“You were great,” they told me. The passengers congratulated me on the cruise ship for several nights when they passed me by. I say nights because during the day, nobody recognized me in my sun tanning garb, complete with large sunglasses and my red hair all tucked inside a baseball cap.
We had gone to see an illusionist/juggler show one evening on the ship. Because we got there only mere moments before the show began and we needed four seats together, all that was available were four seats in the very front row. We all know what happens to folks in the front row, hence they were empty.
David (a.k.a. The Checkerboard Guy) needed an assistant, and tag, I was it. I cringed with overwhelming stage fright when I was chosen to be his assistant for a trick. I tried hard to decline but David was relentless and the spotlight on me just made it more embarrassing for me to decline rather than just get up on stage. So I sucked it up and got on with the show.
As I approached the stage my paranoia set in, wondering if hundreds of people could see up my sundress from a stage that towered over the lower section of the theater. I also wondered whether or not all those lights overhead had made my dress transparent.
I was so nervous while David made his jokes and instructed me to catch one of the seven balls he was juggling at a random moment. I was also instructed to then throw it right back to him while he maintained his rhythm of juggling. I stood there entranced by the audience’s intense scrutinizing while this all took place. And then suddenly, while I was unprepared in my gaze, David threw the ball to me and I dropped it. In that moment I was reminded of just how much I sucked at sports, yet the audience loved it. He tried throwing it again to me and alas, I caught it.
After I descended the stage back to my seat, escorted by David, he wouldn’t let me sit down until I kissed him on the cheek. By that time I was wise to his antics. I hesitated and felt myself looking like a deer in headlights as I contemplated if there was more to his command. I decided that I should just get it over with and as I bent to kiss his cheek, he turned it quickly so that my lips would land upon his. I was quick on the draw that time as I backed off instantly. The audience loved it and applauded once again.
Although my embarrassing stage fright never seemed to lessen I really did have a lot of fun. After the show as we walked out of the theater to the bar, there must have been at least twenty or thirty passengers who stopped to congratulate me for my performance and subsequently, many more for several nights that followed. My fifteen minutes of fame seemed to last much longer and although I’d have no desire to do it again, it was a blast.
DGKayewriter.com 
But of course you were the star. And even if it was just for fifteen minutes you are always a bright shining star in my world. Sounds like you had so much fun. I bet you laugh about his for years. It’s about those moments in life. Taking those silly chances. You had nothing to lose and you went for it. Yaaa!!!! You!! ❤
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Thanks for your ‘always’ kudos my friend! ❤
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What a story, Debby! Oh my, you are the bravest person I know–surviving it all. Bask in the glory of it all–you looked like a movie star! 🙂
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Thanks Mandy, although I wouldn’t go that far! 🙂
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Lol. I would. Great sports make the world more fun! Oh, and now I know why the front row seats are always empty! I won’t forget. 😀
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Oh yes, take heed! 🙂
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That adrenalin rush saved the day. Yippeee!
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Your personality really shines through, Debby. You might have sucked at sports but you are a good sport! 🙂
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Lol Carol, yes, well said. 🙂
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So much fun, Debby. How do you spell that word? F-U-N? A little too frozen here for a sense of fun, but you inspire me to take a chance or two. Being on stage any way at all and being yourself is good practice for your readings.
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Lol Elaine, I feel you . . on the cold front! And yes, funny you should say – I was thinking the same thing. As I trembled with stage fright I was also thinking that it would be a lot scarier if I had to stand and do a speech or a reading – LIKE you have already done! I commend you my friend. 🙂
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Sounds fun and romantic gestures at the end!
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It was, thanks. 🙂
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Awww Deb that sounds like such fun! I can see you having stage fright and then being like ‘wow the audience loves this’! That must have been an amazing feeling of elation when you went back to your seat after 🙂
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Honestly, I was so nervous, lol. I was grateful to sit down and quite shocked at the kudos I received afterwards. Good practice for future, when I will have to do some public speaking. . . yikes! 🙂
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What a great holiday memory to take home with you Deb.. and so good of you to share… I too would have been nervous on stage with a magician.. At least you didn’t get sawn in half LOL ❤
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LOL Sue, that cracked me up! ❤
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Just glad the crack was not in the midriff LOL and I thought it may make you smile.. 😀
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🙂 ❤
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Yes, at least you didn’t get “sawn” in half. Lol.
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LOL, xo
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Admit it, Debby. You have star power. Sounds like a blast. Might as well enjoy while you can.
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Lol, thanks. And, hey, I’ll take what I can get! 🙂
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❤ ❤
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