As I have mentioned several times throughout this journey, my wife really is my inspiration and the difference in everything. She waited until last Saturday, the 25th to see the show and I must admit that I was both very excited and a bit nervous for her to see it. This was a new thing for me, remember, and no one inside my familial circle knew really what to expect. But Hope had heard me rehearse, heard the stories, from rehearsal, had to listen as I questioned myself and wondered what the crap I was doing. She was also the one who had to take care of a newborn by herself each night while I went to rehearsal and I couldn’t help but wonder whether she was going to think it was all worth it.

And of course, I was a little anxious about the kisses.

But I didn’t want to make the same mistake as I did when the rest of the fam came two weeks earlier. I was tense, I tried too hard at the beginning of the show and it took me a few minutes to calm down. My voice wasn’t great and while it turned out to be a pretty good performance, it wasn’t what I wanted it to be for them. And I for sure didn’t want that same issue for my wife.

So I sat in my chair in the dressing room before the show started and took a deep breath and loosened up. Just like that. But, as it often does, the universe once again had other plans. I couldn’t find my shirt. We were out of one of the chemicals I use to mix Formula HJ-7. And, for the first time, I had to use the rest room after getting mic’d and dressed and 5 minutes before I’m supposed to be sitting at my desk singing, “I Need to Know.” And you know what? No worries. I found my shirt, got new chemicals, and they weren’t going to start the show without me. I stayed relaxed and by doing so, raised another level of maturity. It felt great.

I came out swinging. The entire show went without really a hitch. I sounded great, maybe better than I ever had. I recall botching a couple of lines in “This is the Moment” but other than that, I was pretty on point. Except for one other moment. I got really nervous at “Take Me as I Am.”  I expect the thought of seeing your spouse kissing someone else, even if it’s because the script told him to is not exactly inspiring. So I lost all train of thought, came in too early with my song, had to wheel and deal until I could get back into it.

But I nailed the three moments, I felt better about the Confrontation that I ever have. And Hope was thrilled with the performance, calling it, “incredibly awesome.”  She thought I was great, but she was impressed with the entire production. Especially John Utterson, Jekyll’s best friend. She just kept going on and on about him. I don’t know what magic spell he cast that night, but when the lead’s wife can’t keep her eyes off his character, something’s up.

So that night I felt more like an ace pitcher coming to the mound during the World Series and pitching a no hitter. One fouled deep to left, but I got back on track, struck the bum out and went on to win the game handily.

I love baseball.

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