Maddie couldn’t help but do a little leap of her own. Like Lulu, she was way too excited to stand still.
“You can sit with Miss Julia in the wings,” Mom said. “And then, when I announce you, come out to your microphone.” Mom raised her eyebrows at Lulu. “Exactly the way we rehearsed it. Got it?”
Lulu gave a little salute. “Got it.”
Mom kissed the tops of each of their heads and Dad squeezed them tight, and then it was time. They followed Miss Julia out into the wings, behind the curtains where they could see the band, but not the audience. Blue and purple light streamed across the stage. Mom stepped out onto the stage and the crowd burst into applause. Maddie’s legs bounced all on their own. Her hands fluttered together and apart and together again. The music began, so loud and full of energy that it seemed to add another color to the streams of light filling the air. Unlike during school performances, they didn’t have to worry about being quiet backstage. They could have shouted to one another and no one would have heard them. No one seemed to want to talk though, not even Lulu.
They listened and watched as Mom sang and the band played. After a set of energetic songs that made Maddie want to dance, Mom slowed down and sang a few quieter songs. She didn’t play Maddie’s favorite song, the one she’d written especially for the girls. Mom was saving that for just before they sang. She showed a slideshow about the shelter just before intermission. Then, Mom sent everyone out into the lobby for one last chance to bid on the auction items. Now that there wasn’t the guitar to bid on, the biggest item was a banjo that belonged to Winthrop Williams. Winthrop was another of the first musicians to play for the Opry. Since Winthrop had played at least fifty different banjos in his lifetime, his banjo wasn’t as rare as Earl Eldridge Jr.’s guitar. Still, the banjo was a special instrument with history.
Mom and Dad checked on the girls during intermission but couldn’t stay long because they needed to mingle in the lobby and help with the auction. Soon, they were back, and it was time for the second half of the concert. Mom announced the auction was closed. She’d announce winners at the end of the show, along with the most-important announcement, the one they were all waiting for—the amount of money the benefit had raised. Everyone cheered at this, excited and hopeful.
Please, let us meet our goal, Maddie prayed. Even without the guitar. If they’d told their parents about Ruby’s dad and the guitar, would they have it already? She’d been sure it was too late this afternoon, but now, she wondered if she’d been wrong. Maybe Ruby’s dad was outside the Opry playing right now. Ruby had said this was his favorite place to play. He might not have stolen the guitar, she reminded herself. Probably he had, though. Even though Maddie didn’t want to admit it, Mia was right—the timing seemed like too much of a coincidence to mean anything else.
Maddie was so busy thinking, she missed hearing Mom start their special song.
Mia took Maddie’s hand. “You ready?”
Maddie swallowed hard. Not really. But here they were, waiting in the wings. They were about to have their Opry debut. She expected her legs to go watery the way they had the other night, but something strange happened as she thought about walking across the stage and facing that audience—that audience with Ruby and her mom in it. Her muscles tightened, she took a deep breath, and she felt herself opening up to the experience. Her body buzzed with excitement as she stood up, stretched out her fingers, and stepped forward. I’m doing this, she thought, and then grinned. I’m doing this!
“I have a special treat for you,” Mom said, gesturing toward the wings. “My beautiful Glimmer girls!”
Mia went first, then Lulu and then Maddie, right out into the stage lights. Maddie let the sound of the audience’s applause and cheering wrap around her and pull her along. She and her sisters stepped into the Opry circle, and Mom backed up to give them the stage as she joined the band.
And then, the girls sang, each Glimmer girl stepping to the middle to sing their special solo.
Everything Maddie had pictured about the moment—the fear, the nervousness, the faces staring at her—none of that was anything like the actual moment. The actual moment was blue and purple lights, the beating of the drum vibrating through her chest, harmonies lifting up to the rafters, the Opry lights shining down on smiling faces and hands clapping along. The stage lights were bright, but Maddie could still see out into the audience. She knew where Ruby’s seats should be, right in the middle of the first row of the first balcony. There she was, leaning forward, clapping, her face full of joy. Maddie turned toward the microphone for her solo. Even then, even when it was just her voice rising above the melody from the band, she felt secure and solid, held up by invisible hands. I am with you. Words that could only have come from God rose up in her heart.
