The music stops as the two lead actors are about to kiss at the end of the first act, turning the theater so quiet you could hear a pin drop at the back of the room. So, when my phone starts vibrating on the staff table just off the stage, it sounds as loud as a bomb going off.
I look at the name on the screen: Mindy.
I grab the phone and excuse myself, whispering, “Sorry, family emergency. Carry on without me.”
The director frowns at me, then, turning toward the actors, he swirls a finger in the air, shouting, “Scene, back from the start.”
I rush out of the theater and pick up as soon as the main door closes behind me.
“I’m here,” I say, out of breath.
“Woah,” Mindy greets me. “What’s with the panting? Have you opted for a career change and joined the backup dancers, or were you having a torrid affair with the sound manager and I interrupted?”
“No to the dancing, and no to the torrid affair. I had to run out before the director killed me for interrupting the scene rehearsal. And you know I’d never cheat on Brandon, or anyone else. Why the sound manager, anyway?”
“I don’t know. It seemed like someone cool to have an affair with. Don’t they get their own booth where you two could have crazy sex on the control board and then you’d accidentally turn on the microphone switch with your bum and suddenly the entire cast would hear you make guttural sounds?”
I blink. “You watch too much TV. And the sound director is fifty.”
“Ah, bet he might teach you a trick or two.”
I shake my head. “You’re impossible.” I walk a few paces away from the doors to make sure no one hears my “family emergency” and ask, “Please tell me you have good news for me?”
“I searched for a vacancy on ski resorts all over the country, and they’re all booked solid for Christmas—”
“But,” I interrupt. “There must be a ‘but’ at the end of that phrase.”
“Buuut… just as I was checking my favorite agency in Park City, a spot magically opened. Christmas week went from red to green under my eyes. But it won’t stay green for long, so I’m going to give you all the facts pronto. The house is a refurbished cabin in the woods about fifteen minutes from the town’s center with very cozy, mountain-chic decor. The downside: it only has four bedrooms. Amy and Trevor could sleep in the master with the twins. Then there are two singles, one for your mom, and the other has a full bed that might fit you and Brandon if you want to hug tight at night—”
“Brandon can’t come, so that isn’t an issue.”
“Let me guess, work?” Mindy asks.
I roll my eyes and bite my tongue. I’m not in the mood for one of her your-boyfriend-doesn’t-value-you-enough pep talks. “What about the fourth room?”
“It has a bunk bed that would be perfect for the older kids.”
“And Joshua?”
“That’s the thing, he’d have to sleep on the sofa bed in the living room.”
“Mmm. Where is Park City, anyway?”
“Utah.”
“Utah? That’s like super far.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Mindy sing-songs. “I’m telling you, this is your only option, and if you don’t book it fast, it’ll be gone before lunchtime.”
“The town is nice?”
“Very quaint, with old storefronts and cozy restaurants, but also some gourmet options if you decide to go foodie. And the location is perfect, right in the middle of a few of the best ski resorts in the country: Park City, Alta, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain… you can try a different one each day if you want.”
“Okay, I’m sold, book it. Could you also sort the plane tickets? Five adults, two kids, and the twins, but they don’t pay yet, right?”
“Sure, I’m going to need a copy of everyone’s IDs. And I guess you’ll also want a couple of rental cars to move around once you get to Utah.”
“Yes, yes, those too.”
“Or would you prefer a minivan that can fit the whole gang?”
I consider for a second. “No, better do the two cars so we can split if people want to do different activities.”
“Perfect.” I can practically see Mindy seated at her minimalistic desk, taking notes as we speak. “To recap, one cabin, nine plane tickets, two cars, and four car seats? Or are Vicky and Owen old enough to go without one?”
“No, yeah, Amy still uses car seats for them.”
“Four car seats it is, then. Your family vacation is so Home Alone I want to gag.”
“Nah, come on, in Home Alone they had at least ten kids, we only have four.”
And if Brandon keeps being so career centered, I’m afraid we won’t be adding to that tally anytime soon.
“All right,” Mindy says. “The house is booked.”