Friday morning arrived with clear skies and cold air. Opening night was one week away. Jake woke up with a knot in his stomach. He put on the black leggings and a burgundy sweater. The wig stayed in its box. He would wear it at rehearsal. Greg waited in the kitchen. He had two cups of coffee ready.
"Big day," Greg said. "Final dress rehearsal." "Last chance to fix things before the real audience." Jake took the coffee. "Thanks."
They drank in silence. The apartment felt different this morning. More serious. At the theater, the cast gathered on stage. Howard stood in the center. "Today is the last dress rehearsal before opening night. Treat this like a real show. No stopping. No notes until the end. The crew will run the lights and sound like a performance."
Jake walked to the costume basement. Gail had Christine's outfits laid out in order. White dress. Blue rooftop dress. Purple Masquerade dress. The wedding dress for the final scene.
"Act One first," Gail said. "White dress."
Jake changed into the bra and panties. The foam inserts felt natural now. He stepped into the petticoat. Gail zipped the white dress. Corset time. Gail pulled the laces. Jake breathed shallow.
"Tighter than Tuesday," Gail said. "The dress needs the shape."
Jake nodded. He could not speak. Gail placed the wig. She pinned the tiara. She handed Jake a small mirror. The girl in the mirror looked ready. Howard called places. Jake walked to the wings. Greg stood nearby in his naval uniform.
"Nervous?" Greg asked. "A little." "Me too."
The orchestra started. The chandelier rose. The show began. Act One flowed smoothly. Jake hit every note. She moved to every mark. The kiss with Greg lasted five seconds. His lips felt familiar. The act ended. Howard clapped from the audience.
"Good work. No notes yet. Fifteen-minute break."
Jake ran to the costume basement. Gail helped her change into the purple Masquerade dress. The heavy skirt pulled at her waist. Act Two started. The Masquerade scene. Jake danced with Greg. Their hands stayed connected. The final scene came. Christine kissed the Phantom. Nate held her waist. She kissed him. She pulled back.
Greg entered. "Christine." Jake ran. Greg caught her. His arms wrapped tight. "Curtain," Howard called.
The cast took their bows. The lights went dark. Howard walked onto the stage. He looked at the cast.
"I have one note," Howard said. "Jake. During 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,' your voice cracked on the second high note. Practice that phrase tonight."
"Yes, sir." "Everyone else. Good work. Go home. Rest. Tomorrow, we open."
The cast cheered. Jake smiled. After rehearsal, Nicole found her in the green room. "You did it," Nicole said.
"One more day." "One more day. Then the real thing."
Jake changed out of the costume. Gail packed the wig in its box. Greg waited by the exit. "Walk home?" "Yeah." They walked together. The street had fewer cars. The air felt colder. "Jake, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." "That cruise ship offer. Have you decided?" Jake looked at the sidewalk. "Not yet. I have until next week." Greg nodded. "If you go, I will miss you."
"I know. You said that." "I mean it." They reached the apartment. Greg unlocked the door.
"I am going to bed," Greg said. "Early day tomorrow." "Me too." Greg walked to his room. He stopped at the door.
"Goodnight, Jake." "Goodnight."
Jake went to his room. He lay on his bed. His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. Hey Jake, this is Mark Nelson from Royal Caribbean. Have you made a decision?
Jake stared at the screen. He typed back, Not yet. I need more time. Mark: Take your time. But the offer expires next Friday. Let me know by then. Jake put the phone down. He closed his eyes. Tomorrow, opening night. Six months as Christine. A decision to make. He fell asleep. Saturday morning, Jake woke up before his alarm. He lay in bed and listened to the apartment. Greg moved in the kitchen. The coffee maker beeped.
Jake got up. He put on sweatpants and a T-shirt. He walked to the kitchen. Greg handed him a mug. "Opening night."
"Opening night." They drank coffee. Greg looked at Jake. "Are you ready?" Greg asked. "I think so." "Good."
