“What’s wrong?” He searches every inch of my face, tilting it for a better look. “She seemed a little off in that last round.”
“She is.” With a willpower I didn’t know I had, I untangle myself and ease away. “You have to dance with her.”
No reaction. “Say what now?”
“Birdie. The waltz. It has to be you.” I make a frustrated sound, knowing I’m getting ahead of myself. “She wanted to honor Natalie with the pageant, yes. But it was more. It was about feeling your sister again. Connecting to her in some way. You’re that connection she needs. To make this pageant about Natalie, all of you, and nothing else. This is Natalie bringing you together, the way she used to. That’s where Birdie is going to feel her.” I grasp his forearm. “Please. You’re the only one who can do this.”
“Naomi…” He scoffs, but understanding is dawning in his face. “I can’t. This is crazy.”
“You can. You can be her hero.”
Whatever protest he was going to make next dies in the wake of my words. He pushes a hand through his hair and laughs without humor. “Jesus Christ. I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
If I wasn’t already leaden with love for Jason, I would be now. Lord, would I ever. “The reason they couldn’t get that final turn is because Birdie has a tendency to lead. There’s no time now for a practice run. If she takes the lead, just let her have it. Considering the circumstances, maybe it’s for the best. But you do know the steps. I’ve watched you count them off in the church basement. I know you can do it. Jason, even if you screw up spectacularly, it won’t be for nothing. It’ll be for everything.”
I take his hand and lead him through the back exit, stopping him before he enters the changing section. “Wait here.” Moving at a clip, I find Birdie our designated spot, holding up a staying hand when she starts to ask me where I’ve been. “Change of plans.”
“Change of plans,” she sputters. “Oh my God. Did that asshat not show up?”
“He did. I sent him home.” I tug her through the throng of harried contestants—including one gymnast and two clarinet players—and reach Jason a few moments later. “Here is your new dance partner.”
Jason executes a sweeping bow, making my heart go splat. “I’m as surprised as you are.” He nods. “Let’s do this, kid.”
Birdie lets out a small sound, one that makes her seem so much younger in an instant. Then she covers a watery laugh with her hand. “They could have upped the price of admission for this.” She’s clearly trying to hide her happiness, but the smile she can’t control tells me I did the right thing. Thank God. “Try not to step on my toes and crush them to dust.”
He holds out his hand and Birdie takes it. “I make no promises.”
“Bristow.”
“Go go go,” I manage after a gasping breath, shooing them toward stage right. “You’re up next.”
It all happens so fast. A river is rushing in my ears as I deposit Birdie and Jason in the waiting area at stage right. I make a mad dash to inform the pageant director of the change in partners, and thank heavens I buttered her up earlier, because she doesn’t make a stink—and that is why you arrive early to a pageant, folks. By the time I return to Birdie and Jason, they’re being called to the stage and I don’t even have a chance to say good luck. They’re already gone, although Jason sends me a look right before the music begins. I don’t know what it means, only that it wraps around me like a warm hug and makes my knees weak at the same time.
“I’ll miss you, Blackbeard,” I whisper to myself when he looks away.
Because I’m already gone.
There’s no reason to remain once the dance starts. I can see that right away. Birdie’s expression is pure, open joy. A kind I haven’t seen her wear before—and I know. I know as she smiles up into her brother’s face and he nods back, executing the dance moves like a bull in a china shop, that Birdie found the sense of togetherness she was looking for. Even I can feel the spirit of their sister, never having met her. They honor her with every awkward turn and subsequent laugh. An unguarded melody mixed with a low rumble.
It’s beautiful. I’ll never forget it.
I’m in my car with the engine started before the last note plays.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ConspiracyCrowd.org
Username: UrDadsMyFave69
Ding, ding, ding. We have a wiener.
That’s a woman who has been getting the business for two months.
I accept accolades in the form of Tom Hardy GIFs.
Naomi
If I’ve learned one thing over the last seven days, it’s that punishment comes in many forms. For example, this morning I’m a pincushion. And the entertainment.