The song rose to its climax and then came to an end. Maddie breathed deeply, catching her breath, beaming as the audience leapt to their feet and cheered. The benefit committee came out on stage to join them. The girls moved aside so that Mom could announce the winners of the various auction items. The audience hooted and hollered for each name. Then, with a smile, the benefit committee chair handed Mom a paper that listed the total amount raised.
“We raised $150,000,” Mom said. “That’s $25,000 over our goal! And such needed funds to help the homeless shelter and its residents. Thank you.”
The audience burst into renewed applause as the band played an all-instrument, drum-filled version of “I’ve Got a River of Life.” Everyone danced their way off stage, high-fiving one another and celebrating. Mom and Dad swept the girls into a giant group hug.
“That was . . .” Mom said, searching for the words.
“Awwwwwesome!” Lulu finished for her, drawing the word out as everyone bubbled over with happy laughter.
And it had been, Maddie thought, while being swept along in the excitement, through the wings and back into the dressing rooms to pack up and go home. It had been awesome.
TWENTY-NINE
Maddie tossed and turned under her comforter. The more she tried to push herself into sleep, the more awake she felt. When she closed her eyes, all she could see were Ruby’s deep brown eyes, the way they had danced and sparkled, lit with happiness as she talked about her dad and his guitar. Ever since he had to sell his guitar, it was like he sold a part of himself. But now, he’s back. He’s back and things will be better now.
She and Mia had agreed to talk to Mom and Dad the next day, but Maddie couldn’t wait any longer. She’d wanted more time, hoping there would be some other explanation for Ruby’s dad messing around with boxes at the Opry, acting like a crew member. But the harder she tried to convince herself that he hadn’t stolen the guitar, the more sure she was of his guilt. The truth, and the fact that she’d kept their discovery from her parents, burned so hot inside her that she had to do something, say something. Now.
She slipped out of bed, tiptoed out the door, down the hallway, and into her parents’ room.
“Mom?” she whispered, gently shaking Mom’s shoulder.
Mom’s eyes flew open, and her forehead creased in immediate concern. “What is it, sweetheart?”
Mom sat up to make room for Maddie to crawl into bed beside her, and then wrapped her up in the covers.
“Maddie, are you okay?” Dad asked, sitting up too.
Maddie took a deep breath, and then words started to tumble out. “When we got to the Opry today, Mia and I thought we should check the security footage ourselves, just to be sure about the guitar, and when we did, we saw Ruby’s dad inside the Opry.”
Mom shook her head. “I don’t understand, sweetheart. We don’t know Ruby’s dad, only her mom.”
“He’s the man who shouted at us about the guitars,” Maddie explained, and then turned to Dad. “Remember that man you talked to when we first took the auction items into the Opry?”
“But what does that have to do with the guitar going missing?” Mom said. “He could have been in the Opry for all kinds of reasons.”
/>
“Yes, but Ruby told us he just got a guitar—this week. Later, we saw the video of him in the Opry, pushing around crates like he was part of the crew, but he’s not part of the crew, and I just . . . I don’t want him to get in trouble.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom said, squeezing her tight. “When did you and Mia see this? How long have you been worrying all on your own?”
“Just earlier tonight,” Maddie said. “And I know we should have told you as soon as we saw him in the video, but I wanted Ruby to come to the concert, and we figured it was too late to find him and get the guitar back. At least, I thought it was. I’m . . . I’m sorry.”
Mom kept her arms tightly wrapped around Maddie. With each breath, Maddie relaxed a little more. The guilty feeling started to fade. She’d told her parents, and now they could fix this problem together.
“What do you think, Jack?” Mom asked.
“It sounds like we need to at least try to find this man,” Dad said. “Would we have any way to do that?”
