That was exactly what Tessa wanted.
For the next week, our kitchen became a practice room again.
She came home sore and frustrated. Twice she cried because she kept missing the same turn.
But this time, when she wanted to give up, it was because she was tired — not because someone had convinced her she didn’t belong.
On audition day, I sat in the parking lot with Graham and tried not to check the time every thirty seconds.
When Tessa finally walked out, she didn’t say anything at first.
Then she smiled.
She had made the recital.
A few days later, Rebecca called me.
Sadie had learned what her father had done and was devastated.
“She was never angry at Tessa,” Rebecca said. “She was disappointed about not getting in, of course, but she wanted Tessa to do well. Colin made this about her when it was really about him.”
