My heart warmed at seeing how my boyfriends were supporting Janice.Janice was important to me, more important than I had thought.She was the sister I wanted.It had hurt when she had to leave.I was glad she was back and we’d been able to reconnect.
Justin and Paxon sat behind them.Paxon leaned forward and hit the back of Toby’s head while Janice and Seth laughed.Justin was smiling, but it was still that wavering one.He wanted to be happy, but he was dealing with so much with his family that it was hard for it to come out.But he was getting there.Sadly, Bryan couldn’t come tonight.He had something going on with his parents.He’d made it clear that he did make a donation though.I was afraid to ask him how much and refused to let him tell me.
Not far from them were George, Laura, and even Peyton with two men sandwiching her.
I watched the three of them for a moment, how comfortable they were like that.They didn’t hide their affections; at one point, Peyton was laughing and they both kissed her cheeks.
Something warm flooded in me.The possibility I was currently facing with the guys.A future that seemed so possible when I watched Peyton.I wanted it to be possible.Desperately.
The lights dimmed.The audience hushed.
Showtime.
I smoothed out my dress, hating that I let them talk me into doing introductions.Putting on a big smile, I stepped onto the stage and laughed at the way it got a little louder near the guys as people politely clapped.
“Thank you,” I said, waving at everyone and trying to remember the short speech I wrote down for this.“My name is Cadence Wiles, a volunteer here at the Faydelle Community Center, and I have the absolute pleasure of introducing our lovely performers.First, I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight.This is a special occasion, not just for the Faydelle Community Center, but also for the kids who spent a long time preparing to share with you their love and passion in the performing arts.None of this would have been possible without the love and support from our sponsor, Dyer Construction.Thank you for believing in our community center and supporting us to put this together.And now, what I’m sure we’re all excited to begin—the performances!”
I did a quick introduction and then stepped off the stage.The first performance was a group of younger kids, around six years old, dressed like cute reindeer.They performed a medley of holiday songs.Some even forgot the words and instead waved to their parents mid-verse.The crowd chuckled, cheering them on with gentle encouragement.It was adorable.
Next, a trio came out, playing the flute.They’d been working hard on them for a few months.Wind instruments weren’t my thing, but there had been another volunteer at the center who held sessions.They did Jingle Bells.One of them was so nervous, he even dropped his flute, but quickly picked it up with a red face, managing to join back in flawlessly and ending on a good note.The crowd gave them a loud applause, and all three ate it up, practically skipping off the stage.
A couple more performances passed by, going well.
While two teens harmonized together on stage, I snuck over to the performers and found Calvin.He had one more person in front of him before it was his turn.He actually looked a little green as he stood there, holding his guitar.
“Hey, little man,” I said.
He jumped before turning.His big grey eyes were watery as he stared at me.
I crouched down to his level, keeping my voice soft so I wouldn’t startle him further.“It’s almost your turn, huh?”
Calvin nodded, his fingers tightening around the neck of his guitar, strangling the poor thing as he tried to keep himself grounded.His lips pressed into a thin line, and he looked everywhere but at me.
“Hey, listen to me for a second,” I said gently, resting my hand on his grip on the guitar to get him to look at me.“You’ve got this.Remember all those practices?How awesome you sounded the last time we ran through your song?You’re going to do great out there.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.“But...what if I mess up?What if I forget the words?”
“Keep going.And you know what?No one out there is going to care.They’re here to cheer you on.Your dad is out there, ready to wave to you like a madman when you walk out on stage.”I carefully inched us over so we could see on the other side of the curtain.I pointed him out for Calvin.His brother too.
“Do you think they’d be sad if you make a mistake?”
“No.Dad already said no matter what he’s proud of me.He said to have fun.”
“Exactly.I agree.You’re here to have fun.Remember, you aren’t out there alone, even if it feels like it.Music isn’t about being perfect, it’s about sharing how you feel.And your song has a lot of feelings.You got this.”
I held my hand out in a fist for him.He stared at it before finally bumping his fist against mine.The act finished and the teens made their way off the stage.I gave Calvin one last look of encouragement before heading on stage to make the next introduction.
The next performer was a dancer and it ended well.Then it was Calvin’s turn.
I made the introduction and then swapped with my dad, sitting at the piano.Calvin came out slowly and just as I predicted the guys and his dad went wild for him.
His face turned redder, but now he was smiling big as he went over to his spot.He took a shaky breath and adjusted his guitar strap as the crowd settled down.He adjusted the mic before strumming a gentle chord.The first note was wobbly, but then he played a few more notes and got into the rhythm.
Just before he began singing, I gently weaved the piano into his music.And then he sang.His voice was pure and heartfelt, filling the room with sincerity.
“I like to wear a cape as I jump on my bed
Dreaming of battles that play in my head
