Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Time Moves On (Chapter 42)

As everyone goes through life, lessons are learnt, and hearts are given time to heal. Still enjoying the music of Il Volo, Marlow made sure to nab a single ticket for Il Volo's 15th anniversary concert. Facetiming with Audrey a month later, she was not prepared for the two bombs that were dropped on her.

"I have some news for you," Audrey said.

"What's that?"

"I'm going to have a baby!" Audrey squealed.

"Yeah! That is wonderful news. When are you due?"

"Early Summer. June 24 to be exact."

"June 24? Wait, isn't that Piero's birthday?"

"It is, and he is more excited about being an uncle than we were about finding out we were going to be parents. He has bought so many things already, I had to finally tell him to stop."

"It is so easy for me to envision him being the best uncle ever. I know he wanted very much to be a dad someday."

Smiling at each other, Marlow watched as Audrey's expression became more subdued.

"Marlow, I know you are going to be seeing the guys perform in a week or two, but I didn't want you to hear this in case it was shared on stage. Piero is engaged."

Staring at her friend, Marlow did not know how to respond. Letting Audrey's words sit in her head, she covered her nose and mouth with her hands and just breathed in and out.

"I'm sorry, Marlow. I want you to know that I'm not sharing this because I want to reopen old wounds, but just the opposite. I spoke to Francesco and asked what he thought I should do. Together we decided because we love you, that you needed to know beforehand," Audrey repeated.

"Thank you for telling me. I do appreciate it," Marlow finally answered.

"How are you feeling?" Audrey asked, surprised by the calmness with which her friend spoke.

"I don't know. Learning on a fan site just a couple of months after we broke up that he was dating again, really hurt. While I am shocked, I knew that one day it would happen, so I really am confused."

"Do you think you will still go to the concert?" Audrey cautiously asked.

"I'm unsure. I guess I have eight weeks to decide."

"Well, whether you decide to go or not, I am here for you if you want to talk. You know that, right?"

"I do. Thank you."

Changing the subject, Marlow and Audrey continued to chat until Francesco came into the room to steal his wife. Saying their goodbyes, Marlow's mind returned to Piero.

Lying under the covers, she stared at the ceiling. Piero is engaged. Moaning, she rolled onto her side and punched a second pillow until she couldn't do it anymore.

***

Three days before the concert, and still flopping back and forth over whether to go, Marlow stared at her ticket. While she enjoyed Il Volo's music so much and wanted to experience the feeling of seeing them perform live once more, today, the invitation from Barbara to get in touch popped into her head. She would go, but not make her presence known.

***

Directed to her seat and moving closer to the stage, Marlow began to regret coming. Assuming from the seating map, when she purchased the ticket, that the left terrace level was further back, she could only hope that with the glare of the lights, they wouldn't see her. Not given much time to fret over something she couldn't change, the lights soon dimmed, and a music montage of various song intros began. Standing, Marlow cheered along with everyone else.