Page 63 of Twelve Days and Twelfth Night

“Last night?” His frown tugged down the corners of his mustache.

“I let down your confidence in me, let down the USO. And Ria, I let you down too. I let down the whole cast, the Navy, and most of all, I let down two friends. I created a fiasco because I prized spectacle over people. I am resigning from my position immediately.”

“A fiasco?” He glanced at Ria. “That hiccup at the end?”

“More than a hiccup.” A growl entered Ria’s voice.

“It was entirely my fault, Mr. Anderson.” Maggie firmed her jaw. “Mrs. Fernandez knew nothing about my plan, and I take full responsibility.”

Ria’s mouth shifted to one side. “Frank is pretty upset.”

“Vi is too, but she realizes Frank could never have found her after she changed her name. She wants to meet with Frank.” Maggie took one step toward her assistant. “Could you call Prescott? Could you help him meet with Frank? Tell Prescott that Vi has agreed to see Frank. That might help when Prescott talks to him.”

Ria’s mouth softened. “I’d be glad to. Those young people deserve another chance.”

“They do. Thank you.” Maggie picked up a framed photograph of Grandpa and Grandma from her desk and tucked it into her suitcase. “I’ll be out of the office in a few minutes.”

“I don’t see why,” Mr. Anderson said. “Mr. Duke smoothed things over, and everyone loved the show.”

Maggie straightened up and set one hand on the desk for balance. “Mr. Duke did what?”

Ria shrugged. “He joked about how dramatic show people are, made a nice little speech, and led everyone in singing ‘Joy to the World.’”

He’d done that? The ache of losing him dug even deeper into her chest, as if anything remained in her chest at all.

“As I said, all smoothed over.” Mr. Anderson took a seat and tugged down his suit jacket. “Everyone raved about the show, from the admirals to the enlisted seamen. Outstanding. Best show they’ve ever seen. Best I’ve ever seen. They’ll be talking about it for months.”

“I’m glad.” Moisture blurred Maggie’s vision. “It’ll continue without me.”

“Without you?” Ria’s black eyebrows jammed together. “We can’t do it without you.”

“Yes, you can. As emcee, Prescott keeps the show running. You can manage stage right, and Greta can help stage left.”

“That won’t work.” Ria shot a glance at Mr. Anderson. “Who will manage when Greta’s onstage? We need Miss Oliver.”

“I agree,” Mr. Anderson said.

“No, no.” Maggie’s hand fluttered to her belly. “You don’t understand. The ladies are furious with me. I promised them I wouldn’t be there. They might not perform if I’m there.”

A grumble from Ria, and she rolled her eyes. “I’ll talk to them.”

“But they—”

“They’ll listen to me.” Ria swung a searing glance from Maggie to Mr. Anderson. “Miss Oliver is the reason the show is so good. You’d better not accept her resignation.”

Mr. Anderson adjusted his glasses. “I had no intention of doing so.”

Maggie’s head shook back and forth. “But I don’t—”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Anderson said. “No harm was done to the reputation of the USO. As for your little lapse in judgment—”

“It wasn’t a little lapse, sir. It was a great big gaping hole.”

Mr. Anderson clasped his hands over his knees and studied her with his head tipped to one side. “Will you do it again?”

“Never, sir. But—”

“But you took responsibility and you’re trying to make things better.” He patted his knees. “Now, shall we start this meeting? You both need to get to the theater by eleven, right?”