A Dream for Addie Read Online Free

belonged to Constance. It was plastered with travel stickers from cities in Europe and full of little drawers and compartments.
    There was a pair of sunglasses on top of the trunk, and she picked them up and put them on. I wondered why. I had never seen anyone wear sunglasses indoors, and I imagined from that moment on that all actresses did.
    Tanya, Gloria and Carla Mae gathered around the trunk as Constance searched for a pen, but I didn’t want to appear overanxious, so I became interested in some old posters leaning against a table. They announced her appearances in several plays in cities back East. I had never heard of some of the towns, but the plays sounded glamorous. She must have sent the posters home to her family earlier in her career.
    â€œI’m afraid the house is in a bit of a mess,” she was saying. “I’m sorting through things, trying to get it all settled before I go back to New York.”
    â€œI bet you travel a lot,” I said, still looking at the posters. “Like on tours and all that.”
    â€œWell, yes, sometimes I work outside of New York,” she said, sounding distracted. “Here’s a pen.”
    Tanya, Gloria and Carla Mae all shoved their autograph books at her, but I hung back, trying to be polite. When she finished with the others, Constance turned to me and held out her hand for my book.
    â€œAnd you’re Adelaide?” she said, starting to write.
    â€œMake it to ‘Addie.’ I hate ‘Adelaide,’” I said, making a face about my awful name.
    â€œI always hated my last name,” she said, looking at me for a moment. “‘Gunderson’ didn’t seem right for the theater, so I changed it.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m going to do!” I said. “I don’t want to sign my paintings ‘Adelaide.’ It’ll look stupid.”
    She looked up from my book. “Are you an artist?”
    â€œWell, I’m gonna be one … as soon as I can go to Paris and New York and study and stuff.”
    â€œNew York?” she asked, seeming surprised.
    â€œOh, yeah! I’m going the day I get out of college. I can’t wait! I’ve got a scrapbook about New York, and a map and everything.”
    Tanya made a face. “Oh, she’s always talking about having her paintings in the Museum of Metropolitan Art!”
    â€œIt’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dodo!” I snapped back at her. I knew she couldn’t stand it that Constance and I were having this whole sophisticated conversation. I turned to Constance. “I hope I’ll be a success like you. Then there’ll be two famous people from Clear River.”
    She looked away from me when I said that, and put the pen back in a drawer of the trunk. Then she started for the door as though to usher us out. We followed on her heels, all talking at once, asking questions about her life in New York. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I had never been that close to anyone so glamorous. She tried to be polite, but I could tell she didn’t really want to answer our questions and was anxious to get rid of us.
    Tanya had the nerve to ask her if actresses make a lot of money, and Constance answered politely that leading ladies get paid very well. I informed Tanya that real actors don’t act for the money, they do it for the love of the theater. It’s a way of life! Constance seemed amused at that and made another move toward the door.
    I thought I had better bring up the style show before it was too late.
    â€œAre you going to be in town for a while?” I asked.
    â€œI don’t think so,” she said.
    â€œI suppose you have to start on a new play … rehearsals and all that?” said Carla Mae.
    â€œWhat’s your new play about?” asked Gloria.
    Constance seemed to hesitate for a moment, and I interrupted. “Actresses don’t discuss their roles before they rehearse. It’s