The second I’d played the last notes on “Something Beautiful,” I made a circular motion for Nicky and Luiz, then threw my electric onto my back and stalked back to where Sylvia was standing. The keyboard was situated atop my Hammond, and she’d already adjusted the mic for me. Taking her place, I locked eyes with Luiz, and we started the next song together. As much as I loved to play the guitar, my years of playing the piano had turned it into an extra body part.

“Dance for me, Nashville. This is for you.” I moved with the music, my fingers hitting the keys with rapid ease, and I smiled to myself before I began singing to the upbeat rhythm. Nicky and Chris marked the beginning of each bar with a perfect punch, and the harmonies lifted us to the next level.

When the lights went down low…

Would I find you in the dark?

For the rest of the day, I got to watch Camden sink deeper and deeper into the mind-set of someone much younger. August explained how rough play impacted the boy, how it turned him vulnerable and exposed, and it made sense to me. We were always a little raw after any type of situation that rocked the ground we stood on.

I didn’t expect to find the transition so beautiful, though. Or that it would summon the protector in me and make me wanna hold him close and ensure he didn’t hurt himself.

Camden requested hot dogs for dinner, and around the same time August was throwing different kinds of sausage on the grill, the boy stepped out on the patio dressed in pajamas and holding a teddy bear.

“How was your bath, little one?” August asked.

“Good.” Camden squinted and smiled as he plopped down to sit on the sofa across from me. “I’ve had two baths in one day now.”

August and I had opted for a shower earlier, and I was wondering if we should’ve brought Camden with us. It looked like he’d gotten shampoo in his eyes. They were red.

“You okay, ragazzo?”

He nodded and rubbed at his face. “I got soap in my eyes.”

“I’ve added your soap and shampoo to the shopping list.” August came up behind the sofa and kissed the top of Camden’s head. “We don’t like it when your eyes sting.”

Camden shook his head and smiled up at him. “But now I smell like you. I like that lots.”

I reckoned his kind of soap was the one for children that promised no tears.

“My sweet boy.” August pressed a kiss to his forehead before straightening and returning to the grill. “Have you thought about Anthony’s fun idea for the festival tomorrow?”

Camden bit his lip and glanced at me. “Do you think it will work?”