Post-Modern Cinderella

“You’re wrong and I’m going to prove it.” Samantha said, sliding back her chair and leaving the dinner table. She ignored her mother’s plea to return and went out into the backyard, despite the cold, fall weather. She exhaled and watched her breath float away into the clear night. She was determined to show her older, married sister that she could have happiness and success without a husband and family.

After shivering became too much, she decided to chase an acting dream. She’d purchase a one-way train ticket to Los Angeles and become an actress. She didn’t know anyone there and had never visited California but was confident she would be victorious. She slipped back inside, went to her upstairs bedroom, and closed the door. She put some clothes and a laptop in a gray, canvass backpack before writing a note to her parents. She wanted to let them know to call her anytime, and she’d be thinking about them. After setting the note on top of two, dust-covered, college rejection letters, she crawled under the covers and fell asleep.

Wearing the hoodie and sweat pants she wore to bed, she left to catch the subway that weaved under and above the streets of New York City. A flurry of snowflakes fell from an overcast sky and swirled about in the wind before creating a thin, white layer on the sidewalk. She didn’t have to search long to locate a seat on the subway, but it would be crowded by the time her stop, a short distance away, was reached.

While exiting the subway car, she was brushed aside by a passenger in a hurry. She gripped a metal pole to prevent further harm and waited for the next passenger to exit. Once up the large staircase to the train station, she looked around the architectural marvel with its large, elaborate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. She’d been to Grand Central Station in the past, and it never failed to inspire greatness and awe.

When she reached her assigned sleeper cabin, she noticed a sophisticated woman reading a novel. She didn’t want to disturb her with introductory questions. She tossed her backpack onto the top bunk, retrieved her laptop, and settled into the seat opposite her. As the train started to depart, the woman introduced herself.

“I’m Charlotte.” She said, setting a romance novel on the seat.

“Samantha. I’m on my way to Los Angeles.” She said, glancing up from the laptop.

“I get off in Texas. Family visit.”

“Auditions for acting.”

“I’ve never acted. My mother, Sandra Bennett, was in a few films. She wanted me to get into acting. I declined and graduated from Harvard.” Charlotte said, pulling a business card from a red purse and handing it to her.”

Samantha accepted the card for a production company in Hollywood. She was confident the drama and theatre classes that she’d taken during high school had given her a solid foundation for becoming an actress. She thanked Charlotte, then, left to get breakfast.

She spotted an empty booth in the busy dining car. As she walked toward it, a man in a business suit surprised her.

“You’re welcome to join me.” Westley said.

“No thank you. There’s and empty booth over there.” She said, turning back toward her destination, which was now occupied.

“Well, it looks like I lost my seat.”

She glanced about the room for an excuse to get away from him but couldn’t find one. Keeping a boyfriend wasn’t one of her strengths. Despite dating for two years and attending the prom with one. He had chosen to attend Yale University, over her.

“I’ll be leaving soon.” He said, sliding his empty plate to the side.

She pulled her ringing cellphone from a pocket and saw that it was her mother.

“I need to answer this.” She said, gliding away.

After she finished talking with her mother, she went back to the sleeper cabin, wishing she could have booked a private cabin. She’d never traveled anywhere without friends or family, and looked out the window to the passing landscape, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake in leaving home.

Disappointed she hadn’t encountered Westley again, Samantha sat on a bench and watched the passengers exit the train. There were no familiar faces, and she stayed to watch until the train disappeard. When she reached the beach, she removed her sandals and burrowed her feet into the warm sand. She, then, walked down the boardwalk to the casita, she’d reserved, as twilight started to erase the dark orange and yellow sunset.

Lounging on the back deck of the casita, she scrolled through her email until an invitation to an audition grabbed her attention. She breathed in the sultry warmth that passed by on a gentle, morning breeze as splashing waves washed seashells onto the beach. Her finger hovered above the message for a split second before opening it. She’d gone to two additions last week, but hadn’t received any notifications with results, yet. Undeterred from her admirable goal, she let the sender know that she’d be prepared and on time.

When her number was called to show the judges her passion for acting, she excused herself from a contender’s probing questions and went into the building. Once she found the silent calm amid the intense pressure, she started acting for a role in an anticipated movie. The pause between the end of her performance and the thank you from a judge was too long for comfort, and she rushed from the stage and into the bathroom. She looked in the mirror and wiped away a lone tear.

“It’s hard. You’ll get used to it.” Jessica said, entering the bathroom.

“Are you following me?” Samantha said, recognizing her from the line of aspiring actresses.

“Take my advice. You wouldn’t be a legend.”

“I don’t need fame. I gotta get home.” Samantha said, walking toward the door.

“See ya around.”

After Samantha finished showering and was curled up on the living room sofa, she checked her phone. No one had called or messaged her, but there was an email notification. The email caught her by surprise, and she let a fist fly into air. She was in the film. She changed into the short, dark-green dress she’d bought a few days ago and went out to a dance club she’d noticed when taking the bus into the city.

When she looked toward the bar, their gazes met across the crowded dance floor, and time stood still. His wave for her to join him pulled her toward him as a sunflower watches the sun’s movement from sunrise to sunset. She leaned against the bar facing him and introduced herself.

“Samantha.” she said, watching him set down his drink on the bar.

“Westley, a pleasure to meet you.” He said, offering her the business card from the train.

She accepted the lost item and slid it into her small, black purse. The loud music made it difficult to have a conversation, so they ordered a bottle of wine and went upstairs to a table reserved for privacy.

“I got off the train in Dallas. Then came here to try and find you.”

“I’m going to be in a film ‘The Way Left-Behind’”.

“Congratulation!” He said, raising a wine glass.

“Thank you. I was surprised by the quickness I was notified. And here I am celebrating.” She said, tapping her glass against his and taking a sip.

“How was Texas?”

“I thought about our brief moment on the train. I wanted to see you again.”

“I waited at the station until the train left. Hoping to see you. When will you be returning to New York?”

“I live here. I took the train to New York to visit my parents. The stop in Texas was to help my sister. She’s going through a divorce. What about you?”

“I’m following a dream. My sister is still being competitive toward me. Ruined Thanksgiving dinner.”

After exchanging contact information, they departed the club. Westley drove her to the casita, and they parted ways with a kiss at the front door, promising to keep in touch.

The movie was a success in theatres across the country, and Samantha played a leading role. After the celebrations and champagne toasting ended and with the wedding already planned, she wrote a letter to exchange with Westley when they professed their love for each other.

The sunset over the beach complemented the white, silk awning decorated with orange and yellow roses that match the bouquet held in her hands. Standing beneath the awning next to each other, they exchanged vows, rings, and a passionate kiss. They, then, boarded an awaiting yacht for the honeymoon that would take them to Hawaii.