“Ruby said he likes to play outside the Opry,” Maddie said. “He wishes he could play on stage, and back when he had his own guitar, that’s where he always played.”
“So, I suppose we can go by the Opry tomorrow,” Mom said. “And see if he’s there. We can also let the guards know to be looking for him. Plus, I can ask at the shelter. His family is there, so it’s likely he’ll show up every once in a while.”
“But will he get in trouble?” Maddie asked.
“Stealing is a serious crime,” Mom said. “But we can absolutely listen to his side of the story. It’s still possible the guitar he has isn’t the one we lost.”
“Maybe,” Maddie said, but she wasn’t holding out much hope.
“We can’t do anything about this until morning, though,” Mom said. “And you’ve had a huge night. Do you think you can go back to sleep?”
“I think so,” Maddie said. “Now that I told you.”
“I know that right now it seems like things won’t turn out well at all,” Dad said. “But God works in mysterious ways, don’t forget.”
“That’s what Denise said,” Maddie said. “At the shelter when Mom told her about the guitar.”
Mom kissed Maddie’s cheek. “Run off to bed, now, sweet girl. See you in the morning.”
“ ’Night, Mom. ’Night, Dad.”
“Sweet dreams, Maddie,” Dad said.
Maddie crept back down the hallway to bed, feeling much better, but still not sure she’d be able to sleep. As she climbed into bed, she silently prayed. Please, God, help Ruby, and her mom and brother, and her dad too. And if there’s anything I can do to help, please show me. She closed her eyes and let her head sink back against the pillows. And thank you for being with me tonight, and for helping me to be brave.
THIRTY
Lulu was Opry’d out, so she stayed with Miss Julia while Maddie and Mia went to the Opry to look for Ruby’s dad. He wasn’t anywhere. Mom called over to the shelter, but neither Ruby nor her mom had seen Ruby’s dad that day. Maddie clenched and unclenched her fists. What if Ruby’s dad took off with the guitar, leaving his family behind? She wished all over again that she had said something as soon as she and Mia had seen the footage.
They went through the side door and through to the security desk. Thankfully, it was Charles on duty again. Dad explained what Maddie and Mia had seen.
“So, that’s what all those questions were about yesterday.” Charles gave the girls a wry grin.
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you,” Maddie said. “Mia would have, but I didn’t want him to get in trouble.”
“The man’s family is staying at Third Street Community House,” Dad said. “And the girls have become friends with his daughter, Ruby. Of course, they’re hoping we can resolve this without bringing in the police, but I don’t know.”
Charles flipped through camera views on his security monitors. “Wait a second,” he said, stopping and zooming in, magnifying the view of the steps outside the Opry. “Is this the guy?”
They all crowded around the screen, but Maddie didn’t have to look very closely to recognize that telltale hat.
“That’s him! That’s him!” Mia pointed at the screen. “And he has the guitar!”
She started for the door, but Dad caught her arm. “Slow down there, kiddo. We have no idea how he’ll react when we approach him about this.”
“Oh.” Mia considered this. “Right.”
“If you don’t want to call the police, we can give it a go,” Charles said to Dad. “You and I can ask him to come in to talk and see how he reacts. If he tries to take off, I’m authorized to detain him. Then, we can call for help if we need it.”
“Jack, I don’t want you putting yourself in danger,” Mom said.
Dad watched the screen for a moment. Ruby’s dad tilted his head down to listen as he tuned the strings, one by one.
“He’s a musician,” Dad said. “I can try talking to him that way, musician to musician. Father to father.”
Mom studied the screen too, and then nodded. “Okay. But, if anything happens, please let him go. We can find him again, and even if we don’t, no guitar—no matter how valuable—is more important than you.”
She gave Dad a kiss. Mia, Maddie, and Mom watched the screen closely as Dad and Charles went out to the steps. The plan was they’d bring Ruby’s dad into an office right off the front lobby, as long as he was willing to come with them and talk.
