“I sat out front, no sense missing all the others by standing around back here.”
“You ready?” she asked.
“As I’ll ever be. You, Mr. Sam, did a fine job,” he said to the boy.
Sam smiled.
“I’m going to play next year, too.”
It seemed like only moments later Hiram and Angelica stepped out on the stage. She stood a little behind him and to his right, giving him center stage. He motioned her closer, but she smiled and shook her head, bow poised.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded, turned to face the audience.
She bet the old ballad never sounded so good as his strong voice sang of love lost. She watched Kirk as he listened to his grandfather, then he looked at her. For a long moment as the words filled the air, her heart sped up wanting to fly right to his.
Sudden tears filled her eyes as she related to the sad lyrics. She looked away afraid she’d mess up the accompaniment. The crowd was quiet as Hiram sang, but burst into applause and cheers when he finished.
Gina gave him a hug when he came off stage.
“You two are great. Plan on next year,” she said.
Angelica was startled. She never thought about coming back.
Hiram nodded, then looked around for Kirk. He came from the audience a moment later.
“You did amazing,” he said to his grandfather, giving him a hug.
The old man protested, but the hint of color rising in his face showed his pleasure.
“And you played like an angel,” Kirk said to her. “You have an amazing talent. The world will be blessed by your music for many years to come.”
She blinked. She hadn’t expected that.
“We ready to leave?” Hiram asked.
“Sure.” Kirk answered, but his eyes never left hers. “You’re still leaving in the morning?”
She nodded.
“Taking the bus.”
He hesitated a long moment, glanced around at all the people.
Ask me to stay. Tell me you’ll come visit me. Write to me. She wished so hard she wondered if telepathy wouldn’t covey her yearning to everyone.
“Have a good trip home,” he said.
She nodded and smiled, but her heart ached and tears clogged her throat. But she kept her chin up.
“Thanks for all you’ve done. Send me a picture of the finished sculpture.”
You are the most amazing man, she wanted to say. I wished you loved me.
He nodded.
“Let’s go. Them hogs will be hungry,” Hiram said.
