Page 49 of Echoes of Us

Saint Bartholomew’s? Why would she be there? It’s a private school about fifteen minutes outside of Princeton. It specializes in the arts: music, dance, theater, and art. And why is Dad talking to someone about her? Actually, who cares. I know where she is, and I am going to find her.

The second practice ends the next day, I run to my car, flooring it to Saint Bart’s. I pull up to the school, jumping out and running toward the front. I am almost to the entry way when I hear a voice I am not expecting to hear. I turn to see my dad standing there.

“Emmaline? What are you doing here?” he asks.

“I could ask you the same thing, Dad,” I say flatly.

He sighs, nodding his head toward the bench. “Can we sit?”

We walk over to the bench to sit. I wait for him to start the conversation.“Are you here for Teagan?” he asks.

I pause for a moment but can’t hold it in any longer. “I miss her, Dad. I know you don’t want to hear that and I’m not sure what any of this means, but right now I want to see her. I’m sorry if that makes you hate me,” I say, tears beginning to fall.

Dad places a finger on my chin and turns me to face him, “Emmaline. First, there is nothing you could do that would make me hate you. I love you unconditionally. Second, I know. I held you as you fell to the floor that night. You’re my child. I felt the pain radiating through you that night and I haven’t been able to shake that feeling since.”

We sit in silence for a moment before he asks, “Is this what you really want?” I look up at him and nod.

“Yes. At least…right now. I want the chance to figure it out.”

He nods toward the building. “I was just dropping off her tuition payment. Check the assembly hall. She should be in there.” He pulls me into a hug. “Go in there and tell her how you feel. Don’t hold back.” I look back at him and then hug his neck.

We sit there, hugging each other tight. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear he loves me. Everything that has been built up inside me releases.

“I love you, Dad. Thank you,” I tell him as I turn toward the building and run inside.

I finally find the assembly hall, but before I enter, I stop to listen to the sound coming from inside. I slowly open the door and a melody more beautiful than I’ve ever heard before fills my ears. On stage, Teagan is playing the piano with her back to the seats. I begin to walk slowly down the aisle when a hand reaches out and grabs my arm firmly.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Sean whispers angrily, pulling me down into the seat beside him. I pull my arm away, glaring at him.

“I’m here to get her back, asshole,” I respond.

Sean rolls his eyes and says, “You two are weird.” He turns back toward Teagan. We sit in silence for a moment, listening to the piece she is playing.

He leans over and whispers in my ear, “She hasn’t played this piece since her mom died. I only know because it is the piece she would play while her mom was getting high with their roommates. It was always her safe place.” I look at Teagan, tears welling in my eyes. I can feel the emotion behind the music. I can see her as a little girl, playing this song to escape the bad around her.

“Did you know I tried for months to get her to play again, but I never could. She started because of you.” He continues, “You did that,” nodding toward Teagan, “when no one else could…Thank you.”

Sean stands, moving to walk past me. He pauses, leaning down to whisper in my ear, “I think she loves you; ya know. My same threat stands. I’ll kill you if she ends up hurt, princess.” My heart flutters at the nickname. A nickname I loathed a few months ago, but now would have given anything to hear again. He squeezes my shoulder and exits the hall.

Little does he know, it’s her who has all the power to hurt me.

Chapter 53

Teagan

Dream Echoes brings me so much peace. Even though I have been heartbroken since losing Emmaline, she fixed something broken in me. A piece of me I never thought would heal. The void I felt from losing my mom will never go away, but Emmaline brought me back to life.

I play the song over and over, the melody filling the assembly hall, vibrating through me. The last few weeks at this new school have been the fresh start I needed, but nothing is complete without Emmaline. Sean and I have talked through every scenario imaginable. Each one ends with one conclusion: Emmaline is better off without me. She is going to finish her senior year with a lacrosse championship and go to an amazing school. She deserves to have her friends and family surrounding her. With me, none of that would be possible.

I use the piano to play through my emotions instead of hiding from them like I used to. I close my eyes, letting my fingers decide how to express what I feel. Today, I go back to the song that made me feel protected during the hard times. A song that now reminds me of two important people: my mom and Emmaline. Emmaline gives me the same feeling of safety and peace. Playing it makes me feel like one day, I will see her again.

My fingers are really starting to hurt. I complete the piece once more, taking a breath. I close my eyes and picture Emmaline. I thought after six weeks things would be easier. Yeah right. Wishful thinking.

I pack my bag, then push back the bench. I hear a soft voice ask, “Please play it one more time.” I whirl toward the audience seats to see a tall, slender silhouette in the aisle. I cannot see her face because of the lights, but I know that voice. I stop breathing.

She comes up the stairs and stops in front of me. Emmaline is really standing here smiling down at me, tears running down her cheeks.

“Play it for me one more time, please,” she asks again. I’m unable to speak, so I nod. I pull the bench toward the piano and begin to play. I feel her presence grow closer as my fingers move across the keys. I play with more emotion than I ever have before. I feel the bench sink next to me and feel Emmaline’s hand on my knee. I put my entire being into this piece.

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