My mom crossed the space between us, picking up speed with every step, and threw her arms around me. I hugged her back, unsure of whether to feel confused or angry.
“You were incredible!” she said, backing up and looking up at me. “Absolutely incredible.”
“She’s right. That was something,” Dad added. “Really something.”
“I don’t understand what you’re doing here.” I felt sweaty. Why was I so sweaty? I felt fine during the performance. “Are those backstage passes around your neck?”
Mom took my face in both of her hands and smiled up at me. “Cash. There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you alongtime ago. I’m proud of you.”
“We both are,” Dad added, looking embarrassed.
“I’m still not a fan of thisstyleof music,” she went on. “And I will always be upset that you turned down MIT. But being here tonight, seeing the stadium full of fans, and hearing themscreaming for you… I understand it all, now. This is your calling. This is what God put you on this planet to do.”
Everything began to shimmer as tears welled in my eyes. I hugged Mom again, then Dad joined in.
“Proud of you, son,” he said. “Did you hear us cheering? We were in the front row.”
“We werealmostin the front row,” Mom corrected. “We were behind three women who would not stop flashing theirbreasts.”
“He knows what I mean, Lindsay.”
“You don’t have to exaggerate, Robert.” She hugged me again. “I think that girl has a crush on you. You should ask her out. If your generation still goes on dates.”
I locked eyes with Roxie, who was clasping her hands together and beaming from ear to ear. Mom didn’t need to explain who she was talking about. I already had a suspicion as to who was responsible for my parents being here.
And the joy and gratitude I felt for Roxie filled my heart to bursting.
“Does this mean I can makeyour momjokes to Cash again?” Milo whispered.
“Shut up!” Violet snapped at him. “You’re ruining the moment.”
“I’m just asking!”
I closed my eyes and hugged my parents tighter, a feeling I never thought I would get to experience again.
And it was all thanks to Roxie.
26
Roxie
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The bitter woman on the other side of the door was actuallyhere, hugging her son and telling him she was proud.
Violet leaned over and squeezed my hand. “You did a good thing, Muse.”
Riot leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “You don’t know how big of a deal this is.”
“I can imagine.”
“Let me show you around!” Cash was telling his parents. “The dressing room is back this way. We’ve got food catered from Magnolia’s, if you’re hungry.”
“We were hoping to take you out to eat,” his dad said.
“It’s eleven at night, Dad.”
The tall man frowned. “A drink, then?”
Cash smiled. “I can do a drink. I’ll meet you in the dressing room. Milo, can you show them the way?”
