnancy but I had, thankfully, never dialed him. When Ruby became the voice of reason, it became clear to me that perhaps Thomas truly did not want anything to do with me ever again. He had made that abundantly clear. I needed to stop reading into every single one of his words and actions and, instead, take what he had done for face value: divorced me and proposed to my best friend.
***
When Miles and Mabel graced this world with their golden warm laughter and bright blue eyes, I felt happy for the first time since my divorce.
And then, of course, Adam showed up. Adam had been my friend in highschool. We had become estranged since I moved to Illinois for college but I had reconnected with him on F******k again and was surprised to learn that he was in the city. When he learned that I, too, lived in Welby, he came down to my block to have coffee with me.
Adam was a pediatrician in the local hospital so I thought it would be a good idea to stay in touch with him … of course, for Mabel and Miles. But, at coffee, when I had told him everything, I had – once more – broken down. He had not said a single word and instead moved up to sit beside me. He had held my shoulder and hand and waited patiently as I cried.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly to me. Later, he walked me home.
“Gorgeous smile,” Ruby had commented when she had briefly met him then. I had only half-smiled. Adam was a wonderful man and his presence brought me calm and peace but, for some reason, I could not allow myself to give in … whatever it was that he was offering.
Time only went on to show, however, that Adam’s sole agenda was to show up for me. I had gotten a lot of rest as he and Ruby managed the kids. In the meantime, I had started going to therapy. That had put a long overdue trammel to the listlessness, helplessness, and tears. That had also been the last of my reminiscences of my marriage.
One morning, as I returned home from a run, several pounds lighter than before both in my physique as well as in my mind, my phone chimed. It was Adam.
MS. DAPHNE’S SCHOOL FOR THEATRE
JOB OPPORTUNITY: ACTING TEACHER FOR YOUNG ADULTS
TIMINGS: 12 P.M. to 3 P.M. MONDAY TO THURSDAY
207 NORTH AVENUE, PERK LANE, WELBY
***
I loved returning to theater and playing Meisner, Stanislavski, and Chekhov to young adults. It was starting to seem that my life was returning to purpose again.
Miles pounced on me when I returned home. The twins had only just begun to walk and battled each other over a teddy bear I had bought them.
“Cannie!” Mabel exclaimed, extending her palms in a demanding gesture.
“You’ve already had enough candy!” said Ruby, darting towards Mabel and swooping her up in arms.
“More cannie!” Mabel exclaimed and Ruby burst out laughing.
“How was your day?” Ruby asked as I hung my keys up by the door.
“Pretty good,” I told her, “What’s for lunch?”
“There’s pot roast in the oven,” she said, and darted into her bedroom to grab her purse. “I’m late for work. Lock the door behind me?”
Adam showed up a couple of hours later … with a bag full of chocolate for the kids.
“Stop spoiling them!” I exclaimed with exasperated laughter.
“I’m not!” he held his palms up, “I’m just helpless when it comes to those two.”
He nuzzled his nose against Miles, who in turn held up a chocolate bar for Adam to unwrap.
“You should start auditioning again,” said Adam. The plastic wrap crinkled in his hands.
“Me? Really?” I asked.
“Of course!” he replied, “In fact, I’m pretty sure there’s some traveling theater company coming to Welby next week. Wait, let me get the details.”
He fished his phone out of his pocket and swiped until he reached the page.
“Here, see. Giovanni’s theater is coming to Welby. Apparently, they’re very well-renowned.”
“But then, why would they ever want to come to Welby?” I asked.
“Maybe the Gods want you to perform again!”
I shook my head, “I gave that dream up a long time ago.”
Adam got up and crossed over the living room to sit down next to me, “Might I ask why, Lydia?” he asked, his voice resounding with genuine concern.
I stared deep into his green eyes and realized, for the first time, that he truly cared for me. The epiphany startled me. I broke away from his gaze and instead turned towards the floor. The rug was a tapestry of vivid colors woven into one another. He allowed the quiet to settle.
Twenty minutes later, Adam still watched and I had not yet come up with a single reason for why I should not pursue my long-lost dream.
It made no sense to throw away the person who I had wanted to become simply because my self-esteem had suffered a blow from a failed marriage.
