[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
fuck. That s my dad down there in the front row!
I wouldn t have recognized Steven Beckett from the tiny
decade-old photo on the back of that Brahms CD. Aside from dark
hair, Matt bore little resemblance to him. In fact, I realized with a
jolt, he looked more like me. Same gray-flecked beard and husky
build. Roughly the same age.
My stomach lurched. Black spots waltzed in front of my eyes. I
could only imagine how devastated Matt felt.
His hand trembled in mine, as much from anger now as fear
and nervousness. The house lights began to dim, signaling the
imminent start of the performance.
Then he turned to me and said, I can t do it. I can t go out
there.
He was coming apart. Which meant it was up to me to hold him
together. Matt, c mon. You ve been working toward this day
since you were five. You can t throw it all away just because he
showed up.
Y-You don t understand& he whispered raggedly, clutching
my arm so tight I thought it would snap off. I fucking hate him.
120
ALLEGRO VIVACE
The thought of him being here makes me sick.
A polite swell of applause sluiced through the auditorium as
Gil strode out to the podium and bowed, then aimed a pointed
glance in our direction.
Time for Matt to take the stage. But he didn t move. His gaze
flicked from the audience to Gil to me.
Oh, Jesus. This couldn t be happening. Not after all the months
we d worked to get here. My heart pounded. My shirt grew
clammy at the armpits. Look, the lights will be in your eyes while
you re onstage, I said in as calm and steady a tone as I could
muster. You won t see the audience. So just ignore him. Pretend
like he isn t even there.
He shook his head. I-I can t. I m sorry.
It took every last shred of my will to keep from slapping him.
Instead, I grabbed him by the shoulders, leaning in nose to nose.
Sorry doesn t cut it. You ve got an audience out there waiting to
hear you. You cannot disappoint them. I want you to take all that
anger and hate, and pour it into the concerto. Show your father that
you re twice the musician he is. Now, go.
And with that, I shoved him onstage.
For the next thirty minutes, Matt held me spellbound. Anger
had lit a mighty fire in him, and he played with a passion and verve
I d never heard from him before, every phrase revealing fresh new
colors. We d been practicing the Sibelius non-stop for the past six
weeks, but today it was as if I were hearing it for the first time.
Beautiful, brilliant and incredibly moving. My heart raced. My
eyes stung with tears.
He held the stage like a veteran performer, swaying with the
music, completely absorbed in his playing. The audience was right
there with him, swept along on a tide of voluptuous golden tone.
121
ALLEGRO VIVACE
They surged to their feet en masse before the last notes faded,
roaring applause and bravos.
Matt stared out at them as if he d just wakened from a dream.
Then he bowed, nodded at Gil and walked offstage, right into my
arms.
Was it good? he asked.
I burst out laughing. What do you think that applause is for?
I don t care what they think. Do you think it was good?
Matt, it was you were amazing. Truly marvelous. I
cupped his face in both hands and kissed him softly. I couldn t be
prouder.
We wandered backstage for Matt to change clothes, the
opening strains of a Beethoven overture wafting behind us. He
peeled off his sweaty tux and put on jeans and a T-shirt, then sat
down with me to listen for a few minutes.
I shot an uneasy glance at my watch. Best to get going if we
wanted to avoid an awkward confrontation. Did you have your
heart set on staying for the rest of the performance?
Not really. I ve already heard it a half-dozen times in
rehearsal. But don t you have some other students you want to
congratulate?
I m sure they won t mind not seeing my cranky face again.
Let s get out of here.
We headed for the stage door, violin in Matt s hand and plastic-
bagged tuxedo in mine, skidding to a halt at the sound of voices
outside. Shit!
It was Steven Beckett, with a five-person entourage in tow
and a camera crew from one of the local news stations. Where the
fuck had they come from?
Matt shot me a panicked look, but it was too late to retreat now.
122
ALLEGRO VIVACE
Beckett swept over with a big toothy smile, obviously for the
camera s benefit. Good to see you, son, he boomed, throwing an
arm around Matt s shoulder. Quite a solid, well-done
performance. I was pleasantly surprised.
Surprised? Matt echoed. His lip curled. I ve only been
playing most of my life.
True. But you weren t anywhere near this competent the last
time I heard you.
What, when I was twelve?
The camera crew swooped in with hawk-like precision,
crowding me out. I moved off to the side and tried to keep an eye
on Matt. My heart lurched at his strained, miserable expression.
Goddamn you, Helen, I muttered, my cheeks flushing hot
with barely-suppressed rage. If she d been within eyeshot I
would ve marched over and wrung her fucking neck, witnesses be
damned.
The crew got what they wanted and cleared out within a few
minutes but unfortunately, that didn t include Beckett. He started
to make small talk with a couple of the people who d come with
him, an elegant blonde clad head to toe in Prada, and a tall, thin
middle-aged man with thick glasses.
Looks like you don t need me anymore, Matt observed
sourly. Story of my life.
Beckett shot him an irritated look. We were discussing where
to go for dinner. Of course you and your friend are welcome to join
us.
No, thanks. We already have plans.
Well, before you go, I m sure you remember my wife,
Elena
You mean, the woman you dumped my mother for?
123
ALLEGRO VIVACE
Beckett stared at him. I don t appreciate your surly attitude,
Matthew. Especially since I flew all this way on your behalf.
Matt snorted. Well, don t look at me. I sure as hell didn t
invite you. And now, if you ll excuse me, I m going to dinner with
the two people I did invite my mother and my partner.
You might want to wait a few minutes. That TV crew s
probably interviewing her now.
What?
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]