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Later, when the rehearsal was over and everyone had gone their separate ways, Meredith kept working She n that read ONE NIGHT ONLY: A GRAND PLAY FOR THE HOLIDAY and listed their three names She touched up the painted backdrop (it was impossible to fix entirely; Nina always colored outside of the lines), and then positioned it in the living room When the set was ready, she added sequins to the tulle ballet-skirt-turned-princess-gown that she would wear at the end It was nearly two in theby the time she went to bed, and even then she was so excited that it took a long time for her to fall asleep

The next day seeuests began to arrive It was not a big crowd, just the usual people: men and wohbors, and Dad’s only living relative, his sister, Dora

Meredith sat at the top of the stairs, staring down at the entryway below She couldn’t help tapping her foot on the step, wondering when she could make her move

Just as she was about to stand up, she heard a clanging, rattling sound

Oh, no She shot to her feet and rushed down the stairs, but it was too late

Nina was in the kitchen, banging a pot with aout, “Showtiht like Nina

There was a suestsroo from an aluminuht was a large Christhts and ornaments Nina and Meredith had e”: a se that rested on the hardwood floor and a streetlaht duct-taped to the top

Meredith diht, and then ducked behind the painted backdrop Nina and Jeff were already there, in their costumes

There was only a little privacy back here If she leaned sideways, she could see several of the guests, and they could see her, but still it felt separate When the rooan the narration she’d coly: “Her nairl, a nobody She lives in a do An evil has come to this land; it rolls across the cobblestone streets in black carriages sent by a dark, evil knight ants to destroy it all ”

Meredith , layered skirts as she took the stage She looked out over the guests and saw her mother in the back of the room, alone soarette s directly at Meredith

“Co toward the streetlamp “We shall not let this cold stop us ”

Nina stepped out frooith a kerchief covering her hair, she wrung her hands together and looked up at Meredith “Do you think it is the Black Knight?” she yelled, drawing a laugh fro it so cold?”

“No No I am chilled at the loss of our father When will he return?” Meredith pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and sighed draes are everywhere these days The Black Knight is gaining powerpeople are turning to smoke before our eyes”

“Look,” Nina said, pointing toward the painted castle “It is the prince” She ed to sound reverent

Jeff e In his blue sport coat and jeans, with a cheap gold crown on his wheat-blond hair, he looked so handsome that for a moment Meredith couldn’t remember her lines She kneas embarrassed and uncomfortable—the red in his cheeks ood friend he was And he was s at her as if she really were a princess