Dawn (Cutler 1)

"Well, we'd better get started," Philip said softly.

"Okay," I said. I grabbed my coat, and Philip moved forward quickly to help me put it on. Daddy and Jimmy stared, Daddy looking very troubled. Just as Philip and I reached the front door, I heard Jimmy call my name.

"I'll be right with you, Phi

lip," I said. Philip went out, and I waited for Jimmy.

"Just wanted to wish you luck," he said and leaned forward quickly to kiss me on the cheek. "Good luck," he whispered and hurried back to the apartment. I stood there a moment, bringing my fingers to my cheek, and then I turned and went out into the night. It was full of stars. I hoped one was twinkling just for me.

7

TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR

When the Emerson Peabody School came into view, my heart began to pound so hard, I thought I might faint. That's how nervous I was, and when we turned into the school driveway and we saw the lines of expensive cars arriving, I couldn't stop myself from trembling.

The parents and guests were dressed tonight as though they were attending a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. The women wore magnificent furs and diamond earrings. Under their warm, extravagant coats they wore silk dresses in the most beautiful colors I'd ever seen. The men were all in dark suits. Some people arrived in long limousines and had their doors opened by uniformed chauffeurs.

Philip drove us around to the side entrance used by the students performing in the concert. He stopped near the door to let me out.

"Wait," Philip said when I reached for the door handle. I turned back, and he simply stared for a moment. Then he leaned forward, brought his lips to mine, and kissed me.

"Dawn," he whispered. "I spend every night dreaming of kissing you and holding you . . ."

He started to kiss me again, but I heard the sound of the other students arriving. We were in the parking lot under the tall bright lights.

"Philip, they'll see us," I said and pulled back even though I was giddy with the nearness of him.

"Most of the girls around here wouldn't care," he said. "You're so bashful."

"I can't help it."

"It's all right. There's always later," he said, winking. "Good luck," he said.

"Thank you," I replied. It was barely a whisper.

"Wait!" he exclaimed. Then he jumped out and ran around the car to open my door for me as I gathered myself together.

"A star should be treated like a star," he said, reaching in to take my hand.

"Oh, Philip. I'm far from a star. I'm going to fall flat on my face." I cried, looking at the crowd of impressed students who stared.

"Nonsense, Miss Longchamp. By the end of the evening we'll have to fight off the autograph seekers. Good luck. I'll be sitting out there rooting for you." He held on to my hand.

"Thank you, Philip." I took a deep breath and looked toward the doorway. "Here I go," I said. Philip didn't release my hand.

"See you right after the concert," he said. "We'll get something to eat and then . . . we'll go to my favorite spot and look at the stars. Okay?"

He pleaded with his eyes and held on to my hand tightly.

"Yes," I whispered and felt as if I had surrendered myself to him already, just by agreeing to go.

He smiled and let go. Then he started toward the auditorium. I watched him for a moment, my heart still pounding. All three of the men in my life had kissed me and filled me with confidence. Buoyed by their good wishes and affection, I turned toward the entrance. I suddenly felt a little like Sleeping Beauty awakened by the kiss of the prince.

I entered the school with some of the other members of the chorus. We all headed down the corridor toward the music suite and the backstage area. We were to put our coats in the music suite and then go prepare for the concert: warming up our instruments and our voices.

"Hi, Dawn," Linda said, approaching me. "Are those real pearls?" she asked as soon as I had taken off my coat. At the word pearls other girls gathered around us, including Clara Sue.

"Yes, they are. They're my mother's and they're our family heirloom," I emphasized, looking down at them myself. I was terrified the string would break and I would lose them.