Chapter Twenty-One
Twenty-One
Charlie
Two months later
Charlie peaked out the slit in the door that led to the stage where the orchestra was prepping their instruments, dressed in their black formal attire.
Her ears picked up the lingering notes as the strings were tuned.
Violin. Viola. Cello. Double bass. Her gaze shifted from the stage to the audience where the lights were still bright, highlighting the audience, some already seated, others happily chatting as they clutched their programs.
Charlie held a program in her hand now, grinning as she took in the words on the front.
The New York City Philharmonic presents the Glendale Shakers.
She flipped open the first page to find an image of the choir taken by Julian in the music room just after Christmas. Beneath it were the words, An evening of fun and fancy with everyone’s favorite viral retirement home.
On the next page, beneath the words Our Story, were more pictures.
Charlie and Julian back to back with a blurb about both their professional careers.
The choir at the community center with a QR link to that first viral video.
The choir during their news segment. The choir just after the Christmas Eve performance, still donning their reindeer antlers.
A write-up accompanied the photos, talking about the music program at Glendale.
It was hard to believe that so much had happened in such a short time.
And now here they were, about to perform onstage at the Lincoln Center.
Charlie wanted to pinch herself. Even though she’d pitched the idea to Damien before she left, part of her wasn’t sure it would ever happen.
But when she’d been hired on as activities director, she’d figured they had nothing to lose and reached out to him again after Christmas.
To her delight, Damien had been eager to collaborate.
A couple short months later, that idea was a reality.
Actually, it was a sold-out concert. Damien was already talking about inviting them back for a show in late summer.
And of course the choir was already planning their comeback during the Twenty-first Annual Christmas Choir Competition.
Harriet was determined to take second place at the very least and had been coordinating with Maggie’s granddaughters on some more updated dance moves, which Charlie was certain she’d have to veto at some point.
“Ready?” a voice said, and Charlie turned to find Julian. His smile broke through the darkness that surrounded them.
“Almost,” she said. “How’s everyone?”
“Some nerves but mostly excitement. Doris has them warming up.”
“Good. I was just about to do that.”
“Enjoying the moment?” Julian asked.
She nodded. “Thinking about how far we’ve come.”
“How far you’ve come,” he added, stroking her face.
“That, too.” She turned her head enough to kiss his palm. She wasn’t the same person she’d been when she first met Julian. But she also wasn’t the same person she was when she’d lost Tom. Time didn’t heal all her wounds, but it certainly allowed her to grow strong enough to carry them.
“I’m very proud of you,” Julian said.
“Thank you for coming tonight.”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
“I know, but I also know how busy you are at work.”
“Well, I had some very compelling emails from a certain activities director that I’d have been a fool to ignore.”
Charlie hummed softly. “Sounds like she knows how to get your attention.”
Julian wrapped his arms around her waist. “She certainly does. All caps. Lots of exclamation points.” He lowered his head, and Charlie’s heart raced.
“Get it together you two,” Harriet said, sidling up next to them. “We’ve got a show to put on.”
Charlie laughed as they broke apart, and the choir amassed in the tiny hall. She and Julian had gotten good at being professional at work for this exact reason. There always seemed to be eyes on them. “Everyone ready?”
A round of nods.
“Perfect,” Charlie said, gathering them up in a circle.
She took Gram’s hand. “I know this is our biggest performance so far, but just like every other time, we’re going to go out there and have fun.
Because if we’re enjoying ourselves, then so is the audience.
And once again, I want to thank you all for being here.
I couldn’t have asked for better people to share the stage with. ”
“You’re going to make us cry,” Maggie said.
“Speak for yourself,” Harriet muttered, huffing and turning away to discreetly rub at her eyes.
“Okay,” Charlie said, hearing a round of applause as the conductor walked out from the other side of the stage. “That’s all I’ll say on the matter. We don’t need tears onstage.”
She squeezed Gram’s hand, catching her eye. She might not be able to share the stage with Tom anymore, but she still got to share it with family. Charlie released Gram’s hand, then pushed the door open, spilling light into the hall.
She took a deep breath, then crossed the stage to a second round of applause.
Charlie looked out at the audience, giving them a winning smile.
She greeted the conductor with a hug, then took her spot onstage, raising her arms as the choir amassed in their two lines, facing the crowd.
Julian wheeled Frank front and center, parking his wheelchair before hurrying back to the wings.
The swell of the orchestra music filled her. “Smile,” she said, but the reminder wasn’t necessary. The residents were already beaming.
Charlie nodded her head in time with the music, raising her arms. “Here we go! And one…and two…and…”