Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Gosh, I loved my job.
My alarm buzzed at four a.m. Saturday morning. Much too early. By unspoken agreement, Ezra and I grunted, dressed, and shared a cup of coffee without uttering a single word. Then we climbed into our vehicles and headed to the gymnasium to schlep props, costumes, and equipment to the park to set up for our weekend of revelry.
Various vendors and food trucks filtered in as the sun rose to set up their wares in the designated spots while the HRS team and our band of volunteers erected castle facades, mini stages, craft tables, and hung festive banners to recreate a historical setting for our guests. Val and Presley organized the troops, made sure everyone was in costume, knew their lines, and had a general idea of what they were supposed to do while the line at the entrance grew.
At nine forty-five a.m., it was already warm. By noon, it would be blazing hot. Thankfully, we had plenty of shade, water, and an honest-to-gosh ice cream truck with an attendant dressed in Elizabethan gear. This was going to be epic…as the cool cats say.
“Is that what the cool cats are saying?” Ezra snorted.
“Don’t quote me.” I adjusted the shoulder-length wig in the full-length mirror propped against a tree in the section we’d cordoned off as a dressing area. “What do you think? Do I look like the Bard of Avon?”
He fussed with my white collar, then flicked the male-patterned bald spot on my wig. “Like a hot version.”
I shushed him, casting a quick glance at Jordan, who’d begun the painstaking chore of stepping into queenly attire. I doubted anyone overheard or paid the slightest bit of attention. Most of the crew was in position in the park. Only the featured performers, like Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Shakespeare held back for now. Our appearances were scheduled at hourly intervals alongside a band of revelers, court jesters, musicians, knights, and townspeople. I hadn’t memorized the itinerary, but I knew Ezra was on early.
“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?”
“Yeah, in a minute. I’m already sweating.” He plucked his lacrosse T-shirt from his chest and fanned himself.
“Hey…thank you.”
“For what?”
I spread my arms wide. “All of this. I coerced you into making a guest appearance, and you ended up doing so much more.”
“I haven’t done anything yet. And you know, there’s a chance I’ll get stage fright and fuck everything up and—”
“You won’t.” I interrupted. “You showed up, set up, and you’re ready to try something new. That’s more than enough.”
I expected him to roll his eyes and change the subject, but he didn’t.
He smiled sweetly. “I wish I’d done it sooner.”
I wished I’d thought of it sooner. I wished I’d opened my eyes and seen him for who he really was sooner. I wished I hadn’t wasted precious time.
I opened my mouth to say all those things and more, but when nothing came, I linked my pinky with his and held his gaze. “Thank you.”
He squeezed my finger. “You’re welcome. Go on, Shakespeare. Your audience awaits.”
Renaissance in the Park day one was a resounding success. It was a gorgeous day with blue skies as far as the eye could see with temps hovering in the mid-eighties. Not too terrible at all. The crowd was enthusiastic about…everything. They clapped for the musicians and strolling minstrels, laughed at the jesters and impromptu sword fights, and cheered the performances on our makeshift stage.
The vendors seemed to do well too. The craft tables were full of kids making pet dragons and painting fairies and goblins. And the food, as usual, was fabulous. It made my heart happy to see regular folks in costume walking around with flagons of lemonade and giant mutton legs. Yes, some people dressed up for the occasion. There were quite a few lords, ladies, pirates, and even a couple of wizards parading about the park. The vendor selling crowns, plastic chain mail, and floral wreaths with ribbons were especially popular.
Honestly, it was all…fantastic. And it only got better when the headline historical celebrities made their appearances. Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and the court jesters were greeted with the anticipated fanfare. We posed for countless photos after wowing them with witty repartee and a soliloquy or two.
But nothing and no one compared to Ezra. He was brilliant…larger-than-life, bombastic, and charming as heck. Crowds parted when he flipped his robe over his shoulders and sauntered by with his head held high, alternately spouting nonsensical proclamations and quoting random verses he’d memorized.
“Hail, my fine citizens! You may kiss the ring…after you givest me all thy gold!”
Henry VIII was by far the star attraction. His over-the-top conceit mixed well with the soulful Shakespearean lines. But they especially loved his self-deprecating humor and effortless charm. He stepped out of character to get a replacement ice cream for a hysterical toddler who’d dropped his on the grass, pet dogs, and chat with a posse of octogenarians.