It's Only Make-Believe

Chapter 6

Monday February 11, 1952

At drama the next Monday, Judy worked on the background scenes with the others. Cindy was talking with Daniel before they had to go on. "What's wrong with Judy?" asked Cindy.

"Nothing I don't think. Why?"

"She wouldn't even hardly talk or look at me this morning in typing class," answered Cindy.

"Well, she seemed fine by the time forth hour Spanish got here," said Daniel.

"She didn't say much at lunch either," said Cindy.

"She usually never does, because of all the conversations going on at once," said Daniel.

Just then Cindy and Daniel got their cue. Adam pulled back the curtains.

After a couple of their scenes, Ms. Honey-cutt called for a break.

Daniel joined up with Judy. "Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said as she was putting down a marker. She stood up.

"Wow," said Daniel. "That's good."

"Thanks," said Judy. Then she kind of glared at him. "I see your cold's gone."

He nodded. "Yeah, I started feeling better yesterday. In fact—"

He was cut short by the Johnson triplets who were walking by. "Hi Danny!" commented Marleen, Arleen and Darlene Johnson, while chomping on gum.

"Hi," said Daniel.

Judy rolled her eyes.

They merrily went on their way.

Judy turned to Daniel. "They are so annoying. I don't know how I'm gong to survive working with them.

Daniel shrugged and replied, "Come on, Judy. They aren't that bad…" Judy just glared at him as Daniel trailed off. He shrugged and sighed. "Okay, so maybe they are a little bit… um… overzealous, but that doesn't mean—"

"Oh, doesn't it," Judy interrupted again.

"Well, of course n—"

"Of course not," Judy said in a sugar-sweet voice, cutting Daniel short for the third time.

He sighed, realizing that maybe Cindy was right about Judy being a bit upset about something. But Judy had seemed so cheerful to him up until now. She'd been happily decorating the scenery with the crewmembers, and she'd put some scenery up. In fact, she'd even helped Adam with some of the props, and things like building the balcony.

He was about to ask Judy if anything was the matter, when he noticed Johnny motioning for Daniel to follow him into the little backstage office. Daniel sighed, and decided to follow Johnny and see what he wanted, although Daniel had a pretty good idea what it was about. He politely excused himself from Judy and followed Johnny.

When they were away from everyone to hear, Johnny asked, "What sickness did you come up with?"

"I'm not going to get sick just so you can have my part."

"Then I'm going to Mr. O'Keefe and telling him what I know," Johnny threatened. "You're going to be in so much trouble so fast that your Pops is going to kill you."

"Alright, alright," said Daniel.

"That's what I thought," said Johnny, and then he turned and left.

Daniel rejoined the rest of the play crew.

Adam had noticed Daniel and Johnny talking. He asked Daniel what was going on when Daniel returned.

"He's still threatening to go to Mr. O'Keefe about our switching places unless I get sick so that he can have my part."

"What's the matter with Judy? Is she sick or something?" asked Adam.

"I have no idea. She's mad about something," answered Daniel.

"Mad? I was just wondering why she helped me. I thought somebody paid her, or she was extremely sick," said Adam.

Daniel shook his head and said, "I don't know what's going on with her. It is awful nice that you two are finally getting along, though…"

Adam rolled his eyes and replied, "Hey, now wait a minute. Just because that broad of yours helped me a little bit with the props does not mean that we get along. Let's just leave it at that, okay?"

Daniel sighed and shrugged, showing Adam that he was giving up.

"She did do an okay job, though," muttered Adam, reluctantly.

During the break, the balcony that had just finished being made and decorated by Adam, Judy, and the scenery people was put up and secured. Then Ms. Honey-cutt ended the break, called for Daniel and Cindy to get onstage and in position, Cindy in the new "balcony" and Daniel under it, and told them to start the scene.

Adam moaned. I hate this scene!" he said with great emotion. It was terrible for him to have to watch this scene almost every day… his girlfriend and his brother kissing. It was almost more than he could bear.

Suddenly the balcony started creaking from the weight. It became obvious that it wasn't built right. Apparently it had been forgotten that someone was actually going to be standing on it.

Cindy quickly got down. "This thing has to be more secure."

Adam went to take a look at it. Judy and the others offered to help, so that they could get on with the practice. Once everything was secure, Cindy and Daniel went on with their scene.

After practice, everyone agreed to go to the malt shop. Judy said that she would catch up, because she was going to stay to talk to Ms. Honey-cutt about something. Adam mumbled something about the curse of her presence being lifted, and Daniel whacked Adam upside the head to shut him up.

As they left for the malt shop, Adam noticed that Cindy was unusually quiet. "What's wrong, sugar?" he asked, snuggling up against her.

Cindy sighed and said, "Adam, do you remember when they said that the only reason the balcony ended up being so unsafe was because everyone had forgotten to put extra support on it to hold me up?"

Adam nodded and replied quickly, "I'm sorry. I really thought it was strong enough, but… well… I don't know. I guess it wasn't is all. I'd never have let that happen if I'd known!"

Cindy looked alarmed that Adam seemed to be blaming himself. "No, Adam!" she exclaimed. "That's my point! I think it was strong enough originally. I got a real good look at it after I got off, Adam. I think it was sabotaged! There were cuts in the support wood."

Adam shrugged and said, "Now, come on, Cindy, it was cracking. Of course the support wood was split!"

Cindy shook her head, stubbornly. "No! Not split! Cut! The wood looked cut about halfway through each of the support beams."

Adam gave Daniel a look that said, "Gals just don't know anything about building things."

Daniel just shrugged and changed the subject, drawing Cindy into the conversation and quieting her fears… at least for the moment.

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Half an hour later, Simone and Johnny were the only two left at the malt shop. The rest had left, but Johnny had insisted that Simone stay and share one last malt with him.

"Johnny, I really don' t want another malt. I'm full. I'm actually going to be sick!"

"We're not having a malt," Johnny replied, mysteriously. "I have a surprise for you. Something you might like."

Simone gave Johnny a weird look. "What is it?"

Johnny grinned. "What if I told you that I have a way for us to be onstage for sure?"

Simone looked confused. "Did you get us parts as extras?"

Johnny laughed. "No. Better. Danny isn't going to be Romeo!"

"What?" asked Simone.

Johnny explained his whole plan to her.

Simone looked ready to cry. "But, Johnny… that's mean! And anyway, how does that get me a part? What good does it do you if you're Romeo and Cindy's Juliet… unless… you'd rather be with her." She actually started to cry now.

"No! No! No!" Johnny exclaimed, handing her a hanky. "I didn't even think about that! But don't worry. I can fix it. I'm sure Cindy will give you the part to save Adam."

Simone looked horrified. "That's awful, Johnny." Johnny looked hurt, but she continued. "And don't you think people would get suspicious if both Danny and Cindy got 'sick' on the same day? You could get in big trouble."

Obviously Johnny hadn't thought of that either. "Oh, yeah. I guess you're right."

Simone put a comforting hand on Johnny's arm. "It was sweet of you, Johnny, to try and get us in the play, but maybe we should just forget it. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll get sick for real!" Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh, gosh! I didn't mean it that way!"

Johnny sighed. "You know what, Simone? You're right. Maybe I can just 'accidentally' push Danny off the stage."

"You wouldn't," Simone gasped.

Johnny was laughing. "Just kidding. I'll make up with Danny later. Anyway, it's just a high school play. I'll get my big break later on, anyway."

Simone smiled, relieved.

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Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading. Please review!