Page 152 of Again, In Autumn

She returns to counting her money, and I tap my fingers, thinking of something else, some other way to make a big gesture.

I guess I could take my top off.

“What time is the concert over?” I ask.

“When it’s over.”

“Please, is there some way – any way – that I can see Adam?”

Her eyes cast over my body, and she shakes her head. “Honey, the number of girls who came up and asked me the same question today has me considering calling the police. I’m not letting any of you stalkers anywhere near Adam. Okay?”

She shoos me away with her hand. “Now please, leave.”

My shoulders drop, and I grumble, “Okay. I’ll go.”

Insta-stalking could be considered magical and romantic in the right light.

Francesca rolls down her window and yells, “Vienna, what’s going on?”

I throw up my arms and begin walking back to the car.

“Wait,” the woman in the window calls out. “What is your name?”

I turn around. “Vienna.”

“Vienna what?”

“Rose.”

“Ha!” She throws her head back. “I’ll be damned!”

I run back to the window, not sure what that means, but sensing it must be good news as she’s very animated and excited.

The woman tells me, “I own this place. Adam used to tend bar here years ago. I let him play a song or two, then a set. He rented the apartment above for the first few years he lived in Nashville.” She smiles, shaking her head. “He always told me, ‘if a Vienna Rose shows up, let her in’.”

My heart skips a beat. I place a hand on my chest.

“That boy waited for you to show up for years. In fact, I found this in my office just this morning.”

She passes a piece of paper through the slot in the window. In the same handwriting as the letter in my pocket, it reads: Hey Carla. Just a reminder, if Vienna Rose comes for a ticket, please let her in. Thanks.

My face broadens in a grin. “So, I can go in?” I ask breathlessly.

Carla raises an eyebrow, her mouth curled into a smile as well. “I have strict orders to follow. And if the fire marshal shows up, run.” She knocks on the window and yells at the man at the door. “Jerry, let this woman in without a ticket.”

He clocks me and gives me a thumb’s up.

“One second!” I run back to the car and share, “They’re all out of tickets, but they’re going to let me in.”

“Oh good!” Francesca grabs my hand through the window. “What are you waiting for – go!”

I pause. “What do I do now? What’s my big move?”

Grayson says, “Auntie Vee, hold up my sign.”

His parents lean out of the way as he pushes a rolled-up poster board through the passenger side window. He spent all morning working on it. David helped him sound out the words.

I shrug. “Okay, I guess.”

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