One Summer

56

“Okay, we’re on next to last,” said Mikki, coming backstage at the Play House.

Liam looked at her. “Who’s last?”

Mikki made a face. “Who do you think? Ms. Reigning Champion. That way she gets a look at all the competition and her performance is the clearest in the judges’ minds.”

Liam shrugged. “I don’t think it’ll matter. I’ve seen the judges. They’re all cronies of her mom’s.”

“Keep the faith. We’ve worked our butts off, and we’ve got a terrific act.”

“How’s the crowd?”

“Big. With our families smack in the middle.”

When Mikki turned back around, Tiffany stood there wearing a short white robe.

Mikki eyed her. “Saving the debut of the skimpy for the crowd?”

“My daddy always said you don’t give it away for free, sweetie.” She looked Mikki up and down. “But then if you don’t have anything somebody wants, I guess you have to give it away.”

Mikki smirked. “Wow, that’s really deep. So do you do flaming batons?”

Tiffany looked at her like she was insane. “No. Why would I? That stuff is dangerous.”

“Well, to beat us you’re going to have to get out of your comfort zone. ’Cause the level of competition just got stepped up, big-time. Sweetie.”

Tiffany laughed, but Mikki could tell by the sudden look of uncertainty in the girl’s eye that she had done what she’d intended to do.

Freeze her opponent.

Before the competition began, she and Liam went out to the audience to see their families.

The Armstrongs, Sammy, Charles Pinckney, and Jenna were all sitting together.

Jenna smiled and gave Mikki and her son hugs. “I’m really proud of you two.”

“Knock ’em dead,” called out Cory.

“Yeah, dead,” yelled Jackie.

Chelsea Murdoch walked by with her entourage. Her dress was too tight and too short and her heels too high for her age. She looked like what she was: her daughter, only a quarter century older.

She eyed Jenna. “Haven’t seen you here before.”

“Never had a reason to come before, Chelsea,” said Jenna. “This is Liam’s first time competing.”

Murdoch smiled condescendingly. “Tiffany’s going for four straight. Crowd always loves her routine. She’s thinking of carrying on baton in college,” she added loftily.

“Well, good for her,” piped in Mikki. “It’s always nice to have a career plan.”

Before Murdoch could say anything, Mikki added, “Okay, we gotta go. Show’s about to start.”

“Good luck, Mik,” said Jack.

Looking dead at Tiffany’s mom, she said, “It won’t be about luck, Dad. Like the sign says, it’s a talent competition.”

There were twenty-one acts, mostly younger people, but there was an older barbershop quartet that was pretty good. Mikki watched from the side of the stage, mentally calculating where the serious competition was. Liam just stayed backstage chilling and idly tapping his sticks together. She came back to him and strapped on her guitar.

“It’s showtime, big guy.”

“Cool. I was about to fall asleep.”

“Now, that’s exactly what I need: a drummer with ice in his veins.”

Liam smiled. “Let’s rock this sleepy little town.”

“Oh, yeah,” said Mikki.