The Magpie Girl
written by
Calypso Kole
Calypso
~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the curtain rises, I don’t have any energy to put into thinking about whether or not either of our parents decided to come, reach out a hand, or make any effort toseeus.
I don’t have any time to think about my beating heart. I don’t have a moment to be anything other than Harriet. And Harriet is “Daring.” The notes trickle around me, a drug that fills my skin and makes me more than I am. I fall into them, feeling how they spilled off my fingers in the first moments when I composed them.
One of these days, broken wings will fly again.
Every word.
I’d know you anywhere. Harriet.
Every scene.
I don’t know how or why or what cruel fate has led my heart to you in this manner, but I know I love you.
Straight to the final kiss.
The ending song whirls around us, a dozen bodies swirling to the notes. Lex’s lips come to rest on mine. Our fierce smiles break free when we pull away, and he pecks my lips again before dropping his forehead against mine, a touch of my Lex breaking into Kenneth.
I can feel his heartbeat pounding against my palm, reverberating in tune with my own.
The curtain falls.
The silence bleeds into my ears.
Then a roar like nothing I’ve ever known erupts.
Applause.
My lips part, the tide swelling as it crashes over me. Shrill whistles. A standing ovation.
Only Lex keeps me upright as he manages to guide me out into view again to take our bows. Everyone’s names and roles are called into the tempest of noise, one by one, drawing inward.
Robert Nathan as Lewis.
And Phyllis Ply as Greta.
And Elliot Trainer as Christopher.
And Rebecca Stewert as Jo.
ThenKenneth.
My Kenneth.
Just Lex and I are left on the stage.
He pulls me forward with him, forcing me into a bow even though my name hasn’t yet been called. He really cheeses it up. Each luxurious, full-bodied bow dragging me further into laughter.
He swings me toward him and kisses me right there, and the audience goes wild.
