While Brett may not have had lots and lots of experience with women, he knew that the phrase, “We have to talk” usually meant nothing but trouble. There was something about the way both Meredith and Janine were acting that told him it was trouble this time.

“What’s up?” he asked nonchalantly, while he waited for the hammer to fall.

“It’s good news for me,” Meredith replied. “But I’m afraid it’s not good news for you.”

“What is it?” he said, feeling worse and worse by the instant.

“You know those two guys we were talking to last night?” she asked.

“I remember.”

“One of them, Marco Cleburne, has a boyfriend over in Coopersport. He came out here for a visit back when we were doing Chocolate, Roses and Sex. He liked the play, Brett. He really did, especially what I know you call the “lipstick lesbian” version. What’s more, he really liked the job I did with it, especially contrasting the sharp version you liked.”

“I thought you did a hell of a job with it,” he agreed. “But what does that mean?”

“It’s not real simple,” she said. “Marco, well, he’s a producer in New York. Off-Broadway stuff, sometimes really off-Broadway. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

“The name sounds familiar.”

“He’s got a theater set up to do a selection of three one-act plays. Last week, one of the productions just plain bombed out on him. He happened to think of Chocolate, and decided to fly out and see his boyfriend, and talk to me about Chocolate while he was here. Then, Marco and his boyfriend saw Back Table last night, and he thought it was really cool, too. Then when he found out that Janine was here, well, we got to talking.”

“So that’s what you were talking about last night.”

“Well, sorta. It’s not a done deal yet, but depending on several things, he’s talking about doing Back Table next winter sometime.”

“I’m supposing by the way you’re approaching this that he doesn’t need me to direct it.”

“No,” she said. “That has something to do with his boyfriend. It’s a gay thing, you know how that works.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen it a time or two before,” he shrugged. It was no surprise, after all; any good luck never seemed to run long for him. “Look, Meredith, this all sounds like pretty good news for both you and Janine.”

“It is. We can hardly believe this is happening. Neither of us. It’s a really good deal for me. Since I’m going to be living in New York anyway, it gets my foot in the door in a way I never could if I came in as an outsider. This is not the kind of thing I dare turn down.”

“Yeah, that’s true, especially in a solo shot like that. Is he going to want you to do The Barista, too?”

“It could happen, but it’s not a done deal. Probably a lot of that decision will depend on how well Chocolate, Roses and Sex gets received. New York is not exactly like Curlew Creek, after all.”

“It sounds like a good deal for you all around,” he said. “In fact, I don’t see how you can get a better deal, considering everything. But from the way you’re talking, there’s a fishhook in there somewhere.”

“Yeah,” she said. “God, Brett, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you’re going to hate me for it.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“Yes, it can. Marco says that the three-by-one that includes Chocolate is going to open the Friday of the weekend after Labor Day.”

“That shouldn’t be a big deal,” he said. “Barefoot in the Park ends here Labor Day weekend.”

“I’m afraid it is, Brett,” she shook her head. “Marco wants me there at least a week or ten days ahead of time for rehearsals there. It’s not like here where we just have our little stage and that’s that. There’s the limited lighting and a bunch of other stuff we got away with here that just won’t work there. I mean, I know the lines for Chocolate, though it’s been a while since I’ve been through them, but they want me to be fresh on it, and that means rehearsing with them, and getting used to their style. On top of that, I have to move, and Janine and I are going to be busy settling in.”

Brett took a deep breath. He saw the fishhook now, and it wasn’t a pretty one. “You’re saying that you don’t think you’ll be here for Barefoot in the Park?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” she agreed. “I talked it over with him a lot. I thought maybe I could do the first weekend here, fly to New York, and then fly back here for Labor Day weekend to do the second weekend, but it can’t be made to work out that way. There are previews and stuff that I can’t miss, and he thinks that flying back and forth and jumping between two plays will take my mind off what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“We’ve been jumping back and forth between plays all summer,” he pointed out. “It hasn’t caused you any difficulty.”

