Chapter 5

Ms. Bradshaw unlocked the door to the theatre, then she and Arlan went inside. There was a stage that had been painted black, and movie theatre-type seats surrounded the stage on three sides ( a thrust stage). On the stage were costume racks, light fixtures, a piano, chairs, tales, and other props.1

"I take it we'll be cleaning up," Arlan said.2

"Yeah. i didn't know this place was such a mess."3

"It's okay. Where do we start?"4

"Well, let's get the piano into the storage room backstage, then we'll work on clearing away everything else."5

Once they moved the piano, the rest was easy. Soon, only the light fixtures remained. But before they began hanging the lights, Ms. Bradshaw suggested going out for lunch.6

Arlan expected Ms. Bradshaw to drive a cute little car, but instead, she drove a 4x4 truck.7

"Nice truck," Arlan said, getting in and buckling up.8

"Thank you."9

SHE LOOKS EVEN MORE AMAZING DRIVING THIS TRUCK.10

"So where do you want to go?" Ms. Bradshaw asked.11

A NICE, QUIET, ROMANTIC RESTURANT WITH SOFT MUSIC AND A CANDLELIT DINNER.12

"I don't care. I'm just hungry," Arlan replied.13

"Hmm... have you ever been to Brewster's? it's a nice little sub place."14

"I've never been there before."15

"Want to try it?"16

"Sounds good to me."17

They went to Brewster's and got their lunch and sat down.18

"Are your parents coming to orientation next weekend?" Ms. Bradshaw asked.19

"No. Actually, I haven't seen them ever since I left for Saint Mary's. The last tiem I talked to them was on my birthday."20

"When was your birthday?"21

"January first."22

"Wow. Not to pry, but why don't you and your parents talk?"23

Arlan took a deep breath.24

"Well, my dad is Baptist and my mom is Jewish. Also, I'm not the guy-hungry type," Arlan said.25

"You're a lesbian?"26

"Yeah. No one at school knows except you and Sky."27

"I won't tell anyone," Ms. Bradshaw promised.28

Arlan and Ms. Bradshaw talked some more, then they went back to the school and started hanging the lights. Ms. Bradshaw got a ladder, set it up, got a light fixture, and then climbed the ladder and hooked up the light.29

After the first one was hooked up, Ms. Bradshaw climbed down and moved the ladder, then looked at Arlan.30

"Now, you're going to climb up there with me and I'm going to teach you how to do this," ms. Bradshaw told Arlan.31

"Uh, I'm terrified of heights," Arlan confessed sheepishly.32

"You'll be okay- I promise. I'll help you. I won't let anything happen to you."33

"Okay," Arlan said reluctantly. "You win."34

"Thank you. Now, put your foot on the first step, and start going up. just take it one rung at a time. Don't look down. i'll be right behind you."35

Arlan climbed the ladder, her hands shaking and her heart pounding. A few times, Arlan began to lose her balance, but Ms. Bradshaw put her hand on Arlan's waist and helped her ge to the top. Then, ms. Bradshaw climbed down, got a light fixture, and then climbed back up on her side of the ladder.36

Before too long, Arlan got comfortable with being up on the ladder, and before they knew it, they were done and it was dark outside.37

on her way to her dorm, Arlan spotted Sky sitting on the balcony, smoking a cigarette. Arlan sat down beside her and lit a cigarette as well.38

"Should I tell her?" Arlan asked.39

"Honestly, I don't know. Just follow your heart."40

"I just hate keeping this secret. It's so hard not to tell her."41

But Arlan wasn't the only one keeping secrets. Ms. Bradshaw had secrets of her own.42