Maggie rubs my shoulder, and I lean up to softly kiss Adam before slowly making my way to my father. The little girl in me who was always searching for his approval wants to jump into his arms and celebrate my success, but the scorned adult knows better.
“Hi, Dad.”
His lips tug to a slight smile, and I can tell he’s just as nervous as I am.
“How did you get back here?” I ask when he stays silent.
His eyes lift to Adam and Maggie and then back to me. “Adam came to see me. He had some pretty powerful thoughts to share.”
I turn and smile at Adam, who’s keeping his distance. I reach my hand out, wanting him by my side.
“It’s good to have you back, Sarah,” Dad says to my surprise. “I was blind to how much of you we had lost in New York. But, right now, with him, on that stage, I see it now. My little girl who I thought was gone forever.”
His eyes tear up, and he quickly blinks them away as I rush into his arms.
“Oh, Daddy,” I say, letting the tears fall freely. “You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that.”
I pull back from him, keeping one hand wrapped around his waist as I wipe my eyes.
“You were amazing tonight.” He holds his hand out to Adam. “I can’t thank you enough for coming to talk to me and opening my eyes. You’re right. She’s pretty talented.”
He glances down to me, and I curl up into his arms even more.
“I’m glad you were able to make it.” Adam and my dad shake hands.
And I was lying before. Now, my life is complete.
* * *
The rest of the concert is a blur from the happiness, shock, and astonishment of where my life has come.
I hear the other singers and watch as lights flash across the screen, but I don’t take any of it in. I’m in my own world, high above the clouds, with Adam by my side.
My sister keeps laughing when she sees me bouncing in my chair. She leans over and whispers, “Some things never change with you, do they?”
I cover my mouth before I burst out laughing from the memories of us having to sit still in church and me feeling like I was going to bust at the seams.
As the host closes the show, everyone claps, and I jump out of my seat, feeling like I’m ready to run a marathon.
Cailin dances around our group as we make our way out of the venue. Cameras flash from every direction while people yell to get our attention. Adam approaches a younger boy reaching out an album to have him sign it.
The boy’s eyes grow wide as he stares up at Adam in awe. “Thank you so much,” he says in disbelief. The boy’s dad takes a photo of the two of them.
I hold Cailin close to me so she doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of people screaming to get their idols’ attention or news cameras wanting their next interview.
“Sarah, Sarah, over here,” I hear someone yell from behind me.
I turn around to see a news camera pointed directly at me with a woman holding out a microphone. Adam grabs my hand, putting his other on Cailin, and walks us toward the two of them.
“Adam, Sarah, you guys were unreal in there. When will the entire album release?”
Adam stands with ease, talking to the woman without a care in the world. “We hope in the next few months.”
“Will every song be a duet?”
“We’ll have a mixture of both of us. Some solos, some duets.”
“Sarah, when will your solo release?”
