My fingers strummed the guitar softly, setting up a slow tempo. I took one more look amongst the crowd. I hoped against hope that he would have magically shown up. Just as I was about to drop my eyes back to my guitar I saw him. My heart fluttered, and I momentarily forgot the words I was going to sing. My fingers knew the accompaniment, there were at least some small graces. I looked back to my fingers. Focus, Elly. I inhaled deeply and let “Hallelujah” flow from my body, slowly.

I didn’t think about anything but the lyrics, the chords, the music for a blissful four minutes. The chords came to a close and applause erupted from the crowd. I grinned and looked out at their smiling faces, their looks of approval and felt my heart swell.

“Thank you,” I said softly as I turned my gaze to Kent who was grinning in the front row, almost at my feet. “This next one is dedicated to an old friend of mine.”

I turned my attention back to my guitar as I strummed the opening riffs of Kent’s favorite bands, “3 Libras” by A Perfect Circle. I chose it because it fit my life. I made sure it was slow, angsty, so the crowd could feel the pain and desire that came from every word.

Again more applause met me as I ended the song. I held up my hand in thanks and stepped off the stage, guitar in hand. I made a beeline for the door before the post-crowd panic attack set in. I inhaled deeply as soon as I got outside. The door clicked closed and then opened again, the cacophony of the coffee house growing louder for a moment.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Kent, “I was hoping you weren’t leaving.”

I smiled softly. “No, not yet. I just need a minute. Could you get me a coffee?”

He hesitated as his eyes took me in but then he nodded and left me alone again. I wrapped my arms around myself when he left and took deep cleansing breaths. The cold air felt so good on my skin, in my throat and lungs.

He had come. I smiled as I remembered the look on his face as he admired me from below. It had only taken a year and a half but finally he had come. I’d half expected him to bring Jen with him too and I felt guilty for being glad that she wasn’t here.

I stepped back into the building and shivered as the warm air met my cool skin. I coughed as I slipped through the tables towards the barista at the back. Kent and Stacy seemed to be talking intently about something and I approached I heard Kent say, “I want to talk to her about some things.”