They went to their rooms to get ready. Jake put on the black leggings and a long sweater. Flat shoes. He looked in the mirror. Short hair. Soft features. He walked to the theater. The building looked different today. Brighter. Fuller. Gail waited in the costume basement. She had a smile on her face.
"Tonight is the night," Gail said.
"Tonight is the night."
Gail helped her into the white dress. The corset tightened. The wig went on. The tiara went on top.
"You look like Christine," Gail said. "I feel like Christine."
Gail nodded. "Good. That is what we need." Jake walked to the wings. The cast stood in costume. Greg adjusted his collar.
"Ready?" Greg asked. "Ready."
Howard walked through the cast. He stopped at Jake. "Break a leg," Howard said. "Thank you."
The orchestra started. The lights went down. The audience went quiet. The chandelier rose. Jake stepped onto the stage. The lights went dark. The audience exploded into applause. Jake stood on stage with the cast, holding Greg's hand. Her heart pounded.
The curtain call came. Jake stepped forward. The audience clapped louder. She bowed. She looked at the sea of faces. Some smiled. Some wiped tears. The cast took their final bow. The curtain closed. Jake walked off the stage. Nicole met her in the wings. "You did it. You were incredible."
"Really?"
"Really. Howard is crying backstage."
Jake laughed. She walked to the green room. Howard stood with his clipboard. His eyes looked wet.
"Jake," Howard said. "That was the best performance you have given." "Thank you." "I mean it. You became Christine tonight."
Jake felt her throat tighten. "Thank you." The cast celebrated. Someone brought champagne. Jake took a small glass. She stood in the corner. Greg found her. "You were amazing."
"You too." "I meant what I said. On stage. Every word." Jake looked at him. "Greg."
"I know. New rule. But tonight, I do not care."
He walked away. Jake watched him go. Samantha and Nicole came over. "We are going to a bar. Come with us."
"I need to change first." "Meet us there."
Jake walked to the costume basement. Gail helped her out of the dress and corset. The air rushed into her lungs. "You did good tonight," Gail said.
"Thanks." "I have worked on a lot of shows. You are one of the best Christines I have seen. Male or female."
Jake smiled. "That means a lot." Gail packed the wig in its box. "Same time tomorrow. Two shows." "Two shows." Jake changed into her own clothes. She walked to the bar. Nicole and Samantha had a table in the corner.
"Drink?" Nicole asked.
"Just water."
They talked about the show. Samantha told stories about past opening nights. Nicole laughed. Jake listened. At midnight, Jake walked home. The streets were quiet. A few people passed her. A couple held hands. She reached the apartment. Greg's light was off. She went to her room. Her phone buzzed. Mark Nelson.
Heard the show went well. Any decision yet? Jake typed back. Not yet. I need more time. Mark: The offer is still open. Jake put the phone down. She lay on her bed. Sunday morning, Jake woke up with a headache. Too little sleep. She drank water and ate toast.
Greg came out of his room. "Morning."
"Morning." "Two shows today." "I know."
They got ready in silence. Jake put on the black leggings and a green sweater. She left the wig at home. At the theater, Gail waited. "Matinee first. White dress." Jake changed into the costume. The corset went on. The wig went on. She walked to the wings. The matinee went smoothly. The audience applauded. Jake smiled through the curtain call. After the show, the cast ate lunch in the green room. Jake sat next to Greg.
"One more show," Greg said. "One more." "How do you feel?" "Tired. But good."
Greg nodded. "Same." The evening show started at seven. Jake walked on stage. Her voice stayed strong. Her movements felt natural. The final scene came. Christine kissed the Phantom. She pulled back. Greg entered.
"Christine!" Jake ran to him. He caught her. "Curtain," Howard called.
The lights went dark. The audience cheered. Jake walked off the stage. Her legs felt weak. She sat on a chair in the wings.
Nicole found her. "You okay?" "Tired." "Two shows in one day. That is normal."
Jake changed out of the costume. Gail helped her with the corset. "Rest tomorrow," Gail said. "No rehearsal."
"I will." Jake walked home. Greg walked beside her.
