The spotlight fades as I take my bow, and suddenly I can see the crowd. And two rows behind Zarar are Siri and Papa? Mom. Grams. And Dawn? My breath catches. And Dad. And … Terry? And Javed and Zarar’s parents. And Penn and Shane. They’re all standing up and … whooping their asses off.

103. Angst and Pride

SIRI

September 26, Saturday

New York City

I’ve cried a lot this month, but not like this. I’m in tears because Jamie is killing it. My sister is on a stage in front of a hundred people in here, slaying.

And I’m in the audience with my entire family.

I’ve dreamed about a moment like this. Being in one place, together, with all of them. They’re not arguing, they’re not screaming, they’re united in laughter and love for Jamie on the stage.

I have to tamp down the urge to stand up and scream, “That’s my sister up there, and she’s intercoursing killing it!” Of course, I’d never risk throwing her off her game right now. But I don’t usually have urges like that!

The awestruck look of happiness and surprise on Jamie’s face when the lights come up is worth all the hours of trouble it took to organize getting all these hooligans here at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night without her finding out.

When Jamie comes out to the tiny lobby where we’re waiting, she beelines straight for me. “Did you invite all these fools to the first performance of a new set I’ve never tested on an audience before?” she says seriously.

I look down at my feet. Is this about to backfire?

And then I feel her arms around me. Jamie’s hugging me. Hugging me like I made her year. I wrap my arms around her to squeeze her back.

She pulls away and nods with a tight expression. “I love you, Sier.”

She moves on to hugging Dawn. I start crying again.

104. A Girl Is Freaking Flying

JAMIE

September 26, Saturday

New York City

“Thank you, thank you, okay, I know I was great. Save your praise for later when the imposter syndrome strikes back,” I jeer.

I’ve just endured five minutes straight of hugs and positivity on the sidewalk outside the theater with almost everyone I care about. I feel like I’m in a fever dream.

I meet Z’s eyes across my mini entourage. He shoots me a brilliant side smile and I serve one right back. He’s been giving me space to talk to everyone from the other coast.

Grams and Papa pull Siri and me aside as those of us who can continue the celebrations start moving toward a restaurant for food and drinks. They hand us two envelopes.

Siri and I exchange a look before opening them. In one we find an Amex, and in the other, two plane tickets for Spain.

“What the—”