The Jumbee Read Free Page A

added uncomfortably. “We might not even recognize each other now.”

Act One. Scene Two.
    Several people were already onstage when Esti walked into the theater a week later. Flat wooden panels on the exterior stone walls had been opened to let in a whispery breeze and outdoor light; ceiling fans stirred the humid air. She sat down in the back row, ignoring the catwalk over the stage. Her heart gave a nervous thud as she saw Danielle stride across the stage in crisp slacks and high heels.
    “You trying out?”
    Esti spun around.
    A curvy Hispanic girl met her eyes, her hair braided into a thick rope down her back. “I’m Carmen,” she said, flopping down in the seat beside Esti. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you here before.”
    “I’m Esti.” Esti returned her smile, pleased that Carmen didn’t already know.
    “Misti?”
    “ Esti. Like the initials S.T.”
    Carmen grinned. “That’s a cool name.” She glanced up at the stage. “Can you believe what happened to Paul last week?”
    Esti shook her head, wondering if Carmen had known Paul very well.
    “I got back from Puerto Rico in time for his funeral yesterday,” Carmen said morosely, “but I’m glad Niles is holding the student memorial tomorrow. Paul had bit parts in all the plays since ninth grade. He was a nice guy.” She continued as though she didn’t expect a response. “And now Danielle’s going first, as usual. Niles is so predictable.”
    The West Indian teacher sat in the middle of the front row, his curly black hair shaved close. Esti studied the back of his head as Danielle took center stage. Although she knew he’d been in some minor movies during the years he lived in the States, she didn’t know anything about his teaching.
    “Danielle is a good actress,” Carmen added, “but talk about an ego. Even her own sister can’t stand her.”
    Esti watched Danielle open her script, cradling the pages in her perfectly manicured fingers. They had gone from lavender to bloodred.
    “I’m going to read the balcony monologue.” Danielle’s words reached into the far corners of the room, and Esti sat up straight, trying to ignore Carmen’s soft chatter. Danielle projected beautifully.
    “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
    Esti whispered the words along with her. Romeo and Juliet had been the first play Esti ever memorized with her dad. Danielle apparently hadn’t even learned her short part for the audition, but maybe Mr. Niles didn’t require the same vigorous preparation that Alan Legard had always demanded.
    “What part are you trying out for?” Carmen asked, breaking her concentration.
    Esti felt her cheeks heat up.
    “Juliet?” Carmen grinned in delight. “That’s great. Too bad you don’t stand a chance, because you sure have the right looks.”
    Esti was startled to hear Paul’s words repeated by Carmen. “Why would you say that?”
    “What I mean is,” Carmen said, “your face is pretty and kind of pointy and serious-looking, like I always pictured Juliet. Well, except for your freckles. But Danielle rules this place. Honestly, give Lady Capulet a try. Lucia wants Lady Capulet, but we all know Niles won’t give any real parts to a freshman.”
    With a shudder, Esti’s eyes flew to the catwalk for a moment. Her self-esteem had been so touchy in the past couple of years—maybe Paul hadn’t been making fun of her.
    Mr. Niles shuffled some papers as Danielle came to the end of her soliloquy. “Who’s next for Juliet? Esti Legard?” He glanced at the sign-up sheet, pronouncing her last name “Leg-guard.”
    LeGAR, Esti almost blurted out. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of him. Then she hunched in her seat, ashamed. If Mr. Niles didn’t recognize her dad’s name, she might finally be judged on her own merits. Instead of the powerful thrill she’d always imagined, however, she felt only terror. Had she really believed she stood a chance on her own at a school like this, against someone as good