“You're welcome, sir.” Luke paused. “And, sir? Good luck.”
“Thanks. I'm going to need it.”
* * *
Nicholas took a few seconds to glance around the school’s auditorium.
The place was packed, as if every single resident in town had come out for this event.
He saw no sign of Molly, although he did see a few errant children stumbling around the stage. They were soon corralled by what he assumed to be another elementary school teacher who grabbed them by their hands and pulled them out of sight and behind a red velvet curtain.
He found a seat along the aisle that gave him a good view.
“And who are you here to see?” asked an older woman as she snuggled into the seat beside Nicholas. “Forgive me if we’ve already met. There are so many visiting faces this time of year.”
“Oh, I’m just a guest of Ms. Molly Carmichael,” Nicholas replied.
“Ahh, just a guest?” The woman looked him up and down, taking in the suit. He was definitely the most overdressed person here. “You know, back in my day, when women had such handsome guests, we weren’t afraid to call them what they were. Our boyfriends. You kids these days, you’re so non-committal.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m honestly just a guest...” Nicholas’ words trailed off as he gave the woman a gentle smile.
“But you’d like to be more?” the woman asked, waggling her eyebrows. “It’s something special, isn’t it? To be young and in love?”
“Love? I’m not in love—” Nicholas assured her, but mid-sentence, Nicholas’ attention was drawn to the stage, as the heavy red curtain shimmied across the stage floor.
The crowd quieted. Molly stepped forward from the darkness of the stage into the spotlight. She wore a bright red wrap dress, tall black leather boots, and a crown made of mistletoe balanced on top of her head.
She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
“Not in love? Try telling that to your face,” the woman remarked, shaking her head.
“Good evening, friends and family of Parker Elementary School!” Molly announced into a gray microphone. “Thank you all for braving the cold and coming to sing a few songs with us. We hope everyone has a good time!”
Nicholas stared at her, completely transfixed. He clapped along with the crowd's applause, not really paying attention to anything except Molly's smile.
She looked like a Christmas tree topper come to life.
She was somehow an angel, standing up on that stage.
Molly turned back toward the curtain and motioned for the children to file out onto the stage. Nicholas spotted Liam leading the pack, all dressed up in what looked like his Sunday best. He looked nervous as he took his place.
Once the children had all reached their places, Molly moved towards a grand piano that was off to the side of the stage. She seemed to wait a few beats before she began to play the opening notes to a Christmas song he didn't recognize.
Granted, given his distaste for Christmas, there were many songs he didn't recognize. Still, the kids sang out and he found himself enjoying their joyful performance. It didn't matter that half the kids forgot the words, they were all excited to sing.
Nicholas clapped when the song ended.
Liam stepped forward and Liam knew what song was next: “O Holy Night.”
“You got this, Liam,” Nicholas whispered, even though Liam couldn't see him.
Molly waited for her students to settle on the stage before starting the chords for the song. He leaned forward, ready for Liam to show them all the skill he'd seen just that afternoon. Nicholas knew the audience would love him.
Except Liam’s performance never quite got started. Even Molly repeated the cue for Liam to begin his solo, his voice never rose in the air. Molly continued to play the song, not showing any signs that something had gone wrong with the program.
The only warning sign was Liam’s face, which wore a blank panicked expression as he looked out into the audience.
Even from his spot toward the back, Nicholas could see Liam's hands shaking.