"Can I ask you something?" Greg asked.
"Yeah."
"The cruise ship offer. Have you decided?" Jake looked at the sidewalk. "No." "Opening night is over. Two more shows left. You need to decide soon."
"I know." They reached the apartment. Greg stopped at the door. "Whatever you choose, I will support you."
"I know."
They went inside. Greg went to his room. Jake sat on the couch. She pulled out her phone. She looked at Mark Nelson's number. She typed a message. Then she deleted it. She put the phone down.
Tomorrow, she would think about it. Monday morning, Jake woke up late. The sun streamed through his window. He checked his phone. Ten thirty. He lay in bed and stretched. His body felt rested. The soreness from two shows had faded. Greg had left a note on the kitchen counter. Gone to class. See you at rehearsal. Jake made coffee. He sat on the couch. The apartment felt quiet.
His phone buzzed. Nicole. How are you feeling? Better. Rested. Want to get lunch? Sure. They met at a sandwich shop near campus. Nicole already had a table.
"You look more relaxed," Nicole said. "I slept twelve hours." "Good. You needed it."
They ordered sandwiches. Nicole asked about the cruise ship offer. "Have you decided yet?" Nicole asked. "No. Mark said I have until Friday." "What do your parents think?" Jake paused. "I have not told them." "Why not?"
"Because I do not know what to say. 'Hey Mom, I might spend six months living as a woman on a cruise ship.' That is a lot to drop on someone." Nicole nodded. "Maybe you should tell them before you decide. See what they think."
"Maybe."
After lunch, Jake walked to the theater building. Howard held a brief rehearsal to fix small issues. "Jake, your entrance in the final scene needs to be faster," Howard said. "You hesitate." "Got it."
"Greg, hold the pose longer after she runs to you. Let the audience feel the emotion."
"Yes, sir."
They ran the final scene three times. Jake's entrance got faster each time. Greg's arms held her longer. "Good," Howard said. "Tomorrow, we do it for real." The cast left. Jake walked home. Greg caught up with her.
"Can we talk?" Greg asked. "Sure."
They walked to a bench near the apartment building. They sat down. The sun felt warm on their faces. "Jake, I need to tell you something." Jake looked at him. "Okay."
"I have been thinking about the cruise ship. About you leaving for six months." Jake waited. "And I realized something," Greg said. "I do not want you to go." "I know. You said that."
"No. I mean I really do not want you to go. Not because of the show. Not because we are roommates. Because I" Greg stopped. Jake looked at his hands. "Because you what?" Greg took a breath. "Because I think I like you. Not Christine. You. Jake."
Jake looked up. Greg stared at the ground.
"I know it is weird," Greg said. "You are a guy. I am a guy. But the way I feel when I kiss you on stage. The way I felt when we practiced at home. That was not acting." Jake felt her heart beat faster. "Greg."
"I am not asking you to feel the same way. I just needed you to know. Before you make a decision." They sat in silence. A bird landed on the grass nearby.
"Greg, I do not know what I feel," Jake said. "This whole thing has been confusing. The show. The clothes. The cruise. All of it." Greg nodded. "I understand."
"But I know one thing. When you kissed me on the couch, I did not want you to stop." Greg looked at her. "Really?"
"Really."
Greg moved closer on the bench. "So what does that mean?"
Jake shook her head. "I do not know. I need to figure out who I am first. Before I can figure out us."
"That is fair." They sat on the bench for a long time. The sun moved behind a cloud. "Jake, if you take the cruise, I will support you," Greg said. "But I will be here when you get back."
"Thanks." They walked to the apartment. Greg opened the door. "I am going to call my mom," Jake said. "Good. Tell her everything."
Jake went to his room. She closed the door. She dialed her mom's number. Her mom answered on the third ring. "Jake? Is everything okay?" "Yeah, Mom. I need to tell you something." Jake talked for twenty minutes. She explained the show. The clothes. The wig. The cruise ship offer. Her mom listened without interrupting.
When Jake finished, her mom said, "Honey, that is a lot."
"I know."
