Have you ever been let down? It’s so disappointing that your world comes crashing down when you realise what you have.
Karrie Scott, now Karrie Greenwood, was married for eighteen years and was happy she had two beautiful children. When her son turned seventeen and her daughter fifteen, she found out her husband was cheating on her with a work colleague.
This is my story!
The seaside resort buzzed with a constant, low hum of holidaymakers, their laughter and chatter a soundtrack to my life. I wasn’t one of them, not really. I was Karrie, the woman who cleaned up after the party, the one who scrubbed the sticky floors and polished the brass railings at “Start the Music,” one of the many show bars that lined the main drag. I didn’t mind. I liked the quiet solitude of those early mornings, the way the sun streamed through the windows, illuminating the remnants of the night before. And I liked Jack, the owner, an absolute gem of a man who gave me the job and helped me organise it around my kids’ school run. I always made sure I was home when they finished their day.
One morning, while I was sweeping, some upbeat music started playing from the sound system. Maybe it was the space, maybe it was just the joy of the sun, I cranked up the volume and started singing along. I twirled around an old brass pole at the corner of the stage, my mop becoming my dance partner. I belted out the chorus, not realising how loud I was. Suddenly, a voice pierced through the music.
“Oh, Jack! I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were there.” I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment.
Jack smiled a warm, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “You sing very well, Karrie,” he said.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush even hotter.
“Have you taken lessons?” he asked, his expression curious.
I giggled, “No….” The memory of my gyrating around the stage with a mop brought a fresh wave of embarrassment. He’d seen everything.
Over the next few weeks, Jack would sometimes linger when I was cleaning, a kind smile on his face. Then, one day, he approached me, his eyes serious. “Karrie,” he began, “have you ever considered singing professionally?”
I laughed a nervous, self-deprecating chuckle. “Me? No way, I’m not good enough.”
“I think you’re a natural,” he countered. “How about backing singing? It would be more money, too.”
My eyes widened. “Are you serious?” I asked. “But would I still be able to do my cleaning?”
“Of course,” he said, his friendly grin returning. “It’s up to you, of course.”
I took a leap of faith. I got my equity entertainment card and joined ‘Start The Music’ as a backing singer. It was a world away from mop buckets and bleach; my days were still spent getting the bar ready, but I spent my evenings on stage, under the lights. When the season ended, Jack kept me on for the weekends during the winter months. By the time the new season came around, my kids had gone off to University; I was happy and content, and the seasons turned into years. I’d been doing this for a couple of years now.
Then, everything changed. The show’s regular host became seriously ill and unable to perform. Jack approached me, his eyes filled with hope and apprehension. “Karrie,” he said, “I think you can do it. I want you to take his place.”
I was terrified, but Jack’s faith in me was unwavering. I agreed to try it for a show. The first night was a blur of nerves and excitement, but something clicked. I loved being in the spotlight and connecting with the audience. The show was a success, and Jack made me the permanent host.
Now, it was my name on the posters. I opened the show with six incredibly handsome young men and six beautiful young women. I would belt out some songs, dance, and introduce the acts. My dances were sexy and sensual; one of my fellow dancers was Austin; he was gorgeous; his tanned muscles rippled as he moved, and his sandy hair would shimmer under the spotlights, his hands would trace the curves of my body during the routines, something that at first, I was a little apprehensive about, but I’d got used to it. Who wouldn’t with a man like that?
One night, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd. Joe, my ex-husband, sat there with a group of his friends, looking like he’d been hit by a truck. His eyes were wide, fixed on me as I moved across the stage. He must be shocked; I was shocked when I saw him. This made me up my game a little bit and made sure that my movements were just that little bit more sensual. It was a bit of a laugh to see him so gobsmacked.
After my first set, I headed to the bar when I heard his voice behind me. “Hello, Karrie.”
I turned around, a small smile playing on my lips. “Joe,” I said, my voice cool and collected.
“Wow,” he said, “you look amazing. Are you a singer in a show bar now? I didn’t know you could sing, let alone move like that.”
“Yeah, I’ve done okay for myself,” I replied, trying to keep the smugness from my voice. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must prepare for my next set.”
He grabbed my arm, “You look so sexy,” he said, his gaze lingering on me as I made to move away.
“Got to go”, I replied, continued my next set and introduced the next star.
I closed the show with a particularly sexy song and dance with Austin and went off stage to change. Joe was waiting for me. I was still with Austin, and Joe looked like he wanted to eat Austin!
Austin kissed me goodbye, said he would see me tomorrow at rehearsals and went off to party with all the dancers.”
Joe then asked if he could return to my place to talk, “What do you want to talk about?” I said.
“Us.” He said, his eyes pleading.
“There is no us, Joe,” I stated matter of factly.
“I’ve missed you, Karrie.”
I dismissed the conversation and asked him if he’d seen the kids. He told me he’d seen them both last weekend but was more interested in knowing about Austin and whether I’d been sleeping with him.
“That’s none of your business!” I said flatly.
“About what happened?” he insisted.
“I wasn’t interested and dismissed the conversation, but he insisted.
“I love you, Karrie, and I miss you,” he said.
“You didn’t love me when you cheated on me… Oh, how’s your child?” I retorted
“I didn’t want to get divorced, but I wanted to try and work it out.” He said
I laughed out loud, “That’s a joke, right?” I said, “You cheated on me! You wanted out!”
“We are divorced, Joe, and you did me a favour, believe it or not.”
“You don’t mean that,’ he said, trying to put his arms around me to bring me in so he could kiss me.
I pushed him away, telling him to go back to the woman he cheated on me with and his child; he’d made his bed and all that.
I looked him straight in the eye and told him I was happy. There was no going back. I’d ensured my children were happy and prosperous. Now, it was my turn. I am delighted; I’ve also met someone, but that’s another story LOL
This is not a true story, and all characters are fictional
Written by Deborah Langley
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