A wife for my brother

The music began; the overture rang with power and the melody was so fun that little Jonathan couldn’t help but move his feet to the beat. He was full of anticipation, it was the first time he was going to see her live on stage. It was the first time for all of them. The curtain rose and the play began.

As Daniel had explained to Naomi, it had dialogues that fortunately they had decided to give in their own language. The lyrical part if in German, but at least they could understand what the story was about. And then she came out… Beautiful, brilliant, powerful; with a white period dress, the smile on her lips and the power in her throat. The first notes left everyone in tension and as the first act unfolded the spirits had become infected by the music and the joyful interpretations. Not only did she sing well, she also performed with enthusiasm.

Daniel couldn’t take his eyes off her, marveling. How incredible was that young girl with the unruly hair and the frank smile who ate pizza with her hands and filled herself with dirt to change a flower pot and who stood in the middle of the lights and let out all that unbridled passion, enveloping everything with her voice. And suddenly her eyes landed on his from above the stage had she smiled at him? Deanna didn’t look at people when she sang, it had only seemed to him.

And again and again and again. He was beginning to fidget, to move, unable to settle. The woman sitting behind him was getting a little annoyed by his constant movements. And then, wanting to reassure him that she was singing to him, Deanna held his gaze for a few seconds too long and Daniel fell back into her spell. He was overcome with that electric shock, but also with confusion.

The worst for his poor heart came with the second act, at the Count’s Villa, the party where the protagonist arrives in disguise to discover her husband’s escapades. The green dress was… very low-cut, the black gloves almost transparent up to the elbow, the mask also black with small green feathers and glitter and the wide fan. And did she wiggle, on purpose or was it part of her character? She stole laughs with her dialogues and glances with that dress. It was no longer electricity, it was heat, pure and violent.

The play ended with a last song dedicated to a toast, to champagne; in which she held a glass and sang joyfully. She toasted him from the stage, smiled at him; she had watched him the whole show and had no more doubts. When the curtain came down the whole theater burst to its feet. It looked like it was going to collapse because of the waves of voices shouting “Bravo”. It was crazy. They came out to greet the audience and it sounded even louder. A huge bouquet of roses for Marcus’ Rosalinde, the thanks, more flowers and finally the retreat.

The general murmur was constant – a success! And two men on the spot were about to explode with pride: Daniel and Leonard.

But the latter had the privilege of getting to Prima Donna first. He waited for her at the door of her dressing room, a little crestfallen because he didn’t know how she was going to greet him or if she even would. Once again, his daughter surprised him with a kiss on the cheek and a huge smile that reached her eyes. She was glowing. She was happy, but not because she had succeeded once again, but because Daniel was there. Old Leonard resigned himself, the ice-faced jerk was about to take her away.

-Baby, you did it again…

Marcus came in behind him.

– Bravo Rosalinde! Deanna! –

– Thank you…

-I told you, Leonard, she’d do it superbly… –

– She always does.

– We have a party to attend… –

– Yes, give me a few minutes and I’ll come out…

– We’ll wait for you outside.

Deanna went back to inspect herself in the mirror, touched up her lipstick a bit and went out in the same green dress.

– Are you going like that? – Reed asked her.

– Yes, I am.

– With that? –

– What’s wrong with it? –

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– Don’t be ridiculous! –

– You’ve got it all, baby. Marcus, what do you think? –

– I’m looking at the floor, Leonard… –

– I’m not going to change now…

– But…

– Let’s go – Deanna told them.

When they were about to enter the anteroom of the theater, which had turned into a reception where everyone was waiting for them, Leonard didn’t hold back.

-Deanna, I’m serious… Come on, put something on.

– I can’t believe it, are you for real? –

– For God’s sake! There’s all those lecherous old men out there and you’re going to show up like this?

Deanna looked at him in disbelief. Dirty old men? Really?

– Oh, I don’t believe it! Give me your jacket then – And Leonard took it off at full speed, lest she was going to regret it.

The coat was too big for her, but it served its purpose.

– Well, now I’m not the Diva anymore and I’m the clown –

– You look beautiful just the same, baby –

Deanna was excited anyway, but not because she was still getting the accolades from the onlookers; but because Daniel was out there. He took both men by the arm to go inside.

They walked through the door and the crowd began to applaud once again. She was smiling, Leonard looked at Marcus and bowed, as if the applause was for him, Marcus mimicked him and then Deanna bowed as well. What a trio! Daniel was waiting for her to arrive at the far end, crouched down with a drink in his hand. He saw her walk in on Reed’s arm, his jacket over her shoulders, and his heart went tiny.

Beverly had been watching him out of the corner of her eye, but still didn’t say a word. There weren’t as many people there as at the opening night, just a few select guests that Marcus wanted to get a substantial amount out of for the benefit of the theater. Jonathan had to be held between Ethan and Charles to keep him from running away as soon as he saw her. But the boy managed to break free and ran straight for her legs as he always did. And as she always did, Deanna bent down to take him in her arms. He was getting heavier every day.

The little boy filled her with kisses and caresses, she felt like she could burst into tears from such tenderness. Leonard looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

– Why are you looking like that? – she asked him.

He didn’t answer her, then turned her head to speak to Marcus.

– Can you believe he’s jealous of a child? –

– Of course I believe it… He’s out of his mind –

Ethan, Naomi, Charles and Susan also came over to greet her, a signal for Leonard and Marcus to retire to do “socials”.

– Hi Deanna –

– Hi Susan –

– I congratulate you, you’ve become a star –

– My dear, that was simply wonderful! – Charles said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

– Thank you, Charles –

Most watched Prima Donna interact with the ex-husband’s family and turned their gaze to Daniel and Beverly at the other end of the room. It was definitely bizarre.

– I hope you have fun… there are lots of delicious things to eat – Deanna told the boy.

– We’ll leave you now so the rest can say hello too – Charles was not referring to the rest of the people, but to Daniel.

She stayed alone for a few minutes until some guests began to approach her to congratulate her and comment on the play. Daniel was staring at her without blinking and she could feel the intensity on her skin. He watched her from head to toe, always stopping at her jacket and then at her face. His passive, stern demeanor hid very well all the tidal wave of emotions Deanna was stirring in him. Ever since he had noticed her intentionality in singing to him, his soul was throbbing again like in the old days.

But no matter how much he wanted to go to her side, he remained rooted in the same place. He couldn’t move, fear paralyzed him.