“I don’t think so. I’m looking after him at my place.”
Hot tears burned her eyes. “I feel so bad. I didn’t think about his PTSD.”
“No one knew this would happen. Has Zac had any panic attacks or other symptoms of PTSD since he’s been here?”
“I don’t think so. Will he be okay?”
John sighed. “I’m sure he will. But without knowing what usually happens when he has a panic attack, I don’t know how long the symptoms will last. Everyone’s experience of PTSD is different.”
Willow bit her bottom lip. “What about the concert? After the last song you’re supposed to thank everyone for coming.”
“If you can thank Ryan and the audience for being part of the fundraising effort, I’d appreciate it. That way, I can stay here with Zac.”
Willow wiped the tears off her face. “You don’t know how much I appreciate what you’re doing. I’ll come around straight after the concert. Thank you for looking after Zac.”
“You’re welcome. Now go and sing your heart out.”
“I will. I’ll see you soon.” Willow turned off her phone and looked around the backstage area. All she needed to do was get through the next hour without breaking down. But first, she had a group of excited girls to bring on stage.
Willow stood beside Ryan,gazing down at Nora and her friends. Just looking at their faces made her remember what it was like to be excited about being alive. It was easy to forget the magic, the small things that could make a big difference in your life.
The girls’ eyes shone with happiness as Ryan talked about the opening ceremony of the tiny home village. When he mentioned the song Nora and her friends had sung, the audience burst into applause.
If they looked excited before, the girls were awestruck when he invited them onto the stage for a repeat performance. At first, no one moved. Then, one by one, they looked at Emma, waiting to see if they’d heard Ryan correctly.
When Emma nodded, they leapt out of their seats and headed toward the stage.
Willow met them on the stairs.
“Do you and Ryan really want us to sing?” Nora asked Willow.
She nodded. “Most of the people in the audience didn’t hear your song the other day. Would you like to sing to some different people?”
All the girls nodded.
“Then follow me,” Willow whispered. “And don’t worry about the band. They know the music.”
Everyone stood in a line in the middle of the stage, exactly as they’d done at the tiny home village.
Willow knelt on the floor in front of them. “What do you see when you look into the audience?”
“Lots of people sitting in the front rows,” one of the girls quietly replied. “But I can’t see anyone far away.”
Considering how nervous everyone looked, Willow thought that was a good thing. “Can you see Emma?”
Everyone nodded.
“I can see my mom and dad, too,” a little girl with blond hair said.
Willow smiled. “That’s great. When you’re singing, pretend you’re singing to Emma or your families.”
“Will you stay with us?” Nora asked.
“If you want me to.”
Nora looked on either side of her, gauging her friends’ response. Their bobbing heads showed just how unsure they were about standing on the stage. “We want you to stay.”
The girl with blond hair stepped forward. “Can you sing with us?”
