Trust and truth.The two words hit Nora with staggering power.
These women were her friends, her best andonlyfriends.Her sisters in a secret society that stood by and fought for one another, no matter what.Yet for their entire friendship, she’d hidden the truest part of herself from them ...all because Father said it was the only way to keep their family safe.Nora studied the expectant women before her.For years she’d argued with Father.Keeping secrets from those who loved her wasn’t a protective shield.It was an isolating cage that cast a debilitating shadow of fear, shame, guilt, and distrust over the relationships that mattered most.Well, Nora was tired of being a compliant prisoner.She wanted to be free to let her friends know her,trulyknow her.Down to her deepest secret desire.
“You’re right.I do want to sing and perform ...just like Mum used to.”
“Your mother was a performer?Arealperformer?”Lydia voiced the question, but it was stamped on all of their faces.
“She was before we came to Cincinnati.Father was an impresario.He arranged all her shows and our travel with her.”
“You mean your father, Mr.I-Hate-Everything-Music, was animpresario?”Theresa’s squinched countenance showed she’d have an easier time believing the sky was green and the grass was blue.
“What was it like to travel with them?”Flossie ignored Theresa and scooted to the edge of her seat.
Nora smiled as the cherished memories of living out of trunks and seeing the country through train windows brushed off years of collected dust.“We only traveled until I was eleven.Most of my memories are of the wings or greenrooms, but I remember them fondly.Father usually came into the greenroom at intermission to read me astory until I fell asleep in a makeshift bed in the corner.If Mum was able, she would join us and sing.”
“Then surely we could convince your father to allow you to join Mrs.Reed.It’s a family tradition!”Theresa clapped her hands.
“I wish it were that simple.There is a reason why Mum left the stage and Father forbade music from our lives.”
“Your kidnapping.”Lydia was the first to make the connection.
Nora nodded, the panic of this evening resurfacing.“I was taken from the greenroom during one of Mum’s performances.”
The strength of their gasps should have sucked all the air from the carriage, but enough remained for Nora to take a deep breath before facing the demand she knew would follow.
“Tell us all.”
Other than when she’d relayed the details to the police the night it happened, she’d never told anyone the full story.Going back to that night, to the nightmares ...Suddenly the carriage felt too small.Too stuffy.She fumbled with the window, but it had been secured for the winter drives.Theresa must have noticed, for she slid the door open to the driver and allowed a slight cold breeze to filter in.It helped a little, but Nora didn’t know where to look or what to do with her hands.If only she had her knitting supplies, then she could work on a sock while she talked.The motion always settled her.
Without her usual method available, she focused on the loose strings at the edge of her coat.Running the threads through her fingers, she launched into the story.Years later and she could still feel the stabbing pain in her shoulder as her kidnapper dragged her across the floor.His scream still rang in her ears until her own voice was hard to hear.Worst of all was the feel of her hairpin prongs puncturing his eye.By the time she finished, she trembled so much she would have dropped her knitting needles if she’d had them.
Flossie wrapped Nora in a hug.“Thank God He protected you.I understand why your father would be afraid to have you perform.That must have been terrifying for all of you.”
Nora had never really thought about what her parents had gonethrough during her absence, but thinking on it now did give new light to their protectiveness.While she’d actively fought for her escape, her parents had waited for hours in agony, not knowing whether their daughter was alive or dead.Father said Winston and Ursula were jealous colleagues whom Mum had upset.If Nora took to the stage, would they take their jealousy out on her?Unlikely, but if it happened once, it could happen again.
“Well I’m glad your father brought you here, even with changed names.I don’t know what we would do without our Nora.”Lydia squeezed her hand.
Theresa crossed her arms.“Is that why you’re afraid to do the lessons with Mrs.Reed?”
“Mum and Father have sacrificed a lot for our family’s safety.As much as I want to dream of becoming an opera singer, I don’t think it wise.For them or for me.”
“But it’s been”—Theresa looked at the ceiling as she counted—“almost twelve years.Certainly you could take lessons now and pursue your dream.I mean, for all you know, Winston and Ursula could be dead now.I don’t think you should give up your dreams just because your family is afraid.”
“Theresa, we’re not pushing her,” Lydia reprimanded.
“Well, this stinks.”Theresa huffed.“We finally find out what you really want in life, and then it turns out you can’t have it.”
The carriage rolled to a stop.
“Don’t be so certain of that,” Lydia said.“I never thought I’d write again, and now look what God has done.I’m marrying a man better than any hero I’ve written, and I have a contract for a new book.”
Theresa’s face brightened.“That’s right, and look what God’s doing.Not only is Mr.Beaumont handsome, he can give you a taste of the opera life even if you can’t perform.”
Oh no.They were back on that topic again.
Flossie smirked as she collected her bag from beneath the seat.“I think we should go inside and play a game.First one to get Nora to admit she likes the man wins the whole tin of Lydia’s molassescookies.”Flossie had the good sense to jump out before Nora could kick her in the shin.
“Not all the cookies.We have to eat some while we play.”Theresa followed Flossie out.
