Cartography for Beginners

A sequel to Chiaroscuro and Something Beautiful.

Dune called after him, “Don’t get lost. You’ve got the car keys.”

Leo turned back long enough to wave in what he hoped was a reassuring way, and made his way out of the theater to the loading dock in the back. Roadies were loitering around the band’s equipment van, sharing cigarettes and laughing. One of them offered Leo a smoke and Leo shook his head and sat on the edge of the loading dock, facing away from the trucks.

The band was too loud for his eardrums, the crowd looked younger than his own son, and he didn’t have a date. He sighed–and looked up when someone, groaning a little, lowered himself down on the edge of the dock beside him. “You would choose the most uncomfortable place on the block,” Malcolm Hughes said and handed him a bottle of beer.

“Thank you. I assumed it meant no one would bother me.” He twisted off the cap and drank a long swallow.

“Should I leave?”

“No, you’re already here.” He smiled at Malcolm–one of the first friends he’d made when he moved to San Francisco thirty-five years ago, and longtime owner of this theater. Normally it hosted productions of Shakespeare and pre-Lloyd Webber era musicals; but four or five times a year, between play runs, Malcolm booked a concert in partnership with the radio station Leo worked for. For fifteen years it had been a productive and beneficial relationship, and Leo was grateful for more than the cold beer tonight. “Did Jack come?”

“Jack is here,” Malcolm said with a nod. “He’s out dancing, I assume. I saw your boy backstage,” he added. “Who was the kid with him?”

Leo swallowed his latest mouthful. “That is Dune’s . . . significant other.” He smiled at Malcolm again as Malcolm laughed.

“Significant other. Oh, my. I remember,” Malcolm said, holding out his beer bottle to give his words emphasis, “when Dune was four years old and you had to watch him during a rehearsal, and he ran up and down the aisles, waving his arms and saying, ‘Daddy, Daddy, I’s actor now.’”

Leo laughed. “I remember that, too. Emily recited some Hamlet soliloquies for his naptime story and got him to sleep in the costume storage room.”

“She was always good with kids, no matter whose kids they were,” Malcolm said, looking away, and Leo bit his lip a moment.

“How is Emily doing?” he said, not sure how else to end the subject.

“Oh, you know. Hates me forever and living in style on alimony.” Malcolm squinted up at the night sky, and then glanced back at the theater as a particularly loud cheer came spilling out.

2 Responses to “Cartography for Beginners”

1. Lisa says:

   June 26, 2008 at 7:18 pm

   Oh thank god! I just finished Something Beautiful, and it was. I was so pleased to see the development of Micah and Dune, but man o man Leo was breaking my heart. Adam however joins my list of fictional characters I’d like to pop in the kisser! So yay, write more and quickly!!!
   Thanks!
   Lisa

   Reply
2. Jenna says:

   June 26, 2008 at 7:23 pm

   Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

   The next one is still in progress so there’s no schedule yet. I hope it’ll be ready next year.

   Reply