The building that once was my home away from home remains gone. A place where I
lost myself in different facades, a place where curtains didn’t hide, but protected the
illusion. A place where I loaded my brain with black and white, and a place where I was
comfortable and could be myself.
Fire destroyed this place, this place full of kids with a passion for the theatrical arts.
The one place I knew I could run to when everything else shunned me. The place that was
judgment free and welcoming to any soul willing to take their place on that dusty stage.
One more day, one more day was all I wanted to be on that stage again. Another day
appearing in “Charlotte’s Web.” I know this is a lie. I wanted another lifetime on that stage.
The stage that brought me many emotions and memories, memories that haunted me the night
I watched the flames smother my passion for performing. Memories that continue to play in my
head.
One phone call was all it took for the continuous tears to flow. One after another, friends
and family called to check if I was alright for fear I was in the building when it began to burn.
Tentative voices saying, ”Did you know the Arts Center is on fire?” I knew the place was
burning . I knew that the beginning of the end was conceived. I was the thankful for the concern
but each ring reminded me of the treasure I had lost. The treasure that treaded from a gem to
faded ashes.
