Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

wished I could feel it as strongly about myself as

some of the others did about themselves. When would

I gain the confidence Howard Rockwell seemed to

have at birth? Was it just around the corner, waiting

for me, along with my wonderful future? Or was that

one of the fantasies Madame Senetsky would

eventually end?

The sound of Howard's laughter coming from

below surprised all of us. We paused when we turned

the corner of the stairway and saw him emerge from

the parlor beside a tall man with dark, wavy brown

hair and a smart mustache that curled gently toward

the corners of his mouth. He wore an earthy brown

corduroy jacket and a red ascot. I thought he was a

very handsome man, with a dark complexion and soft

blue eyes. He smiled at the sight of us.

"These are the others," Howard told him.

making 'others' sound a bit inferior. I thought. "Oh, how do you all do? I'm Brock Marlowe,

your drama coach," the man said, nodding toward us.

No one spoke. Finally. Cinnamon stepped forward. "Since you've already managed to meet Mr.

Marlowe. Howard, why don't you introduce

everyone? Properly," she added, sending an impish

glance back at me.

"Right. This is Cinnamon... Carlson, is it?" "So short a memory. Howard? How do you

manage to memorize your lines?" she shot back. Howard sucked in his breath and forced a small

smile, turning to the rest of us.

"Honey Forman. Rose Wallace. And Ice-- I'm

sorry. I really didn't get your last name," Howard said. "Goodman." she said quickly.

"Ice Goodman. And that's Steven Jesse trying

to hide behind them."