She takes the stage amidst old and new fans. Holding the mic again feels as natural as breathing. Her first few song selections flow from her lips without effort or strain…weaving melodic tales of her joys and sorrows into something almost tangible that tugs at the heart of anyone who’s listening. But something doesn’t fit. Before she even knows what it is…she holds the mic close and begins speaking.
Nadine: I want to thank you all for being here tonight. A month ago…I never thought I’d ever grace a stage again, but here I am and it’s partially because of all of you. I dedicate this next song to each and every one of you…
Nadine: *singing*
‘If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So, I’ll go but I know
I’ll think of you
Every step of the way’
(Source: ♫♪♫)
She can almost see tears in the eyes of the listeners standing close to her. There’s movement to her left. She looks over to see Maci walking over to Robert. She keeps singing… hitting the notes with so much emotion that her fans immediately react.
Nadine: *continues singing*
‘And I will always love you
And I will always love you’
Fans: We love you Nadine!
The fans continue to engage…expressing their love for her from time to time all over the room. Yet, the two people who claim to love her the most…who really know her are barely paying attention. Instead, they’re deeply engaged in whatever they feel is more important than her at the moment. But maybe she’s overreacting. She can’t think on that now…
Nadine: *continues*
‘Bittersweet memories
That is all I am taking with me
So goodbye, please don’t you cry
‘Cause we both know I’m not what you need’
It’s the performance of a lifetime. One that she’s slowly beginning to realize, may actually be her final goodbye. She again glances over in Robert and Maci’s direction. If only one of them would make eye contact…seeing the pain spilling from her eyes as she belts out note after note. Perhaps they would understand that she’s singing her heart out to them. Maybe one of them could explain to her that she’s wrong…that there’s nothing brewing between them, they’re just making friendly conversation. If only, but they don’t…
Nadine: *continues to the end*
‘I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love
And I will always love you
And I will always love you
And I will always love you’
She finishes her song and the crowd erupts in applause. All eyes are on her…except the ones that she needs the most.
Nadine thanks everyone once again. Then Bailey Thorne takes to the stage. As the crowd gives him their attention…she makes a decision. Blinded by the lights and her own tears…she begins to weave her way through the many bodies who are now swaying to beat of Thorne’s enthusiastic piano playing.
She doesn’t get very far before a fan stops her briefly.
Fan in the crowd: That was incredible. I love you Nadine!
She knows that this lady…this stranger believes that to be true, but as she turns to look at Robert and Maci one last time, she can’t help but feel very alone in the world…like no one really loves her. She hurries to the door.
She reaches the door and looks back at the crowd who is now showing their love for Throne…giving him their full attention. She’s already out of sight, out of mind. She steps out into the night air and realizes that if she suddenly disappeared out of the public eye…in a flash, she’d be forgotten. A brief thought in the memory of the fans who claim to love her, but they will soon move on to the next big thing. Perhaps in a few years, she’ll show up in a ‘where are they now’ list. But that would be the extent of it all. Eventually…no one will even care.
She wants out…out of the world that she no longer fits in. There’s no doubt about it. The thought is solidified in her mind the whole ride home in the back of a S-Uber. Luckily the driver doesn’t recognize her and isn’t very talkative. Giving her plenty of time to think.
In the house, she heads straight for the bar. How can she leave the entertainment industry, when everyone she’s close to is a heavy hitter within it? She’d have to leave everyone she’s acquainted with behind. That terrifies her. Entertaining is the only thing she’s known since she left Willow Creek…as a very young adult, barely out of her teens. She grabs a bottle from the bar and fills her glass, hoping that a drink…or two, or three will help her forget how difficult this whole thing will be.
But the emotional pit inside her is too deep to fill. Each sip seems to make her more sober…more aware of her situation. Suddenly her phone rings…it’s Robert. Has he just now noticed that she’s not there? She ignores the call.
She needs something stronger. She walks over to where Robert keeps the strong stuff. She pours one glass and quickly downs it. It’s not enough, so she pours four more. After one more glass, she realizes that this is a waste of time. Foolishly impairing herself won’t solve her problems. She’s been down that road before…she’d like to avoid going there again.
Finally beginning to feel slightly inebriated from a few too many drinks, she walks over to the couch…stumbling slightly. She sets her glass on the table after her phone rings once again. This time it’s Maci. She stares at the name of her friend, but can’t bring herself to answer the call. She turns off the phone completely.
After the multiple ignored calls, she realizes that if Robert and Maci come looking for her…they’ll check here first. Her intention was to drown her sorrows by drinking, but instead…it’s made her brave. She changes out of the gown that was carefully chosen by Maci. If she wants to be out of here before they get here…she needs to be quick. She decides to leave a note so they won’t think she just disappeared without a trace into the night. The last thing she needs are the cops looking for her.
Still…just a note won’t be enough. She’ll also have to leave a clear message. But what?
She looks at her left hand and stares at her engagement ring. She knows that as long as she still has this ring, she’ll be tied to Robert. He’d never just let her go.
There’s a pad on the kitchen island…where Robert tends to take notes as he talks to potential clients. She grabs the pen that’s there, readily available. There’s so much she’d like to say. She knows that if she leaves, she should also leave an explanation…Robert at least deserves that. But she doesn’t have time. If they walk through that door…she’d never find the strength to say goodbye. She keeps it brief…
I’m sorry Robert.
And rather than signing it…she leaves behind her engagement ring. Then she walks away.
Nadine Fuller Short Story – Part Summaries
