Chapter Thirty-Seven: True Beauty
Intermission was continued for ten more minutes, but after that, everything moved on as planned. After taking care of Mr. Gardens, most of the female performers barged into the dressing room, just as I finished putting on my dress, and began to interrogate me.
"Oh my God Chris!" Angie, a solo violin player giggled, "He is SO hot! How old is he?"
"Does he have a brother?" Someone else asked.
"Is he from out of town?"
"Do you like him?"
"Are you two dating? God, if I saw a guy like that, I wouldn't let him get away too easily."
"Is he in theater? What does he do?"
"How long have you known him?"
I laughed, and bent down to slip on my gold heels. "One question at a time girls! First off, I've known him for a while now. He's a very talented singer and musician, and he's a wonderful guy. Now, I gotta run. I have to find him and work a few things out for the act."
"But Chris, tell us if he's single…"
Before I had to answer any other questions, I left the dressing room, and walked backstage to find Erik.
He was standing near the sets, away from the groups of people watching the performance going on. No one was paying attention, so I walked over to him, and took his hand.
"Hey you." I whispered.
"Hey." He whispered back.
"Thank you, for doing this for me. How did you know Mr. Gardens hurt himself?"
"I was up on the catwalk, and I saw what happened." He glanced around, then quickly kissed my cheek. "You amaze me. You offered to give up your act, even though he was willing to play for you."
"I know, that's stupid of me, but I couldn't let him with his hand…"
"I didn't say it was stupid." He interrupted, "I actually think it was quite noble of you. You're a selfless girl, Chris. Oh, and by the way, you look beautiful."
I glanced down at my dress. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, my Angel of Music, my precious angel in white."
I leaned against his shoulder. "Erik, is it okay if I tell people that we're dating? The girls backstage thing you're the hottest thing since Johnny Depp, and they want to know if you're single."
He looked at me in disbelief. "They think I'm handsome?"
"Actually, they think you're 'SO hot'."
He smiled. "Well, tell them I'm sadly dating and am with the most gorgeous girl in the world." He stopped talking suddenly, and took a deep breath. "And Chris, I'm thinking about trying to contact my family… the Kynastons."
I squeezed his fingers. "Really?"
"Yes. If I'm going to get therapy… I think it's time. I don't want to hide anymore. I'm tired of hiding. I want to feel the sunlight again. But please, I don't want you to worry about it now. We're performing soon."
There was a pause, before I turned his head toward mine, and kissed his lips, not caring who saw us. "I'm proud of you, Erik. I love you."
"I love you too."
We waited for another thirty minutes in the shadows, while I explained where the piano was on stage, and we worked out how we were going to do this. We stood on the sidelines, watching as the act before us performed, and then waited until the lights went out. We would be performing without an introduction, since we were the grand finale.
When the lights went down that was Erik's cue to come on, and make his way to the piano. As soon as he did, he started playing the intro, and the light came back up. I walked on stage as he played, grabbed the microphone from the stand. This was it, our moment in the spotlight… and I only wanted to prove to Erik, my father, and myself that I could be the musician that they were. As I thought all this I took a deep breath, and began singing:
"Remember those walls I built
Well Baby they are tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make a sound
I found a way to let you in
But I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now"
Then I walked over to the piano as I sang the next part:
"It's like I've been awaken
Every rule I had you breakin
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray won't fade away"
I leaned back as he hit a powerful cord, letting my hair fall lower down my shoulders.
"I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't begin
To pull me back to the ground again"
I then made my way over behind Erik, reaching out to touch his shoulder, yet was pretending I was hesitant to. His eyes were closed, and he was moving with the song as he played. Never had I seen him so into a song and so jubilant. It was like he was in his own nirvana.
"It's like I've been awaken
Every rule I had you breakin
It's the risk that I'm taking
I'm never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away"
There he played the small piano interlude, and he actually stood up from his piano bench and let the music come to me. I could hear him freestyle a little bit, adding his own flare here and there, and I moved closer to him. He saw me out of the corner of his eye, and watched me as he played. Finally he finished his solo, and I continued:
"Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel your halo"
At last he ended the song, and sat back down at the piano bench. And then, we heard the applause.
It was the loudest clapping I had ever heard in my life. Ever, period. People were yelling my name, and even backstage, the performers were hollering. Soon everyone in the audience started standing, and tears came to my eyes. I looked over at Erik, and he was beaming with pride.
