Page 98 of Trouble Walked In

“You need to go,” Lizzie said.

Della gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Stay for the end, okay? I’m doing a new song.”

The opening salvo from the guitar and drums started up, and the crowd went wild. “Della! Della! Della!”

“Go! I’ll wait right here.” Lizzie waved at her sister.

Della bopped over to her waiting crew, and they circled around her like the captain of a football team. Everyone extended a hand into the middle of the circle, then raised their hands and faces to the sky with a loud whoop.

The music on stage surged louder, and the dance troupe ran on stage. The rest of the musicians followed, then Della paused a few beats before she flashed Lizzie a beaming smile and ran out to greet her legion of fans.

The responding roar made a jet engine seem quiet by comparison.

Lizzie found a perch on top of some equipment cases. She watched her youngest sister enchant, entertain, and enthrall the thousands of people who’d come to experience the magic. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face as, song after song, Della rocked Madison Square Garden.

By the time the last song rolled around, Lizzie’s face hurt from smiling and her head buzzed from too much noise and excitement. She had to admit she’d missed the crowd, the rush of adrenaline, and the soothing power of really great music. The energy generated by a live audience was intoxicating and exhilarating, a high that couldn’t be equaled with drugs or alcohol.

“Are you ready for one more?” Della shouted to the crowd, then waited for their cheers to die down a little. “This is a new one, a bonus track that’ll come out in a few weeks.It’s a little different and has a special place in my heart. I hope you like it.”

Della glanced over at Lizzie and winked, then the piano began to play a simple, soft, rolling tune. After a few notes, the violins joined in, and the crowd lit up their phones and cigarette lighters and swayed to the haunting, soulful melody that was very different from Della’s usual happy pop style.

Lizzie opened the recording app on her phone just in time to catch the opening lyrics.

Sometimes late at night I

reach out for my phone to call you but you don’t

answer when I do.

Sometimes when I check online it’s

full of happy faces but the only one

I see is you.

Sometimes in life you choose a path,

It all seems crystal clear but then

you blink, and you’ve lost your way.

If I could do it all again,

I’d turn around and stay.

Lizzie’s heartswelled with the realization that Della had to have written this song herself, because it was entirely about their family. Della complained Piper never answered her calls, and just the other day she’d mentioned how pictures of Mattie kept turning up in the tabloids and online gossip blogs. The regret that came through the third verse was palpable.

Della turned so that she looked straight at Lizzie as she sang the chorus.

What if I just showed up in your doorway,

if I wanted you to see me

Would you slam the door right in my face?

And make me go away?

Or would you listen, would you hear me

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