Made to Shine

Made to Shine Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The day of the talent show approached quickly. Before she knew it, Emily was doing a run through of her song in her bedroom in front of her mirror. The song would hopefully be as special to Ben, as it was to Emily. She had searched and searched for the perfect song and even went back a couple of decades to pick a song that she could sing from her heart. She wasn't sure what to wear and finally decided on a simple black dress that she would normally wear to church on Sunday's. She had Grandma take it in some so it wasn't hanging so loose on her body. Since dating Ben, she was more self-confident and although was not wearing revealing clothes, she had decided that she would look more attractive if her clothes fit right. Her hair was down like Ben liked it with curls of auburn hanging down her back.

Grandma and Grandpa had no idea that she was singing in a talent show. But that morning, Emily left two tickets for them and asked Grandma to come. Grandma knew it would be hard to get Grandpa to go to the school show, but if anyone could it was Grandma. A few blocks away, Ben did the same thing, he left his mom three tickets for the talent show and told her that she would not want to miss this night!

Ben picked Emily up an hour before the show. She had entered the contest and was very happy there was no tryouts so no one would see or hear her sing until the performance. She was very nervous and wanted to do her best. But she was afraid that stage fright might take over. She had been practicing various songs with Ben cheering her on. But, he still did not know what she was performing. She also had not sung in front of a lot of people. Well, she did, they just did not know it, this was in Ben's plan to get her over her stage fright.

One night as the bakery was closing. Ben stood outside with his video phone and began video taping the people on the sidewalk as they stopped to listen to Emily sing. He had told her of the pedestrians reaction, but she did not understand fully what he was explaining until she saw that video. People who seemed in a hurry, would suddenly stop to listen. Many would tilt their heads to take in the song, some would try to find out where the voice was coming from. Even a few would close their eyes in prayer and meditation as Emily sang. The next night at closing, Ben had Emily leave the blinds barely open so she could see out, but the pedestrians could not see inside the bakery. That night she felt exposed to people finding out about her gift. She was a little nervous at first, but as her confidence grew, so did her voice.

Now, as they walked hand in hand to the school theater, Ben was giving her last minute tips. "You are going to do great! Just find me in the audience and focus on me if you get nervous!" Emily nodded her head. "Don't worry about anything else. It is just you and me." Again she nodded. "Have I told you, you look beautiful? Because you do."

"Thank you." She said with a smile. "What happens if I feel sick? Because right now...I do."

"That is just nerves. But, if you are going to be sick, it is best to do it before you get on stage." He stopped walking and turned her towards him. "I know how you feel, sometimes before a big game, I feel sick. Don't make yourself sick, but if you are going to hurl, do it before you walk on stage." She nodded. "Did you decide on Angel or It is Well?"

"Neither. I am doing a new song for me tonight. I looked a long time for it and it is perfect."

"Are you sure about doing a new song?"

"Ben, when you hear it, I pray you will understand. It puts how I am feeling into a song. It was written years ago, but it is like I wrote this song."

"OK. Just remember to find me in the audience and you will do great."

As they got there to check in, Emily prayed she would be one of the first so she could get this over with. Ben prayed with her for God to give her peace and the ability to let her light shine. For her nerves to be gone and her voice to be great. Ben went to find his seat and Emily walked to the other end of the building to find an empty classroom that she could practice in. She knew in her heart she could do this. It was the stampede of animals in her stomach that she needed to convince. As she sang, her nervousness began to fade.