just acting

“I love you Patricia. I have ever since I’ve read your writing. It’s magnificent; you’re magnificent. I know I can’t give you what Jo can. I’m not in college, I don’t have a job or a car but I can give you my utmost devotion.” I gently touched her face. “I can give you a love you’ve never known.” She was weak in the knees and the auditorium was silent. I turned to face my pupils. “That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do it.” I crossed my arms and began pacing the stage. “Feel free to pull from personal experiences, ad lib if you must but do not stray too much from the original.” I paused in speech and step. “You will have a chance to do that at a later date.” Patricia was still standing there paralyzed. “Class dismissed.” As the students rummaged fro their stuff and chatted about my performance I walked back over to Patricia.

“So what’d you think?”

“Huh,” she said, slowly coming out of her daze.

“My performance. I know I could have done better but it was an improv.” She was finally blinking again.

“There was no true feeling behind that?”

“Of course not. I mean I tried to make it personal with real examples and all but it was just acting sweetheart.”

“Wow. It seemed so real.” I’m guessing I should have told her about what I was going to do beforehand. I just asked her to accompany to my class.

“Well that’s the beauty of theater my dear,” I said in a British accent.

“Yeah…” was the response I got instead of the intended laugh. It seemed that Patricia wanted to say a bit more but all she finally got out was something about lunch. I had a distinct feeling this wasn’t just going to be some lunch between friends.

“Umm…well I kinda had some stuff to do before tomorrow’s class and all.”

“Just lunch. Please.” She gave me the oddest look, well coming from her, so I couldn’t say no.

“Sure, I’m hungry anyway.” I was about to walk away so I could get my stuff but I had to say something first. “You sure you’re okay?” It seemed she had snapped back into reality again but I wasn’t certain.

“Yeah, its just Jo and I have been having problems and I’ve been needing someone to talk to.”

“Why didn’t you just say so Patricia? You know I’m here for you anytime.” I gave her a firm hug.

“Thanks.”

Letting go and holding her at arms length I said, “that’s what I’m here for.” Patricia smiled a little. “Let me go get my stuff so we can chow down and talk of course.”