Jill

14

I had performed in local talent shows before, but they were nothing like this. Performing in front of a room full of people is nothing like performing for just a handful of people. As I performed, I was focused on, Terry. I used to sing for my dad all the time, but this was different. I felt sexy and grown; I wasn't a little girl performing in the living room for her daddy or for my friends. My hair and makeup was done and I had on a dress that only a year ago, I would never have thought about wearing.

As the lights came up, I could see, Terry and the look on his face well, I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but I could tell that I had definitely managed to surprise him. At the end of my performance, I was excited and smiling from ear to ear, and there was a moment of silence where we just stared into each other's eyes. I wasn't sure if what I felt at that moment was the high of the performance or something else completely. The look in his eyes was one that I hadn't seen before or, was my mind playing tricks on me. At that moment it felt like we were the only ones in the room. That was until I was jolted back to reality by the applause from, Dwight and Candy. I couldn't stop smiling. I felt like I was dreaming.

"So, what did you think?" I asked, Terry.

He smiled and said, "That was amazing, baby girl. I had no idea!"

Yes! I thought to myself, I had pulled it off, he was surprised! "Surprise!"

I stood up as Candy approached me. It was impossible to stop smiling. She hugged me, "Gurl, I had no idea that big 'ol voice was hiding in that little body."

"Thank you! Did you enjoy it?"

"Enjoy it? Child you made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! Did I enjoy it?"

"I am so happy!" I replied, "I was so nervous before I came out here!"

"Yes, I know, but I am sure no one else would have ever been able to tell! You are great!"

I could feel my cheeks begin to hurt, I was smiling so big. "Thanks again, you are too kind!"

Just then, Dwight approached. "Girl, where have you been hiding? A voice like that should be hear by the masses!"

I felt my face getting hot from embarrassment. I put my head down "Aw, thank you!"

"No thank YOU! I am honored that you trusted me to help you put this together with you."

"I should be thanking you." I said, "without your help, I wouldn't have been able to put this together and on such short notice."

"You are most welcome, darlin'" he gave me the biggest hug.

Terry finally stood up. "That was amazing! YOU are amazing!"

"Oh my gosh, I am so happy that you enjoyed it! I was hoping that you did! I mean I sang for my dad and friends, but they are supposed to tell you that you are great, you know?"

"In your case, they were not lying. That voice is wonderful and refreshing. You never told me that you could sing…especially not like that!"

Again, I felt my face getting red. "Thank you, Terry! I am so excited that you enjoyed it. I mean, I didn't practice or plan ahead, but I wanted to show you my appreciation for everything that you have done for me!"

"I love having you around. I am just glad that I could be there for you like I promised your father I would be."

I felt my eyes start to well up, "That was my dad's favorite song. I wish that he was here. Even though, he would have asked me why I got so fancy for! I have no idea what he had against. "fancy"!" Terry and I laughed, he wiped my years, and he hugged me. I buried my face in his neck; I loved his scent.

We stopped hugging and looked at each other, "Well, I am all out of surprises for today!" I laughed.

Just then, Dwight approached us, carrying two plates. "I hope you brought your appetites." He said as he placed the plates down on the table.

"You have been way too kind to me, Dwight!" I smiled. "Thank you so much! Will you be joining us?"

"Oh, no, I already ate! You all sit down and enjoy. I'll be right back with some drinks for you. What can I get you?"

"Oh, I'll just have water."

He looked at, Terry, "I don't even have to ask." He said as he walked towards the kitchen.

"Please sit." Terry said as he pulled my chair out.

I sat and opened the napkin on my lap as he sat in the chair next to me.

"My dad loved when I sang just as much as I loved to sing for him. I really do miss him!"

"I know you do; so do I." While he and I didn't see each other very often, we spoke every week."

"Really? I wonder why he never mentioned it to me."

"I don't know, but what I do know is that he was very proud of you and talked about you all the time. I just wish he had been honest with me about his situations, I would have helped."

"That was the thing with my dad, he was so prideful."

"Yes, he had always been that way and I have always respected him for it."

I grew silent thinking about my dad as, Dwight approached with the drinks. "Oh, this doesn't' look like water!" I laughed.

"I took the liberty of making you a little cocktail; nothing heavy. If you don't like it, you don't have to drink it, I will bring you some water."

I took a sip and it was delicious. "Wow, I don't know what this is, but I like it."

"Fantastic, bon appetit!" He said with at nod of his head.

Terry raised his glass. "Cheers to good memories and to building new ones."

"Cheers!" We took a sip of our drinks and began to eat.