Sea Glass Island (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,81

Can I persuade you to stop by another rehearsal next week? Maybe give the students some pointers?”

“I’d be happy to do that, but I’m sure they don’t need my suggestions,” Samantha said. “You’ve always been an excellent director. I remember how much I enjoyed working with you. I learned a lot that summer.”

“A good student takes something away from every experience,” Mrs. Gentry said. “I’d love it if you came by Monday afternoon.”

“Then I’ll do that,” Samantha promised. “In the meantime, I wanted to run an idea by you.”

“Oh?”

“I’m thinking of staying here in Sand Castle Bay and offering a few acting classes,” she told the teacher. “Maybe starting a school and, down the line, even a playhouse. If I do all that, I’d love it if you’d get involved with me. What do you think?”

The teacher hesitated for a long time before replying. “If I’m being totally honest, I have mixed feelings,” she said. “And I hope you won’t take this the wrong way. It’s absolutely not because I’m jealous or afraid that you’ll steal my most promising students. As I said just a moment ago, I think the most dedicated students could learn a tremendous amount from you.”

“But you’re not enthusiastic,” Samantha concluded, her spirits sinking. “Why?”

“Some people in this community are fairly conservative,” Mrs. Gentry explained. “They think of the acting profession the way they think of Hollywood, as if it’s a bunch of wildly liberal people who aren’t in touch with reality. While they’d never say such a thing to Cora Jane, there are some who’d be suspicious of anyone in that field. You’d have to be completely above reproach for them to entrust their children to you.”

Samantha wavered between indignation and the realization that Regina Gentry could well be right, that her background, rather than being an asset, could be a liability in some circles.

“I haven’t exactly lived a life in the tabloid headlines,” she responded. “And Cora Jane is a respected member of this community. So are you, which is one reason your participation could be so beneficial.”

“Those things are definitely a plus,” the teacher agreed. “But there wouldn’t be a lot of room for missteps.”

“If you feel this way, why would you have invited me to speak to your students?”

“A guest lecturer with your credentials is one thing,” she replied easily. “Letting a child attend classes with you on a regular basis, where you could influence him or her in unwanted ways...” She shrugged. “That’s something else.”

Samantha fought to cover her shock at the unexpected reaction. “Thank you for being candid with me,” she said, keeping her tone neutral. “I’ll have to give this some more thought.”

She was about to walk away when the teacher stopped her with a touch. Her expression sympathetic, she said, “If you do decide to stay, I just wanted you to know what you might be up against, Samantha. That said, I hope you stay. In my opinion, anything that encourages these children to follow a dream and gives them additional resources to do it is a good thing. And I would be happy to get involved, if you still want me after this.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Samantha said, unwilling to commit to anything more.

Samantha tried not to feel discouraged as she left the high school. Despite her final words, it was clear that Regina Gentry wouldn’t be offering a rousing endorsement. She might not even steer students in Samantha’s direction if she thought it might damage her own sterling reputation.

But, Samantha reminded herself, those like Cass Gray who were dedicated and determined might find their way to her on their own.

She tried to imagine any scenario from her past that could be twisted into a negative that would influence parents to keep their kids away. Nothing came to mind. And since she was well past her rebellious, daredevil days, it seemed unlikely that anything would crop up now.

* * *

Ethan wasn’t sure what to expect when he walked into the church for the rehearsal on Friday night. He knew the role he was there to play, but no one had fed him any directions for dealing with Samantha after the previous night’s disaster in the clinic parking lot. He reminded himself sternly that they were two adults here to be supportive of Boone and Emily. He vowed to do nothing to make the evening awkward or uncomfortable.

Samantha had apparently made a similar vow, because she gave him a hesitant smile as he walked to the front of

readonlinefreenovel.com Copyright 2016 - 2024