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We walked out to my car, and I was happy to have Kade by my side. I felt like there were eyes on me everywhere I went.
The vigil was just getting started when we arrived. There was a sizable crowd, probably over a hundred people. Two local news stations had parked their vans in front of the school, with their spotlights on the gathering.
We walked over to a table where the principal, Joanne Hunt, was handing out candles. She smiled when she saw me.
"Ms. Landry, I'm so glad you came."
"It's much bigger than I thought it would be," I replied.
"The concert usually draws a big crowd, and your mother has been such a big part of it that everyone wanted to come early to participate in the vigil. We'd love for you to say a few words."
"Oh, I don't know," I said, flustered by that idea.
"It would mean so much to the kids to hear from Laura's daughter. Please."
"Uh, all right."
"Good. We're ready to start now." Joanne grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the crowd. She picked up a microphone and asked for attention. As the crowd hushed, she said, "I'd like to thank you all for coming. Laura Hawthorne is a beloved member of our school community. Without her, our concerts would not be as magnificent as they are, and I know we are all praying for her to have a quick recovery." She paused. "We have someone very special here tonight—Laura's daughter, Brynn. She'd like to say a few words."
I heard a murmur float through the crowd at my introduction. I suspected most people had no idea that Laura had a daughter.
Joanne handed me the microphone. I looked over at Kade, who gave me a nod of encouragement. Then I turned to the people who had come out to support my mother. I couldn’t see their faces as the news crews had turned up their lights now that I was about to speak, which only made me more nervous. I didn't know who was in the crowd. Maybe the person who'd shot my mother was there. Maybe I was now a huge shining target. I forced myself to breathe. I just had to say a little something and then I'd be done.
"Hello," I said, my voice cracking a little. I cleared my throat. "Thank you for organizing this vigil for my mom. I am touched by how much love she has in her life. I know she is fighting hard to come back to you. Thank you."
I handed the microphone back to Joanne, as my eyes welled with tears. I knew what I'd just said was true. My mom was fighting to come back to them, not to me, and that realization stung.
Kade's arm came around my shoulders, and I was grateful for the support. "That was perfect," he murmured.
I glanced up at him. "They really love her."
He nodded with understanding. "Yes. But don't forget this—the last person she was thinking about when she got to the hospital was you."
I bit down on my lip as his words filled me with emotion. I couldn't speak, so I just nodded and sent him a silent thank-you.
As Joanne announced that the vigil walk around the school would begin, Kade and I moved into the crowd. One of the other teachers lit our candles, and we walked with the kids and parents as several students with flutes and guitars played songs of hope and healing.
The vigil was very moving and made me think about how many people whose lives had been touched by my mom. It also made me wonder why I was here, why I was trying to find out who she was when she'd been so determined to make sure I never found out.
When the walk ended where it had started, Joanne announced that the concert would begin in thirty minutes, and she hoped everyone would attend.
"Ms. Landry, may I speak to you?" a female reporter asked, sticking a microphone in my face, her cameraman right behind her. "Can you tell us what your mother's condition is?"
"She's fighting for her life," I said.
"Do the police know who shot her?"
"No."
"We've heard rumors that your mother may have been involved in a love triangle."
My jaw dropped. "What?"
"When did your mother divorce your father?" the reporter continued. "We haven't found any records about your mother being married."
As she called out more questions, each one more personal and distressing than the last, I backed away.
Kade stepped in front of me. "That's all she has to say." He grabbed my arm and walked me toward the school.
