“Ana, you did so well. I am so glad you got the part. The director is very pleased. He told me multiple times how happy he is to have you in the production,” Andrea commented.

  “Thanks, Mom, but Lillie is just as good as me,” Ana said, trying to soften the blow they would feel later.

  “Who is Lillie?” Diane asked.

  “She’s my understudy.”

  “She isn’t as good, or she would have the role and not be the alternate, dear,” Andrea said. Ana went downstairs, leaving them zipping her bags in her room.

  “I don’t know what is up with her, but you're right, something is,” Diane said.

  Andrea just looked at her, then stared at the floor, thinking. “I don’t know, but I hope it’s just nerves about the play,” Diane said goodbye as she left out the front door. Ana was in the kitchen on her phone, texting Brittani.

  Britt, I’m an idiot.

  You’re into it deep, huh.

  Yep, IDK what to do.

  Ana walked out on the patio for some air, leaving the door open. She felt like she was smothering, and she vomited in the grass. This sometimes happened when she was emotionally distraught. Ana was a terrible pucker and could not control the volume or force of her purging. Ana was bent over with her eyes closed, trying to catch her breath and not look at the vomit.

  Andrea walked into the kitchen, but Ana wasn’t there. The patio door was open, and she heard her outside. It sounded like she was sick. Andrea stepped outside and said, “Are you ok? Did you eat something that upset your stomach?”

  Ana stood up, and Andrea handed her a towel to wipe her face. “No, I’m fine. I think it’s just my nerves,” blaming the upcoming play jitters for her vomiting.” They walked back into the house.

  “Are you sure there isn’t something going on? You have acted really weird all evening,” Andrea asked. Ana’s phone beeped. “Brittani is texting you.” Andrea read the short text and slid the phone to Ana. Andrea could tell Ana was upset but didn’t know how to help her.

  Ana’s guilt was so heavy on her. She was crumbling underneath it. She walked up to her room, leaned on her bed, and said to herself, “I’m so stupid. How am I going to do this?” Ana wanted to tell her mother so badly, but she knew if she did, her chances of getting to see Jude was close to none. Andrea stopped by her room on her way to bed. She saw Ana leaned over her bed and wondered what she was doing. Andrea opened the door more, and Ana stood up quickly.

  “Are you sure you’re ok? Do you need to talk about something? I feel like you’re miserable, and I can’t help you if I don’t know how, dear. Is it Jude or school?” Andrea asked, throwing out everything she could think of.

  “No, I’m good, Mom, thank you.” They said goodnight to each other, and Andrea kissed Ana’s forehead. Ana felt like Judas like she was betraying Jesus. That thought almost made her scream out her confession, but she had to keep her mouth shut.

  The next day was the first performance of the play. Ana left for school the next morning like always. She texted Jude all day. They talked about the party and planned their time together. Jude knew about Ana’s role in the play, and he encouraged her daily. They texted so much Ana would often feel phantom vibrations from her phone.

  Ana was very anxious about the show, and she could feel butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She felt like she had to pee a million times. Andrea and Charleigh came backstage to see her before the performance. Ana looked so good in her makeup and costume. Although she was so nervous, she was almost shaking. “Hey honey, how are you?” Andrea asked.

  “Oh my god, Mom. I am so nervous. I could puke,” Ana confessed.

  “You will be fine. You just need a shot,” Charleigh said, trying to be funny.

  “Exactly right,” Ana said, smiling.

  “Once you get on stage and begin, you will be fine,” Charleigh reassured her.

  “You’ve got this. I am so proud of you.” Andrea said as she leaned over and hugged her goodbye. They waited for Phillip and Drake before they found their seats. Ana had almost forgotten about the programs until she looked up and saw one in front of her. Ana knew it was too late, so she just hoped her mother wouldn't pay attention. The curtain opened, and she went on stage. The lights were bright, but Byron found her, and that reassured her she was in the right place. After she began speaking, her nerves eased, and before she knew it, she was effortlessly performing her role. The first half was over quickly. It seemed like. During intermission, she peeked out to see her family, but they were not in their seats. For a minute, she worried they had never come at all. She shook her head, reminding herself that that was not her old life. Ana felt happy realizing that her old life was gone, and her new life was filled with people who loved and wanted her. Then she felt bad about lying, but it was time to go on stage, and she blocked those thoughts out of her mind.

