Page 29 of The Night the Stars Went Dark

“I have a few pieces prepared. The first is a piece I played for my senior solo at Berklee.” I sat down at the piano and spread the music out in front of me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, making sure that I sat up straight. I held my hands over the keys, released my breath and began.

At first, I was so nervous that I thought I’d make a complete fool of myself, but then I heard Bryson’s words in the back of my head, “You were made for this.” He was right. I was made for this.

I played with all my heart, letting all the pain from the past five years flow into the notes. Passion was what made great musicians. I played as if I’d never have another chance. I played for my dad. I played for Bryson, but most importantly… I played for myself.

I put it all out there. Every last piece of me was left on that stage when I sounded the last chord. I pressed my lips together to hold back the tears as I turned to face my judges.

All three of them clapped before turning to whisper among each other. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I hoped it was good. “Miss Vaughn,” Mr. Caldwell spoke first. “First I’d like to saythat we’re all really sorry about your dad. We all know how much he was part of your life, and I don’t think you’d be playing like this if it wasn’t for him.”

“Thank you.” I nodded.

“Second.” He smiled as he stood. “We’d like to welcome you to a spot in the New York Symphony. Your audition was better than our current pianist plays on most nights, so we’re going to work something out to offer you more than a fill in spot.” He held his hand out.

My mouth opened and closed. I’m sure I looked like a fish out of water. “I don’t know what to say.” I gasped.

“Say yes.” He chuckled and the men behind him joined in.

“Yes.” I shook his hand. “I need to relocate first. I need two weeks.” I blurted it out. I wasn’t even sure if I could make demands yet.

“We can make that happen.” He smiled. “We’ll see you in two weeks.”

“Thank you.” I stood there for a few moments just taking it in as they left one by one. I gathered my music and started to text Bryson but decided not to. This news was too big to tell him through a text. Instead, I just asked…you home?He responded that he’d be home all night. His gig had been cancelled.

I quickly grabbed my things and rushed outside. I hailed a cab and gave them Bryson’s address. I was so excited and nervous about my news that I wasn’t even watching where we were going, and when the cab stopped just a few blocks away, I paid and rushed out. How did I not know he lived this close to Broadway? I guess I never asked.

I rang the buzzer for his flat and waited.

Bryson

“Yo?” I figured this was someone with the wrong address; it happened all the time.

“Can you let me up?” Penny’s voice came through the speaker.

“What are you doing here?” I was completely surprised to hear her.

“I’ll tell you when you let me up.” She giggled. I hit the buzzer to unlock the door, and then rushed over to open my door. My place was a mess, and I kicked things out of the way to make a path for her.

Right as I opened my door, she was rushing down the hallway, music bag flopping against her side in the process. “I did it!” she squealed.

“Did what?” I was so confused. The last time we talked, she was lamenting about how no one was getting back to her.

“I got the job. I’m going to play full time with the symphony.” She grinned. “We can be neighbors.” She jumped into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.

I turned and kicked the door closed. “You’re coming here?” I looked in her eyes. This sounded like a trick. She nodded and then kissed me. I turned us and began walking toward my couch, careful not to trip over anything. She put her feet down and I broke the kiss. “Tell me again.” I laughed.

“I tried out today and they said yes. I have to move. I have two weeks to find a place and move my stuff here.” She grinned as she dropped her bag to the floor.

“What do you mean ‘find a place’? You can move in with me.” I waved my arms around.

“This is a studio.” She looked around. “There’s not enough space for two people, let alone my baby grand.” She sighed.

“There are bigger spaces for rent upstairs. We can get a bigger one. This building is perfect for where you’re going to be going. Why do you think I moved here?” I flopped down on the couch.

“Really?” She sat beside me.

“Really.” I placed my feet on the table in front of us. “It’s a done deal. I’ll take some time off to come help you pack. We can look upstairs tomorrow. My landlord owns the building. I’m sure he’d be happy to transfer my lease to something bigger. He’d be getting more money, after all. I’m starving. Wanna celebrate this with some pizza? You haven’t had pizza until you try a slice of NY style.” Her stomach growled as the words left my lips.

“Sounds like a plan.” She giggled. “Hey, Bryson?” She turned to face me. “In case I haven’t said this enough…thank you… for everything.”

---