Callie’s Last Dance

3.

Sophie and Dani.

SOPHIE ALEXANDER (STAGE name) is a well-known songwriter who’s struggling to make it as a country singer. Her proud, supportive Uncle Sal hired her to provide the entertainment today, and flew booking agents from all over the country to watch her perform. She’d been nervous all week about it, but at the moment, she and Dani are consumed with thoughts of Callie and Creed.

“What do you think of our assassin?” Sophie says, while waiting for the sound check guy to hook up her equipment.

“He’s gorgeous!”

Sophie gives her a look. “I’m talking about Callie Carpenter.”

Dani laughs. “Her, too.”

“She’s gay, you know.”

“So is he.”

Sophie furrows her brow. “Who?”

“Donovan Creed.”

Sophie laughs. “I don’t think so.”

“Trust me,” Dani says. “When they’re that beautiful and buff, they’re gay.”

Sophie says, “So now you’re an expert?”

“Oh shit!” Dani says. “Don’t look!”

“What’s wrong?”

“They’re coming over.”

The prettiest woman Dani has ever seen offers her hand and says, “Hi Dani. I’m Callie Carpenter.”

They shake hands. Dani says, “And you’re Donovan Creed, the phony FBI agent.”

Creed says, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” she says. “You somehow managed to shut down the FBI’s investigation. You probably kept me out of jail.”

“I probably did, but it wasn’t that big a deal. I knew you didn’t kill your husband.”

Sophie says, “And how about you, Mr. Creed. Are you planning to kill some of our party guests today?”

Dani punches her arm. “Jesus, Sofe!”

Creed says, “I promise not to kill a single guest.”

Dani notices a slight smile on Callie’s lips and says, “A married one, perhaps?”

Callie changes the subject. “You enjoy being a private detective?”

“Very much. When I get to help kids.”

“You’re not carrying a gun.”

“I own a small Glock, but hardly ever carry it.”

“Because?”

“Guns frighten me.”

Callie frowns.

Creed says, “So, you two are a couple?”

Sophie puts her arm around Dani’s waist and pulls her close.

“We are,” she says.

The sound guy approaches and stands a respectful distance away, waiting to be noticed.

Sophie says, “I need to do a sound check.”

“I’ll go with you,” Callie says.

Sophie looks at Dani, standing with Creed. “Want to come?” she says.

“I’ll watch from here,” Dani says.

While Sophie and Callie climb the steps onto the stage, Creed leans closer to Dani and says, “What’s it like?”

“What?”

“Being with a woman?”

Dani smiles, but says nothing.

After the sound check, Sophie and Callie come back over. Sophie says, “You’re smiling. What did I miss?”

“I was right.”

Sophie says, “You think?”

Creed says, “Right about what?”

Dani says, “You’re from Vegas?”

“For the time being.”

“Well, if you want, Sofe and I can show you where to find the best fashion in Cincinnati.”

“Are you inviting me to go shopping with you?”

Dani looks at Sophie. Then says, “Of course! It’ll be fun!”

Callie says, “Donovan, go check out the pool.”

“What?”

Callie says, “Girl talk.”

“Oh. Right.”