Under a Bear Moon by Carrie S. Masek Read Free Book Online

Lynda's eye. She reached into the tangle of branches and pulled it out. “All right,” she said, standing. Without waiting, Lynda started for the auditorium. Ellen trotted after her.
    Keisha's long legs caught up with them before they reached the building. “What you find?”
    Lynda shot a glance at her friends. “Proof I'm not seeing things. Look.” She held out her hand and showed them a clump of coarse, brown hair.
* * * *
    THE BOX office sold only thirty tickets for the matinee, but the audience's enthusiasm more than made up for its size. Lynda knew they had a great show going even before the audience started booing every time the villain walked on stage. During the final climactic scene, the auditorium was so silent Lynda could hear Nigel's wingtips squeak as he crept up on his intended victim. The silence lingered after the curtain fell, then the audience exploded into applause and rose to a standing ovation. After curtain call, the cast stayed on stage to congratulate each other.
    “Keisha, you were wonderful!” Lynda said, hugging the exuberant lead. “You had the audience on the edge of their seats the whole second act.”
    “Couldn't have done it without Nigel here.” Keisha bent down and kissed her co-star.
    Matt blushed.
    Miss Mendelson had surprised Lynda by choosing Greg's friend to replace Richard, but the director's prediction that Matt's bland appearance would heighten his portrayal of the smiling murderer had turned out to be right.
    “You were good last night, but this afternoon you were outstanding.” Lynda hugged him in turn. “Next stop, Broadway!”
    They all laughed.
    A deep voice interrupted them. “Get me front row seats.”
    “Greg,” Lynda called and ran over to the side door where he stood.
    She threw her arms around him and felt him stiffen before he relaxed and returned the hug. Lynda looked into his eyes. Hugging him was different, somehow, from hugging her other friends. Maybe it was his size; she'd never stood so close to him before and had forgotten how big he was. Even standing on her toes, she barely reached his cheek.
    Greg smiled and the warmth in his eyes scorched her face.
    “I wasn't expecting you today,” she said, pulling back. “I mean, you saw the show at school yesterday.”
    “But that was a dress rehearsal, and I was backstage most of the time. I couldn't resist coming and seeing the whole thing from the audience. Matt, you were awesome.” Keeping one arm around Lynda, Greg gave his friend a high-five. “All you guys were great!” he called to the half dozen actors milling around the stage.
    Miss Mendelson swept through the curtain, waving her notebook. “They'd be even better if they picked up the tempo in the first act, and if George would remember his lines.”
    George Goldstein, the boy who played Father Neville, Nigel's first victim, smiled guiltily. The director glared at him a moment before she turned to the rest of the cast. Her scowl eased into half a smile. “I'll tell you my other observations this evening before the performance. Overall, though, I agree with Greg.”
    “Me, too.” Ellen followed Miss Mendelson onto the stage. “Come on, people!” she called in her best Assistant Director's voice. “The sooner you change, the sooner we eat dinner.”
    Lynda turned to Greg. “Coming with us to the Medici?”
    There were only three hours between the two Saturday performances, and the cast and crew had decided to go out for pizza rather than go home.
    He hesitated before answering. “Sure. But I'll have to cut out afterward.”
    “Oh.” Lynda smiled to hide her disappointment. “I thought you might stay for the closing night party.”
    “Can't. My father—”
    “Lynda, get out of that costume. I'll take care of Greg while you get ready.” Ellen grinned and pointed after the other actors who'd already left the stage.
    Nodding, Lynda stepped out from under Greg's arm and hurried to the dressing room. He was still on stage, chatting