I rushed over there, and took his hand, pulling him center stage with me. People started clapping harder for him, and I backed away to let him have his moment. He put a hand over his heart and gave a bow, before motioning for me to stand next to him. I did so, he took my hand, and we bowed together. Right before going off stage, I couldn't help it. I wrapped my arms around Erik's neck, and I guess I was so caught up in the moment, I kissed him right then and there. On stage. In front of almost everyone in Belleview. And instead of being shocked, he went along with it, and dipped me back. I heard a few people whistle, and we straightened up and laughed. Hand and hand, Erik and I walked backstage, and into the throngs of the celebratory performers.
"You guys were fantastic!" One of the guys said, giving Erik a high five, "Man dude, you can play!"
"Chris, you two rocked it!" Maggie cried, hugging Erik and I both.
"Holy crap, I seriously thought it was a recording at first." Jamie said, "Like, you are fan-freak'in-tastic."
"Even I'll admit," Candice said from the side, "you're pretty good. Not as good as me, but good. And you're lucky to have that guy… considering your," she sneered at me, "circumstance."
I wasn't going to say anything, and just take Candice's backhanded compliment in stride, but Maggie spoke up.
"Candice," She said, in a sickly sweet tone, "for once in your life, can you not be a bitchy diva?"
Everyone gasped at her comment, and then burst into giggles as Candice stomped away with a huff. I wrapped my arm around Maggie's shoulders in a half hug, and sighed.
"I've been wanting to say that for years." I confessed.
"Yeah, we all kinda have." Jamie agreed. Everyone burst out laughing then, and the mood lightened once more.
"Hey, Chris," one of the ballet girls said, "Can I have you and your boyfriend's autograph? So that way when you become famous I can show off to my friends."
I giggled, shaking my head. "You know, you guys were pretty amazing yourselves. It wasn't just me and Desmond that made the show… you guys were spectacular too."
"Chris is right," Desmond said, "I have seen wondrous talent, and let me tell you, I have never been more honored to have been able to share a stage with you. So, I thank you for that."
At that moment I saw someone push through the small group of people, and realized it was Rich. He seemed shocked that Desmond was here, and he looked at him for a few seconds, studying him. Then, with a shrug, he held out his hand to both of us.
"You did a good job." He stated, "Both of you. I'm glad you two worked together."
I reluctantly took his hand, and we shook. "Thanks Richard." I said.
"It's nothing, Chris. Talent is talent. I guess all I have to say is… well, good luck." After that he walked away from us, and that was it. Erik and I went back to talking to the group, but a part of me still lingered on the thought of Rich going. It was like the fate of our friendship was forever sealed in that single moment. I would never refer to him as one of my pals again, but when I looked back on this time later in my life, I would have no ill will against him. What happened simply happened, and I believe that things were supposed to have been that way.
Suddenly our celebrating was stopped by a stagehand running up to all of us. "Mrs. Gardens wants you all in the women's dressing room, now." He said.
We shrugged, and all walked further backstage, squeezing into the room. There Mrs. Gardens was, sitting on the makeup cabinet, beaming at all of us. Another woman, who we had never seen before, sat nearby in a chair. She had dark hair pulled back behind her ears, and she wore a green summer dress with a short-sleeved cropped suit jacket and heels. Her makeup was simply done, but her nails were manicured and trimmed. I had no clue who she was, so I turned my attention toward Mrs. Gardens.
"Now, I'm going to make this quick so you can all leave soon," she began, "but you all were excellent tonight. Never have I directed a more successful Night of the Stars. Everything ran so smoothly tonight, and you all came to show off your best. I am so proud of you guys. I can't even begin to express how much joy I feel, because I have worked with you. So here's what we're going to do. On Monday, we'll strike everything, and you all can come in and get things out of the lockers here that you need. But until then, the normal theater crew has the rest of the weekend off. Now, you all may go and enjoy your party at Beat of the Sea." We cheered and turned to grab our things, but Mrs. Gardens quickly cried, "Wait, Desmond and Chris, you stay here!"
We both stopped in our tracks, and turned toward Mrs. Gardens. She motioned for us to follow her, and the woman in the green dress stood up, as we were lead out to the hall, and into a quiet corner backstage. Finally Mrs. Gardens turned to the woman, and grinned.
