Midnight Music

Chapter 17-- Flashback

"Hey, pixie! Are you ready?" Ace asked his thirteen-year-old sister. He was driving with his family to his old high school, where the junior high students' spring music concert was being held. Amy had a piano solo, and has been practicing it for months. And now, tonight, she's smiling nervously as she toyed with the hem of her black satin dress.

"I think so."

"You'll do great, my dear." Lisa reassured her, reaching towards the back seats to give the girl's hand a pat. She then turned to her husband as he pulled into a parking space. "Don't you think so, Sam?"

The man didn't even glance back at her as he spoke. "Sure. You're fine, kid."

Nobody said another word as they walked into the high school. Though they were half an hour early, the lobby and auditorium already had a significant amount of people scattered around. While the adults went to save some seats, Ace took the young girl to where the vending machines were and bought her a candy bar.

"Here." He grunted, thrusting it into her hand.

"What's this for?" she asked, looking up at him suspiciously.

"Come on, you didn't eat much for dinner. And you're about to perform," he pinched her cheek. "If you faint onstage, I'm not carrying you."

"Ow! Leave me alone, meanie!" Amy shoved her brother away, then reluctantly started gobbling down her treat. Little pest. When will she ever listen to me? The young man thought as he watched in annoyance.

Suddenly, she grabbed the sleeve of his jacket, gripping it until her knuckles turned white. "What's wrong now?" Ace asked the girl, who pointed a shaking finger at the person cautiously approaching them in red high-heels.

Time slowed down. The air disappeared from the room and their lungs. No. Not her! All too soon, before anyone could run away, the figure was in front of them. A woman in her early 40s, with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes smiled at them enthusiastically. She was wearing a red dress that showed off her figure, and was a bit revealing in the bodice, and she carried a black handbag, which hung at her elbow.

"Amy! Jason! How are you, my darlings? You've gotten so big." The woman wrapped her arms around the gawking pair in an awkward hug. She smelled of cigarettes.

"M-mom?" Ace stuttered.

"Of course, dear. Who else would I be?"

"W-what are you doing here?" Amy asked, her body shaking a little with her voice.

"I came to see you, obviously. I know I haven't been to any of your concerts before, but I was just passing through town. So I thought, why not?" She turned to her son as she continued. "And I'm sorry I didn't make it to your graduation last year. I have something for you, though."

She reached into her purse and started rummaging through it. Finally, she pulled out a blue envelope. "Here you go, Jason!"

"Thanks, but I don't want it. Besides, we have to go." Grabbing Amy by the shoulders, Ace began to lead her towards the hall that ran along the outside of the auditorium, which would lead to the backstage where she had to meet everyone for the concert.

"Wait!" The woman started trying to catch up to them, but her shoes proved to be a challenge.

"Tina?!"