GOODBYE TO THE PAST Part 6 – The Audition
One
Caitlin always knew it couldn't last forever, but when Bonnie told her she and Frank would be spending less time in England over the next few months, the realisation that her wonderful dream had an end-date came flooding in.
She put a brave face on it during the meeting with Bonnie, but afterwards she had gone into her little apartment and lain face down on the bed sobbing until hers eyes were red.
It was all going so well.
Had
been going so well.
She was so in love with Anji and they were having the time of their lives. She loved working for Bonnie and Frank and all that entailed - the regular extra-curricular activities she relished so much; her wonderful seventh floor mini-apartment in Chelsea Harbour.
Their parties.
She had always fantasised that they would end up moving to England permanently, bringing Skye with them so that she and Anji could hook up with them all whenever they wanted.
She realised now how silly she had been.
Nothing lasts forever.
But a few years would have been nice.
She desperately wanted to speak to Anji, but she was up in the Midlands on a theatre tour. She had her first major part in a provincial play and Caitlin couldn't wait to go and see her on the final night in Birmingham that weekend. She thought of texting her, but didn't want to worry her girlfriend in the middle of an important run. It could wait.
She decided to buck herself up by going down to the gym and was on her way to the door, when her internal phone went off. It had to be Bonnie.
She picked it up with less enthusiasm than usual. "Hey Bonnie..."
"You ok?"
She began to lie. "Yeah, fine..."
Then she remembered Bonnie was almost empathic.
"No. Not really."
"Come on through, hon. Wine, weed. Anything you want. Come talk to Bonnie."
She dropped her gym bag and went into the main apartment. Bonnie was sitting on the sofa where they had first made out. It seemed like yesterday and yet it seemed like an eternity ago. Bonnie handed her a glass of red.
Caitlin took it. Shiraz. She was getting to know her wines pretty well.
"It's not the end, hon. Lots more adventures and things to do before we pull out."
Caitlin felt like a little girl again. "Feels like it." She began to snuffle once more.
Bonnie produced a tissue and Caitlin blew her nose noisily. "Oh shit, sorry Bonnie - just feeling sorry for myself. Shouldn't, I know."
"Hey, it's natural. I'd be the same if I were you - knowing you'd not be seeing so much of two such amazing, wonderful human beings like me and Frank."
Bonnie always had the ability to make Caitlin laugh even in the worst moments.
"All it means is, we'll be over in the States more often, so we'll need to have even more fun when we're here. You'll have less to do, so more time to do what you want. When we're here? Party time! Same salary, less work. What's not to like?"
Caitlin put on a sulky face. "I'll get bored Bonnie. What will I do?"
Bonnie waved a dismissive hand. "Ah, for goodness sakes, girl – this is fucking London! Hundreds of square miles of adventure and fun out there. Go get it, you and Anji. Take it by storm!"
"She's working stupid hours. We get time together but not that much. Only so much I can do on my own."
Bonnie sighed. "Guess you're right, kid. Sorry babes."
She laughed ruefully as she leaned towards Caitlin and whispered, "With you new talents, you could always ask Jenna and Adam for a reference – I bet Gina Harcourt's Agency would snap you up!"
Two
Anji's play had been a great success and Caitlin had been thrilled to see her perform for the first time. She was amazed at how self-assured she was in front of a large audience and she had held them in the palm of her hand in some of her solo pieces. She owned the part of Maggie, and the first act of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' needs a whole lot of Maggie. Caitlin was staggered by her poise, her energy and above all, her memory.
Maggie gets a lot of words, and Anji nailed them.
Pride, love, awe. All those emotions washed over Caitlin as she watched and she cried a lot.
Afterwards, they were in a curry house in Birmingham, where the food was as good as their favourite place back in Chelsea. It was vegetarian and in deference to her girlfriend, Caitlin was eating less meat. In truth, the restaurants were so good, and Anji such a wonderful cook that she barely missed it at all.