“Of course.”
I checked my bow to make sure there was enough rosin, then I picked it up with my cello and took a deep breath.
“Okay. Here goes.”
Borden opened the door for me as I walked out into the wings. The orchestra was just finishing the piece that would lead up to my concerto. It ended, there was applause, then the conductor took a bow and walked off stage to where we were.
He smiled at me. “It’s a good audience tonight. They’ll love you.”
I smiled back as I watched a stagehand in a tuxedo bring a chair out onto the stage and place it carefully on the marks we’d chosen. When he walked off stage, the audience became quiet.
“Okay. After you,” the conductor smiled.
I glanced up at Borden. He winked at me and I nodded. Then I turned, with my cello, and walked onto the stage.