Page 125 of Symphony of Salvation

Constance grabbed my arm before I could figure out what I’d heard. But the sound came again, quiet and raspy, its tone flat yet inflected.

“Daddy. It’s Daddy.” Constance pointed at the same moment I realized the noise had come from her mouth, and they were words.

Stunned at hearing her speak for the first time, it took her shaking my arm to understand the meaning behind what she’d said.

“Look.”

I followed where she gestured, and there in the back row, exactly where he’d sat at the Christmas concert, where we’dshared an intimate moment, was August, aiming a nervous smile in our direction.

He waved, and Constance ran. For a moment, I thought she would tackle her father to the ground and beat him black and blue from anger, but she dove into his arms, nearly knocking him down, and wrapped her limbs around him in a tight embrace. Then, she buried her face in his neck and cried.

My shock mirrored August’s. Mine from having discovered his presence, and his, I thought, from the reception he’d received from his daughter. He, too, must have expected abuse, not love.

Suddenly nervous, I made my way toward them, wishing I could find the anger I’d harbored in his absence but discovering nothing but longing and love in my heart. Was he back for good or to officially say goodbye?

By the time I reached the rear of the auditorium, Constance was on her feet again, peering up at her father with such heart-wrenching anguish I wanted to reach out and protect her, which was stupid. He was her father.

Constance touched the scarf covering her neck and spoke, the words rough and toneless, as clear as she could make them, but audible and unmistakable. “Don’t leave. I’ll talk. Please don’t go, Daddy. I want you here.”

It was August who cried then, and it looked like his knees might buckle. Fat tears spilled from his eyes as he looked at his daughter in awe. He cupped her face. “I’m staying, baby girl. I promise. Forever and ever.” Then his gaze shifted to me, and he said it again. “I’m staying.”

Constance fell into his arms and remained there for a long time. August hugged her tight, chin resting on the top of her head. Our time apart no longer mattered. If Constance could forgive and forget, if she could trust in August’s return, how could I do less?

He held out a hand, encouraging me to take it. When I did, he drew me into their embrace, so Constance was snug between us, and the dynamic did not pass me by. We’d become a unit. A shaky family in the making.

August whispered in my ear. “I love you, Niles. I know I hurt you. I know you’re mad. Forgive my extended absence. It wasn’t without purpose. I swear. You’ll know the reason soon enough.” Without reticence, he kissed my temple in front of an auditorium full of parents and students. When I faced him, shocked at the gesture from this once reluctant man, his mouth shamelessly landed on mine.

A heady rush of blood swamped my veins. When we came apart, he said it again as he brushed a thumb over my cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too, you bastard.”

He chuckled. “I deserve that.”

“I expect a full explanation.”

“You’ll get one.”

After an extended period where the three of us simply existed, I pulled free. “I have to mingle.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Take your time.” Before I could back away, he caught my hand. “Your playing was brilliant, by the way. I couldn’t have done better myself.”

“Don’t fluff my feathers, Maestro.”

“I’m not. You shine on stage.”

Constance’s smile seemed to agree.

My talent and August’s were incomparable, but I graciously accepted the compliment.

It took forty minutes to clear the auditorium. Forty minutes to chat with parents and congratulate students on a job well done. I found Constance and August in the music room, the former grinning ear to ear as the latter fumbled through a series of rough sign language gestures.

“I’ve… been… learning.” August slowly made the signs as he spoke. “It’s… harder than it… looks, but I’m… getting there. If you sign slowly… I might understand now.”

Constance pushed his hands down and touched her throat. “I’ll talk.”

He cupped her face. “Only if you’re comfortable. I won’t get mad anymore. I was wrong to insist. How have you been? I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too. I don’t want to perform anymore. I want to be a music teacher like Niles. Is that okay?”

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