Obsessed by Jo Gibson

good should come out of all this tragedy. And every singer uses personal emotion to en hance a song. Becky and Deana were troupers. If they were here right now, they’d tell you to do whatever works to make your performance better.”
    Mary Beth nodded. “I agree with Judy. It’s sort of like a tribute, you know? I heard an interview with Rhonda Bourelle, and she said she thinks about her dead sister every time she sings, ‘Angel On My Shoulder. ’ ”
    “Well . . . maybe.” Linda didn’t look convinced. “But Rhonda Bourelle’s sister died in an auto accident. She wasn’t murdered like Deana and Becky.”
    Judy smiled sympathetically. “That’s true, but there’s nothing you can do to change what happened. And you might as well use the situation to your advantage. It’s not like you killed them, you know.”
    Michael walked up, carrying his guitar, and the three girls fell silent. They knew that Michael felt bad about Becky and Deana, and they didn’t want to talk about the tragedy in front of him.
    “Ready, kid?” Michael smiled at Mary Beth, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ll do it just like we did in rehearsal. I’ll go out and introduce you. Then I’ll start playing, and you come on.”
    Mary Beth took off the kimono she was wearing over her costume, and handed it to Judy. “I’m ready. What do you think of my costume?”
    “Wow!” Michael raised his eyebrows. “It’s great, Mary Beth!”
    Judy exchanged a quick glance with Linda. Mary Beth’s costume looked very authentic for her Flamenco number. She was wearing a black satin dress with a huge red ruffle at the hemline. It was cut low in front and even lower in back, and it was so tight, Judy didn’t see how Mary Beth could keep from popping the seams when she moved. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head and held in place with two combs, and she was wearing bright red lipstick. The costume made her look much older, and very sexy.
    “I left my castanets in the dressing room. Run and get them for me, will you, Judy?”
    Judy sighed. Mary Beth was always asking her to fetch something she’d left behind, and she wasn’t supposed to leave the light board unless it was an emergency.
    “I’ll go,” Michael offered. “Judy’s got more important things to do.”
    Judy turned to smile at Michael, but he wasn’t looking her way. He was staring at the top of Mary Beth’s costume as if he hoped it would fall down.
    Linda spoke up. “I’ll get the castanets. Judy has to bring up the spot, and you’re due on stage in less than two min utes. You know how nervous Mr. Calloway gets when we’re behind schedule.”
    “Right.” Michael nodded. He tore his eyes away from Mary Beth’s costume, and turned to Judy. “Are you going to use your strobe effect when Mary Beth goes into her finale?”
    “Sure. If you want me to.”
    “I liked it.” Mary Beth spoke up. “Mr. Calloway said it added excitement.”
    Judy nodded. “Okay. I think I should warn you, though. It won’t be exactly the same as it was in rehearsal. It was light out then, and now it’s dark. And there won’t be any other light on stage. It’s very tricky to dance under a strobe light.”
    “I can do it.” Mary Beth gave a careless shrug. “We’ve been rehearsing this number for over two weeks, and noth ing’s going to throw me off.”
    Michael frowned. “Judy’s got a point, Mary Beth. We’ve never tried it at night, and it might distract you. Maybe we should wait until we have a chance to rehearse it on a totally dark stage.”
    “No. It’s my number and I want the strobe.” Mary Beth glared at Judy. “The performer always gets what she wants, right, Judy?”
    Judy frowned. She had the feeling that Mary Beth was talking about more than the strobe light. Could she be re ferring to the contest? But she didn’t have time to think about that now, so she turned to Mary Beth and nodded. “Whatever you say, Mary Beth.”
    “Okay. That’s