Cut the Lights (11 page)

“Congrats. You've worked hard for it.” Sonata gives me a sincere smile.

“No kidding.” I pull out a copy of the playbill for
Wish Upon a Star
and hand it to her. “I also have this for you.”

She opens it to the dedication. “Oh, Briar.” Her eyes get misty.

“Check the back.” I flip it over. “It's signed by all of us, as well as Lorna, Samuel, Mr. Ty and some other Fringe people.”

“Wow!” Sonata reads the notes scribbled in the margins and over the advertisement for the end-of-year musical—I wouldn't mind directing that. “How were the other Fringe performances?”

“Would you like to see for yourself?”

“What? You mean—”

“I have them all here.” I open a new folder on my computer. “Which one first? How about Please, Mr. Bank Manager, Save My Mother?”

Sonata adjusts her earbud. “Perfect.” Her face brightens.

Empower your actors, Mr. Ty had suggested. I'm just grateful it works offstage as well.

We lean back against the hospital bed, knees up. The sun beams through the window like a spotlight, warming the room.

I click
Play
.

Acknowledgments

This book is possible because my daughters, Paige and Tess, shared stories about their arts high school—Rosedale Heights School for the Arts in Toronto. Thanks for letting me absorb the atmosphere of this dynamic school so that I could create this story. Thanks also to my early readers, who offered astute feedback: Pat Bourke, Paige Krossing, Tess Krossing, Patricia McCowan, Karen Rankin, Rilla Ross and Erin Thomas. My respect and admiration go to Sarah Harvey, editor at Orca Book Publishers, for creating the Limelights series and providing her usual wit, diligence and care in editing the manuscript. I'm grateful to the entire talented Orca team for helping to produce this book. Last but never least, thanks to my partner, Kevin, for his unfailing support.

KAREN KROSSING
is addicted to stories. She studied English and drama at university before she began to write novels and short stories for children and teens. Karen also encourages new writers through workshops for kids, teens and adults. She lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
Cut the Lights
is her fifth novel. For more information, please visit
karenkrossing.com
.