In his late-night reflection, it had struck Ian that Connor had the same ability. If only they could find a song that released his full potential.
Baby, you’re no good.
Connor did not sing the words. He roared. The force of his accusation literally propelled him from the piano stool.
The audience did what they had all hoped. The aisles and the open space surrounding the stage became filled with people, most of whom had probably not danced at a live performance in years. Decades even. Ian and Vanessa exchanged a goofy smile, watching the spectacle of blue-haired aristos on their feet and shrieking the next refrain back at them.You’re no good.
The next verse was remarkable in terms of how Connor resumed his conversational tone, which was necessary, because he confessed that he himself had dumped a good and gentle woman. So he could take up with the bad lady. And he himself was no good. And maybe he deserved what he had been given. Only now the three ladies were shrieking with the audience. Pointing at Connor and singing their accusations at full volume, musically beside themselves with rage over his behavior.You’re no good.
Then they were sharing the blame. Four voices that alternated here, joined there, all of them filled with remorse over all the terrible mistakes that had brought them to this point. Where they could arrive at the last refrain. The instruments silent except for Ian’s furious final solo, while the four singers pointed at each other. All of them guilty of the worst crime of all. Breaking a good person’s heart.You’re no good.
They hit the final note. The lights came on full.
Bedlam.
They stepped around the instruments. Walked to the front of the stage and linked arms together. The audience was all around them here. The applause a human thunderstorm.
Ian looked up, found Kari standing by the balcony’s railing. And suddenly it was just them. The two of them joined by something more powerful than the finale. A moment that was uniquely theirs. A promise that did not need to be spoken, because they both knew it was there and true. A tomorrow defined by what they now shared.
