“Uh, yes,” he said. “That sounds…fair.”
He stuck out his hand and I shook it, wincing. Dr. Sterling turned my hand over and examined my injured finger.
“I am sorry, Miss Bennett. Truly. The rest is just business.”
“I know, Dr. Sterling, but what everyone inbusinessseems to forget is that there are real people behind the numbers.” I took my hand back. “Remember that when you write my check.”
***
I went home. Mom was on the couch as per usual, an open bottle of wine on the coffee table, the TV on.
“You’re home late,” she said with a wan smile. “How did it go?”
I stood for a moment in our little house, in the haze of cigarette smoke. Dash’s LEGOs were pushed to one side to make room for wineglasses and takeout food containers. The nightmare of the last few days joined the years that had come before. All of it. The bullying, the storm, the bills piling up, Dean, Dash’s fading light, Langford… My face crumpled, eyes stinging and throat burning.
Mommy…
“Oh, baby,” Mom said. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
I dropped my bag and rushed to the couch. I sat in her lap, threw my arms around her, and buried my face in her neck.
She stiffened, shocked. “Baby… What—”
I cried, clinging to her. The smoke and wine and the scenteddetergent I hated surrounded me in the dark of my eyes squeezed shut, and I cried harder. She rocked me back and forth, stroked my hair, and kissed my temple, while I cried and cried.
“I need you,” I said between hiccuping sobs. “I can’t do this alone. I justcan’t.”
I braced myself for excuses. Apologies that went nowhere or more empty promises. But my mother nodded, swallowed hard, and sat up straight.
“Okay, baby.” She gathered me to her and held me. Her arms strong and tight. “I got you. I’m here. I’m here now and I got you.”
I didn’t know if I could believe her. Or trust her. I couldn’t see the future; it was a dark, murky path. But for those moments, I let the anger and hate go, and found love beneath. It was still there, and if she had chance to make it, it was love that would see her through.
And if she fell down again, it was my love for Dash that would seemethrough. And we’d be okay.
Somehow, we’d be okay.
***
Sunday night, I stepped into the Performing Arts Center Auditorium. It held thirteen hundred people, and I was amazed to see that almost every seat was filled. I smoothed down my black dress and took a seat in the middle back, amid the parents and students who were murmuring and perusing their programs.
The light dimmed, and Ezra stepped out into the center of the stage where there was a lone spotlight over him and a sleek black grand piano.
“Welcome to the spring concert. My name is Ezra Wolfe, Advanced Piano instructor, and if you’re wondering how in the bloody hell I got here, you’re not alone.”
A smattering of laughter rippled through the auditorium.
“I am so proud of these ten performers you’re about to hear. They’ve worked hard all year, having survived my unconventional‘teaching’ style.” He putteachingin air quotes. “Thank you all for coming and showing your support for these talented artists.”
I glanced at my program. Orion was last, playing Rachmaninoff’s Étude-Tableau Op. 39 No. 5 in E-flat minor. I smiled to myself.
Showoff.
Ezra introduced each performer, and finally, it was Orion’s turn. I put my hand to my chest, over my heart, as he came on stage. He wore a black tuxedo, no tie, the top buttons undone. He would always be the most handsome boy I’d ever known, but now his face looked even more beautiful somehow. His smile was soft and real. No mask. Just himself. And his true self was breathtaking.
He shook Ezra’s hand, and Ezra whispered something to him. Orion nodded, gave a small bow to the audience, and then sat down at the piano. He laid his hands on the keys, and I held my breath.
Silence.
