“My bounty is as boundless as the sea. My love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.”
~William Shakespeare
“Love is the ultimate superpower. The more you love, the more you’re loved in return. Love is boundless, depthless, and knows no limits.”
~Romeo Bradley
I knew I would be emotional when I stood off to the side of the stage and watched the kids perform their heart out for our families, friends, and our community. I knew there would also be relief because Roy Halifax and his little band of haters were nowhere to be found when the sheriff went to arrest them. It turned out they were more afraid of the charges the attorney general filed against them than they were of two men in love. I wasn’t the least bit surprised, but it allowed me to forget about them and just enjoy the play that brought Julius and me together.
Every line spoken, every song that was sung, and Julius’s beautiful music performed by the high school band in the orchestra pit was precious to me and the man gripping my hand. We found ourselves holding our breath, laughing out loud, and silently cheering them on when they got to parts that worried them the most. There were plenty of mistakes made, but that happens with every performance. Lines are flubbed or forgotten, songs are sung off-key, and the band wasn’t exactly up to the same standard as Jules, but none of that mattered. It was all about the message. The kids wanted us to really see and hear them. They wanted to turn us inside out, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater when the last line was delivered.
When the curtains came down, Clara, Ellie, and Curtis bull-rushed us, nearly knocking us over.
“Thank you so much,” Curtis said through his tears. “This means everything to us.”
“We love you, Dr. Bradley and Mr. S., but not in a creepy way,” Clara said.
“Yeah, what they said,” Ellie added.
The performers gathered behind the red velvet curtains waiting for their curtain call while the crowd continued to cheer wildly.
“Thank you for letting us be part of something special,” Julius told them.
“The message in your play is bigger than the three of you, or even the five of us,” I told them. “This is something everyone can relate to regardless of how they look, their financial situation, or how they love. We’re proud to have played a role in making this play a reality.”
Over their heads, I saw the curtain go up and the actors join hands and take their bow. The cheers got even louder so they bowed again. Mark Vaughn stood at the end of the front row, and he turned and waved for the five of us to join them.
“Should we?” Ellie asked, biting her lip.
“The three of you need to go out there and receive the praise for what you created,” I said. “Smile big because Channel Eleven is here.”
“What?” Clara asked.
“Didn’t I tell you that?” They shook their heads. “Huh, I guess we can keep some secrets in this town after all.” I had to obtain signed permission from their parents to allow the news channel to record the production and for the interviews with The Hammer that were to follow during the after-party. He wanted to do a special about these kids, their message, and how the small town of Blissville turned out to love and support them. “Go on and take the stage.”
Ellie’s chin wobbled as she pulled her best friends with her onto the stage. I didn’t think the crowd could get any louder, but I was wrong. They waved to the audience, took a bow like the performers, then turned to face us. Clara, Ellie, and Curtis waved their hands for us to join them too.
“I look a mess,” I said to Jules.
“You look beautiful,” he countered. “We don’t want to let the kids down now.” Jules held out his hand for me to join him. “Are you coming with me?”
In his eyes, I saw my future. In his smile, I rediscovered joy. In his heart, I made my home. This man turned me inside out, and I would follow him anywhere.
The End!
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