Maddie held her breath. On the screen, Dad approached Ruby’s dad. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but Dad gave a friendly wave and approached. Charles circled around to the other side, putting himself directly in the path of where Ruby’s dad might try to run. As they talked, Maddie saw Ruby’s dad glance to his left and right, like a trapped animal. He looked down at the guitar, and then looked over his shoulder, spotting Charles. This was the moment. Don’t run, she silently begged. Don’t run! She knew if he ran, they’d have to call the police. Also, they might lose the guitar, unless he left it behind to make it easier to run.
Both Dad and Charles took one step closer. Ruby’s dad lifted his hands, a clear “hey, I don’t want any trouble” sign. Charles motioned for Ruby’s dad to go inside the Opry. Dad placed the instrument in its case, closed and latched it, and took it along.
“I wish we could hear what they were saying,” Mia said.
“Me too,” Maddie said, letting her breath go, finally. “At least it looks like everyone is okay.”
They sat at the desk for a while, waiting, wondering. No one had much to say. Mom stood up every once in a while to pace, and then sat down again. Finally, Dad came through the side door with the guitar in hand. They pounced on him.
“What did he say?” Maddie asked.
Dad handed the guitar over to Mom. “E. E. Jr.’s guitar, safe and sound. It was pretty weathered before it was stolen, but from what I can see, it’s in the same condition as it was.”
“I can’t wait to call Jennifer and let her know.” Mom’s smile was almost as bright as it had been last night when she’d announced that they’d raised $150,000 for the shelter.
“What did he say?” Mia echoed Maddie’s earlier question.
“Well, he came into the studio, saw the various instruments, and then the guitar. It’s pretty beat up, and he thought—all those guitars, no one will miss just one, especially such a beat-up one.”
“He had no idea of the guitar’s value?”
“Doesn’t appear he did,” Dad said. “And honestly, I believe him. Seemed like less of a crime to him, since he thought he was walking off with a guitar no one cared about. He’d lost his own guitar—sold it, actually—to help pay the rent after he lost his job. But eventually, they’d sold all there was to sell, and his family moved into the shelter.”
“That story matches what I heard from Denise about Ruby’s family,” Mom said.
“Yep,” Dad said. “Like I said, I think he’s telling us the truth. Charles is doing som
e paperwork, and will check to see if there’s any other criminal history. If not, we don’t think it’s worth reporting. We have the guitar back. It’s too late to auction it off, but I’m sure Jennifer will find another great cause. Maybe she’ll even trust us to auction it at next year’s benefit.”
“Does Charles need us to stay?” Mom asked.
“I’d like to check in on him before we leave, but I think he can take things from here.”
They walked around the building toward the front lobby, Mom carrying the guitar. As they came around the corner, Charles was holding the front door of the Opry open, and Ruby’s dad was on his way out.
“You win some and you lose some,” Ruby’s dad called to Dad. “But thank you, sir, for listening and for believing me.”
“What will you do now?” Maddie called after him, as he turned to go. She thought of what Ruby had said, about him coming back to life because of the guitar.
“S’pose I’ll do what I always do,” Ruby’s dad said, shrugging a shoulder. “Find a way to survive.”
Maddie watched him go, knowing that he couldn’t keep the guitar, and wishing he could, all the same. He’d been able to play and earn money with the guitar. Maybe not a lot, but something. And the money he made must feel like his own—he’d earned it, after all. She thought of the homeless people she’d seen with cardboard signs, nothing to offer except outstretched hands. Being able to play must have changed everything—if only for a moment. No wonder he’d been more himself with the guitar than without it.
“Feels pretty terrible,” Mia said.
“I know,” Maddie said.
“At least the guitar is back,” Mia said. “And maybe something good will still come from all this. I hope so.”
“Me too,” Maddie said.
She couldn’t go back to her regular life, knowing Ruby’s dad had come back to himself for a day or two, and then, in the end, lost himself again. She determined, then and there, to come up with a plan. God, show me what I can do, she prayed.
Miracle in Music City Page 11
