“What does Liv want?”
“Let up, Paige.”
“What would you want, if it was you? Would you want her to give up her dream? Would you tell her to sit by your side, and let her dream dissolve into nothing? Would you let her do that, Ben?”
No, he wouldn’t. Ben got up from the bed and walked to the window. A few minutes later, he heard the hotel room door close. When he turned around again, his dad was sitting in the chair, his fingers steepled in front of his mouth and nose.
“Come to any decisions?” he asked.
“Yeah,” he said with reservation. “I’ll fly into Hartford tomorrow night. I’d like to use the plane, Dad. If there’s a change in her condition, I want to be able to get back as fast as possible.”
“We’ll go together, Ben. I’ll stay with you on tour for the time being.”
Ben knew his father’s biggest concern, and he was glad he didn’t say it. Yeah, he wanted a drink more than anything. And not just one, he wanted a whole bottle.
The next morning Ben visited the hospital, and told Liv he was going back on tour. He was doing it for her, because he loved her. He hoped Paige was right, and Liv heard him.
20
Ben walked out on stage the following night in Hartford, Connecticut and was met by chants. “Liv, Liv, Liv,” the audience shouted.
He pulled a stool to the front of the stage, sat down, and did what came naturally to him. He told them about her. Ten thousand people went silent, and listened.
“I told Liv that I wouldn’t play this song until she was here with me, to hear it live for the first time, but I feel her here, through you.”
Ben started to play, just him, the rest of the band stayed silent along with the audience.
Sweet beauty on steps, waiting, like me
Sun masked by clouds, so free
Beautiful, if only you were able to move,
To go, to ride, to smile, to fly, to kiss, to fall.
I know how deep your smile, if
only you could fall
I know how wild your passion, if only you
would fall
I know how deep your longing, if only you
could fall.
I know your fear, I know your tears
But that smile, so sweet, that longing so deep
Your eyes burn into my heart, my love, my joy,
my fall.
You know my longing deep, you know my love,
so hard