A Song in the Daylight. Paullina Simons

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      “He doesn’t.”

      “So? He’ll learn not to be able to live without something else.”

      “Hah.”

      “Seriously, divert him. When Michelangelo wants a lollipop three minutes before dinner, I don’t give in. I give him a crayon instead.”

      “I hope your child doesn’t suck on too many of those,” said Maggie. “Because how long can you fool a six-year-old? Soon he’ll figure out a crayon is not a very tasty substitute. Dylan is sixteen. He can’t be talked out of things that easily.”

      “Easily? You have met Michelangelo, right?” Larissa got up. “So offer Dylan something else. I gotta go. Creative meeting with your husband and Leroy.”

      Maggie laughed. “Ah, yes. Waiting for Godot. Ezra is treating this like a Shakespearean tragedy in and of itself.”

      “Isn’t it?” Larissa was wearing jeans, a jeans jacket, a white T-shirt, a bandanna around her hair.

      “Who’s going to take you seriously at this meeting?” said Maggie. “You look twelve.”

      Why did she beam? It was too late for that.

6

       Much Ado About Nothing

      Atensely waiting Ezra pulled her aside as soon as she entered the school lobby. “I have to talk to you,” he said.

      “What’s up?”

      “Not here. My office.”

      “No.”

      “No, we can’t go to my office?”

      “No to whatever it is you want to ask me in it.”

      They walked speedily down the hall and into Ezra’s comfortable, chaotic, book-lined chambers. It must be nice to be head of the department.

      She fell into his visitor chair. “Whazzup?”

      “I’m not asking you anymore. I’m begging you. You have to save us.”

      “Ezra, I told you a thousand times. I’ve thought about it. I talked to Jared about it. To you. To Maggie. To Bo. I’ve written to Che about it.”

      “How is our little professional protester?”

      “Not pregnant. But I’m talked out.”

      “Will you hear me out?”

      “Ezra, you got Leroy. What’s wrong with him?” She smirked. “Besides wanting to stage a two-man play for spring?”

      “Leroy said he’d prefer not to do it,” admitted Ezra. “His kid is failing math.”

      “So you want me to do it so my kids will fail math? My kid is already failing English!”

      “They’re honor students!”

      “Not Asher. Not Michelangelo. He glues all day. Can’t get far in life with glue, Ezra.”

      “Bring him. Bring them both. I’ll tutor them.”

      “You’ll tutor Michelangelo.” Larissa looked down into her hands with incredulity. “Tutor him in what? Obstinacy? Sculpture?”

      “We’ll pay you.”

      “Jared works his ass off all week. We can’t both be away from the kids.”

      “You won’t be away. Studies have shown that children benefit from seeing their parents be successful at something other than parenting.”

      Larissa stared at him. “Are you making this crap up?”

      “Yes.”

      She laughed. “Ez, what am I supposed to do when Emily has cello in Chatham, and Asher a track meet in Maplewood, and I’m in Short Hills in the afternoon directing Godot? You haven’t thought this through.”

      “I have, too. We’ll rehearse on Saturdays. And please, not Godot.”

      Larissa said nothing. Ezra took that as encouragement.

      “It’s just for two, three months. Play goes on in June. If you don’t want to continue next fall, we’ll get someone else. I promise. Denise will come back.”

      “Denise is going to leave her baby and come back?”

      Straightening his red tie, Ezra adjusted his falling-down crooked glasses, beaming at her. “We have a deal?”

      Larissa shook her head. “Ez, do you remember how the parents hated me at the Hudson School?”

      “No, they loved you. But a little diplomacy here at Pingry wouldn’t kill you.”

      “It’s either the play or diplomacy.”

      Ezra nearly clapped. “So we’re set? Auditions are next week.”

      “How can that be? We haven’t chosen a play yet! Or should we stick with Leroy’s terrific suggestion? In an instant it all will vanish and we’ll be alone once more in the midst of nothingness. What, that’s not inspiring enough for spring?” Larissa smiled. This diversion for her … it was ideal. The offer came along at just the right time. This would take her mind off things, let her get back on track.

      “Lar,” Ezra said, helping her up from the chair, “let’s go and announce the good news and choose a play. Try to think of something appropriate.”

      “How much time do I have?”

      Ezra looked at his watch. “Can you think while we walk down the hall?” He pulled her up by her elbow. “Hurry. Meeting started fifteen minutes ago.”

      “How can the meeting have started? We’re not there!”

      “Come on,” he said prodding her out. “Fret as you walk.”

      “Ezra, you’ve gotten very demanding since you’ve become department head.” Picking up her purse, she took out a lipstick. “I liked you better absent-minded and lackadaisical.” Without a mirror, she applied a shade of pink beige to her lips.

      “We don’t have an hour fifty-five, Larissa,” Ezra said, watching her.

      She didn’t want him to know she was grateful. She wanted him to think she was grudging. Otherwise, how to explain her sudden exhilaration?

      But no matter how welcome the distraction, the everyday stress of theater, the demand of it made her СКАЧАТЬ