Saturday. It’s supposed to be clear with temperatures in the seventies. Should be perfect for a project like this.”
“I don’t imagine we’ll get a lot done that first day,” Steve said. “But I think we can get a start on the seating area first.”
Charlie’s words interrupted Steve’s thoughts. “Did that daughter of mine tell you what she’s thinking?”
“As far as the layout of the new theater?” Steve nodded. “Yes. She wants to take advantage of the hill behind the Civic Center. She apparently wants to pattern the design after some theater you took her to as a kid—in Texas.”
“Palo Duro Canyon.” Charlie braked as he approached a stop sign. “The amphitheater was cut out of the slope of a canyon, so there was basically no construction except the stone for the stage and some wood for seating. It was a clever idea. Very creative and very little cost involved.” He turned on his right signal and eased his way out onto the road.
“Right.” Steve nodded, giving the idea further thought. Made perfect sense to him. “I like the idea of using stone. It’s perfect for an outdoor environment. And with the Civic Center being right there, we won’t have to worry about bathrooms for the patrons. We’ve already got those.”
“Right.” Charlie nodded. “I think she wants us to build on some sort of awning behind the Civic Center, though. That way we could have a covered area where people could purchase sodas and snacks.”
“Good idea. Great way to bring in some extra money.”
“That’s my girl, filled with great ideas.” Charlie laughed and slapped his hand against the steering wheel. “Well, maybe not all of them are great, but you have to admit, they’re creative.”
“She is definitely creative,” Steve said. “I have to give her that. I just hope the people at the county office will go along with her plans. My gut says they’re going to have a couple of issues with what I sent them.”
“Hope not.” Charlie sighed. “That poor girl’s been through so much in her life already. If she has to jump one more hurdle…” He paused and shook his head. “Well, I suppose she’ll jump it, but I hate to see her struggle so much. Seems like nothing comes easy for her. Ever since her mother died…” Charlie grew silent, his gaze focused on the road.
“I understand,” Steve said. “And my heart goes out to her. That’s one of the reasons I usually go along with her ideas, even when they sound a little…”
“Far-fetched?”
“Yeah.” Steve chuckled. “I love that she’s always thinking out of the box. Wish I could be more like that sometimes. I’m also pretty impressed that she’s always interested in putting others first. Seems that way, anyway.”
“Oh, she’s in the habit of putting others first.” Charlie sighed. “She’s definitely like her mother in that respect. But we’ll have to keep an eye on her, Steve. You know how she is. If we’re not careful, this project is going to swallow her whole. We can’t let that happen.”
“Right.” Steve nodded. “I plan to keep an eye on her. And since I’m acting as the production director, I can always step in and help, if she needs it.”
“Thank you for that.” A pause followed, and then Charlie’s tone grew more serious. “I want to thank you for doing all this for my girl, Steve. It means the world to her.”
“For your girl?” Steve’s curiosity piqued. “What do you mean? I’m doing it for the whole town, not just Amy.”
“Aw, c’mon now. I know you’re not really keen on building a theater or putting on a play. You’re doing this to humor her. And I think I know why. I’ve got eyes, you know.” He gave Steve a knowing look.
“O–oh?”
“You’re sweet on her.” Charlie nodded. “And she’s sweet on you. A person would have to be blind not to see it.”
“Ah.” Steve forced back the grin that threatened to erupt. “So, you’ve figured us out, eh?”
“Yep. I’m just
“I don’t imagine we’ll get a lot done that first day,” Steve said. “But I think we can get a start on the seating area first.”
Charlie’s words interrupted Steve’s thoughts. “Did that daughter of mine tell you what she’s thinking?”
“As far as the layout of the new theater?” Steve nodded. “Yes. She wants to take advantage of the hill behind the Civic Center. She apparently wants to pattern the design after some theater you took her to as a kid—in Texas.”
“Palo Duro Canyon.” Charlie braked as he approached a stop sign. “The amphitheater was cut out of the slope of a canyon, so there was basically no construction except the stone for the stage and some wood for seating. It was a clever idea. Very creative and very little cost involved.” He turned on his right signal and eased his way out onto the road.
“Right.” Steve nodded, giving the idea further thought. Made perfect sense to him. “I like the idea of using stone. It’s perfect for an outdoor environment. And with the Civic Center being right there, we won’t have to worry about bathrooms for the patrons. We’ve already got those.”
“Right.” Charlie nodded. “I think she wants us to build on some sort of awning behind the Civic Center, though. That way we could have a covered area where people could purchase sodas and snacks.”
“Good idea. Great way to bring in some extra money.”
“That’s my girl, filled with great ideas.” Charlie laughed and slapped his hand against the steering wheel. “Well, maybe not all of them are great, but you have to admit, they’re creative.”
“She is definitely creative,” Steve said. “I have to give her that. I just hope the people at the county office will go along with her plans. My gut says they’re going to have a couple of issues with what I sent them.”
“Hope not.” Charlie sighed. “That poor girl’s been through so much in her life already. If she has to jump one more hurdle…” He paused and shook his head. “Well, I suppose she’ll jump it, but I hate to see her struggle so much. Seems like nothing comes easy for her. Ever since her mother died…” Charlie grew silent, his gaze focused on the road.
“I understand,” Steve said. “And my heart goes out to her. That’s one of the reasons I usually go along with her ideas, even when they sound a little…”
“Far-fetched?”
“Yeah.” Steve chuckled. “I love that she’s always thinking out of the box. Wish I could be more like that sometimes. I’m also pretty impressed that she’s always interested in putting others first. Seems that way, anyway.”
“Oh, she’s in the habit of putting others first.” Charlie sighed. “She’s definitely like her mother in that respect. But we’ll have to keep an eye on her, Steve. You know how she is. If we’re not careful, this project is going to swallow her whole. We can’t let that happen.”
“Right.” Steve nodded. “I plan to keep an eye on her. And since I’m acting as the production director, I can always step in and help, if she needs it.”
“Thank you for that.” A pause followed, and then Charlie’s tone grew more serious. “I want to thank you for doing all this for my girl, Steve. It means the world to her.”
“For your girl?” Steve’s curiosity piqued. “What do you mean? I’m doing it for the whole town, not just Amy.”
“Aw, c’mon now. I know you’re not really keen on building a theater or putting on a play. You’re doing this to humor her. And I think I know why. I’ve got eyes, you know.” He gave Steve a knowing look.
“O–oh?”
“You’re sweet on her.” Charlie nodded. “And she’s sweet on you. A person would have to be blind not to see it.”
“Ah.” Steve forced back the grin that threatened to erupt. “So, you’ve figured us out, eh?”
“Yep. I’m just
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