Under Lights

Crash

With the stage lights heating my shoulder, I still haven't had the courage to look out at the crowd. I keep the piano pedal down to let the final chord hum and fade out slowly. When the applause doesn't start immediately, everything in me screams that they're going to boo me off stage. In the space of a breath I see myself humiliated, asked to leave the stage before the show is even over. All the headlines. All the morning news stories. All the ways Rod will refuse to take my calls and how my life will be over . . .

Then someone claps. Then someone else joins them. As the last of the chord dissolves in the air, there's a moment of hesitation, as if the audience isn't sure the song is done. Then more join in. And a few seconds later, everyone is clapping. The room thunders with it. There are cheers, and whistles and stomps on the floor.

I run a hand through my hair and shake my head in disbelief.