Page 108 of With a Little Luck

I grin, watching her play. I’ve heard this before. A bunch of times, in fact, as she’s been practicing for weeks now. But I haven’t reallylistened. I notice the precision of the bow, the way she sways in time with the music, the way her brow is furrowed in concentration, even as the movements appear second nature.

I’m no violin aficionado, but I’m pretty sure she nails it.

I am ridiculously proud of my little sister as she finishes and lowers the violin to her side.

“Brava,” I say, clapping. “Penny, that was fantastic.”

She bounces happily on her toes. She doesn’t ask if I mean it. She doesn’t have to. “Thanks. I think that was the best I’ve done so far.”

“I know you’ve been practicing a lot, and it really shows,” I say. “Hey—you should think about playing at the store on Record Store Day. I know you said you don’t like playing solo in front of a crowd, but you’re really good. People would love it. Mom and Dad would love it.”

I expect her to resist the idea, like she always does at open mic night, but she doesn’t. Spots of pink appear on her cheeks as she taps the bow idly against the side of her leg.

“Actually, I sort of had an idea, but … I don’t know.”

“What is it?”

“You know Ari’s song? ‘Downpour’? The one everyone’s been talking about?”274

“Yeah, of course.” No need to tell her that I easily make up a couple thousand of those plays on YouTube.

“I haven’t talked to Ari about this or anything, but … I was listening to it last week, and I sort of … came up with a solo? Like, for the bridge.”

“A violin solo?”

She nods shyly.

“Penny! That’s awesome. Ari would love that.”

“You think so?”

“Definitely. You should talk to her about it. The two of you could perform together.”

She digs a toe into the carpet. She looks unsure, but also excited.

“Want me to ask her?”

Relief wells in her eyes. “Would you?”

“Yeah, sure. But I know she’s going to love the idea.”

She bounces in place. “Thanks, Jude!” She surprises me with a sideways hug, careful to keep the tip of her bow from poking out my eye, then turns and bolts back up the stairs.

I’m still smiling after her when my phone dings. I glance down.

Ari:Sure!

My heart stutters.

Sure? Surewhat?

Oh no. That last text … it didn’t …!

I grab my phone and sit on the edge of my bed, unlocking the screen. My texts glare up at me, and there it is, the most recent one I sent.

Was thinking of going to karaoke tomorrow. Wanna go?

And Ari’s reply.

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