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“Can someone call Sweets and her band in here?” Lily pleads to the band. “I want to gather everyone and say a few words.”
“Do we have to?” the bass player asks, face contorted in a wince.
“I’m having an anxious feeling, Michael…” I search for her hand to comfort her, but she barely acknowledges my touch. “Please do this for me?”
“Alright…” Michael says, wilting, then leaves the room to comply with Lily’s wishes.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her, and finally get some of her attention.
“Better now that you’re here,” she kisses my hand.
“Why so nervous?” I ask, “I told you that you don’t have to be.”
She shakes her head, still holding onto my hand. “Don’t worry, I’m just… Having a bad feeling.”
I take her in my arms and squeeze her tight against my chest. “I don’t believe in that sort of thing. I believe in effort and hard work, and that’s what you’ll get here. Understood?”
She exhales deeply against me, trying to pace her breathing and not panic. I do what I can, rubbing her back and humming quietly to try and calm her down.
“Understood, princess?” I whisper in her ear, my tone stern and firm.
“Understood,” she pulls away from me, teary eyed and it wrenches my heart to see her feeling so anxious.
“Hello?” It’s Sweets voice. She peaks her head through the door, looking worried.
Please, not another one.
“Come in, Sweets!” Lily says brightly, making an effort to cheer her up. Sweets steps in, followed by her band members.
Lily offers her arms to Sweets, and the two embrace tightly, as if they were long-lost friends meeting again after a long time. When they let go of each other, Lily turns her attention to everyone in the room.
“I wanted to say a few words as we all hold hands and wanted to check if you guys wanted to join us,” she says, holding Sweets’ hands.
“Of course!” Sweets smiles and nods supportively.
Sweets is taller than Lily. Dark hair and a slender body lacking the curves Lily has. I still find her beautiful, but she’s nothing compared to my princess.
“Alright,” Lily says, getting pumped, taking Sweets’ hand in one hand and mine in the other.
I give my other hand to one of the guitar players; Sweets gives her hand to Michael. Little by little, the circle closes, and Lily watches carefully until the circle is complete.
Lily looks around the circle, solemn, meeting everyone’s eyes one by one as she speaks, “We’re once again reunited to bring joy to a lot of people. We are grateful for this opportunity and for how bountiful our lives have been, for all that’s happening at such a fast pace, and despite our current struggles, we are grateful for the growth we are acquiring by living with so many different people.”
“We are grateful for our bodyguards,” she squeezes my hand, “Let’s go out there with hearts full of our gratitude. We’ll stay alert and vigilant, but we won’t give into fear. Let’s go out there, support each other, and have a blast! I just wanted to say that and thank you all for everything.”
Several muffled “thank you’s” are heard around the circle. A few hugs are exchanged, and I see a few teary eyes.
The circle breaks. Sandra comes into the dressing room, “Five minutes, Lily!” she informs her. Lily gets energized that same instant.
“Wish me luck?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“You don’t need luck,” I nuzzle her, “you have me.”
She lets out a cackle, then kisses me passionately.
“Lily, let’sgo!” the band urges her, and as she goes, I follow her.
The show here in Phoenix starts like all the others. Lily says a few words, sings the first song, and from there they go up until the end of the set.
