LJ Idol Prompt 5: Toi toi toi

[garnigal]

I stood well back in the wings, out of the way, out of sight. Mother hovered at the edge of the curtain, waiting for her moment to step from the darkness to the light, her soaring voice capturing the imaginations of those ensconced in red velvet seats. She was a sea of calm in the backstage. Around her buzzed the chorus, careful not to intrude on the Prima Donna’s space. Costumers and makeup fluttered about, ensuring everything was perfect so the brilliant lights would make her sparkle, despite the jewels at her throat and on her fingers being nothing but paste.

I had no part in these moments. When she was the centre of attention both backstage and on stage, there was no need for me. Lost in her role, she was confident and graceful, not needing the comfort of “break a leg”. And so I could stay at the back, enjoying the show but unneeded.

But when the lights lowered, when the costume came off, when the last of the enraptured admirers left her dressing room, Mother seemed to shrink. She hated the loud noises and bright lights of the city surrounding the opera house. She dreaded walking through the crowded streets between the safety of the theatre and the silence of our apartment. And so she relied on me, to guide and protect her from the reality that was so much more overwhelming than the lights and music of the pretend lives she presented on stage.

Her bag was packed, she was clad in her sober brown dress and sensible shoes. I had our coats, and gently placed her trembling hand in the crook of my arm to keep her close and lead her home.

I carefully led her out and locked the dressing room door. One deep breath and a toi, toi, toi for good luck, and she tucked her chin and followed me through the stage door into the harsh light of the city.

Comments

[serpentinejacaranda]

What a remarkable, compassionate portrait. This piece accomplishes so much in such a small space.

[garnigal]

Thank you! It was nice to write some fiction for the prompt!

[marjorica]

Beautiful and elegantly told.

[garnigal]

I loved the idea of a prima donna with no stage fright, but reality fright instead.

[roina_arwen]

This was lovely!

[garnigal]

Thank you!

[halfshellvenus]

A very nice portrait of someone who truly escapes into stage performance while being unable to handle regular life.

[garnigal]

I'm hoping to write more in this universe. The child is the voice of the story, but I don't know much about her yet...

[jerusha]

I found this very evocative.

[garnigal]

Thank you!

[alycewilson]

Well done! I like the unexpected turn: the fact that the stage is where the mother feels safe, and the city is where she feels she needs protection.

[garnigal]

Thanks!

[legalpad819]

Sometimes the places that seem the safest are the least expected!

[garnigal]

100% agree!

[muchtooarrogant]

How interesting, a child at first cast off, who then becomes their mother's savior. I enjoyed this.

Dan

[garnigal]

Thank you! I'm hoping for another inspiring prompt or two in this world before the end.

[inkstainedfingertips]

This was beautiful. I really liked the facets of these people you presented to us. Really wonderfully written.

[rayaso]

This was so sweet! Not having stage fright but having a little life fright is so interesting. You wrote this very well.

[xeena]

This wa very beautifully written and had such a feeling of melancholy throughout that was so very moving.

[fausts_dream]

I did theater with my own mother she was a much better actress than I was an actor. I was surprised to read that this was fiction because it seems like reality for a lot of us. Really well done I'll vote for this one this week