The Theatre: Daveed Diggs

6: The Conversation

     "Why should I tell you, Daveed? It's not like I'm important. I'm just Annabella. You're THE Daveed Diggs. Broadway superstar. Television show producer."

     "Babe, you graduated from Juilliard. There has to be some significance with that." Daveed rubbed her back gently.

     "Oh, yes, professional Broadway note and rhythm corrector." Annabella rolled her eyes.

     "Baby Ramos, without you, this show wouldn't be anything near what it is right now." Daveed said softly. "Please, talk to me."

     "My... the night of the play, we had the after party. That was an amazing night. I never thought Juilliard students could be such party animals. I was pulling out of the driveway of whoever's house the party was at, when the car hit me. I was the only one in the car, and I was wearing my seatbelt, but the others... there were three people in the car that hit me. I don't remember much after that. I hit the steering wheel and slipped into a coma, but I remember the last thing I saw before I went out. The one guy, the passenger, was laying on my windshield. He was ejected and none of the people in the other car made it."

      Daveed wiped her tears. "It's okay."

     "That's why I don't drive anymore. I'm afraid. I'm afraid that it will be my fault the next time. I can't even sit in a passenger seat without my heart in my throat, anticipating something to happen." Annabella hid her face in his chest. "I'm so tired of being afraid, but I can't even force myself into a driver's seat. Grace is the first word I heard when I woke up from the coma, and I didn't like it then, so I changed to Annabella. I'm okay with being called Grace by certain people, like people I went to college with who don't know,  and Anthony. And you, I guess. I trust you."

     "Thank you, and that's okay, love. I'm afraid of things too. Mine are actually funny. I'm afraid of ladybugs." Annabella started laughing, trying to wipe her tears away. "It's a legitimate fear!" Annabella laughed harder. "When I was six, I accidentally ate one with my M&Ms. It blended in with the red ones!" By this time, Annabella was bouncing with laughter.

     "That's hilariously adorable."

     "You're just adorable." Daveed whispered, looking into Annabella's eyes. She blushed, avoiding making eye contact. "You're sweet, and generally happy, and absolutely gorgeous." Daveed kissed Annabella's forehead. Annabella buried her face in Daveed's neck, her cheek against his collarbone.
   
     "You're probably tired now. Come on, let's get you changed. You can't sleep until you change out of this gorgeous dress." Annabella slowly stood, walking with Daveed to the closet. She grabbed one of Anthony's shirts and a pair of softball shorts. She walked to the bathroom, quickly changing and pulling her hair into a ponytail.

     "Hey Ant." Annabella froze, hearing Daveed and Anthony talking.

     "Where is Annie?"

     "She's changing in the bathroom."

     "If you hurry, you can change in here. She's usually in there for a while."

     "I'll hurry."

     "Take care of her, okay. She's my everything."

     "I will." The door closed, and Annie heard the ruffled clothing. After her ten minute bedtime routine, which contained washing her face, using a lotion on her face, using a different lotion on her elbows and knees to avoid the ashes that came with her skin color, brushing her teeth, and brushing her hair; she walked into her bedroom. Daveed was laying on her floor next to her bed, scrolling through his Twitter feed.