“I love you too.”
And with quick footsteps, he was gone.
Melanie grabbed her hand. “The place is packed—again. With lots of young students as well as plenty of other people from the community it would seem.” She tugged at Chaisley’s shoulders and led her over to the chair. “Let me brush out your hair and you’ll be ready to go.”
Melanie pulled the brush through her hair in long, gentle strokes, and Chaisley breathed deep, held it for a count of four, then exhaled and held it again. It was good to get her focus back on the task at hand. Having Dr. G close again made her heart ache for home.
Lord, if there is just one person that we need to meet or help tonight, please guide us.
The new melody that had started in her heart and mind over the last few weeks wouldn’t leave her alone. It was the saddestmelody she’d ever composed, and it had grown exponentially as she worked on it. There was no ending yet, but perhaps over time there would be a resolve from minor to major. Something to leave the listener with hope.
“I’ve been praying for you and will be there right beside you. Rick is also going to be onstage again, just in case.”
“Oh?”
“We were talking before Dr. Grafton arrived, and Rick thinks it’s best for your protection to have a ‘show of strength,’ I think is how he put it. You aren’t a weak blind female. You are the world’s best pianist, and you are confident and well-protected.”
She could agree to that. In these tenuous times, it was best to stay ahead of things. “I’ll have to thank him for thinking of that.”
Five minutes later, she was standing at the edge of the curtains on the stage of the Hungarian State Opera House.
She pasted on a smile and lifted her shoulders as she walked out onto the stage to deafening applause. Rick’s footsteps matched her own, bolstering her confidence, making her feel strong and courageous for whatever lay ahead.
Reaching the left edge of the piano, she ran her hand over the smooth surface and gripped it tight as she found the bench with her leg.
Once she was seated and comfortable, she launched into her favorite piece to the wild cheers of the audience. She’d forgotten how boisterous young people could be. It made her smile widen and energized her.
Two and a half hours later, she stood from the piano and bowed.
“Bis!”
“Bis!”
“Zugabe!”
“Encore!”
Shouts echoed from throughout the crowd.
But even as the audience expressed their hopes for more, shebowed a final time, waved to them, and exited the stage with Rick at her elbow.
Back in the dressing room, she changed out of her formal gown—this time a green satin that was Melanie’s favorite—and put on her comfortable travel dress before they headed back to their hotel for the evening. Melanie and Rick had gone to keep an eye on the crowd of young people and would return when it was a good time to leave. Places like this, it was best for her to take her time so the crowds could disperse. It helped her to exit without being mobbed.
A knock sounded at her door, and she went to it. “Who is it?”
“Rick and Melanie.” A familiar, rich, deep timbre greeted her.
She unlocked and opened the door and felt both of them brush past her. A new scent wafted over her. “What’s the new smell? Rick, is that you?”
A small chuckle. “I ran out of shaving cream and had to try something new. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, it suits you.” To be honest, she liked it.
A lot.
“We have someone waiting outside who wishes to speak with you.” Melanie’s words weren’t in her usual cadence. Tension laced the rhythm now. “Someone who could use our help.”
Chaisley’s heart leapt. This is what she’d prayed about. That God would use her however He saw fit. Her nerves got the best of her though and she felt a tremble in her arms. What if she didn’t know what to do? What if she couldn’t help them?