“I know that, and I told him that. But Brett, I’m an unknown to him, and he doesn’t really believe I can do it. And really, it’s his nickel. If I’m even going to get the part, much less The Barista if he decides to do Back Table, well, I have to do things the way he wants me to.”

“Yeah, but shit,” Brett replied, the reality of the situation striking home with him. There was no way Meredith was going to do Barefoot. Even if she attempted it, her mind was going to be in New York, not on Curlew Creek, and he couldn’t blame her. “Meredith, I could try to lay a big guilt trip on you and remind you of how you promised you’d stick out the summer with me …”

“Brett …”

“Let me finish. I could do that, but I won’t. Meredith, this is too big an opportunity for you. This may be your last grab at the brass ring, and you damn well better catch it. You are going to be here for Grace, aren’t you?”

“That shouldn’t be any problem, though I think I have to blow out of here right after that to give me some time to get to New York and move in with Janine. It’s a pain in the ass since I’ll have to re-learn how to do what I already know how to do with Chocolate, but I can’t see any alternative.”

“Again, not trying to guilt-trip you, but you realize that leaves me in a hell of a bind with Barefoot, don’t you? I mean, we are totally committed to doing it. Marty is going to be severely pissed if I tell him we have to dump the show because you’re off to New York.”

“But Brett,” she smiled. “You don’t have to dump the show just because I have to leave. Kellye could handle the Corie role in Barefoot.”

“Me?” Kellye asked in surprise. “That’s a hell of a big role! It’s bigger than Florence in The Odd Couple. A lot bigger.”

“Sure,” Meredith replied. “You can handle it. Yes, it’s a big role, but you have that awesome memory for picking up lines, even better than mine. I’ll still be here for three weeks and a smidge, and I can drill both of you on them until you can do them in your sleep. I’m just sorry I won’t be here to see it, but maybe you can video it, and send a copy to me.”

“She has a point,” Brett nodded. “I think we can get Lu to do the Mrs. Banks role in Barefoot. It’s not that big a role if we can get her started on it right away. I see the magic question as one for you, Kellye: are you up for it?”

“Wow,” Kellye replied. “I never expected this to come out of the woodwork. It is a bigger role than Florence. In fact, it’s bigger than I ever dreamed of doing.”

Brett smiled. “Kellye, I don’t want to have to put pressure on you, but right now you’re the only shot we would have at bringing it off on schedule. I actually think you’d make a fine Corie, but it has to be your decision. If you don’t think you can handle it, then we have to think of something else, and goddamn quickly, too.”

“Jesus,” she shook her head. “I want to do it. I really want to. The only hang-up I see is that my classes start the day after Labor Day, so I’d just about have to say the last lines and hop in the car. And at that I’d have to arrange something for pre-registration, maybe run over there for a day just to get things ironed out.”

“We could work that out.”

“Damn it,” she shook her head. “I don’t see any way I’d not do it. It’s just that I didn’t expect a role that big to come my way, even after playing Florence. Now, all of a sudden, I’m right square in the hot seat, but I don’t see much of an alternative. Brett, I’ll do it.”

“I don’t want to pressure you,” Brett replied sympathetically.

“Oh, this isn’t pressure,” she shook her head. “Pressure is what I’d get from Marty and Samantha when they find out that Meredith is pulling out and leaving them in the lurch. Meredith, I don’t want to sound like I’m faulting you, but we all owe a lot to Marty and Samantha, and I for one don’t feel it’d be fair to either Brett or me to have to dump Barefoot at the last minute.”

“You’re right,” Meredith agreed. “The hell of it is that I owe them a hell of a lot, too. They took quite a risk in bringing Brett and me here to run their dinner theater. It’s been real good for all of us in ways we never expected it would be, and they don’t deserve a knife in the back as a reward. But damn it, it’s not like I’m just pulling up stakes and leaving because I’m bored, because it isn’t that at all. This is a chance I may not have again.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Kellye said, “I may never have the chance to do as big and important a role as Corie again either. Brett, I guess we’re going to find out the hard way if I can handle it.”

“It’ll take some work,” Meredith said. “In fact, it’ll take a lot of it. But I’ll work with you on it as much as I can as long as I’m here.”

