Chapter 9 - THE SONG SHE COULDN'T FINISH
Lily had been preparing for a national youth composition competition.
Her entry was an original piece for piano and cello.
She had worked on it for months.
But after the publicity, she stopped composing.
Emily found her sitting beside the piano one evening.
“Sweetheart?”
Lily shook her head.
“I can't.”
Emily sat beside her.
“Can't what?”
“Finish it.”
“Why?”
Lily stared at the keys.
“Because now everyone thinks I only got invited because of him.”
Emily's heart broke.
Daniel heard about the competition from Emily.
He wanted to call the organizers.
Emily stopped him immediately.
“No.”
He looked confused.
“I was only going to ask—”
“No.”
She took a breath.
“Lily needs to know she earned her place.”
Daniel nodded slowly.
“Then what can I do?”
Emily looked toward the piano.
“Be her father.”
He smiled sadly.
“I'm trying.”
“I know.”
May you like
Then she said something that stayed with him.
“Sometimes being a father means sitting in the audience and letting your child shine without you.”
