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“If there was more time, we could do a lot more,” John adds.

Ah, so that’s where the elaborate fairy wings came from. I shake my head in disbelief.

“I don’t have any useful skills, but I told Nathan I could help paint sets or something and he said I should stick around too,” Anthony explains.

Kenzie loops her arm through his. “Happy to help.”

I’m dumbstruck by it all. The boys know next to nothing about musicals or theater, and yet they’re here anyway, volunteering like it’s no big deal. Hoshiko stepped up, pulling this entire performance together without batting an eye. Really, the whole cast stepped up today. I tell everyone thank you again and walk around to the other cast members, complimenting them and thanking them for being a part of this. Everyone is joyful, in the way they can only be when they’ve just gotten offstage after nailing a performance, as well as concerned for Dad. They’re an amazing group.

At the same time, though, there’s a tiny painful hum in the back of my brain, reminding me that the one person I’m most anxious to see isn’t here. I check my phone, but there are no missed messages from Nathan. Where is he? Maybe he’s covering at the store since both Dad and I are out. The idea lowers my anxiety a bit, but it doesn’t stop me from missing him.

I’m about to ask about Nathan when Miss Sahni calls me back out. A few people give me a thumbs-up and I return them. I walk out of the wings, only to realize that Hoshikoand the rest of my friends are trailing behind. I’m not sure if that’s appropriate, but I could really use the support, so I don’t argue.

The adults blink when we come up in front of them. I guess we are a pretty odd group, given that Hoshiko is currently green and John and Jordan just walked out of the medieval ages.

“Amazing,” Miss Sahni whispers, and inspects John’s costume.

He steps forward nonchalantly even though his cloak is getting bunched around his legs. “Handmade. We’re happy to help with the musical. We don’t know much about ball gowns and that sort of stuff, but I’m sure our other friends can help too.”

Mrs. Fairfax runs the cloak fabric through her fingers. “The details…”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” John replies, completely unfazed by their reverence. “Our group is very serious.”

“Hi,” Anthony says, and he and Kenzie wave to the adults. “We can’t sew. And we won’t be singing or dancing or acting either, but if you need backstage crew stuff, then we could help with that.”

“Yes, we’ll need a crew,” Miss Sahni replies. “Do you think you could recruit more people?”

He nods. “I can find people.”

“And I bet the honor society would help out,” Kenzie adds, and smiles at the principal. “We could count it toward our school service.”

Did…did Miss Sahni just saywe’ll,as in this is something that’s actually happening?? My heart rate doubles inspeed. Mom does some excited silent clapping behind their heads.

Principal Holloway clears his throat. “All right, we’ve spoken more about this and—”

The auditorium doors bang open at that moment and my heart jumps into my throat. Nathan strides toward the stage with Lucas’s dad and Fred and Arthur, the two retired regulars from the store. I do a double take. I’m thrilled to have Nathan here, but I can’t fathom why the others would have come.

Lucas’s dad comes up to Mom and shakes her hand. “Boy, Joel gave us a scare. How’s he doing? Everything okay?”

“Yes, I think he’ll be okay,” she replies, startled. “Though he’s going to need to make some lifestyle changes.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll love that.” He walks over and claps me on the back. “And you’re okay?”

I nod, still confused. I give Miss Sahni and Principal Holloway an apologetic look. This is not the professional meeting I’d imagined. It’s becoming a circus at this point.

“I’m okay, but, uh, what’s going on?” I ask him.

“We’re here about the play,” Fred explains.

“It’s a musical,” Nathan replies quietly. I shake my head at him in bewilderment, and he answers with an uncertain smile that makes my heart flip over.

“Nathan came to the store and asked if we’d drive over to show our support for you,” Arthur says. He turns to the principal. “I’m happy to build sets or do other work if you need me. My kids went here. I’m always glad to give back.”

“My son inherited the Ace Hardware on Fifth from me,” Fred adds. “We can donate lumber.”

Lucas’s dad puts a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “And I can design the program—I’m in graphic design. I’d love to support.”

I look at Nathan with huge eyes and his smile grows wider. “I know people,” he whispers.