We find Meena in the green room, lying on the couch with her head buried in the cushion. “Meena, baby,” Anna says. “What’s going on?”

She doesn’t answer. Anna gives me the say something eyes. I clear my throat. “Hey, Meena, want to talk?” I ask.

Meena turns her face to me, her cheeks bright red from crying. “You wouldn’t understand,” she says.

I nod. “I could try.”

She fishes a tissue out of her pocket and blows her nose. “Being the stage manager really sucks sometimes.”

“I can imagine. You do so much,” I say, always appreciating the stage manager and their hard work to make the actors look good.

“Why don’t you invite me out after rehearsals?”

My heart sinks. We didn’t tell her about Old John’s on Friday night. “Meena, I’m so sorry,” I say, feeling awful.

“And you,” Meena says, looking at Anna. “You’re too bossy. Talking down to me. You won’t listen when I try to explain something.”

“Calm down, Meena,” Anna says.

“No way,” she says, sitting up. “You do this every show, but it’s ten times worse now that you’re assistant director. You treat me like your assistant. No thank-you. No appreciation.”

Anna shakes her head. “The cast always gets you flowers after the show?”

“You know what? At freshman showcase when everyone heard you pee? I didn’t turn off your mic on purpose! You were so mean to me that day.”

“Meena!” Anna yells.

I hold in a laugh. That’s kind of funny. Another good reason to be nice to the crew. It’s surprising to see Meena lose her shit. She’s always so headstrong and secure. Maybe she’s hiding her feelings and truths, just like me. There’s no question that Anna and others are putting on an act, but I didn’t expect it from Meena.

Anna sits on the floor beside the couch. “Meena, I’m a jerk. I’m sorry. The truth is, Dad made me take the assistant director position. He said I wouldn’t get a part onstage. It was devastating. I’ve been thinking about going to business college.”

“Be reasonable,” Meena says sarcastically.

“I’m sorry that I’m bossy. It’s the Aries in me. I’ll work on it.”

“I just want to be included. And thanked. Is that too much to ask for?”

Anna hugs her. “Not at all. I’m sorry, girl.”

“I’m sorry,” Meena says, “but not about the pee.”

We all laugh. The room gets lighter. Meena gets up and puts her headset back on. “Can you not tell people why I got upset? Just say my parents are getting divorced.”

“Sure, honey,” Anna says.

9:12 P.M.