Denise, Sarah’s mother, took a bus from two counties away. Even the charge nurse at St. Agnes rearranged Sarah’s shift so she could attend without losing hours. The hall held eighty people.
Eli waited backstage with the other students, palms sweating despite the cool air. Maya tuned quietly. Luis joked too much because he was nervous. Tasha sat in a folding chair reading a comic book and seemed unaffected by human stress.
Eli tried to breathe the way Daniel had taught him. When his name was called, he walked out. The stage lights prevented him from seeing faces clearly, which helped. He bowed, sat, adjusted the bench, and placed his hands on the keys.
For the first few measures he heard every tiny flaw. Then the counterpoint took over. One voice entered, then the other, each requiring independence and attention without domination. He finished without a major error.
Applause came. He bowed again and walked offstage. Back in the hallway, Daniel met him with a neutral expression that gave nothing away. “How was it?”
Eli asked. “What did you think?” Eli considered. “The left hand got heavy in the middle.”
“Yes.” “And I rushed two measures near the end.” “Yes.” “But I liked it.”
Daniel smiled. “Good.” That was the review Eli remembered. The station video continued existing online long after Eli stopped checking it.