Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
“The Lion King was my favorite when I was growing up. I fell in love with the bright colors and music. Then when I got older, I saw the musical on Broadway and loved it even more.”
“You’re a big music fan,” he gathered, and I nodded with a chuckle.
“With a name like Lyric, I’d have to be, right?” He laughed along with me until I nodded towards the plate in front of me. The food smelled delicious, and I didn’t want it to get cold before we could eat. “What is in moussaka?”
“Minced meat and eggplant in bechamel sauce.”
I scooped a bite onto my fork and noted, “It kind of looks like lasagna.” I passed the bite between my lips and hummed when it touched my tongue. It was thick and hearty like lasagna, but with a more exotic taste. “It’s delicious.”
“I’m so glad you like it.”
I ate several more bites before telling him, “Even though I do love music, it was my mother’s love for it that gave me my name. She was an opera singer for a large company which was stationed here in the city. She is retired now, but she used to travel all around the country and beyond. As a kid, I would always travel along with her and watch as many of her shows as I could. It was amazing. I love opera almost as much as I love musical theater.”
“That sounds like an exciting childhood.”
“Yes and no,” I replied with a bob of my head. “Moving around so much made it difficult to find friends to connect with. I didn’t go to school; I learned with a tutor on the road. The people I was closest to were the singers and members of the orchestra, who were all older than I was. But hearing the music and the applause of the crowd every night made everything worth it.”
“Do you sing as well?”
I looked down at my plate and pushed my food around with my fork. “No. I mean, I do, but not professionally. There was a time when I dreamed of diving into my passion, taking the stage, and hearing the applause from the other side, but…it didn’t work out.”
Sloan placed his large hand on my back and caressed in soothing circles. “I’m so sorry. What happened?” When I didn’t reply, he leaned in closer to me and whispered, “You can tell me anything, sweet Lyric.”
I believed him. Somehow, I knew I could trust him with my feelings. But more than that, I wanted to tell him; I wanted to tell my story and hear his own, and leave no secrets between us.
So I began, “By the time I reached my teen years, I knew I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a singer, but in the musical theater world. I spoke with many of her colleagues who agreed to help me with voice lessons. A few even offered to contact friends of theirs in the industry who could get me in touch with an agent.
“I thought my mom would be so happy when I told her, but in reality, she got angry. She said that I didn’t have the talent or the endurance to perform at a high level, and that she wouldn’t allow me to ‘ride her coattails’ to the top. Even after she retired, she couldn’t risk me ‘tarnishing her legacy’ by trying to make a name for myself and embarrassing her.
“We grew distant after that conversation. We still talk and see each other from time to time, but things are strained. As soon as I was old enough to go out on my own, I did. I ended up taking a job at a music shop, where I help kids find an instrument that is their perfect fit. I love watching their faces light up with excitement the first time they play a note. It’s a different path than I envisioned for myself, but I still love it.”
Sloan was quiet for a moment before replying, “I won’t say how I feel about your mother because I don’t want to offend you.” The corners of my lips ticked up at how cute he was. I had a pretty good idea of what he was trying to conceal, and I appreciated the sentiment.
“But I will say how I feel about you; I think it is incredible that you are helping young ones by nurturing their passions and encouraging them. I wish the same had been done for you, but I’m certain that you don’t lack talent. I would love to hear you sing, and praise you for all time.”
I blinked my eyes, both from shock and to keep them dry; no one had ever said anything so sweet to me, or shown such belief in me. Part of me wanted to belt out a song then and there, just to hear more caring words, but I knew it wasn’t the time or the place. Plus, what if I didn’t have the talent he expected? I didn’t want to turn away someone else I cared about.