Free Learning by Karen Kingsbury Page A

praying!
    He was about to sign off, when he went to Bailey’s page. His eyes scanned her update, and he felt himself grow utterly still. Tomorrow night she would begin her role in
Hairspray
… her first night on Broadway. Bailey was working for her dreams, realizing them. A hundred people had commented beneath her update, congratulating her and promising to pray. But what about him? Had he let her know he was proud of her or that he cared about this milestone in her life? No … he’d done nothing at all. Nothing kind, no brief conversation where he might tell her how happy he really was for her. He was right about his decision to let Bailey go. He couldn’t be her friend, couldn’t stand by while she moved ontoa life without him, while she dated Brandon Paul. But alone in his room he realized again how his actions must’ve looked to her. Almost like that of an enemy. And there was nothing he could do about it.
    Because his silence would always say more than his words ever could.

Five
    B AILEY COULDN’T STOP SHAKING. SHE WAS READY TO WALK TO the theater, and what little dinner she could force herself to eat she had already eaten. Her dance bag held her shoes and a change of clothes, water bottles, and her makeup. She stepped outside her room and walked down the hall.
    Bob and Betty were finishing tea at the kitchen table. So far Bailey loved everything about them. They shared a love Bailey wanted to learn more about, and once the madness of her daily rehearsals settled down, she planned to do just that.
    “You look like a vision.” Betty was on her feet. She walked to Bailey and touched the side of her face, her arm. “You shine with the love of God, Bailey Flanigan. Something tells me you won’t be in the ensemble for long.”
    “Thanks … that means so much.” She gave an exaggerated exhale. “Especially right now.”
    “You’ll be fine.” She gave Bailey’s hand a quick squeeze. “Well, Bob,” she turned to her husband. “Let’s pray for her.”
    “Definitely.” He came to them and put an arm around each of their shoulders. “Father, we lift up Bailey Flanigan to You. She is nervous, as well she should be. For it is only in our nervousness and inability that we find strength to succeed in You.”
    Bailey smiled and the feeling eased her nerves. She loved the Kellers, the way they took care of her and treated her like their own daughter.
    Bob continued, asking God to stand guard over Baileythroughout the night, as she performed her part and as she made an impression on the producers and director. “She is prepared, Lord … now go with her and help her shine. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
    The couple exchanged a look, and Betty gave Bailey a hurried grin. “Bob used to pray for us that way, back when we first met. We were in the same show on Broadway, and Bob figured we needed all the prayer we could get.” She smiled at her husband. “So we prayed together every night before we went on.”
    Another piece of this couple’s story, a reason why they shared such a happy marriage. Bailey wasn’t surprised that they prayed together. “Thanks, Bob … I need to pray every night too. For sure, that much.”
    Bob and Betty walked her to the theater, and along the way they bought her three long-stemmed white roses. “Because I just know you’re going to be a triple threat.” Betty gave her a quick hug. When they reached the front of the theater, the couple bought tickets and walked her to the stage door. Francesca Tilly was very aware of the empty seats. She told them at every rehearsal that if they didn’t keep it fun, if people didn’t feel welcomed to the sixties, then she couldn’t guarantee how long the show would stay open.
    “Should I be worried? That there are still open seats?” Bailey paused near the stage door and searched the eyes of her new friends.
    “No, dear.” Betty smiled and shook her head. “They won’t close
Hairspray
for a very long time. Maybe not ever.”
    “I hope