When I finally found my voice again, I returned into his emerald eyes and confirmed that I would audition.
***
I had enjoyed working at Ms. Daphne’s but Giovanni’s was far more fun. Rather than just simply teaching acting to young adults, I was now playing out characters.
The only downside was that it wasn’t full-time work. Once every three or four weeks, I would participate in a play. Adam and Ruby would have front row seats. Pride and admiration shone from their eyes and radiated from their smiles. I was starting to feel happy again.
The gigs that I was getting were small but fulfilling. I had not gotten a lead role yet but secretly longed for a chance. I could do a much better job than the other actors. I was just hoping the producers would realize that soon.
Then, one day, I was pacing around the living room memorizing my dialogues for an upcoming play.
“Here is the scroll of every man's name which is thought fit …” I mumbled, trying to recall the next few words. “Athens … Athens …” I murmured now, remembering that it had something to do with the city.
The phone rang. I jerked and glanced at the wall-clock. It was 5pm, Adam would still be at work and Ruby had taken the children to the park.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
“Hello!” chirped a man’s voice when I picked up, “Is this Lydia Lombardi?”
I still hadn’t changed my last name.
“Yes …” I replied, hesitantly.
“Well, here’s the thing …” he said. The man, Ronald Pike, was a producer at the theater and he was calling to let me know that the lead actress on one of their main plays had dropped out due to some unfortunate incident and they were hoping that I could replace her.
“Of course I’d replace her!,” I thought smugly to myself. And then, to him, I replied with barely restrained joy, “I’d be very pleased to accept the position.”
“That’s absolutely wonderful,” he said. I could hear some stage set up noises in the background and I imagined that the setup staff must be running around.
“There’s one thing that you should know, though,” Ronald continued, “This is going to be a traveling theater event, so–”
“I don’t have any reservations against that!” I said quickly. I did not want to let this opportunity go.
“Great!” said Ronald, “The first stop’s at Denver.”
Denver? I thought. And, suddenly, memories came flooding back.
(Lydia)When will I ever be able to erase him from my memory and never get reminded of him again? I thought as I stared at the email Pike had sent me.“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
(Thomas)The theater lights dimmed and the stage lights went up. I squirmed in my seat. The palms of my hands were getting sweaty and I nervously rubbed them together. My stomach turned. I couldn’t believe that I was about to see her again.***Everything had been going well. In the beginning, Sarah had quarreled with me. She had been upset about the prolonged engagement and I had sometimes suspected jitters. It had seemed as though she felt as though the wedding would not take place at all.“Sarah,” I had once told her softly as we had dinner together. Her eyes had been shooting daggers at me all evening. She had thought I was putting off the wedding on purpose.“I’m trying to expand the business to New Mexico. I am completely swamped with work,” I had explained, showing her the palms of my hands “It doesn’t seem, to me, like the best time for a wedding.”She had sniffled and turned her eyes away. She would not say a single word. An emerald earring dangled from her lobe and sparkled
(Lydia)The shrill sound of the doorbell ringing punctured the peaceful quiet of my hotel room. I glanced at the wall clock. 11 p.m. Who could it possibly be?I pulled the blanket over my daughter’s back. Her sweet face glowed like an angel while she slept. Padding along the plush carpet, I peered through the peephole and felt my stomach churn.Sarah.I drew in a steadying breath, unbolted the door, and opened it a crack. “What do you want?” I exhaled in a harsh whisper.Sarah’s face was ashy white and her lips were drawn into a tight line. “Let me in!” she shrieked.She thrust herself against the door but I stood firm, blocking entry. “You need to leave. Now.” I said, quietly but firmly.A soft whimper came from the king-sized bed and my heart clenched. I couldn’t let this racket wake up my children. As I stepped aside to check on my daughter, Sarah took advantage of the distraction and brushed past me into the room.“Quiet. You’ll wake them up!” I hissed.“Is that … Thomas’s?” Sarah
