TO BE OR NOT TO BE – PART 5

He watched me with a smile on his face and said, "You really are a nasty girl, aren't you?"
"You say that like it's a bad thing," I replied as I finished cleaning off my hand.
He did a double take at that, and said, "No, it's a good thing, believe me." Then added, "You got any plans tonight?"
"I really have to study, I've only got a couple of days before my debut."
"You're breaking my heart, but I understand." He sounded dejected.
"I'll make it up to you, promise."
"When?"
"We'll have to play that by ear. But, I'll see you Thursday night?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
A couple of minutes later we finished our drinks and walked out into the twilight. We said our goodbyes and shared a sweet tender kiss before I turned to walk back to the hotel. I figured he was watching me so I gave him a view of my best strut.
"That's what I'm talking about," he yelled after me, "and stay away from that old dude."
I had to laugh. My talk with Antonio was just what I needed. For that hour I was able to put the play and its consequences behind me and just have some fun.
***
Tuesday's rehearsal was a lot like Monday's only I wasn't happy with the job I did. Everybody was really positive and encouraging but something was missing. Mel asked if I would like to come over afterward. She said maybe talking things over, just us girls might help. I was ready to try anything, my confidence was starting to wobble and I was wondering if reality was setting in and this was a mistake.
One of the things I admired about Mel was her determination. She was not one to give in easily, she would fight you tooth and nail if the cause was right. She believed this was the right cause.
When we got to their place, we started talking about what was wrong and what was right in what I was doing. We came up with a lot of things that, on second thought, were either not possible or not applicable. We were about to take a break and get something to eat, when Mel said, "I think it's hard for you to see some of these things we're talking about because you grew up with a brother and not a sister. So, you have nothing to relate to when it comes to growing up as a girl."
Shari and I looked at each other, we didn't get it.