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Closing her eyes, she leaned her back against the exposed brick wall as she sat on the floor of the dressing room. The nausea was beginning to subside, but the warning pains of a migraine were trying hard to take its place. Brittney sat beside her in supportive silence.
“You okay, girl?” Kim, a member of the ensemble, asked as she walked into the dressing room and saw the pair sitting on the floor. It must have been obvious that one of them wasn’t feeling well.
“Yes. Just paying the price for eating like crap over the weekend,” Samantha answered without opening her eyes.
“You sure you aren’t knocked up?”
Samantha’s eyes snapped open. “Actually, I am sure. Several months of doctors’ appointments and fertility treatments would say that’s not possible.”
“I’m sorry. I was just joking,” Kim back peddled. “I didn’t realize you and your husband were trying. I’m an asshole. Please ignore me.”
Samantha hadn’t expected that small bit of honesty to open such a large can of worms. The timing of everything made it possible for Samantha to fly under the radar at rehearsal. Other than Brittney, no one knew she buried a husband right before rehearsals began.
“It’s fine, Kim,” Brittney interjected. “She did come in here for some quiet time during lunch, though.”
Kim quickly picked up her coat and bag from her dressing area and left after a quick wide-eyed glance at Samantha.
“Thanks,” Samantha mumbled.
“Don’t mention it. The last thing you need to do is explain yourself to her. She never even talks to you. It serves her right to feel like a jackass,” she said with a satisfied smile. “Can I get you anything?”
Samantha released a heavy sigh. In a few short minutes, the migraine was beginning to move beyond the warning phase. She really needed to push through. Only a couple more rehearsals before a week off.
“Could you turn off the lights in here? I need to keep this migraine from taking hold. You can stay if you want, but I need to sit in dark silence.”
“I won’t bother you,” Brittney whispered. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
Once the lights were off, Samantha closed her eyes and tried some of the breathing exercises a doctor once suggested. Ordinarily, she would skip the breathing exercises and take her migraine meds, but it had been so long since she’d suffered a migraine that she no longer carried her meds with her.
In through the nose, out through the mouth. She concentrated on slowing her breathing and the feel of the cold floor beneath her as she allowed the exercises to soothe her. It wasn’t long before she drifted off to sleep.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep, but before she knew it Brittney’s voice pushed through the sleepy haze. “Sam? Are you coming back to rehearsal, or should I let them know you’re going home sick?”
Samantha sat up straight. Her head was feeling much better. “Am I late? I’m on my way.”
“Not yet,” she reassured her. “You have five minutes still. And I brought you some soup from the deli next door.”
She accepted the cup that her friend was holding out. “Thank you so much. I’m hungry now that I’m feeling a little better.”
“It’s chicken and rice soup. I hope that’s okay.”
Samantha took a careful sip. “It’s perfect, thank you. I’ll buy lunch tomorrow.”
She stood and stretched before heading out of the dressing room. Her back protested her short nap while sitting on the floor, but her headache was better and that’s all she was worried about. She brought her cup with her and sat down on the floor backstage since she wasn’t in the scene they were set to rehearse next.
“So, you’re feeling a little better?” Brittney asked from beside her.
“Yes, thank goodness. I can’t be sick, I have plans this weekend.”
“Nice! Anything exciting?”
Samantha hadn’t considered the follow-up questions her statement would bring on, or the likely judgment that would result from her response. Brittney had always been kind to her, so she figured it wouldn’t hurt to let her in on her taboo relationship.
“Actually, I’m heading down to Delaware to spend time with my boyfriend.”
Brittney didn’t bat an eye. Before she could respond, the director stepped on stage and demanded everyone’s attention. Brittney made her way to the stage to rehearse. Samantha wasn’t in the Life Support scene, so she stayed put and finished her lunch.
The scene was one of Samantha’s favorites, so she was happy to not be a part of it so that she could sit back and enjoy it. The break was also welcomed. By the time the scene was over she had finished her soup and was feeling mostly human again. The fatigue still lingered in the background, but she was able to function.
