Chapter Thirteen

"Did Edwin seem a little out of sorts earlier?" Vivian asks Charlotte as they're getting ready to leave.

"Maybe? Do you think they'll let us see him before the show starts? I'd really like to tell him how proud I am of him." She shakes her head, thinking back on everything that's happened these last few weeks. "He was so upset with me when he found out I'd submitted his application and look at him now. Look how far he's come. The entire Coffee Loft crew is going to be there cheering him on tonight."

"I'm glad his father went with him earlier. I'm not sure I'd be able to drive if I were him."

"Me either."

"Regardless of the outcome, we're both so proud of him. If Elvis were here today, I think he'd be proud, too." Vivian shoves a handful of tissues into her purse before walking to the door.

"I couldn't agree with you more. Elvis would definitely be proud."

Ronald Wesley waves his hand in the air as soon as he spots Vivian and Charlotte at the top of the steps. "Down here," he calls out.

"I can't believe all the people that are here already," Vivian sighs as she slips into her seat. "The show doesn't even get underway for at least another hour."

Charlotte stops at the end of the row. "I'll be right back. I'm going to see if they'll let me backstage to see him.."

"Give our boy a hug," Ronald says but she's already on her way.

Slipping past several of the security guards, Charlotte disappears behind one of the doors leading to the back.

In her calmest voice, she stops someone carrying a clipboard and inquires about Edwin's whereabouts. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Edwin Wesley."

"So are we. He was supposed to be here two hours ago. They're having to rehearse without him and it's been one huge mess."

"What do you mean, he's not here? Are you sure? Because I know for a fact he came here with his father." Charlotte tries not to panic, but something is definitely wrong.

"This could be crucial for the show if he doesn't make it on time."

Charlotte takes off running down the hallway, her mind quickly filling with all kinds of thoughts. Where in the world could he be? Please, just let him be okay.

Pushing open one of the exit doors, she doesn't even care that she left her jacket behind. With her arms folded across her chest, she runs down the street towards the coffee shop, her heels clicking against the sidewalk.

When she reaches the storefront, she stops and bangs on the glass. "Edwin, are you in there?"

The room is dark, except for the faint glow of the light in the hallway leading to the backroom.

"Edwin, it's cold out here. If you're in there, please let me in."

Not wanting to cause a scene on the sidewalk, she slips down the alley between the two buildings and rushes to the backdoor. She's overcome with relief when she slips her hand around the doorknob and it opens with ease. Her instincts were correct.

"Edwin!" she cries out, flipping on all of the lights. "Please don't do this."

She jumps when she hears a noise on the other side of the storage room door. "Edwin, are you in there?"

"Leave me alone," he says, his voice muffled from the inside of the closet.

"Edwin, please," she pleads. "You're making a terrible mistake. We've got to get back to the theater. They're waiting on you."

"I'm not a hero, okay? If anything, I'm a failure. Just listen to my voice."

"No you're not," she says as she enters the closet. "The only person you're failing is yourself."

Wrapping her arms around him, she holds him tightly to her chest. "It's going to be okay. You've come too far to give up now. You've worked way too hard for this."

"I can't do this," he says, rocking back and forth.

"Yes, you can."

"Can we just pretend that it's all over? I want to go back to the way things used to be. I don't want to be a hero to anyone."

"What about your parents? They're sitting on the third row waiting for their son to come out on stage and sing his heart out. They want to see that same little boy who used to sing and dance for them, who filled their hearts with so much delight. If you don't want to do this for anyone else, at least do it for them."

"They're my heroes," he says barely above a whisper. "They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."

She stands up and extends her hand. "Come on, Edwin. Your mom and dad are waiting."

Charlotte slides into her seat moments before the Kevin Conrad takes the stage.

"Where have you been?" Vivian leans up in her seat.

The music begins to play, preventing her from having to explain. She gives a thumbs up before closing her eyes and saying a little prayer for Edwin. It's all going to be okay.

Tapping her feet to the beat, she can't resist screaming when Edwin appears on stage with the others. Dressed in a white pantsuit with leather fringe around the waist, his top is unbuttoned exposing a good portion of his chest. From where she's sitting, she can see his lip is curled the exact same way as Elvis.

With the microphone clenched tightly in his hand, the spotlight reflects against the faux-diamond rings adorning his fingers. His voice sounds incredible as he belts out the words to the group's performance.

As the song comes to an end and everyone but Edwin leaves the stage, a wave of emotion suddenly washes over her. This is it. The moment they've all been waiting for.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to someone very special in my life. This one's for Vivian Wesley. I love you, mom.

"…Love Me Tender, Love Me…"

Edwin slips a satin scarf from around his neck, walks to the edge of the stage, and flings it towards his mother.

Vivian pulls the tissues from her pocket and shares them with Charlotte and Ronald. Yes, even he's moved to tears listening to his son perform such a moving song.

Edwin closes out the night with a repeat performance of Jailhouse Rock, bringing everyone in the audience to their feet. Charlotte couldn't be more proud of the young man she falls more and more in love with every day.

After a brief intermission to allow the judges time to cast their votes, everyone scrambles to their seats the same time the lights begin to dim.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's the moment you've all been waiting for." Kevin Conrad stands in the middle of the stage, a sealed envelope in his left hand.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Vivian whispers from the edge of her seat. "I don't think I can watch."

Ronald places his arm around her shoulder. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"The second runner-up is," Kevin pauses before announcing the next winning name. "Edwin Wesley."

Charlotte, Vivian, and Ronald jump from their seats, clapping and shouting at the tops of their lungs. Edwin may not have won overall, but his performances tonight will be remembered by everyone for many years to come.

The lady sitting in front of Vivian turns around and passes her the silk scarf. "I believe this means more to you than it will ever mean to me. Congratulations, your son did an incredible job tonight."