“Okay, legs over the front of the moon,” he says. “Can you reach the footholds?” He guides my feet to small metal platforms, then straps a harness around my waist. He smells like woodsy cologne. He is calm and patient and sure of himself as he works the buckles. From some angles he looks a little like Elvis, if Elvis had gotten older without getting fat: sleepy eyes, pillowy lips, a slight cleft in his chin.

“It’s safe?” I ask.

“Completely. I let my students use me as the crash test dummy.” Ethan jumps from the moon, opens my case, and takes my guitar out like he’s carrying a newborn. He gathers my hair to one shoulder, looping the strap over the other, adjusting it just so.

It reminds me of Carly. Of getting ready to go see Cat Skin. The way she took care of me. I don’t let myself think that Asheville could be the Ithaca where I get to stay. Or that Ethan could be my friend like Carly, and Robert could be someone too. The best way to keep your heart from getting broken is not to get your hopes up in the first place.

Ethan ties down the tail of the waist strap. “Voilà! Fanfare,” he says. “You can sing from the moon.” He runs off stage.

The lights dim. I brace myself, clutching my guitar like it will somehow keep me safe.

The ride up is so smooth it feels like the floor is falling away from me. I glance past my feet and watch the distance grow. My stomach wobbles.

“Locked in!” Ethan yells. And then the curtain opens to a sea of empty red velvet seats. “Wait! Wait.” He runs to the shadows at the back of the theater.

A loud click and I’m in the spotlight, glitter shining.

“Sing, bellissima! Sing!” Ethan calls from the audience.

“Okay,” I say softly, and I’m stunned by the way my voice travels.

It feels silly, playing just for Ethan, but I desperately want to know what it’s like to sing in a theater like this and hear my voice echo back to me.

I start with the song I never play at gigs. I love it the most, so it feels like too much to share. But Ethan doesn’t have to know how much it means to me.

I’ve been north, I’ve been south

Traveled here and there.

I shed the lives I’ve left

Without a single care

I’ve been up, I’ve been down

I’m forever free to roam

But never in my life,

Have I ever made it home