The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay

traits. They weren’t so stereotypical. Jamie was more somber than Brian, who had an easygoing attitude. Jamie examined life and Bri seemed to let events happen without worrying about them. But they were both caring and loving, and they liked to have fun. Last night, they’d played a video game on the TV and jabbed each other the whole time.
    When the students left, Maggie headed to her office. Once she got inside, she dropped down in her chair, opened her desk drawer, and took out a picture of her and Caroline that she’d kept since childhood. Both had dark hair and dark eyes. Of course Caroline had matured into a beautiful young woman while Maggie was going through the awkward body stage of an eight-year-old. She remembered when they were trying on clothes, Caroline saying, I looked just like you at eight, baby. You’ll grow out of it.
    As Maggie stared at the photo, she was once again appalled by how Caroline had been taken away from her. It had been the driving force in the family Maggie herself had created. She believed nothing could cause this kind of schism among her, Mike and her boys. But for the first time in years, Maggie felt optimistic about having an older sister in her life again.
     
    *
     
    “What a day this has been…” Jamie sang the words to “Almost Like Being in Love,” for once putting his heart and soul into it. Not because of Fiona, his love interest in Brigadoon , but because of a guy in the audience, tenth row, end seat. He was super excited that Luke was there, despite the fact that Kiki was with him. With the lights shining bright on his face, and the packed house enthusiastic, Jamie poured his heart into the lyrics celebrating real love.
    Rising from the bench, he did the dance steps Ms. Marlo had choreographed for the scene, then fell into the role and executed a couple of improvised turns and arm flourishes across the stage’s wooden floor. The director sat in the audience for every performance, and when he finished the song, he heard her yell out before the applause began and the audience gave him a standing ovation. Jamie basked in the accolades. Even if other areas of his life hadn’t yet fallen into place, this one had. He was meant to act.
    The rest of opening night, the laughs seemed louder, the songs more dramatic, and when he took his curtain call, the audience once again leapt to its feet. Including row ten.
    Still in costume, the actors followed their usual routine of appearing out front to take pictures and greet their parents and friends who’d come to see the spring musical. His mom and dad and Brian were there, of course, as well as his grandparents. Aunt Sara’s family was coming Saturday night. Several of his teachers came up and congratulated him, but he kept scanning the area for Luke.
    Brian, especially, seemed up for him. “Hell, you’re good,” he said to Jamie. “I could never do that.”
    “Thanks, Bri.”
    After talking with tons of people, Jamie took one last glance around, but didn’t see Luke anywhere. Disappointed, he went backstage with the cast.
    Ms. Marlo hugged him and his friend Paul as soon as she walked into the room. “You guys! I love you.”
    “I love you, too, Ms. M.” Jamie picked her up and swung her around, as she was little, weighing less than his mother.
    “What was with the turns?” Ms. Marlo asked when he put her down. “I’ve been trying to get you to improvise for weeks.”
    “It felt right.” His grin matched hers. “You know I always do better when I have an audience.”
    “Aren’t we happy tonight?” she said, taking his cheeks in her hands.
    “Yeah, we are.” He kissed her forehead, then someone grabbed her from behind. Adrenaline pumped through them all after a performance and they tended to be more affectionate.
    Happy, Jamie crossed to the vanity area and sat next to Paul to remove his makeup.
    “Can I catch a ride to the Ground Round with you, Jamie?” Though the formal cast party wasn’t until the last