  Andrea and Charleigh waited on Drake and Phillip outside the theatre. Andrea had seen many people she knew and truthfully wished she could go in a side door. Luckily, it hadn’t been a big story when Ana had reappeared in their lives, and Andrea did not wish for any attention now. She thought most people probably didn’t even know why she was there, or maybe they did. Susan, a past coworker, asked what part Drake had in the play. Andrea didn't want to answer, so she just said, “You will see.”

  Charleigh heard this and whispered, “Are you crazy? Now they will think Drake has turned into a transvestite,” and she laughed.

  “Oh no, I didn’t think of that,” Andrea said, laughing also. Drake and Phillip joined them, and they went in as a family.

  An usher met Phillip at the door and said, “Duke Hutchinson, will you please follow me to your seat?” Andrea looked up at Char, who was making fun of Phillip. They were seated in the center and up high enough to see perfectly. Diane and Jeffrey had already arrived and were waiting on them. She didn’t know why, but their section was roped off. Phillip was very nice, thanked the young man, and they all sat. Drake saw a few friends from school and waved.

  “Mom, I’m going to go speak to Derek. I will be back,” Drake said.

  “Hurry, I want you over here before it starts.”

  Phillip murmured about how he was still hungry after only having a snack before they drove over to the theatre. The house lights turned down, and Drake came over. The play began, and Ana was in the first scene and almost every scene after. It seemed like the first half flew by to Andrea. Ana was so easy to watch, and her fellow actor was good as well. At intermission, Andrea and Charleigh went to get Phillip a snack. Somebody handed them a program, and they quickly made it back to their seats. Phillip was happy his food had appeared, and Drake was busy texting his friends. Andrea ate a spicy nacho chip and started to drink some water. Her mouth was full of water when she picked up the program to read it. May 8th, 9th, and 10th. Andrea spit out her drink and started to choke loudly. Charleigh got up, ready to do some type of life-saving maneuver. Andrea had a hard time communicating for a few seconds, and Phillip asked if she was ok. The whole auditorium looked up at her. She regained her composure and told Phillip she was fine. But she was not fine. She was shocked. She thought the play was only for two nights because that’s what Ana had told her. They were leaving to go out of town on the tenth.

  The second half of the play started. Andrea couldn’t comprehend what was going on until Ana came on stage. She kept trying to convince herself that Ana didn't know that she was mistakenly misinformed, that Ana had not been paying attention. But Andrea knew better. Looking up at Ana, her heart grew warm. She wanted to praise her, but at the same time, she wanted to pull her off stage by her hair. Andrea watched her sing and was reminded how much of a girl she still was. She looked so soft and innocent on stage. Andrea tried not to treat her like a child, although sometimes she acted like one. Andrea was upset about Ana’s betrayal, but she didn’t want to ruin the event for everyone. It was the final scene, Ana was holding hands with her stage partner, and they kissed affectionately. Andrea’s memory flashed back to Travis, and then she thought Jude. Drake looked over at her, raised his eyebrows, and smiled. Andrea whispered, “Hush.” she knew he would say something smart and patronizing.

  Phillip chimed in, “Wow, she must get that from her mom.” Andrea rolled her eyes. They met Ana in the hallway, where the actors were greeting the audience. Drake gave her roses, and Ana seemed very happy. Andrea hugged her daughter and congratulated her on a job well done.

  As Ana was chatting with Drake and Phillip, Andrea stared at Ana, trying to evaluate if Ana had any indication of her deceit. Charleigh said, “What is wrong with you? You look like you’re having a stroke,” and laughed.

