Page 117 of Strings

Amy:The chicks are in the building. I repeat, the birds have landed early!

Oh shit!“I have to go.”

“Of course you do.”

I stammer. I want to stay, but if Bordo sees them, there’s no way he’ll let them in. “Please know I did this for you.”

“Did what?”

I lift my gown and rush back toward the backstage area and he calls out to me. “Talia, wait!”

As much as I want to wait, I can’t. I have to go. I turn briefly to glance over my shoulder at him and when I face forward again, I almost run right into Mommy Dearest.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Bordo? Why haven’t you been fired?”

“Fuck you, bitch. I’m resigning tonight. I hope you choke on your own ugly spit.”

She gasps as Sebastian catches up to us. “You’re resigning?”

“Sebastian, leave her be. She’s not one of us. She doesn’t belong here.”

“Did I ever ask for your opinion, Mother? Shut up and go mind your own business.”

I can’t help but smirk. My phone buzzes again. I glance down and it’s Amy again.

Amy:THE BIRDS HAVE NO NEST. WHERE DO I PUT THEM?

“I have to go!”

“Talia, please!”

I hear Sebastian call out and as much as I want to tell him, this is more important. This time I’m almost in a full sprint. I make it backstage in under three minutes. Amy is chewing on her nails.

“Where are they?” I’m out of breath and panting. Running in heels is no joke.

“They’re in the alley. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Oh shit!” I rush out the doors as I check the time. They weren’t supposed to be here for another forty-five minutes.

I open the back doors and see them outside all huddled in a corner. “Miss Talia!” Leticia is the first to see me. She runs toward me and throws her hands around my waist. I see Ms. Joe and she sighs as she walks toward me.

“I know we’re really early, but my friend with the bus had to get to work. He had to drop us off before. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I reach out and touch her arm. “I’m glad you all made it.”

“Me too. It took a lot to get these kids all here tonight.”

“You look like a princess, Ms. Talia. How do I look?”

I gaze down at Leticia. She’s wearing a white shirt and black pants, like I asked. “You are stunning. Who did your hair?” I ask.

“My momma. She said it needed to be special for Mr. Nov’s special surprise.”

“She’s right.” I look at Ms. Joe. “Do you think he knows?”

She laughs. “He doesn’t have a clue.”

The rest of the kids come over and I hug each one. I’d been sneaking off to see the kids every chance I could since the day I met them. When I approached Ms. Joe about having the kids perform at the Gala to surprise Sebastian and help me raise money for them, she was all in. She was helping them practice when he wasn’t there.