Page 23 of For My Finale

B lossom was wiping down the counter when the bell above the cafe door jingled.

She glanced up with a smile, ready to greet her customer, only for her smile to turn into a grin as she saw Lilah stride in.

Lilah did something to her. Made her heart beat funny.

Made her day just a little brighter. She still couldn’t quite believe that Lilah Paxton was here and, even more, that she was allowed to kiss her.

Then Lilah stopped, arms folded, body stiff with tension.

Something was wrong.

Blossom set her cloth down and stepped toward her. “Hey, what’s—”

“I need to ask you something,” Lilah interrupted, her voice tight. Her eyes flicked to the new coffee machine gleaming beside the register. “Have you been talking to the press?”

Blossom took a step back, stunned. “What? No! Why would I?”

Lilah blew out a breath, pacing a couple of steps back the forward, then back again.

“Because there’s a rumor going around that I’m here, and these things don’t just happen.

Someone had to have told them. And...” She hesitated, then gestured toward the coffee machine.

“Tabloids pay well. I know you’ve been struggling for money. ”

Blossom just stared at her, hurt blooming sharp in her chest. Lilah really thought she would do that? That she’d sell her out for some quick cash?

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, heat rising to her cheeks.

She wanted to snap, to tell Lilah exactly where she could shove that accusation, but she forced herself to take a deep breath.

Yelling wasn’t going to help. Not when Lilah was so clearly afraid.

Not when it was trust at stake, which Blossom knew instinctively it was.

Instead, she exhaled slowly and unclenched her fists. “Lilah, I understand why you’re upset, I really do. But if you think that I’d sell your story to the press, then you don’t know me at all.”

Lilah’s jaw tightened, her arms were still crossed like she was trying to hold herself together. “Alright,” she said. “Then how did you get the money for that?” She nodded toward the coffee machine, suspicion still heavy in her gaze.

With a sigh, Blossom rubbed her face. She shouldn’t have to explain herself, and part of her didn’t want to. But she also didn’t want to fight, especially when Lilah was hurting. So she pulled herself together.

“The machine is a rental,” she said reasonably. “It’s from the company that sent out a mechanic yesterday. I called them last night, and they dropped it off first thing this morning.”

“A rental.” Lilah’s voice was calmer. “Why?”

Blossom smiled. “Because I finally decided that maybe you’re right. That maybe I can do this, that I can work for what I want and achieve it. And I can’t run a cafe without a coffee machine, can I?”

“No,” Lilah said. Her shoulders had relaxed.

“I haven’t suddenly come into a fortune,” Blossom said quietly. “In fact, between the bank loan and my savings, I can just about afford to rent this machine for the next six months. But it’s better than nothing, and it gives me a chance to get back on my feet.”

Lilah put her head in her hands, exhaling roughly. “It’s a rental,” she muttered. She looked up again, eyes clear and green. “I don’t know who to trust,” she said simply. “People have sold me out before. People I thought cared about me.”

Blossom thought about that, thought about how much that would hurt, thought about how awful it must be to go through life thinking you were the only person you could trust. She reached out, carefully taking Lilah’s hands into her own. Lilah let her, though she still felt tense.

“Lilah, if you really want to build a life here, you’re going to have to get used to trusting people,” Blossom said gently. “I know it’s hard, and I can see that you’ve been hurt before, but that’s not me, and I would never do that to you.”

Lilah swallowed hard, staring at their joined hands. “I want to believe that.”

“Then believe it,” Blossom said. “Because if you can’t, then this, this can’t go anywhere.”

Lilah’s eyes flicked up to hers, still conflicted. But after a long pause, she let out a slow breath and nodded. “Okay. Understood.”

“Okay,” Blossom said, captivated by Lilah’s eyes. For a second, she almost leaned in and kissed her, but then she remembered about the big windows and the nosy villagers, and she restrained herself.

Finally, Lilah pulled her hands free. “God, I feel like an idiot,” she said, shaking her head.

“You’re not an idiot,” Blossom said. “You’re scared and you lack trust. That’s understandable.”

Lilah let out a breathy chuckle. “How do you do that? How do you stay so calm and so reasonable? I’d have slapped someone that falsely accused me.”

“I have patience,” Blossom said. “And… and I like you. I know that there are going to be compromises, and I’m prepared to make them. Now, do you want a coffee? I’ve got a shiny new machine just begging to be used.”