“Thanks, Meredith,” Kelly replied. “I’m going to need it and I’m going to appreciate it.”

“Well, this is a fine kettle of fish you’ve gotten us into,” Brett shook his head. “Who said that? Abbott? Costello? Somebody from the Three Stooges? I don’t remember now. Janine, you’ve been pretty silent on this. What do you think of all this?”

“I’m happy f-for Meredith and m-me, but s-sorry it’s g-going to p-put you t-to so m-much extra t-trouble.”

“I can’t blame you for that. This looks to be a hell of a big break for the both of you.” He let out a sigh, then continued. “My real concern is that the both of you use it wisely.”

“What do you mean, Brett?”

“Look, I’ve kept my mouth shut about this, but I’m a little worried for the future for both of you. Maybe this isn’t the time to say it, but maybe there won’t be a better time to say it, either. Besides, after dropping this bomb on us, I feel like I have the right to drop one in return. Do the two of you realize that a relationship together isn’t going to be all sweetness and light? Do you realize there are going to be rocks in the road?”

“We realize that,” Meredith replied.

“I’m not sure how much you do,” he said. “Look, Janine. I’ve known Meredith for a hell of a long time. We’ve always more or less been friends, but never lovers. It’s been a strange relationship and I’ve sometimes wondered about it. What all that comes down to is that I know her pretty well. I know she can be strange at times. I know she can get moody, and I know there are times that she’ll say things she’ll regret. Now, I know her well enough to know all that, but I’m wondering if you do.”

“I kn-know that n-not everything is g-going t-to be easy.”

“I hope you realize that in your gut, and not just in your head, or sooner or later you’re going to be heading for trouble. Look, I’ve watched the two of you ever since you’ve been together. You’re always pretty lovey-dovey, always cuddly, and while I don’t want to sound like I’m teasing you about it, there’s no secret that the two of you have been having a very good time in bed.”

“Yes,” Janine smiled. “A v-very g-good time.”

“All that is well and good,” he continued, “and it’s a strong part of a relationship. But your relationship has to be built on things other than just raw sex. I know you care for each other, and I know you’re interested in each other’s future. That’s good. But if this thing between the two of you is going to last, you’re going to have to work on a lot of things, both of you.”

“I think we c-can m-make it work.”

“I hope you can, because it’ll take patience to learn to put up with Meredith when she gets into one of those moods I talked about. She is not always fun to be around. Now, I think at least part of that comes from her frustration in being unable to find someone she can love, so maybe you’ve solved at least part of that problem. You probably haven’t solved all of it. All I can say is to tell you to work on it.”

“I’ll t-try.”

“I can’t ask for much better than that. Now, Meredith. I’ve tried not to comment very much on Janine’s stuttering, and I’ve never even thought of teasing her or tweaking her about it the way I can with several things with you.”

“I appreciate that. I realize it’s been a problem, but it’s been better since I’ve known her.” She got an interesting smile on her face and added, “She hardly ever stutters when we’re in bed together.”

“That’s good,” he nodded. “But I’ve seen her improving just around us. That’s one of the ways you’ve been good for her. But you have to realize it may always be something of a problem. It may not be, and we can hope it works out that way. But the point is that it’s going to take a lot of patience at times to communicate, especially if things get a bit heated. You have to settle down and give her the time to get her side of the story in, even if you have to hook up both your computers and argue by chat or e-mail.”

Meredith glanced at Janine, who smiled and nodded, saying, “I n-never thought of th-that.”

“Janine, I mean it. Don’t let her run roughshod over you because you can’t get your side of the argument in. I think the two of you can work it out, but it will have to be the two of you who do it. Like I said, there are going to be rocks in the road ahead, but keep your cool and don’t let them destroy you. Now, I hope I haven’t been too far out of line in saying this, but I felt like it needed to be said in case no one else ever decided to.”

“Thanks, Brett,” Meredith nodded. “I know you really mean it, and you aren’t tweaking or teasing us, but have our best interests in mind.”

“I do. I’m sorry if I lectured you.”

