Chapter 34
Julia
We arranged our folding chairs a bit off to the side, away from the center of the crowd, but still near the front row. Winona and her husband had been taking the kids to these Fourth of July concerts in the park for the past couple of years, and I had to admit, it was a great holiday event. Tall trees for shade, a snack bar for refreshments, and entertainment from a whole lineup of different local acts.
The kids were dancing and goofing around on a couple of blankets laid out on the grass, while a band played a mix of patriotic songs and classic rock under the growing dusk. The weather was perfect for fireworks— not a cloud in sight— and I was having a genuinely good time sipping lemonade and smiling, just like Winona had told me I would.
Except for when my gaze turned to all the other happy families and cozy couples.
“Ooh, I love this song,” Winona said, wiggling her shoulders to a country tune I didn’t quite recognize. “C’mon sis, you gotta love Dolly.” She gave me a playful punch on the arm, an encouragement to let loose and laugh a little.
I chuckled, in spite of myself. “It’s good. This is good. Even though…”
Winona gave me a look that said she understood, and squeezed my shoulder lovingly.
The song died down and the sound system rang with high-pitched feedback as the singer handed her mic over to the emcee.
“All right folks,” he said in a slightly hesitant voice, “we’ve got a sort of trio here for you next. Some special guests here tonight, if they could ask for everyone’s attention for a moment.”
The emcee stepped to the side of the stage. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw three tall figures climb the stairs on the other side of the bandstand.
My heart pounded like a drum. My throat was suddenly parched. My hands went clammy and my mind was racing.
It was Dylan, Cash, and Red.
Here, in Los Angeles.
Was I dreaming?
Cash took the microphone from the emcee.
“Hey everybody,” he began. “We won’t take up too much of your time here, but the three of us have come all the way from Utah because someone very important to us is here in the audience tonight.” Cash scanned the crowd while he passed the mic to Dylan.
They’re looking for me.
“We’re here because… We love someone,” Dylan said, resolute. “All three of us. We’re in love with a woman, together, and we want the whole world to know.”
Red leaned down to speak into the mic. “And we don’t care what anyone else thinks about it.”
“No,” said Cash, his hand now on the microphone atop Dylan’s, “we don’t give a damn about anyone’s opinion except hers. We love her and we want to be with her, and if she wants to be with us, well…” he kept scanning the audience.
For me.
Dylan finished his sentence. “If she wants to be with us, can she please come on stage? We’re here for her. We’re here… for you.”
At that moment, Cash’s eyes met mine.
My body knew what to do before my head could catch up.
I bolted from my folding chair and ran towards the stage as Cash mumbled something to Red and Dylan, his voice muffled by the mic being passed around and handed back to the emcee in a hurry. People leaned out of the way as I hopscotched around picnic blankets, leaping over lawn games and coolers.
This is right.
This is my chance at happiness.
This is what I want.
Rushing up to the bandstand, I made it before any of them could jump down to meet me.