She stood there, at the front of the stage, as they came up and congratulated her on her final performance.
Some came up together, smiling and offering simple complements that made her heart warm. Others came up by themselves, their bodies hesitant but their eyes earnest, and the words they spoke to her were imperfect but true. They approached and told her of the scenes they most enjoyed, or how the way she'd said such and such a line gave them chills.
Amidst the smiles and words she was aware of those who sat in the back, those who felt the performance was lacking or just plain poor. But she didn't care.
It was something she was happy with, her performance, even if it hadn't always been the one she had hoped it would be. From beginning to end, she'd played every moment as best she was able, and when she made a mistake or missed a line, still she had continued on.
Besides, he had always been there to help her through a forgotten phrase or misplaced step. He was forever the talented one, and somehow always able to find something to say when she couldn't. Even now, as the attendees and other performers paid their respects, she was aware of him, standing just outside a side door of the theater, waiting under the lamppost that graced the sidewalk.
A box of chocolates were being offered to her by one of her longtime friends. Another approached, presenting flowers and lavishing thoughtful compliments - yet, while they represented a relationship that meant the world to her, the flowers, the stage, and even the theater she had spent so many hours rehearsing and performing in no longer meant to her what they used to, and she wanted to put it all down, send a last happy look at everyone else in the room, turn her back, and walk out that door into his arms for good.
But, she waited.
Once they had all paid their regards and the next play started, then, it would be time. As the music started to play, she'd take the veil that was part of her costume from her shoulders and let it float to the ground. She'd let a final look linger over those she'd known so long, press a hand against those closest to her in recognition, then fade out the door, into the light that bathed his loving face, and home.