Chapter Twenty-Two
Somehow, I was morenervous than most of the kids were about their performances.I kept fussing as I helped with some last-minute decoration setups or with costumes.The audio engineer had already banned me from stepping within ten feet of the equipment or asking him if he was ready and knew all his cues.
“Cadence?”Dad called out.He was over by the piano about to be brought out on the stage.He was going to be the major accompaniment for many of the songs.
“Yeah?”
“Come here.”He motioned me over.
I looked down at the costume piece in my hand.It was a tiara.
“I can put it on myself.”The girl I was helping seemed all too happy about the thought.She practically snatched it out of my hand and ran away.
“Okay...”I went over to Dad.
“You need to take a deep breath and leave the kids alone.”
“I’m just helping.”
“You’re hovering and it’s starting to make them nervous.The last thing the kids need to see is the person in charge in a frantic state.”
“I’m not frantic.”
He raised an eyebrow and gently rubbed my back.“I watched you and one of the makeup artists.Trying to do their job is offensive, not helpful.Each person here has a task, and they’re all doing it well.Your job may be to oversee it, but it isn’t to tell them how to do it.Would you like one of them telling you how to write your music?”
“No.”The only feedback I ever wanted was when I was in class because it was expected.Outside of that, I didn’t appreciate it as much unless I knew the person knew what they were talking about.
“I can’t help it.”I finally relaxed my shoulders.“This means a lot to the kids and the rec center.I know that and I want everything perfect.”
“Being wound tighter than a violin string isn’t going to make things perfect.”He shooed me off.“Go stand somewhere out of the way and just work on breathing.On overseeing, not commanding.And have fun.This is all about having fun.Don’t let perfection pull you away from that or ruin it for others.”
I grimaced and stared down at the ground, his words hitting hard.He made all good points, and if there was anything Dad was seasoned at, it was being at shows like these.He had helped a lot at the shows I’d participated in as a kid.
“Okay.”
“Good.”He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek.“You’ve done an amazing job working with the kids and helping them find their spots in this show.Now let them have fun.”
I gave him a weak smile and did as he said, moving to the side, out of the way.For a long time, I just stood there, watching everyone.The entire space was alive with pre-concert chaos—but the good kind of chaos.Parents and more were filling all the folded chairs laid out.Kids were whispering and giggling behind the curtain.Festive lights cast a soft, warm glow all around, especially over the stage, illuminating the painted winter backdrop the artsy kids had worked so hard on.
I wasn’t lying about the police presence too.I’d already spotted Officer Brelly in plain clothes and had a feeling there were plenty more, plus the handful who were in uniform.Everyone was taking this seriously, especially since this event involved so many children and families.
I scanned more of my surroundings and spotted a dangling snowflake that needed fixing, but before I could give in to my urge to go fix it, someone else was already on it.The woman met my eyes and smiled brightly, giving me a wink, before continuing to check all the decorations.
I smoothed my sweater dress.It was as festive as I could make it.When I showed some of the guys, they had all agreed that I looked like a pretty, candy cane elf.The sleeves were red and white, and the main body was green with images of lights going across it.The tights I wore were red and green, one leg each color.It was fun, and I had to admit, pretty darn cute.Also not something I’d ever really worn before, if I didn’t count the elf outfit I wore at the hospital with Toby.
I shuddered, pushing those thoughts away.I wasn’t ready to go down that route yet.Maybe not for a while, though I knew Dr.Arason was going to make me face it sooner rather than later.We had agreed to talk after the new year since she was going to be on vacation.
She did say I could call her if anything happened before then, but I didn’t want to.I wanted to keep things as light and happy as I could until after the holidays were over.Then I’d bother her and face what’d happened.
But not before.
I went back to staring out at the audience, spotting people I knew.
Janice was near the front with Seth and Toby.She was pale and looked exhausted, but she at least seemed more relaxed than I’d seen from her since the attack.She even smiled at something Toby said.It’d been a good idea to make sure Toby was with her.Seth made her feel safe, and Toby made her happier.They were working together to help her.
