Chapter 20: Trust Me

David made his way up the steps behind the orchestra pit and into the wings at the side of the stage. A jazz ensemble was playing for the crowd before the Lexington Philharmonic would take over.

"Mr. Cook?" a woman with a headset approached him.

He turned to her. "Yes?"

"We have a waiting area for our guest vocalist and performers if you'd like to have some time to prepare yourself and get ready."

David nodded. "Yes, that would be nice," he replied. He needed to ease his nerves, knowing he was back in Lexington and that Emma was unaware of this fact...he didn't know if he'd see her there and if he did, how she'd react. He hoped for a positive reaction, at least. He thought it would be unlikely she'd be there, considering the holiday weekend. She would most likely be with friends or family, right?

Standing in the waiting area, David straightened his tie. As he did so, he ran through the lyrics of the song he would be singing. Music of the Night. When he was in middle school he'd gone to a production of Phantom of the Opera and ever since, the role of the Phantom had intrigued him. He connected with the words of this song. Music had been such an important part of his childhood and youth when he'd begun singing, performing in plays, joined several bands, and the journey that had led him to American Idol. Music had surrounded him and in it he'd found a release he couldn't get anywhere else.

His heartbeat sped up a bit. He recalled seeing Emma in the music shop, playing at the piano. That night he had sensed that she too found an escape in music. It was something they had in common, something he hoped would be an aid to him in getting her to trust him, further their friendship.

There was a knock at the door. "Mr. Cook?" a muffled voice asked from outside.

He walked over to the door and opened it. "Ready for me are we?" he asked, a smile on his face.

"Yes, sir. If you'd just follow me, I'll take you backstage," the woman replied.

"Certainly," he responded, following her outside.

The sky had darkened, a deep midnight blue. It was beautiful, David thought as he took in his surroundings. The stars, the half moon, a slight breeze surrounding it all, and magnificent music hanging in the air as the jazz ensemble played their last song.

Once backstage, David was introduced to Eckhart Seigerstam, the Philharmonic's conductor.

"It's great to meet you, sir," David said, shaking the man's hand.

"You too, son," Seigerstam replied. "I was very impressed with your performances on that FOX show, particularly with the song you are singing tonight. In fact, it was hearing you sing that song that led me to push the higher ups to try to get you here tonight."

David was taken aback. "It was...you...who asked for me to be here?"

"Absolutely, David. Like I said, I was impressed. You have an incredible talent."

David didn't know what to say. A man with such training in classical music, leading an orchestra, from another country had been the initiator of the work to get him to Lexington. "Wow, I don't know what to say. Thank you. It is such an honor to be here, even more so now. I had no idea."

"Well the same goes here, young man. It's an honor to have you here with us. I just know you are going to do a phenomenal job here tonight and that you have a great career ahead of you."

"Thank you, Mr. Seigerstam, I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to singing here tonight."

"Wonderful, wonderful. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find my baton and get ready to go out!" Mr. Seigerstam said with an infectious, energetic smile.

David could tell this man loved music, loved what he did. He watched Eckhart greet the crowd enthusiastically and lead the Philharmonic through several songs.

He smiled as they played several songs from shows he'd been in. Somehow he'd never been able to escape them. At one point they played "Seventy-Six Trombones" from The Music Man. Unable to stop himself, David found himself mouthing the words to the song. A few songs later, they played "Tonight" from West Side Story. Again, he couldn't escape it. Sadly it seemed as soon as it started, it ended and Eckhart Seigerstam announced they'd be naming their guest conductor for the song he would be singing. He was a bit nervous about it, he would have loved to have done the song with Seigerstam. Perhaps he would have another opportunity to do so at some point.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Here we go," Mr. Seigerstam said as he took a card from a stagehand. "Please help us welcome to the stage as our guest conductor, Ms. Emma Lane!"

David couldn't believe his ears. "Emma? Emma Lane?" Had he heard right? Were his ears betraying him?

Her name was said again. He had heard correctly. Emma was there. She was going to be conducting the Philharmonic while he sang? David closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he clasped his hands together and bringing them to his forehead, almost praying for a calm wave of peace. He hadn't expected that this would be the next time they'd see each other. Sure it was a surprise to him, even more that she'd be conducting, but how would she react? Surely it would be more of a shock for her. He hoped she wouldn't be upset or frustrated. That was the last thing he wanted.

He saw her climb the stairs on the opposite side of the stage. She still hadn't seen him. She looked lovely, he thought. Her black and white outfit blended in perfectly with the rest of the Philharmonic, like she was supposed to be up there. He smiled upon noticing her bare feet. Now fully aware of her partial hearing impairment, it made perfect sense to him and he found it...adorable. She seemed so enthralled with music and absolutely the right person who deserved more than anyone else to be up there with the honor and privilege of conducting. He was amazed at how ready she appeared for this, as if she had planned all along to go up there barefoot, to truly feel the music with her whole being.

