Epilogue

2 weeks later

Aspen

You know those moments in life when you think, "Is this real?" Today would be one of mine. I have to be in warmups in an hour, and all I can do is stare out the window and smile. The city is bustling below me with excitement, and I'm about to burst.

"You better finish getting ready," Bryson warned from the doorway. He was dressed in a dark suit and tugging at his tie.

"I know. I just… need a minute." Thoughts of my father filled my head. Is he watching? Does he know how badly I want him to be here? Is he here? I wringed my hands together before rushing back over to the bed. My concert black dress was lying across the foot. I sighed one last time before slipping into it. "Can you help with these, please?" I handed Bryson a string of pearls. They were my mother's and I've always worn them when I played. I slipped into a pair of black pumps, and then faced Bryson. "How do I look?"

"Like the newest pianist for the New York Symphony." He grinned. "And my beautiful girlfriend."

"I don't know if I can do this." I grimaced as I pulled at the side of my mouth with my teeth. My poor lip has been chewed on all week.

"You were made for this, and that sign out there says so." He pointed down the street.

"I guess we better go. I don't want to be late for my first day on the job." I grabbed my music bag, and searched the room one last time to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything.

"After you." Bryson held open the door.

The ride to the auditorium seemed to take forever. Traffic was crawling, and I nervously tapped my foot the entire time. "Relax," Bryson soothed. "You're gonna be great."

"I can't help it. I've waited my whole life for this moment. You only know part of what this means. I was here when I was twelve. I promised myself I'd get back. I even wrote it in my notebook. I've kept it to myself for all these years thinking it was just a dream, but it's real now, so forgive me for being a little overwhelmed." The car stopped and here we were, right in front of the marquee.

"I just mean that you deserve this. You earned it, and I'll be in the front row clapping for you. Leave it all out there. Do it for you and your dad. He's proud of you, just like me." He reached over and squeezed my hand.

"Thanks." I smiled. I opened my door and stepped out. As Bryson pulled away to go to park, I stared up at the lighted sign. ‘Carnegie Hall presents The New York Symphony in Summer Affair featuring newcomer Aspen Vaughn.' How was this real?

I rushed inside and down the side hallway to get backstage. Everyone was warming up, and I was greeted with smiles. I took my place behind the piano, stretched and waited for my que.

Warmups only took a few minutes, then we tuned, and then the house lights dropped. This was it… the moment I'd waited my entire life to live. The moment I was made for.

The End