Chapter 22 #2
A moment later, Mr. Washborn announced their names.
Lily froze, and Teddy grabbed her hand and led her onto the stage.
The lights were bright, and she blinked before seeing the keyboard and settling behind it.
They’d decided that she’d sing from there instead of alone out front like Kenzie had planned to do.
Teddy thought that would make her less nervous and she could still play the keyboard, which she did by instinct.
They’d done the song so many times that she hoped the words would come out automatically too.
She took a deep breath as the music began, and she put her hands on the keyboard.
Then it was time for the first line. She opened her mouth, saw the sea of people, and froze for a second.
But then she saw her mother in the center, relaxed a little, and the words came.
A bit shaky at first, but she settled in, stopped thinking, and started feeling, and her nerves vanished.
It was like she was in Teddy’s studio but better—there was more energy here, and she could feel the crowd with her as her voice soared.
After the last note, there was silence and then very loud clapping. Teddy looked her way, grinned, and gave her a thumbs-up. They’d done it, made it through the song. She looked back at the audience and was shocked to see them standing and still clapping. Teddy looked just as surprised.
Mr. Washborn came back onstage and glanced their way. “An excellent job by Lily and Teddy, and on behalf of our student body, we thank you all for coming.”
The clapping continued as Teddy and Lily made their way offstage and toward where their families were waiting in the lobby.
“Lily, you were wonderful!” Claire pulled Lily in for a hug and then shook Teddy’s hand. “Great job, Teddy. You both did a great job. I’m so impressed that you wrote that song.”
“Your voice is really special,” Marsha added. “I didn’t know you could sing like that.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Grammy gave Lily a big hug. She looked elegant in a pale blue suit and double string of pearls. Her snow-white hair was carefully arranged in a French twist, and her makeup was flawless.
They said their goodbyes to Teddy and his family and headed home, where Grammy joined them for dinner. Claire had made a big lasagna that morning and put it in the oven to heat up while Marsha mixed a Manhattan for Grammy and poured herself a glass of red wine.
Claire was so proud of Lily. She knew that she’d been incredibly nervous to sing in front of a crowd and on her own instead of with the anonymity of the chorus.
She hadn’t heard Lily sing like that before.
It had been like watching an up-and-coming new artist, and it was her daughter!
Lily had such a unique quality and tone to her voice, and it was so emotional.
The lyrics were too, and the melody worked so well.
“Lily, that sounded like something I’d hear on the radio,” Grammy said. “Have you ever thought you might want to do that for a living?” She sipped her Manhattan and watched her great-granddaughter closely.
Lily laughed at the idea though. “Thanks, Grammy, but I don’t know about the performing part. I wouldn’t mind being a songwriter though. That would be pretty cool.”
“There are schools for that,” Marsha said. “Right in Boston is a really good one, Berklee College of Music. You could look into that.”
Lily nodded. “I’ll think about that. I’ve heard of Berklee.”
“How’s Kenzie doing?” Claire asked. Lily had filled her in on what Kenzie was struggling with.
Lily smiled. “She texted us to wish us good luck. I think she’s doing better. She hopes to be back in school on Monday.”
“Good.” Claire had been surprised when Lily first told her about the bipolar diagnosis.
Kenzie was so outgoing and full of life that it was hard to picture her in a depressive state.
She knew, though, that often some of the most outgoing and funny people, the ones you’d least expect, sometimes struggled with depression or other mental illnesses.
She was glad Kenzie had a supportive family and that she was taking her medicine again.
She remembered when her grandfather had ended up in the hospital after he’d stopped taking his heart meds because he felt fine.
The doctor read him the riot act and told him he only felt fine because of the medication.
He got through to him finally, and her grandfather faithfully took his many meds after that.
Claire could understand how Kenzie must have felt similarly frustrated and thought she didn’t need to take medication anymore.
Lily said Kenzie understood now how important it was.
When the lasagna was ready, they ate at the dining room table, and as Claire gazed out at the ocean and the waves crashing against the shore and then looked around the table at her whole family, she sighed with happiness.
It was good to be here on Nantucket and around family more often. And Lily seemed to be thriving too.
While they ate, Grammy entertained them with stories about the residents at her retirement home. She seemed to be very happy there, and Claire was glad they were able to see her more now. She’d been thrilled to be invited to watch Lily perform.
“Memorial Day weekend is coming up fast. And the Figawi Race. The island will be buzzing. Are you ready for it to get really busy, Claire?” Grammy asked.
Claire smiled. “I’m so ready.” She hadn’t been on Nantucket for Figawi Weekend in many years. She had fond memories of the weekend when she was growing up, when hundreds of beautiful sailboats raced from Hyannis to Nantucket on Saturday of the holiday weekend and then raced back on Monday.
She knew that every year, the crowds grew, and if it was anything like the fun celebratory energy that she remembered, it would be an exciting weekend with lots of people browsing and hopefully shopping downtown.