  “Shut up, I’ll tell you later,” Andrea whispered. Andrea told Phillip goodbye and pulled Charleigh outside to tell her about her discovery.

  “So you think she lied to you? She’s planning to skip the last night of the show so she could make her trip to see her boyfriend? That is sneaky, sounds like something I would do. But give her a break. You never know. Maybe she didn’t know the dates,” Charleigh said, giving Ana the benefit of the doubt. Andrea gave Charleigh, you’ve got to be kidding me, look.

  “Ok yeah, she knew,” Andrea said, “and it is something you would do, but it is stupid.”

  “What are you going to do?” Charleigh asked.

  “I don’t know. I really want to tear her head off, considering the whole theatre thought I was dying up there choking on my drink.”

  Charleigh laughed. “Yeah, I almost pissed my pants laughing at you. Your face was all red, and the vein in your forehead poked out. Then, you spit the drink out of your nose. Oh god, can you do that again?”

  They got into their own cars and drove home. On the way, Charleigh called her. “You know, you should wait until after tomorrow's performance at least. I think she might confess.”

  “I might. I’m afraid if I tell her I discovered her lie, the next two performances may not be so good.” Charleigh agreed and hung up. Andrea arrived home and went to eat a snack in the kitchen. Ana showed up around an hour later. She looked tired and hungry. She ate, and they all went to bed. Ana had two exams the next day, so sleep was important. Andrea kissed her on the head like always, and Ana returned her gesture. No sign of a confession to Andrea.

  The next morning went as planned, except Andrea drove Ana to school so she could drive her home from the play. “I’ll take you today. Then I can drive you home from the play tonight. Unless there is some type of end of production party or something, you're going to.” Andrea was trying to pull Ana toward a confession.

  “No, that’s fine Mom, I’ll ride with you.” Andrea was getting more upset by the minute, and the worse part was it seemed like Ana didn’t care. But Ana didn’t know that her mother knew about her lie. School went as planned, Ana finished her exams and went to the theatre after school. Andrea went to the play that night, but Drake and Phillip had their own plans. Andrea sat in the theatre, watching Ana, and wondering how she had looked when she was two. What words did she say first? It still seemed so surreal that the beautiful teenager in front of her was her daughter. To look at mother and daughter, you would have no questions about their biological relationship. Andrea had no doubts as to whether Ana was her daughter or not. She knew that in her heart. Although the time they lost haunted her, and she felt cheated and that she had somehow let her daughter down. Parental guilt is a terrible thing and something that can’t be avoided. It doesn't discriminate. Ana bowed, and the house gave a standing ovation. Ana was tired and hurried to the car. She breathed out a sigh of relief when she fastened her seat belt. “Hey, Mom,” Ana said.

  “You did well tonight, love. Sad, huh?” Andrea was fishing for a question.

  Ana caught the hook and left it lying. “Thanks.”

  Andrea drove, her eyes focused on the road, but her mind was on Ana’s lie. Ana just looked out the window, still unaware of her mother's knowledge of her deception. She thought she would go home and finish packing her bags to go see Jude. When they were ten minutes from home, Ana’s phone alerted. It was Jude. So happy, can’t wait to see your face. Andrea could read the name on the text. Ana replied with something similar. There were bubbles, and Jude replied with a Snapchat. Ana quickly opened her Snapchat. It was a picture of him posed like he was kissing with pursed lips. Ana laughed out loud. Andrea was becoming more and more irritated with Ana’s absence of integrity. “What is so funny?” Andrea asked nicely.

