Chapter 2

“That good, huh?” I gave a little chuckle, but sighed when he didn’t say anything. “What happened?”

Quinn shrugged one shoulder, and I stayed silent. My son was just like me in so many ways, I knew I had to wait only a few minutes before he’d talk. Sure enough, after just sixty or so seconds, he made that hurt noise again. “I didn’t get the part.”

“Ah, man. That sucks,” I said, meaning it. “I know how much you wanted it.”

“I’m good, Dad! Better than the kid that got it! I sing like a thousand times better!”

I didn’t care that he was shouting. He was allowed to express himself in any way he needed to. “I don’t doubt it,” I whispered, hopefully reminding him to rein it in. And I didn’t doubt it. Quinn’s voice was good enough to make angels weep. He had so much talent I was sure he was better than anyone in the school.

“And I didn’t get the part. Instead, I’m in the stupid chorus.” He unfurled then, and started kicking the edge of his desk. Not hard, but a rapid tap-tap-tap that showed his agitation.

I left him to it for a moment while I figured out what to say. One of those teachable moments. Michelle would have found the right words instantly, but I had to work at it. I loved my children, and I did a damn good job parenting them on my own, but moments like this weren’t easy.

“Like I said, it sucks that you didn’t get the part you wanted. But the chorus isn’t stupid, is it?” He shot me a glare, but I just kept on talking. “The chorus is an important part of the show, right? Everybody needs to be involved to make the show a success. Right?”

Quinn kept glaring, but he shrugged one shoulder again. “I guess.”

It was progress at least. “And it’s experience. Think of it this way, you get to be part of the show, learn how things go, and next year you can use that when you audition.”

With a huge sigh, he unfolded his arms. “That’s what Mr. James said when I asked him why I didn’t get Timmy.”

“You asked?” Quinn wasn’t usually that assertive, and a sense of pride filled my chest that he’d gone out of his way to talk to the teacher.

He nodded, still looking miserable. “He said I was really good, one of the best, but that older kids needed their chance. And I still had a couple years at the school, and I could use the experience next year.”

“See?” I stood and crossed the room, stopping next to his chair. “It’s disappointing, I know. But we don’t always get what we want. So learn and grow from it, okay? And next year, you crush your competition and get whatever part you want.”

Quinn chuckled, and in a surprise move, threw his arms around my middle. I hugged him tightly, and let him pull away when he was done.

“Nana made dinner, so how about you wash up and we eat. Then we’ll get homework done and maybe watch a movie before bed.”

“Okay, Dad.” He hopped up and headed for his door, but at the last second, he turned back. “Thanks.”

And then he was gone, running to the bathroom. I smiled and followed at a slower pace. My heart hurt for Quinn. I wanted him to have everything he wanted, and I hated seeing him so disappointed. But he was going to be okay, and that was the most important thing. 2

Emmett James stood in front of the assembled parents, radiating confidence and enthusiasm. I couldn’t stop staring. I felt like I should have known that my high school classmate was now the music teacher at Landry’s Fall Primary. But somehow it had escaped my notice, and now I sat transfixed by his beauty and his passion.

I hadn’t seen him in years. Not since we’d graduated sixteen years ago. We hadn’t ever been close, but our circles had intersected to some degree. I went away to college, met Michelle, fell in love, married, and settled down. When I moved back after her death to be closer to my parents, it hadn’t even occurred to me that any of my old friends would still be in town. Over the years, I’d met up with a few, like Tru Rackley, who had his own dog services business, and Missy Carter, who had been homecoming queen and now owned the bakery, Sweet Treats. Most kids who grew up in the tiny tourist town in the Adirondacks couldn’t wait to get out and start a life somewhere bigger and more exciting.