Chapter Eleven

"I'm so nervous," Charlotte leans over in her seat and whispers in Vivian's ear. "I've practically chewed every one of my nails."

"Don't feel bad, honey. I've done the same." Vivian unfolds her hand, exposing her short, less-than-perfect set of nails. "I've caught myself I don't know how many times."

"Shhh." Ronald Wesley bumps his wife on the knee. "They're about to announce who advances to the finals."

While tonight's show was certainly fun and entertaining, it was obvious to see how tired the contestants were getting. It didn't matter how many lemon and honey concoctions he drank, Edwin's voice was nearly gone. If he did advance to the finals, it'd be a miracle. He'd certainly wowed the crowd tonight with his moving performance of Suspicious Minds, was it enough to convince the judges to award him a spot in next week's grand finale?

Kevin Conrad takes the stage and the entire room goes silent. "Alrighty folks, it's the moment you've all been waiting for."

"I can't watch," Vivian wails.

"As you know, tonight, we're going from ten down to five. Of the five advancing, one will be selected next week to represent Tahoe and move on to compete in Las Vegas."

The camera spans over each contestant, giving them all a moment in the spotlight. Ten become eight and eventually six. With one remaining elimination, they take each other's hands and move closer to the front of the stage.

Kevin clears his throat as he prepares to announce the final name. "Edwin Wesley, you're moving on to next week!"

The crowd goes wild as Edwin looks out into the audience in disbelief.

Charlotte, Vivian, and Ronald take turns hugging one another. "He did it!" Ronald boasts proudly. "Our boy is moving on."

The three of them are escorted through one of the side doors where they find Edwin gathered with the other contestants celebrating. The moment he sees them, he excuses himself and walks over to give them all a hug.

"One more week," he mouths. "One more."

Edwin is waiting outside in his car when Charlotte gets off from work the next night. As much as he'd like to visit with everyone, he'd much rather spend some quality time with his girlfriend.

That had a nice sound to it. Though they'd never officially declared themselves a couple, he needed to let Charlotte know where things stood between them. Not that she ever doubted anything, but he knew women were funny about that sort of stuff.

Instead of going home, Edwin drives them down to the lake again. He leaves the car running, since it's much too cold to shut it off.

"How was work today?"

Resting her head against the back of the seat, Charlotte sighs. "Wild. I think a lot of people thought you might make an appearance. I had several ask me what time you were coming in."

"Oh yeah?" he asks.

"In case you were wondering, you're famous, you know."

Edwin can't help chuckling. "I'm still the same Edwin Wesley I've always been. Nothing about me has changed. Nor will it ever." Taking her hand in his, he begins to sing softly, "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear."

Charlotte curls her legs up in the seat as tears threaten to spill from her eyes. "I've never had anyone sing to me before," she says as soon as he's finished.

"I don't know how much more my vocals can take," he admits, a hint of nervousness to his tone. "I'm scared my voice is going to let me down."

"And if it does, so what? I'm still going to love you the same."