"But you sound happy. When you talk about the show, you sound alive." "I am happy. I think."
"Then do what makes you happy. I do not care if you are in a dress or a suit. I care that you are okay." Jake felt tears in her eyes. "Thanks, Mom." "Call me when you decide." "I will."
She hung up. She lay on her bed. His phone buzzed. Mark Nelson. Two days left. Any decision? Jake typed back. Almost. I will let you know tomorrow. Mark: I will wait. Jake put the phone down. She looked at the ceiling. Tomorrow, she would decide.
Tuesday morning, Jake woke up with a clear head. She made coffee. She sat on the couch. Greg came out of his room.
"Did you decide?" Greg asked.
"Yeah. I think so."
"What is the answer?"
Jake took a breath. "I am going to take the cruise."
Greg sat down. He looked at his hands.
"I thought about what you said," Jake continued. "About who I am. I do not have the answer yet. But I know I need time to figure it out. Six months on a ship. Full-time as Christine. That will tell me something."
Greg nodded. "I get it."
"Do you?"
Greg looked up. "No. But I respect it." Jake reached for his hand. Greg let her hold it. "I will come back," Jake said. "Six months. Then we can figure out what this is." Greg squeezed her hand. "Okay," Jake called Mark Nelson after breakfast.
"I accept the offer."
"Excellent. We will send you the contract today. You sail January fifteenth. Rehearsals start in Miami two weeks before."
"I will be there."
"Congratulations, Jake. Or should I say Christine?" Jake smiled. "Both work." She hung up. Greg stood in the kitchen doorway.
"January fifteenth," Greg said.
"Yeah."
"Three months from now."
Jake nodded. "Three months." They went to rehearsal. Howard ran the show from start to finish. Jake hit every mark. Her voice filled the theater. During the rooftop scene, Greg held her hand. His thumb rubbed her knuckles. Jake looked into his eyes.
"Christine, I love you," Greg said. Jake smiled. "I love you too."
The kiss came. Five seconds. Greg's lips felt warm. Howard did not stop them. After rehearsal, the cast gathered in the green room. Howard stood on a chair.
"Two shows left. Wednesday and Thursday. Then we close. You have all worked hard. Enjoy these final performances." The cast cheered. Jake stood in the corner. Nicole found her. "Two more shows," Nicole said. "Then it is over."
"Then you start the cruise." Jake nodded. "I accepted the offer." Nicole's eyes went wide. "You did? When?"
"This morning." Nicole hugged her. "I am so proud of you." "Thanks." "Have you told Greg?"
"Yeah. He took it okay." Nicole pulled back. "Just okay?" "He said he understands." Nicole looked across the room at Greg. "He likes you, Jake."
"I know." "And you?"
Jake thought about it. "I like him too. But I need to figure out who I am first." Nicole nodded. "That makes sense." The cast started leaving. Jake walked to the costume basement. Gail helped her out of the dress.
"Two more shows," Gail said. "Then I am done." "Done with this production. But you have a new one starting." Jake smiled. "Yeah. I do." Gail packed the wig. "You did well, Jake. You became Christine."
"Thanks."
Jake walked home. Greg walked beside her.
"Want to get dinner?" Greg asked.
"Sure."
They went to a small Italian place near campus. The restaurant had red tablecloths and candles on every table. "Fancy," Jake said. "You deserve it." They ordered pasta and wine. Greg looked across the table. "Jake, I have been thinking about something."
"What?"
"The last time we kissed, on the couch. That was real," Jake said, putting her fork down. "I know."
"I want to do it again. Before you leave," Jake's heart beat faster. "Greg."
"I know you need to figure yourself out. I get that. But I want you to know how I feel before you go on that ship," Jake said, reaching across the table. "I will be back." "I know." "Then wait for me."
Greg took her hand. "I will." They finished dinner. They walked home in the dark. At the apartment door, Greg stopped. "Goodnight, Jake." "Goodnight." They went to their rooms. Jake lay on her bed. The decision felt right. The cruise felt right. Greg felt right. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.