"Chris, Desmond" she said, "this is Quinn Lockhart. She's a producer from Firestone Records, and she saw you perform tonight."
I gazed at the woman, and my mouth fell open. "Oh my gosh, hi!" I said, holding my hand out, "It's so nice to meet you!"
She smiled warmly and took my hand. "It's nice to meet you too." She said, "Believe me."
"Hello Mrs. Lockhart." Erik greeted, shaking her hand next.
"I actually heard of you before." I stated. "You worked with my father, Christopher Davis."
She nodded. "Indeed I have. It's nice to see that you have your dad's talent for music. He was always such a joy to work with. I was always sad that he stopped playing."
"Yeah, me too. I just can't believe you're here now!"
"Well Chris, there is a reason why I'm here." She said, "My record company has always been into classical music, and music that is more… vintage. But lately we've decided that we want to branch out, and get the attention of a younger audience, while keeping the music wholesome and still full of quality. I've been traveling around to see if I can find a good group act, and so far, I've come up empty handed… until I came here. Belleview for me has always been a source of hidden talent. I found your father here almost twenty years ago, and the opera star Eva Gates."
At that moment Erik took in a deep breath. "Eva Gates?" He whispered, "As in the opera star, Eva Gates?"
"Yes. I worked with her and her husband." She answered, "I found Eva when she was a young girl, vacationing here with her family. She was singing in a local restaurant for some kind of open mic night, and I happen to walk in and hear her. So Belleview has always given me surprise talent. That's what I'm here to talk to you two about. I was wondering if, sometime in the next few weeks, I could meet with you again and we could talk about… maybe getting you to sing for a few small public events, and then penning out a deal."
"You mean," I gasped, "a record deal?"
"Yes." She said, "A record deal. With both of you involved."
I looked to Mrs. Gardens. "I need to talk about this with my, associates." I said shyly, realizing that I had to email my dad about this as soon as possible, "Mrs. Lockhart, is it okay if maybe we could exchange information, and I could perhaps get in touch with you after…"
"You get a hold of your parents?" She finished with a laugh, "Of course, I understand." She got out a small notebook from the black purse she had been carrying, and a pen. She jotted down her email and cell phone on a piece of paper for both of us, and then handed it to me. "That is my office number and my email. As soon as you sit down and talk with who you need to talk to, call me, all right?"
I nodded, and burst into a smile. "Yes, I will! Thank you Mrs. Lockhart, thank you!"
"Dear, call me Quinn." She said, "Everyone, who I believe has talent, calls me Quinn. And thank you for the wonderful performance tonight. Now, you two have a party to get to, don't you?"
"Yes, we are expected." Erik said, "But it can wait if it needs to."
"Don't be silly. Stars always have to make an appearance at these things." She teased, "Go, and have fun. I hope to hear from you soon in the near future."
"You will." I said, and we shook hands again, "You have a good night Quinn."
"You too, Chris and Desmond. I will see you later."
With that she walked with Mrs. Gardens away from us, and Erik and I stood there dumbfounded. At last, when I was sure they were out of earshot, I let out a small scream of excitement, and jumped into Erik's arms for a hug.
"Oh my god!" I squealed, "Oh my god! I can't believe this!"
He laughed and kissed the tip of my nose. "Now I have to come out about who I am." He said, "Can you imagine it, Chris? The Kynaston and Davis offspring working together?"
"It'll be wonderful." I said, "We're wonderful. But are you sure you're ready for this?"
He nodded. "Yes. It's time to be a close on the solitude in my life. It's time for this chapter to be over, and for another to begin. You helped me change, darling. I want to show the world that."
Suddenly we heard behind us, "Erik, Chris, there you are! Come on, it's time to go to the party! Dad's letting me borrow the car, and he's riding home with Mom."
We turned around to face Maggie, who was waiting on us excitedly. We grabbed each other's hand and walked toward her.
"Just let me grab my purse really quick Mags." I said, "And then, boy… do we have something to tell you!"
"What?" She asked, "What just happened?"
Erik smiled. "Maggie, wait till we're in the car to tell you. That way, no one will be able to hear you freak out."
I laughed, and gave him a quick hug. I could finally hear Erik's youth and free spirit begin to come out, little by little. And perhaps through that the pain of his past could be diminished a tiny bit, and then maybe one day with our music, we could diminish the ugliness, judgment, and cruelty in the world…
Little by little, and song by song.