As she took her place in front of the orchestra, Seigerstam introduced him to the crowd.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to our special guest vocalist. He wowed many of you on American Idol and impressed me with his vocals as well, particularly on this song he will be singing tonight, please welcome, David Cook!"

David walked out onto the stage, hearing the crowd cheer. "Thank you, thank you sir," he said, shaking hands with Mr. Seigerstam. "It's an honor to be here."

David looked over at Emma. She was still completely unaware of his presence. She began to move her hands, gracefully leading the Lexington Philharmonic into the beginnings of the song.

David closed his eyes, letting the music surround him and inspire him. He began to sing...

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...

Silently the senses abandon their defenses ...

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendour ...

Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender ...

Turn your face away from the garish light of day,

turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -

and listen to the music of the night ...

Every once in a while as he sang, he would glance over at Emma. Though she still had not noticed him, he saw a smile on her face that was one of pure joy. It made him both weak and confident all at the same time, as if he were drawing strength from her. He continued singing, putting all that was within him, all of his feelings, thoughts, hopes into the song.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar!

And you'll live as you've never lived before ...

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you ...

Feel it, hear it, closing in around you ...

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,

in this darkness which you know you cannot fight -

the darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!

Let your soul

Take you where you long to be!

Only then can you belong to me ...

David looked out at the crowd, wondering what Emma might be thinking while he sang. He wondered what wonderful places she escaped to when the music surrounded her.

Turning slightly, he saw her move.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!

She'd seen him. Her eyes had widened in surprise, in shock, he supposed, upon seeing him. He had caught her eye then. Looking at her, he earnestly sang, "Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation..." A more perfect line could not have come along at that moment. It said it all. As he sang the line, he brought his hand to his heart, his eyes pleading to her with sincere hope that she would trust him.

Let the dream begin,

let your darker side give in to the power of

the music that I write - the power of the music of the night ...

She turned away from him, back to the orchestra. David closed his eyes, finishing he song with all of the feeling and passion he could conjure, ending the song on a beautiful note that brought the audience to their feet. And together, but altogether separately at the same time, both Emma and David felt the music surrounding them.

You alone can make my song take flight -

help me make the music of the night ...

David also joined in the applause, not for himself, but for Emma. She had done a wonderful job. He was impressed, to say the least. It amazed him what she would do, what she would give of herself to feel the music and all that she must have done to give her the ability, the opportunity to stand there conducting an orchestra. She saw him applauding for her along with Eckhart Seigerstam. David smiled and nodded his head gently in great approval.

"How about that, ladies and gentlemen? Let's give her another hand, folks. Just perfect. Nicely done, Ms. Lane," Eckhart said as Emma approached him, returning his baton and hugging him in thanks.

"And how about David Cook, huh? A beautiful instrument you have there, young man, fantastic."

"Thank you," David said in response. "Thank you." He lifted his arm and waved to the crowd as he walked off the stage. A young stage hand came up to him and took his microphone.

He turned to look back out at the orchestra, ready to enjoy the rest of the evening from the side of the stage. Emma was in front of him. He didn't know what to do, what to say. She didn't appear to be angry or upset. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, as if she had tears in her eyes after what she had just experienced, knowing what she had overcome to be at that point. Not knowing what to do, he simply smiled at her.

Suddenly her arms were around his neck, hugging him. David's smile spread wide. He couldn't have wished for a better reaction from her. It wasn't what he had expected, but was also more than he had expected. He too had tears in his eyes, grateful that she wasn't running from him...or slapping him. His arms tightened around her, almost lifting her off her feet since he was a bit taller than her. As he hugged her, he exhaled a sigh of relief, exhaling all of the nerves he had previously been feeling. Instead, he felt happiness, sharing in her triumph and the passion they both shared for music. As he did so, he noted her scent. She smelled of peaches and happiness, sweet and innocent.

"You were amazing," he whispered, only realizing after the fact that she might not have been able to hear him, a thought which caused his heart to twinge with sadness.

Emma began to pull back from him. She looked down, stepping away from him. He wondered what she was thinking...if she wished she hadn't seen him now.

Finally, she looked up. She moved her hands, using the universal ASL sign and simply said, "Thank you" to him with her hands.

He smiled, thankful he could still recall some sign language from his music class in elementary school when they sang a song and used sign language with it. Shaking his head, he replied also using hands with his voice to say, "No, thank you." To emphasize his words, he bowed slightly, lifting his hands in mock worship.

She laughed and rolled her eyes. Her laugh was like music to his ears. "Progress," he thought. "I got her to laugh."