Lilah hesitated, then finally smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

And the tension between them lifted just a little. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.

Blossom fiddled with the new machine until it made a gratifying hiss and then got to work. She was foaming milk when the door opened again and Gloria swept in. She saw Lilah sitting at the counter and made a beeline for her.

Blossom, sensing trouble, slid Lilah her coffee and stayed close enough to hear their conversation.

“Lilah,” Gloria began, dropping into the seat next to her with an exasperated sigh. “We need to talk about characterization.”

Lilah raised a brow and took a sip of coffee. “Do we?”

“Yes,” Gloria said firmly. “I’ve been thinking about Blanche’s character, and I think you’re wrong. I want to play her as a strong, independent woman. As a feminist icon.”

Lilah just about choked on her coffee. “You want to make Blanche DuBois a feminist icon?”

“Yes.” Gloria crossed her arms. “She’s misunderstood. She’s a woman trying to survive in a world that keeps knocking her down. She shouldn’t be some tragic, fragile figure. She should be powerful.”

Lilah set her coffee down, breathing out slowly and patiently. “Gloria,” she said, voice firm. “Blanche is fragile. That’s the whole point of her character. She’s a woman who clings to illusions because reality is too cruel. She isn’t strong, she’s desperate .”

“That’s your opinion,” Gloria said, holding her chin a level higher.

“No,” said Lilah, leveling a gaze at her. “That’s Tennessee Williams’ opinion. It’s literally written in the script. Blanche is damaged, she’s delicate, and she’s ultimately doomed because she can’t adapt to the world around her. You can’t just rewrite her into something she isn’t.”

Gloria’s face hardened. “Well, if that’s how you feel, if I can’t be permitted to interpret my character in a way I see fit, then perhaps I can’t work with you after all.”

Lilah set her jaw. “Fine by me.”

For a second, silence stretched between them, thick with challenge. Then Gloria pushed her chair back and stood up. “Then I quit.”

Which was Blossom’s cue. She’s watched thus far, but she wasn’t going to allow this to happen. “Sit. Back. Down. ”

Blossom’s voice cracked through the air, surprising both Lilah and Gloria. Lilah’s large green eyes widened. Gloria dropped back down into her seat.

“You’re not quitting,” Blossom said, her voice firm and unwavering. “You’re going to sit down, take a deep breath, and realize that Lilah is the best thing that has ever happened to the Bankton Players.”

Gloria opened her mouth to speak.

“No,” Blossom cut her off, stepping out from behind the counter. “I mean it. You might be the star of the show, Gloria, but Lilah has real experience. She knows what she’s talking about, and if you don’t see that, and don’t see how that makes you better as an actress, then you’re a fool.”

Lilah’s eyes were still on her as she took another step closer to Gloria, not backing down for a second.

“Do you want to let everyone down?” Blossom demanded. “Because that’s what you’d be doing by walking away. This play isn’t just about you. It’s about the whole cast, the whole community. You’re going to do your part, and you’re going to defer to Lilah as the expert and your director. Understood?”

Gloria hesitated, looked from Blossom to Lilah and then back again, then sniffed. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, of course. Obviously.” She nodded toward Lilah. “Actresses and directors do have their creative differences, but we always come together in the end. The show must go on and all that.”

“The show must go on,” Lilah repeated gravely.

“Then I’ll see you at rehearsal,” said Gloria, sweeping out of the cafe once more.

Blossom turned back toward Lilah, who was still staring at her, wide-eyed.

“You defended me,” Lilah said, almost in disbelief.

Blossom rolled her eyes. “Of course I did.”

“Even after… even after I accused you of selling my story.”

Blossom shrugged. “You were right, I will always back you when I think you’re right.”

“Even when I’m… kind of an asshole?” Lilah asked .

Blossom laughed. “Yes, Lilah. Even when you’re kind of an asshole. Although, I’d prefer that you weren’t, if that’s at all possible.”

Lilah nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, of course. Right.” She picked up her coffee, drained it, and set the cup down before standing up.

“Got places to be?” Blossom asked.

“Mmm,” Lilah said. She grinned. “Actually, I’ve got things to do.” She put some money down on the counter. “See you later,” was all she said as she fled the shop.

Blossom watched her go, wondering what had just happened. Then another customer came in, and she got back to work, Lilah’s weirdness fading into the back of her mind for the time being.