She never really had a childhood, and the line was never clear.
But her whole life changed when they said, “Sign right here.”
* * *
When Raine began the second verse, she too looked at Quentin for just a split second. “But I didn’t grow up fast enough, and the world came at me hard.” As she sang through the verse, Quentin could feel something electric passing between them. He didn’t know if it was forgiveness and decided it was likely remembrance. After all, they’d worked together for months.
After Quentin sang the second chorus, Raine sang the bridge, the only time in the song where her voice went from quiet to powerful as she reclaimed what should have been her own the entire time.
* * *
This is my one last chance to make it, and
This time, I will learn from my mistakes.
This time, I will fix everything I break.
Like a phoenix, I will rise from the ashes.
I will right all the wrongs so I can sing my songs.
And thank all the people who followed me all along
And believed in me.
I’m only human, and I’ll sing the truth,
No matter what comes.
* * *
After that, they sang the chorus together—but this time, Raine harmonized while Quentin took the melody. When she looked at him, her eyes seemed to be moist, but she wasn’t crying.
When the song ended, the crowd went crazy, cheering and shouting and letting them know they loved it. Quentin wasn’t sure if any of that was for the duet or just because Raine was so perfect when she sang this song.
And then he spoke—to Raine, but the mic picked it up. “I should have been there for you. I let my old fears, the old Quentin, rule over me…but I wasn’t the one who had to pay the price. I won’t do that again.”
Now Raine did start to cry and he wanted nothing more than to wipe those tears away…but he didn’t know that he should.
Instead, he turned to the mic and spoke to the audience. “Folks, I wrote a song that I never intended for anyone to hear. But it’s the truth, and I’d like to play it just once.”
Again, there was a low murmur from the audience as he began playing the chords. But he turned to Raine and sang the song he’d written for her months ago.
* * *
I couldn’t blame you for leaving
Because I’d already walked another road.
The moment when you needed me most
I left you standing in the spotlight all alone.
I’ve seen inside your precious soul
And know what others have maybe never seen.
That’s why my knife cut so deep
