Page 69 of Safety Net
"If any of this ever changes, trust she has someone else who loves her as much, if not more than you ever will. Regardless of what happens between you two, she will be okay, I'll make sure of that. But be good to her, okay?"
"I promise, with every ounce of my being, I'm going to take care of her. There's nothing I won't do to take care of her."
Naomi nodded and offered me her cup to ‘cheers.’ "Here's to loving the sweetest person we know."
"Here's to making sure she's happy." I touched my cup to hers. "Forever and always."
"Forever and always," Naomi agreed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CELESTE
Dress rehearsals at the playhouse were a physical slog because the AC broke down on us. My speakers output too much static. And the sets still weren't completed and returned, so Halle and Ellis had to mime most of what they interacted with on stage.
It should be a nightmare. I should be a bundle of unconsolable nerves.
I'm not.
Because I maintained enough calm to remember there were extra fans in the community center's storage. Lincoln promised the sets would be back this weekend; his assurance helped me let that stressor go. And Aunt Robyn convinced the musicians at the local seniors' center to not only learn all my pieces but play live for opening night when Ophelia will be in town–and maybe, just maybe, she’d be in the audience.
"Are you doing okay?" Naomi stopped next to my elbow after she got back from bringing in the fans with Sam and Finn. She'd made a habit of hovering, never more than a few feet away. She understood the importance of getting everything in order today.
"I'm good." I kept moving as I set up the tripod. "Nervous, of course. But I'm going to finish this."
Everything was slowly but surely coming together. And I could relax more knowing I did all I could to breathe life into this project.
"What sets we do have are set." Lincoln joined us with a big smile on his face. His presence was the catalyst for my quiet, calm sigh.
"Halle and Co. are ready. I got the lighting to work and taught Sam and Henrik how to operate the controls."
I chewed on my inner cheek while doing a final check of my notes. "I think we're ready to go."
"Really?" Naomi asked, brows raised, impressed and excited.
"Really." I nodded to Lincoln to give everyone else the green light.
"Alright, guys," Lincoln spoke through a mini megaphone he'd gotten from heaven knows where. It did wonders in projecting his voice, but it also morphed it into a high-pitched tone. He sounded like a tiny version of himself. It was hard to take him seriously whenever he spoke, but we all gave it our best effort. I personally love fighting off a laugh; it's a great distraction. Infinitely soothing for the nerves.
"Places," he said. "Let's put on a show."
Finn and Sam don't have any issue dimming the lights. Jack and Henrik easily open the curtains. And as soon as Halle came on stage, I was lost in the production like I would be in any other show.
It wasn’t perfect, but somehow, it was right. In all its flaws—because of its flaws—it's right. And it was me. I was threaded into every part of the lyrics. It didn't matter it was a small glimpse into a world that may never fully come to life. My voice was loud enough to carry through, making everything feel whole.
"Well?" Lincoln looked at me when it was over.
I blinked, trying to see through the watery blur of my exhaustion and happiness. My cast directed their attention tome, waiting for my approval. The ache in my throat made it hard to think, let alone speak. For the first time, I didn't need to ask for someone's opinion. Everyone else's thoughts didn't matter right now. I’d spent so much time swimming in other realities, I’d forgotten mine could be as bright if I'd just given it a chance.
"I love it." My gaze broke from the stage, meeting Lincoln's. "I can't believe I love it."
And I had another revelation that made it difficult to breathe: If I could love this piece with all its rough edges, I, in turn, should be able to love the person who created it.
I'd found a way to love me in all my misshapen, not fitting in, on-the outside-looking-in glory. In this little life, that's all one could ask for.
"It's ready? We're ready?" Lincoln asked, looking for the go-ahead to tell everyone else.
I nodded. "Yeah, this is it. We did it."
