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Was that the trick? Just assume that everyone wanted the best for her?
And even if they didn’t? She could let go of that need to control how everyone felt about her, and just control what she could—andthatwas finding joy in her own performance.
“I do,” she said. “I do like this.” For once she wasn’t embarrassed to admit that she had feelings like other mortals did. Was this a problem with pride?
“That’s my secret,” he said. “Now put that joy into performing your music. Strengthening your talents is only between you and God, and the rest of us get to enjoy listening in on the conversation.”
She wasn’t the only one with talents around here. Nash was incredible with a good pep talk. “And I get to listen in on yours,” she told him.
He grinned. “That might not be a good thing.” He went back to the song as if he thought that she was complimenting him on his singing, instead, and he purposely made it sound obnoxious.“Every breath you take. Every move you make.”
The song was now forcing him to say the same thing over and over. “It’s just going to start repeating itself now,” he said.
“Finish it,” she said with a cruel chuckle.
“Okay, but if you ever write a song that doesn’t end, I’m never going to karaoke it.”
She laughed. “You really know how to let go, don’t you?”
“It’s a gift… and a curse,” he said, “but it’s not because I don’t care what anyone thinks about me… I just know that what people see doesn’t define me.”
“Even if you’re trying to sell an album?”
“Especiallyif you’re selling an album. Keep people guessing. You’ve got something good in you, something amazing, so yeah, let the world get a peek at that amazing talent, but then… remember you’re something more, way more. You’re not your failures added up, and you’re not the sum of your successes.” Her heart thudded at his words, as she realized that her performance couldn’t make or break who she was. “You’re a soul—more deeply precious to God than anyone—even yourself—will ever know.”
She liked that. Nash was deep, wasn’t he? Emily knew that the Slades’ momma was a deeply religious woman, and that her health problems had forced a lot of her sons to reexamine their lives, but Nash? It was hard to also think of him that way with all his jokes and teasing, and yet, it seemed in his more serious moments that he gave God his due.
“You’re selling an album, Emily, not yourself,” he said. “No one will ever own you.”
She took a deep breath. Sure, hearing some sound advice wouldn’t cure her stage fright overnight. Her brain had to take its time to process, and then make this belief a part of her, but she knew what he was saying was true. A critic, a fan, a deep-pocketed investor didn’t have the power to bury her or elevate her true worth. That reminder was a good beginning.
“So… stop being so serious,” he said. “Trust God to pick up the pieces when you do what you think is right. Maybe then… yeah, you can let go and have a little fun with your talent.”
The music to the song ended and as she watched him through the blue and pink neon lights, her heart felt all soft and gushy at what he was trying to do for her.
What a good guy!
