Page 46 of The Perfect Melody

What do you want from me

All the blood I can bleed

Spent so long trying to be enough, but the shards of your love cut me up

What do you want from me

My freedom and dignity

These choices are no longer mine, lost all my power somewhere along the line

She keeps singing and I wonder who inspired such a devastating song. An ex, maybe? Irrational anger bubbles up within me at the idea of anyone treating her this way. Tearing my eyes away from her long enough for a quick glance around the room, I see everyone else is as entranced by Cassie as I am. People have stopped eating. The indistinct murmur of conversations that continued through the beginning of her set has ceased.

The atmosphere is charged in a way I’ve only ever experienced at concerts. Something tells me Cassie could enchant a stadium as easily as she’s enchanted all of us if she set her mind to it. When Aria and I were little, Mum used to put on her favourite movie musicals and talk about the leads having star quality. I never really understood what she meant. Now I do. Cassie’s a star, even if the rest of the world hasn’t met her yet.

You tell people I’m crazy and too much

Then behind closed doors you say I’m never enough

I keep trying to fight, but it’s no use

Your games are rigged so I’ll always lose

You twist my words just to twist the knife

I’ve been walking wounded most of my life

They say time heals, but not with you

Time is how you’ve stolen all my youth

My hands clench into fists as her lyrics tear into my chest. Whoever made Cassie feel this way had better never set foot in Pine Grove. Nobody should have the power to make another person feel so hopeless. I know Cassie could be exaggerating for the sake of the song’s story, but the look in her eyes as she sings tells me she means every word. At only twenty-four, she feels as though her youth has been stolen.

I’m not naïve enough to think everyone gets to enjoy being young. God knows I didn’t—I practically raised Aria after Dad left us. At eleven years old, I was suddenly responsible for myselfandmy little sister. It’s not that Mum didn’t love us, but she didn’t handle the end of her marriage well, throwing herself into work. We were luckier than some—I know that. Aria and I still had everything we needed. Everything except our mum’s time and attention.

I was the one who took care of our meals, made sure Aria did her homework, and gave her a shoulder to cry on when she was having a hard time with friends or, as we got older, boys. I love my little sister and we’re good now, so are me and Mum, but there was a time I resented both of them. Instead of figuring out who I was and my place in the world, my place was decided for me. At sixteen, other kids were learning to drive, going on dates, thinking about university, and I was looking after my twelve-year-old sister and working at Bowman’s.

I don’t know what Cassie’s life before Pine Grove was like, but between what she said last night and what she’s saying in her song, I can tell it wasn’t good. Now I see what Mum’s been saying all along. Cassie needs someone on her side, and I’m going to be that person.

I’m so enraptured by the tragically beautiful song I don’t notice Mum joining me where I lean against the wall until she nudges her arm against mine. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel a fraction as sad as that.”

I look down at her, but Mum’s eyes are on Cassie as she brings her song to an end. “I know. You did your best.”

Her lips twist in a wry smile. “I relied on you far too much. You had to grow up too fast.”

“I don’t mind. Not anymore. We’re good, Mum.” It’s the truth. When Aria came to visit us last summer, we talked about more than just the issues the bar was having. Throughout my sister’s visit, we talked about everything, and after Aria went back to Riverbend, the city she now calls home, Mum and I kept talking. We’ve more than cleared the air.

“I love you. I don’t say that enough.”

My throat tightens. “I love you too.” Clearing my throat, I shift on my feet. “You were right about Cassie. We’ll take care of her while she’s here.”

Mum’s smile is softer this time, almost indulgent. “You already are. I don’t know how this came about, but she’s come to life up there.”

She’s right. There’s a spark in Cassie’s eyes that I’ve not seen before. If her song is any indication, it’s something that’s been missing for a long time. I’m glad performing tonight brought it back even if it only lasts the length of her set.

“Thanks for listening,” Cassie says, the mic easily picking up the surprise colouring her voice as the crowd erupts into applause. “Now let’s bring back the party mood with something a little more upbeat.” Without waiting for the audience to catch up, she launches into a popular new release that gets people bopping their heads. A few people even get up and dance in the small area left free in front of the stage.

Mum and I watch in silence, and I’m relieved she doesn’t feel the need to dredge up the past any more than we already have. What’s done is done, and our family has worked through our issues. We’re in a great place. No good will come from dwelling on what could have been. If things had been different, I might not be where I am now, and I love my life in Pine Grove, especially now that I’ve taken over running Bowman’s.