“Apology accepted. Now we’d better go over and break the news to Marty and Samantha.”

Brett was a little concerned about what Marty might say, but it turned out that he was supportive. “We’re going to hate to lose you, Meredith,” he told her. “But you’re right, when opportunity comes knocking you have to answer the call.”

“I really hate to have to do it this way, but I don’t see much other choice,” she told him.

“Brett, are you going to be able to work this out with Kellye filling in for Meredith?”

“I don’t see any reason why not. We’ve got enough time to get her ready for the role. Not any extra time, but we do have enough. Another week would have made things a whole lot tighter, as big as that role is.”

“I’ll stick around as long as I can to help get her ready for it,” Meredith promised. “It’s the least I can do.”

The discussion lasted another few minutes before it died out. “Kellye,” Brett said after the four of them left the mill building, “I think we need to have a little talk, just you and me.”

“We could walk out to the swimming hole,” she suggested.

“That’d do just fine,” he agreed.

“We didn’t bring swimsuits, but we could do without them if we had to.”

“I don’t know that we’re going to be swimming anyway.” The two of them walked past the water wheel and down the path behind the building.

Once they were out of earshot, Kellye asked, “So what do you have in mind?”

“I just need to settle my mind down,” he told her. “This all came out of the blue, and I’m not sure what to make out of it. I’m sure you’ll do well in the role; I’m not worried about that. It’s just that, well, I’m worried about Meredith. Somehow, this whole thing in New York doesn’t seem nearly as set in concrete to me as she thinks it is, and I’m wondering what happens if it falls on its ass.”

“Brett, you still love her, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess I do. I do really care for her, even though I’ve known all along that things would never get past just being good friends. Don’t get me wrong. If things work out between her and Janine, then, well, they work out, but somehow I’m not sure they will.”

“In case you’re wondering, I’ve come to like Meredith quite a lot myself. Oh, I don’t mean that way. I’m not wired for it and you know it. But yeah, I’m like you. I see some tough times ahead for the two of them, and I’m not sure they’ll have the perseverance to stick them out.”

“That’s what worries me,” he admitted. “Which is why I gave them that big lecture. How much they’ll pay attention to it is open to question. It’s not like you and me. We’ve both been through some tough times and know how to compensate. We’re not like them, with stars in our eyes and sure that love will solve everything.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “Love can solve a lot of things, but it has to have some help. That’s part of why I love you, Brett. I think we’ve both got our feet on the ground. I just wish to hell there was some way we could stay together over the winter. I’m really going to hate having to finish up the Corie role, and then have to jump right in my car so I can drive back to Greenville.”

“It’s not going to be the easiest thing for me, either. I’ve gotten used to having you around and I’m not looking forward to having to go back home, being a substitute teacher and having to go eye to eye with 649.”

“You know, I’ve never been in a milking parlor. I can’t believe it’s as bad as Meredith makes it out to be.”

“It’s not bad, it’s just different. I’ll take you through one sometime when we can get together this winter.”

“I’ll take you up on that, but jeez-o-pete, I sure wish there was some way we could arrange to not be apart this winter.”

“I do, too,” he agreed. “I’ve not only come to love you, Kellye, I’ve come to depend on you. Like Meredith and Janine have brought things to each other’s lives they didn’t have before, the same is true with you and me. I realize the way we’ve gotten together is a little strange, but it’s worked so far. But I still keep thinking that sometime we ought to go out on a date.”

“A date? We’ve never been on a real date!”

“I know that,” he smirked. “Maybe we’ll have to get David and Lu to take us to that country-western bar they like to hang out at. But with the schedule we’re going to have to face between now and the last performance of Barefoot I don’t know where we’d find the time.”

“Well, maybe sometime,” she shrugged. “Maybe we could work it in between the two weekends of Barefoot. And we’ll have time this winter.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Hey, enough of this introspective stuff. We’re almost out to the swimming hole. What do you say we cool off, then spend a little time making up for when we’re going to be apart this winter?”

“You can’t get enough of it, can you? You remember, we didn’t bring swimsuits.”

“We don’t need swimsuits for what I want to do.”

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