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“We are extremely fortunate to have a luminary of the New York stage in our midst here tonight. She contacted me earlier in the week and let me know that one of our students was a particular fan of the beautiful ballad Time and Space, which is a duet from her Tony-winning turn in Secrets, Secrets. And she graciously offered to give a special rendition of that number, sung as a duet with our own student.
“Please put your hands together for Broadway’s own Alison Bartholomew and our own Mila Valentine.”
Troy had been so focused on Mila’s face as her teacher talked…the gradually widening eyes, the tightly clasped hands under her chin…that he hadn’t even noticed Alison had risen from her seat and made her way to the front until he saw her walk out on the stage.
His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a steel band as he watched the drama unfold on the stage. Mila’s face had drained of all color. When her teacher motioned for her to step forward, she stood glued in place. Even when Alison turned from the mic and held her hand out for Mila to join her, the girl looked as though she’d sprouted roots from the bottom of her feet that went as deep as the center of the earth, preventing her from moving even an inch.
God, am I going to throw up right now? Is that happening?
He wanted to fly out of his chair, storm the stage, wrap Mila up in his arms and take her out of there. Take her home. He could comfort her there. Protect her, shelter her. Just like he’d done after his parents’ accident, he could stand as a barrier between her and all the terrible things that the world might throw at her.
But it wasn’t possible. There was no way to get to her without absolutely and utterly embarrassing her. That was not only the last thing he’d ever want to do to her, but the last thing she’d ever forgive him for.
He had no choice but to just sit there in his seat, powerless to do anything but watch it play out in front of him, for better or worse.
Just as he was about to jump right out of his skin, Alison turned and strode over to Mila. She put her arm around her, leaned down, and whispered something in her ear. Troy didn’t know what she said, but what he could see was that it did the trick immediately. Mila relaxed her shoulders and a small smile even appeared on her face.
Alison straightened and extended her hand, which Mila took, and the two of them walked to the front of the stage together. Ms. Miller handed each of them a mic and then the opening strains of Time and Space filled the auditorium. Troy recognized it immediately. He’d heard it often enough from Mila’s room.
Alison sang the first verse and, as lovely as it was, Troy just wanted it to be over with. He wanted Mila’s part to get there so this high-wire tension would be over.
Alison’s verse passed and the chorus arrived. Mila came in strong and, to Troy’s ears at least, nailed the harmony. He relaxed, but just a little. He knew the next part, the second verse, was the moment of truth—Mila’s solo. That would be where the teenager’s performance would be made or broken, and what would determine whether tonight would live in her memory as the biggest triumph of her life so far…or a heartbreak that might take her years to get over. If she ever did.
The moment arrived, and Troy unconsciously scooted forward in his seat as Mila raised the microphone, took a breath, and opened her mouth.
It was perfection. Her sweet, high, bird-like voice filled the auditorium, all the way to the back wall. The entire room was entranced. Troy could feel it in the breathless energy crackling in the air.
He wasn’t surprised. It was Valentine Bay. Mila was their girl almost as much as she was his. Every single person in this room had known her since she was born, and they all wanted the best for her, probably nearly as much as he did.
Mila’s verse ended and the crowd didn’t even wait for the second chorus to run through and bring the song to a close before springing to their feet as one, erupting in thunderous applause, punctuated by foot stomping and whistling and cries of, “Yeah, Mila!” and “That’s our girl!”
Midway through that final chorus, Alison and Mila abandoned even trying to continue. They stood there for a moment, Mila staring wonderingly at the crowd, flushed with the pleasure of her accomplishment. Alison walked over and whispered in her ear again and then Mila stepped to the front of the stage and took a bow.
The crowd erupted in a fresh wave of applause and cheers. Troy saw Alison slip quietly off the stage. He wouldn’t have been surprised if he was the only one who saw it. Every other eye in the room was focused on his little sister, and Troy couldn’t have been prouder.
