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Justin was too distracted so I turned to my own phone, using the opportunity to check my emails. I had ignored them yesterday.
The first one surprised me. Ardens was back in town and wanted to meet with me about continuing the project. He apologized about the hold and he’d explain when we met. Slowly, I worked on a reply, trying to push past the discomfort that Ardens had created. The man didn’t understand personal space and seemed to be an expert at making me uncomfortable. But work was work, and a project like this was too important to me, especially now that I didn’t have Lindie as my manager. I replied back to have a meeting after Thanksgiving, ignoring the way my skin prickled in warning.
The next email surprised me the most though. It was from the rec center that I volunteered at. From the details, they had received sponsorship from a local business to put on a fundraiser concert in late December for a Christmas charity show to raise money for more equipment at the center. They wanted to know if I was interested in helping to coordinate.
It actually sounded really amazing. I tried to mentally organize my projects to see if it was something I would be able to handle. I thought I could, but this was also the time of the year I got the most requests as people wanted personalized songs to surprise their loved ones.
But I loved working with the kids. I went as often as I could and held a chorus class with them. They were all talented and I could see budding love for the same field as me. It was humbling and heartwarming. I loved fostering that love more.
“Something has your attention,” Seth said, settling down next to me.
I couldn’t speak just yet, so I shared the email with him. He looked over and a massive grin stretched over his face.
“It worked.”
“What worked?” I asked.
“My company is doing the sponsorship. Even promised to build an expansion to the center if they hit a certain goal. I may have mentioned that you would be an amazing edition to this too. I wasn’t sure if you’d be interested though.” Uncertainty slipped into his voice.
“You did this?” I asked. A new feeling flooded through me. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it was warm and giddy and excited and made me feel like I was sitting in a different world, where everything was perfectly perfect. My cheeks ached as I smiled, blown away by this kindness.
“Yeah. It’s okay if you can’t do it. I think they put together a list of volunteers. I just…” He paused and swallowed. Suddenly, he looked a bit flustered and offbeat. “Before we had that incident, I saw how you were with the kids and it crossed my mind. Just took me some time to put together a proposal to benefit everyone. And while my company is spearheading the project, there are smaller local sponsors too. I think it’s going to become a big deal. And I know you like this.”
“Seth,” I said, when I realized he wasn’t taking a breath. I rested my hand on his knee and squeezed. There was no stopping my smile. “I love this. This is an amazing idea. I can’t believe you did this.” I looked back down at the email, shock and awe settling lightly on my shoulders. Seth did this for me, but also for all those children. For a place I held dearly in my heart. I blinked back the tears and swallowed hard.
“I’m down. I’ll need to organize my schedule more and work out some details, but I can do this. I can help.”
“Really?” The massive grin on Seth’s face was breathtaking and I thought I understood why he suddenly got flustered. That kind of smile took my breath away the way it lit up his expression. He made me feel like the world became a perfect happy place.
I nodded and swallowed. “Yeah, I’m sure.” My response cracked at the end.
Seth pulled me into a hug. “I’m glad. I wanted this to be something for you. Something to help you keep moving forward.” He pulled away. “But if this becomes too much, you need to let me know. Like I said, a bunch of people will be helping with this, but I thought you’d be best in terms of organizing the concert. You know the children best and how to make them shine the most.”
“And I will. The kids are going to love this.” Seth gave me the perfect distraction. As the rest of the game went on and Paxon dominated the field, I thought about the concert.
I’d been teaching the kids for a couple years now, trying to do it a few times a month. I’d been distracted lately between being stuck in the hospital and dealing with the aftermath of it. Then dealing with the Ryder gang and school.
Not to mention the one time I had gone there, I had gone with Seth and we ended up being run off the road by the Ryder gang.
But they were behind bars now, no bail, while the police and lawyers did all their work. In theory, I was safe. So the police said, but my trust in them was shattered when they decided to use me as bait when I had gotten kidnapped.
My lawyer was still working that one out, though last I knew, there was a settlement she thought I’d accept, but there were a few more details she was fighting them on first.
Either way, I had felt trapped and now Seth gave me an opportunity to feel free again, to gain the part of my life I loved the most—music with the kids at the recreational center.
I knew their talents best and already I could see the stage, them standing on it, and them shining with some of their favorite songs.
I’d have to stop by and get a signup sheet going for them if that hadn’t already started. I’d have to see who was interested and what they wanted to do. I had to figure out what way would make the best impact for each song and also for the overall concert.
Through the rest of the game, the grin on my face refused to slip away as I got lost in my thoughts. I only knew it was over when my side got on their feet, cheering like it was the end of the world and they wanted to live that last moment the best way.
Both soccer teams joined the soccer field, all their teammates lining up to do that weird slapping good game thing that seemed to be common.
As soon as it was over and the coach said a few words to the players, Paxon came running over. His grin was massive, his eyes bright with victory. He was covered in sweat, but didn’t seem to care.
“Good job,” I said, but that was all I was able to say as he swept me into a hug.
“We did it!” he practically yelled into my ear.
