Star of the Show

​I am walking around Vanderbilt University, looking for something. There is a reason that I am here. Not sure what it is.  Walking and walking and looking for a street name I can’t remember. Is there any money in my wallet? I don’t think so.
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I look over at a couple of girls standing and giggling while they are looking at a girl standing alone studying her phone. One of the gigglers begins a woeful love song directed at the lone girl. Heartfelt, boisterous and tearful and tone deaf she continues to the end not mindful of the gathering crowd.

When she finishes baring her soul, I say “Bravo!" and move on.

Where is that street? Why am I here? Still walking I decide to find a close hotel; maybe take a cab. Still thinking about my cash poor situation and spying a gothic-like university hotel, I pass. Bet it won’t be cheap.  Moving on, I see two girls talking and laughing, one leaning on the other in a moment of hilarity. A cab pulls up. I look hopeful. Maybe I can...

The leaning girl motions me over, “Are you looking for someone?”

“Not sure, but I do know I need to get to a hotel.”

“Want to share the cab? We can drop you... wherever.”

We three pile into the back seat mashed together like sardines.

The leaning girl looks over my way, face joyful and flushed, a small bead of sweat on her upper lip, “I have a big important day today. There will be a gathering like I’ve never seen before. All there just to see me. I’ll be the star of the show.”

Her companion, silent up to this point, smiles at me and nods, a tear forming at the edge of her left eye. “That’s right. A special day. My sister is going to be the star. The one everyone is coming to see.” She is glowing with pride. “This is the moment we have all been waiting for and it could really change her life.”

I am stunned by the beauty of them. The older sister with her arm around the younger who is soon to be star of the day. Star of the show. The Star is weak with anticipation. Is she a budding actress? Is this her big break the one all actors dream of while slinging hash at demanding diners day in and day out only leaving to rush to the next audition?

The older sister reaches into her purse pulling out lipstick and a tissue dabbing at the sweat moustache on the budding actress. Perfectly Pink lipstick is dabbed on next. “You’ll want to look your best for the team.”

The cab begins a right-hand turn into a parking lot. I reach for my bag ready to make my exit and leave these lovely sisters to continue on. Looking over, I see the older sister reaching for the door handle.

The cab driver glances my way. “We’re here.” I twist my head to see. Not a hotel. A hospital. No, a research center. Transplant research.

“I decided to drop them first. Okay with you?”

I nod. They exit; the older sister supporting the Star. As they make their way, a team of doctors meeting them at the door is all smiles. The glowing Star is ceremoniously seated, a little plastic princess crown placed atop her curls. Her team begins to push her wheelchair toward a new life.

She looks back at me. Smiles. Waves. Mouths, “I’m ready for my show.”

My reason becomes clear. I reach into my wallet pulling out a mysterious wad of cash. Thrusting it toward the driver, I exit the cab. “Wait up,” I shout running to take the older sister’s hand.
~
First story by Lisa H. Owens
inspired by a dream in 2018

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