Epilogue
The annual Christmas musical was sold out, and the residents of Pine City who were unable to get a seat would be rewarded with a taped replay tomorrow afternoon in the high-school gymnasium.
Ivy sat in the front row, with Daniel on her left and Kayla and Roxie to her right, along with their parents, whom she had been introduced to the night before at the big event at Maxine’s. She had held a small gathering of the performers at her house and introduced them to her friend Paul, who must have been someone very important. Ivy knew that Holly had some special connection with the older woman, but if Holly wanted her to know, she was sure she would tell her when the time was right.
Her father and Margaret sat at the end of the first row. Ivy kept searching the room until she saw who she was hoping would be there as a couple, Sarah and Jay. She gave a slight wave, and Sarah waved back, her smile as wide as the stage in front of them.
For the next hour and a half, they listened to local talent sing and play instruments. Some danced, and a group of children from Pine City’s second-grade class wore red-and-white-striped pajamas as they performed a song about Mommy kissing Santa. The audience clapped and whistled, but when Carol took center stage to introduce tonight’s star performer, a hush fell over the audience. You could hear a pin drop, it was so quiet.
“Some of you here tonight know our next performer, and those who do not are going to wish they did. For the past several weeks, I have had the utmost pleasure to work with this young lady, who is a gifted singer. On behalf of the residents of The Upside, it is my great pleasure to introduce Miss Holly Greenwood.”
Carol walked off the stage to polite applause, the lights in the auditorium grew dim, and once again, silence fell over the audience. The buildup to this event had been the talk of Pine City for weeks, and now the residents were in for the biggest treat of the night, for many, perhaps, the biggest treat of their lives to date.
Slowly the curtain rose. Lights shaped like hundreds of twinkling stars sparkled against the deep blue backdrop. In the center of the stage was another, smaller stage, which slowly rose above the main stage.
In its center stood Holly, dressed in a long silver dress with hundreds of shiny sequins that sparkled like an angel. Her hair hung in loose waves, and she wore a shiny red barrette in her hair.
A small orchestra behind her began to play. Holly held her head down, then looked out into the audience and began to sing.
Her voice was that of someone much older, practiced, gifted, and assured. She started off with “Silent Night,” hitting high notes, and each word sounded as though it were being caressed as it came from her heart. The lights on the stage brightened with the next song, and tears fell down Holly’s face as she sang “The Little Drummer Boy,” followed with “The First Noel.” Her performance of “Angels We Have Heard on High” received a standing ovation.
“I would like to dedicate this next song to my friend Ivy Fine and my dad, Daniel Greenwood, who I love with all my heart.”
For the next several minutes, Holly sang “O Holy Night,” as this was her favorite song.
Ivy and Daniel held hands tightly, and tears continued to flow as Holly sang to them, to the audience, and to anyone fortunate enough to witness a star in the making.
When she finished, she received a ten-minute standing ovation, which was unheard of, according to the whispers throughout the audience.
When the rest of the performers returned to the stage, they, too, were given a standing ovation.
“I need to see her,” said the man who was Maxine’s guest. He dragged Maxine along with him.
Before the man could go backstage, Daniel reached for Ivy’s hand and followed him in search of his daughter.
When Daniel spied Holly, he walked through the crowd, and they parted as he made his way to his daughter. “That is the most touching music I have ever heard. You sound like an angel.” He hugged her, and she smiled.
“Thanks, Dad, it’s all I have ever wanted to do. I just feel it here”—she motioned to her heart—“when I sing.”
“And I’ll never stop you again, Holly. I love you so much, kiddo, and I’m beyond proud of you tonight. You had the audience hypnotized.”
“I have never heard such a voice, well, maybe once, but it was many, many years ago, and it was not nearly as perfect as this young lady’s.” Maxine’s friend barged through the crowd and found his way to Holly.
“When you’re a little older, young lady, I’m going to make you a star. Here is my card. Maxine tells me you practice with Carol. Keep practicing, and when you’re a few years older, you come and see me, okay?” He whirled about and departed as fast as he had entered. The man spoke so fast, they could barely understand what he was saying.
“Who was that?” Daniel asked Maxine, who had not been able to keep up with her friend.
“That’s the most famous producer on Broadway, the one and only Paul Larson,” Maxine said as she raced past them.
“Do you know him, Dad?” Holly asked.
“He was the man who was going to make your mother a star. I think we have a few more years to practice, but when the timing is right, and you’re a bit older, and if you still want to sing, we will go to New York and look up Mr. Larson.”
Holly screamed with delight, and by this time, all those who knew her were backstage offering her their congratulations. Roxie and Kayla hugged her and kissed her, and as though this were just another cool thing, they wandered off to mingle with their friends.
“How about you and me making a bit of music of our own?” Daniel said, pulling Ivy into his arms.
“I’m game if you are,” Ivy said.
Slowly as if he had all the time in the world, not caring that dozens of people were watching, his lips touched hers, sending shock waves through both of them.
When they looked into one another’s eyes, a round of applause cheered them on. Daniel’s mouth swooped down to crush Ivy’s lips against his own.
This was most assuredly going to be a very very very merry Christmas.