Chapter Seven

"Well, did you do it?" Charlotte asks.

"Nahhh." Edwin continues to wipe down the tables without meeting her gaze. "I really don't have the time to worry about it."

"Fall break is coming up," she points out. "So you're out of class while auditions are happening."

"Deanna really needs me here, and I'd feel awful if I put her in a bind."

"But she also knows how much delight you get from singing. Every customer that walks out that door has a smile on their face and you're the reason for it." Charlotte doesn't know what more to do to encourage him. Other than send in the audition form for him.

She stops for a moment, thinking a little more about what just crossed her mind. Having viewed a copy of the form online, all she needed to do was somehow get a picture of him and drop it by the casino. Edwin might get mad at her for doing it, but he couldn't stay mad at her for long.

Walking to the back with a bag of trash, she stops at the bulletin board in the hallway, just outside of Deanna's office. Even though Coffee Loft is part of a franchise, Deanna has some of the best ideas for recognizing her employees. Looking over the pictures from the previous months, she's not surprised to see Edwin's photo for the very first Employee of the Month. The smile on his face is priceless.

Running her fingertips over the four-by-six image, she can't help wondering…would anyone miss it?

Before she has a chance to change her mind, she grabs ahold of the clear thumbtack and removes it from the board. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one is watching her, she slips Edwin's photo into her apron pocket then walks out the door to the dumpster.

The next day, instead of taking the shuttle all the way to the coffee shop, she gets off at the casino. She knows this has got to be one of the craziest things she's ever done, but the fact that Edwin is letting this opportunity pass him by is even crazier.

She follows the signs down the hallway towards the theater. The lady sitting at the table in the vestibule looks up, a warm and inviting smile on her face.

"Are you here to audition?" she asks.

Charlotte nervously shakes her head as she removes the envelope containing Edwin's information from her purse. "No, but I'd like to drop this off for a friend. He's…he's working and couldn't get off in time to do it himself."

"Hmm," the woman says, scanning over the form. "Everything looks to be completely filled out. Do you happen to have a picture? We'll need one to attach to the form."

"Oh, yes. I almost forgot." Reaching into her purse again, Charlotte pulls out Edwin's Employee of the Month photo and hands it over. "I hope this one is okay."

"The panelists will review each applicant and call them with a time for their audition. If your friend hasn't heard from anyone by this Friday, please have them call the number on this card. Do you have any questions?"

Charlotte shakes her head. "No, I don't believe so."

Please don't be mad at me for doing this, she mutters to herself as she walks out of the casino. I'm doing this for your own benefit. You're missing out on huge opportunity.

****

"Did you take a cab here?" Edwin asks as soon as she walks in the door. "I could've sworn I saw you getting out of one. Did something happen to the shuttle?"

Without meeting his gaze, Charlotte says the first thing that pops into her head. "I had to go back and get my sweater and I didn't make it in time to catch the bus. Reba wasn't out of class yet, and I didn't feel like asking anyone else for a ride. It's all good."

"If you ever get into a bind, I can always get my dad to swing by and pick you up."

"Okay. I'll remember that next time. Although I hope I don't run off and forget my sweater again. Not with the cooler weather that we're having. I'm not sure I'm ready for winter."

"You haven't experienced cold until it gets below freezing," he chuckles.

She feels bad for being dishonest about the shuttle, but once he's had his audition, she'll confess why she did it.

Two days go by and Edwin has yet to say anything about getting a phone call. She double and triple checked that all of his information was filled out correctly, so why hasn't anyone reached out to him? Did he not pass the initial screening?

Rather than worry herself sick about it, she tries to keep busy with work. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done.

At a quarter til five, she notices Edwin looking at his phone. Leaning over to tell Niecy something, he walks from behind the counter and heads to the back, his phone still clutched in his hand. Charlotte doesn't want to make it obvious that she's eavesdropping, but she's dying to know if it's the talent show. Time is running out and surely he made the cut.

"Hey, I'm going to the back for a minute," she calls out to Niecy. "I'll be right back."

With his back towards her, she quietly walks up behind Edwin and waits for him to turn around.

"But I didn't…okay…are you sure you don't have me mixed up…" he says to the person on the other end of the phone. "Yes, that's my address."

Charlotte bites down on her bottom lip. Her hands begin to sweat profusely while her heart pounds heavy in her chest.

"I'll have to check my schedule…"

Edwin, you have to do this. Tell them you'll be there.

"Ten o'clock is good…"

Sliding his phone into his pocket, he jumps when he turns around to see Charlotte standing a few feet away. "That was weird."

"Is everything okay?"

"Someone submitted an application with all of my information for the Tahoe's Got Talent show. They wanted to set up a time for me to audition."

"Edwin, that's wonderful!" she exclaims, wrapping her arms around his neck.