“Er—all right.”
He grinned and me, adjusted his spectacles, and we were off.
There was nothing like a Forrest Davies-Jones production, was there?
Everything on stage was sheer perfection, the best set design in the business, the stunning replica of a gothic manor, the world-renowned orchestra.
After all the weeks of disasters, it went beautifully. Every single bloody bite.
Percy was absolutely unflappable, and to my surprise both Hieronymus and Paige were able to calm down and direct the jittery cast.
I felt Forrest’s eyes on me the whole time, warm, admiring, loving. For so many years craving his praise and approval, it felt almost surreal to be in the driver’s seat, with him working like a dog to getmypraise.
And I sang my heart out, sang the lyrics I’d loved for so long, sang them exactly as I wanted to sing them, in my own style.
When the show was over, Percy and I clasped hands and bowed low.
They were applauding. Actually applauding for me.
Well, of course they were. We hadkilledit.
We hadn’t even been trying and we’d pulled it off anyway. I grinned at Percy and we bowed again for the audience.
They might all have come thinking it was going to be a hot mess, but it hadn’t been.
And when Forrest came out with a bouquet of flowers from our garden, each one sparkling with something he’d hidden in the petals, I felt my insides begin to melt.
“Well,” Percy said, his face shining brightly as he polished his spectacles since a little fake blood had gotten on them. “That wasn’tquiteas exciting as an Easter service at high noon, but it was quite enough excitement forme.”
“You did a good job, son,” Forrest said, clasping him on the shoulder, then turning to shake Hieronymus’ hand and hug Paige.
“Th-thank you,” Hieronymus stuttered, then he awkwardly turned to me. “You were—very good, Birdie. Very different and dare I say avant-garde take. I’m sorry I ever doubted your voice. You were absolutely perfect for the role.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling my throat closing up.
“I—misjudged you,” Paige said. “I’m sorry for the role I played in the wedding and I’d love to sing with you anytime you’re in the mood.”
Lulabel looked like she was about to say something sarcastic, but I gave her a stern look and she shut her mouth with a wink at me.
“Water under the bridge,” I said. “I’ve forgotten all about it.”
“You were fabulous,” Lulabel said, taking a mint out of her purse. “Made with 100% vodka,” she added.
And then Forrest had an arm around me and was drawing me back into the darkness of the theater hallways.
“You were stunning,” he whispered against my hair, my fake blood smearing all over the front of his shirt. “And you’re going to be even more stunning in the role I’m writing for you.”
“The what?”
“Of course I’m writing a role for you. Why the hell would only Phee have one? She’s not the love of my life.You are.”
“Oh,” I breathed, caught once again under his spell.
Then he was down on his knees again.
“Birdie, my god,pleaseforgive me. You don’t want to put an old bastard like me in an early grave.”
“Who says I don’t?”
