Page 80 of A Thousand Broken Pieces

I clutched tightly to Cael and looked at him too. His eyes were staring off outside the window. I wanted to hold him tightly and take him away from all his pain. But I couldn’t, so I simply laid my head on his shoulder and sighed when he dropped a soft kiss on my head.

“Japan is a stunning country, and what we have planned for you there will both inspire you and push you just that little bit farther.”

Leo nodded to Mia and she said, “I’m so proud of you all. And I hope as we embark on one more country, you are proud of yourselves too.” She paused, then said, “All of you.” I caught her subtle glance at Cael. Because he should be proud of himself. He had shed himself of the anger toward his brother that held him captive and had opened his heart to healing.

I was prouder of him than I was myself.

The meal was delicious, and the mood around the table was light. Relief that we were leaving the hardest part of our journey behind hung in the air, and laughter was shared.

When the meal was done, Mia got to her feet. “Travis, Dylan, Lili, Jade, you guys are with me.” Our friends stood and, with goodnights shared, followed Mia from the restaurant.

Leo stood too. “I’ll wait for you both outside.”

My eyebrows pulled down in confusion. “What—” I went to say, but then I remembered Cael said he’d had something planned. I turned to him, smiling. Worry etched his face. My smile quickly fell. “Cael—”

“I wanted to do something for you,” he blurted, rushing the words from his mouth. “But I don’t know if I’ve gone too far.”

“What is it?” I said, heart beating fast in anticipation.

Cael shifted in his seat and squeezed my hand. He stared at me, as if trying to read my face for the answer to a question he hadn’t yet asked. “A while ago, you told me that you could no longer listen to live orchestras or even classical music because Poppy played cello and wanted to be a professional cellist.” I felt myself growing hotter, my pulse fluttering in my neck and wrists. I nodded, lost for words. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, then said, “I found out a professional orchestra was playing just down the street—is that what you call them?” he asked, adorably nervous.

“A symphony orchestra?” I asked, breathless.

“Yeah,” he said, bowing his head. “I asked Leo if I could get tickets and take you.” He looked up at me again. “I’m not pushing you to see it, and if you still find it too difficult to hear that kind of music, Leo will take us tomeet the others in the park that has other music playing.” He inhaled, then exhaled measuredly. “I just wanted to do this for you.”

His long, dark lashes kissed his cheek as he closed his eyes. “You’ve been there for me through so much. You’ve held me up these past few days when I have been cut open and in pain.” My lip trembled. This boy … this boy was so kind, so thoughtful. I loved him so much.

“You’ve given me so much, Savannah, and I don’t think you understand how much that means to me.” Cael’s voice cut out and I pressed my forehead to his, just feeling him, breathing him in. “I just wanted to give you something back … give you back a part of Poppy.”

“Cael,” I said, and my voice cracked with a small cry.

Cael’s eyes flew to mine, and I saw the panic written on his face. He cradled my face. “It’s fine, Savannah. I promise. We won’t go.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have pushed you. I should’ve let you do this yourself, when you were ready. I … God, I’m so sorry—”

“No,” I said and held on to his wrists. Cael’s unsure gaze darted to mine. “You misunderstand,” I said and smiled even through my tears. “It’s beautiful.” I dropped my head to meet his once more. “It’s the kindest, most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.”

Cael’s relieved exhale spoke volumes.

I sat back, never releasing him. “I would be honored to go with you.”

He searched my face for any doubt. There was only truth. Poppy’s biggest passion in life was music. Was her cello. I wanted to hear the music she loved playing again. I wanted to feel her memory wrap around me as the bow danced over familiar-sounding strings.

I wanted to break down this final barrier. And I wanted to do this with Cael by my side. I leaned in and kissed him. Then I rose from the table and Cael came too. “You sure?” he asked.

“I’ve never been surer.”

Cael led us outside, and to Leo, who would be accompanying us. Leo led the way down the street, until we entered a large building. People milled about in the foyer, and Cael handed in our tickets. Leo would be seated away from us to give us this moment alone.

As we were led to the main theater, I breathed it all in. The familiarityof seeing an orchestra pit. We had never missed a performance by Poppy. We were always there, watching her play. I used to sit, mesmerized as she’d played, eyes closed and a smile upon her pretty face. She had become lost to the notes, swaying to the melodies, hand delicate as though she performed an intricate ballet with her bow.

I had loved it. Every time.

As we sat in our seats, I held tightly to the program we’d been given. There was a fissure of nerves cracking in my chest. I felt Cael watching me. “She practiced all day long,” I said, and Cael’s hand moved to rest on my thigh. I stayed staring at the drawn curtain that hid the orchestra from view. “I used to curl up on the window seat in our living room and read as Poppy practiced in the background.” I smiled at the memory. And when I did, there was no pain. A dull ache, perhaps, but the memory no longer sliced me open. It felt …nice, to remember her this way.

“Of course, she played in concerts. She was amazing. She was part of many orchestras. Always first seat, because she was that talented. But my mind still takes me back to those lazy, rainy days as I read in our living room, Poppy playing beside me, Ida on the floor playing with her dolls.” I could feel Cael smiling at that.

Tears sprang to my eyes. “The house has been too quiet for quite some time now.” I blinked away the blurriness from my eyes. “Near the end, she could no longer play. She became too weak to hold the bow. But there was still classical music playing all the time, at home.”

Cael squeezed my leg again. I looked to him, to see his eyes shining with tears too. “After she left us, the music left too.” I thought about reading in my window nook again when I returned home. “Maybe when I’m home, I’ll play it again. For her,” I said, then smiled. “And for me.”

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