  “It’s Jude. He’s excited about our visit,” Ana said, playing down her actual snap. Andrea didn’t respond but tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She didn’t know how much longer she could wait for Ana to confess. Charleigh texted her. Hey, you ok, Momma? Andrea let the words sink in. She wasn’t ok. She was angry and hurt. She pulled over to the side of the road. “Mom, what are you doing?” Ana asked. Andrea parked the car. She was so mad she was shaking. Ana was confused and was getting nervous. She didn't understand her mother’s behavior. Andrea looked down at her hands on the steering wheel and attempted to compose herself. Ana looked over at her as she stared at the empty road in front of them, her hands gripped tight on the steering wheel. Ana sat silent, staring at her mother, not knowing what would happen next but hoping she hadn't been found out. Ana’s phone alerted; it was Jude again on Snapchat. Ana hesitated before she opened the Snap. It was a picture of him with his service uniform behind him.

  Andrea looked over at Ana, saw the picture, and said, “Tell him you’re not coming.”

  Ana looked shocked. “Mom, what do you mean?”

  Andrea reached inside her car door, pulled out the play program, and handed it to Ana. Ana took it from her mother and read the dates. She immediately turned her face to the passenger window attempting to avoid her mother. Andrea felt disrespected and said loudly, “I cannot believe how deceitful you have been. So tell me, were you just going to get on a plane tomorrow with me and leave all your classmates disappointed? Do you know how stupid I felt when I read the program and saw the dates of the production?”

  Ana didn’t know what to say, but she quickly realized she should have confessed. That would have been better than what she felt now. Ana didn’t say anything. She just looked out the window. Andrea’s patience was diminishing. “I’m sorry, Mom. I knew you would be mad, and I wanted to tell you, but I knew you wouldn’t let me go, and I really wanted to go.” Ana fidgeted with her fingers.

  “Well, you are definitely not going now, young lady.”

  “Can we talk about it?”

  Andrea pulled back onto the road. “You have had plenty of time to talk over the last few days. I thought we were past the lying, Anastasia.”

  “I know, and I planned on turning the part down, then I didn’t, and I just let it keep going. I wanted to tell you, but I knew you would be upset and wouldn’t let me go.”

  They pulled into the garage. Ana was right. Andrea wouldn’t have let her go if she knew she had committed herself to the play. “Nellie has our dinner in the kitchen,” Andrea said.

  Ana felt numb. “I don't want dinner,” she said and started up the stairs.

  “You’re eating dinner. It is not an option.” Ana came back downstairs, dropping her bag at the bottom of the steps. The bag dropped loudly, and Andrea snapped her gaze to Ana with a look that showed her intolerance to Ana’s attitude.

  Nellie asked, “How was it?”

  “It was fine,” Ana replied.

  “Are you ready for your trip tomorrow?” Nellie had no idea about recent events.

  Ana looked up at her, and tears welled in her eyes. “I’m not going.”

  Andrea was at the refrigerator and turned around. “Because she has a show tomorrow night, I was unaware of.”

  “Was it a last-minute change or something?” Nellie asked, oblivious to Ana’s scheme.

  “No, Ana has been scheming this plan for the past month. She thought it would be ok to just leave her friends hanging so she could go see her boyfriend.” Ana didn’t say anything in her defense. “I found out last night in front of the whole world at the theatre. I was in shock when I read that program.” Ana started to get up from the table. “Excuse me?”

  “May I be excused from the table,” Ana asked, looking up from her chair.

  “Yes, I will be up to talk to you before bed.” Ana got up from the table, placed her bowl on the counter, and left the kitchen without another word. Andrea watched her go shaking her head. Nellie picked up Ana’s bowl and walked to the sink.

  “Oh lord Andrea, what are you going to do?” Nellie asked.

  “I don’t know. I really don’t know,” Andrea said, putting her head in her hands.

  In her room, Ana called Brittani and started to explain how her mother had discovered her lie. “What is she going to do?” asked Brittani.

  “I don’t know, but she isn’t letting me go anywhere. I don’t want to tell Jude.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I want to go. I want to get on a plane and leave.”

  “Ana, are you nuts? You can’t do that. They will hunt you down.”

  “I don’t even care right now. I’m so mad.”

  “Yeah, I know you’re pissed. Are you going to do the show tomorrow?”

  “Not if I’m leaving.”

  “You’re not serious?”