(Lydia) “And after we’re done getting candy, we can then go to visit my house.” Thomas said. He stroked Miles’ chin and then cast me a look, seeking permission but all that I could feel was dread and overwhelm.What in the world was happening here?“Do you have a car?” Miles asked him.“Yes, I do,” Thomas replied.“Which one?” Mabel hopped up and down.“Well, let’s see. I have a Mercedes…”“A Mercedes!” Miles shrieked happily.“Mommy, can we go to see the Mercedes?” Mabel looked at me and Miles joined his sister. The twins gazed up at me expectantly, hope welled up in their eyes. Thomas’s eyes mirrored the same look.“No!” I snapped. And all three of their faces fell.I grasped Thomas by the arm and pulled him to the side. “What do you think you’re doing?” I whispered harshly.“Lydia, I’m just trying to get to know my kids.” Thomas reasonably explained.“They’re not you—”“Seriously? You expected me to believe that that boy,” he gestured towards Miles, “is not my son?”I didn’t thin
(Lydia)My jaw dropped when I stepped inside the mansion. I had been expecting that, after all these years, Sarah would have completely redecorated it. Or, perhaps, Thomas’s mother, at least. But the rotating crystal swan centerpiece that I had carefully selected and gotten installed inside the lobby was still glinting and shimmering in its spot. The wall-sized mirror with the gold rococo frame that I had hung up on the wall by the doorway had not been moved a single inch either.I turned towards the other side. The painting. Raphael. Thomas’s mother had never liked it. And yet it was still hung on the wall. I looked up at the ceiling. The golden chandelier. I took a step towards the corridor on the side. The tables. The décor. The candle-holders. I opened the door to the drawing room and let up a quiet exhale.The whole mansion, insofar as I had seen it yet, was exactly the way that I had left it.A torrent of memories carried me away: Thomas kissed my hand as he led me into this d
(Thomas)Mabel and Miles ran in circles all the time. The twins were an energetic bunch. Outside, their laughter soared the breeze like a beautiful melody that I had been waiting to hear my whole life. Every word that spilled out of their baby mouths was like music to my ears. Soon, the house was full of their toys.I had never been a happier man.Mabel hopped with her arms outstretched. My phone was ringing and she was trying to grab it. It was Lydia.She had been the first to Facetime me since she left. I felt my heart beat faster and joy well up in my chest. But it was not me she wanted to speak to.“Where’s Mabel and Miles?” she had asked as soon I answered the phone. So, I turned the camera around and showed her a live video of the twins playing with their new train set.“You don’t need to worry about them, Lydia,” I had said.“It’s the first time I’ve been away from them since they were born.”I understood her hesitation. So, I made sure to call her at least three times a day to
(Lydia)The last three weeks have been a whirlwind. We have traveled through Aspen, Aurora, and Boulder before making our final performance at Colorado Springs. I received so much praise and accolade from the audience there that I was glad I signed up for this.While I was touring, Adam phoned to let me know that he had signed on to a contractual research position for the Children’s Welfare Foundation for Leukemia. Since Adam had been one of the top candidates for the job, CWFL had been chasing him for a while now. But now that he was finally here, he had accepted the role.“Good luck for your tour,” he had said, sounding genuinely pleased at my report to him, “I know you’ll do great!”I had dreamed of acting since I was a little girl. And I felt that pursuing this goal now was important in the upbringing of my children. I needed to set a strong example for them so that Mabel and Miles, too, would grow up to chase after their passions.Even though we FaceTimed every day, multiple time
(Lydia)I examined my glittering champagne evening dress in the mirror. The buckles of my creamy heels sparkled as I turned around.I chugged down a glass of water. The thought of meeting Thomas at this party had my stomach turning knots all afternoon. Mabel and Miles sang along to the chorus of a nursery rhyme that their sitter, Ella, had played on TV. She seemed like she was good with kids, and I at least felt relieved about leaving the twins in her care.I glanced at my silver wristwatch and realized that Adam would be here any minute. I was dreading the very sight of Thomas but it would be easier to go through this with my friend by my side. Just then, my phone chimed. It was Adam.My palms moistened when I read the message. “I’m running a bit late. Will join you there.”I sighed. Very well.My taxi pulled up at the venue and I exhaled deeply, steadying myself.The party was being held outdoors. The glowing orange lights, din of chatter, and music was causing quite a commotion an