As they stepped inside the Capitol, Mikey immediately felt more than a little overwhelmed. The place’s faded opulence simplybreathedhistory, and as they stepped over the threshold and into the main theater space, he again found himself imagining what it must’ve been like to be here when it was crowded with folks, when country music was echoing from the stage, when people saw this place as a true destination.
The light from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling glinted off the gilding on the walls and caused the red draperies to shimmer. If he closed his eyes, he could hear music from the many shows that had graced this hall.
Wow,he thought.This is amazing.
As he tilted his head back and gazed at the lushly illustrated panels on the ceiling, he breathed deep, trying to take in as much of the atmosphere as he could.
“It’s pretty amazing, right?” Luke asked, his words echoing Mikey’s thoughts.
He looked over at him and saw that he had an awe-struck look on his face.
“No matter how many times I come in here, it’s like magic. I remember my aunt bringing me here for concerts when I was a kid. It’s where I first fell in love with music. I used to thinkabout what it would be like to perform here.” He frowned. “At least until the tough times back when we were in high school.” He sighed. “I’m just glad it’s back up and running. Wheeling deserves something to be proud of.”
Mikey’s heart tightened a bit in his chest at hearing Luke speak so lovingly of a place he loved so much.
Maybe he has a point about the importance of heritage,he thought.Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to bring some of it into the concert.
It wasn’t easy for Mikey to admit he might be wrong about something, particularly not when it came to Luke. He couldn’t deny the power in the place, a power founded on history. If the folks around here were like Luke–and he knew they were–then maybe they’d be more likely to support NACA and its future if they thought it was tied to the past.
“What are you thinking about, Mikey Smiles?” Luke asked.
“Am I in trouble? People usually only use both of my names if I’m in trouble.”
Luke crossed his arms, but though he looked like he wanted to glare, again a faint smile flickered at the edges of his lips. The crinkles around his eyes were the real evidence he was starting to soften toward Mikey.
“If you must know,” Mikey said. “I was thinking you might have a point about our concert focusing more on history and heritage than modern pop music. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I still love pop, and I think we should have at least a couple of more modern songs but yeah, we should definitely lean into the place’s history.”
“Well, well, well,” Luke drawled, not even bothering to hide his smug satisfaction. “I guess Mikey Smilescanadmit when he was wrong about somethin’.”
Mikey winced at the barb but decided to take the high road. He just shrugged and smiled, like he always did when faced with an uncomfortable moment.
And Luke is pretty good at creatingthose, he thought.
“What can I say? Your little tour convinced me.”
Luke’s eyes seemed to hold him captive for a few minutes, and then he nodded.
“Good,” he said and then gave Mikey a smile of his own. “You know, Mikey Smiles, you may not be so bad.”
A little glow took up residence behind Mikey’s breastbone and, though he knew there was still a long way to go–both in terms of getting the concert off the ground and hopefully restarting things with Luke–this was a very promising beginning.
Just don’t screw it up this time,he thought.
CHAPTER 12
MIKEY—2005
The concert had gone even better than Mikey could’ve dared to hope, and he’s floating on cloud nine.
Until his parents decide to start in on him.
“That was a great show, honey,” his mother says, “but I’m not sure about some of those songs you sang.” She gives a very audible sniff. “I don’t know why you’d sing something from Queen. You know what Freddie Mercury was like. I hate to think about what kind of impression you made on the people in the audience.”
Charlotte Smiles is a woman who’s very aware of the power of appearances. She never goes out in public unless she’s perfectly dressed. Tonight she’s wearing a dark blue dress, her ice-blonde hair done up in a tight bun, her china-doll face perfectly made-up.
She looks like a Stepford wife,Mikey thinks uncharitably.
“I chose the songs I thought would best show off my voice,” he says, trying to stay patient.
