Lila applauded.
Then her face fell slightly.
Marcus noticed.
Of course.
The Audience Interpretation Award went to Lila.
Three thousand dollars for further study.
Not enough to turn the evening into destiny.
Enough to matter.
When Rachel announced her name, Lila smiled again.
Afterward, guests crowded around.
That was worse.
People who had ignored her now wanted to speak.
“You were extraordinary.”
“Such maturity.”
“How long have you studied?”
“Do you plan to attend Juilliard?”
At ten.
Lila answered politely until she stopped understanding the questions.
Marcus stepped in.
“She needs food.”
Renee stared.
“For once, you are right.”
He produced two peanut butter crackers from his jacket pocket.
Renee closed her eyes.
“You brought them.”
“Obviously.”
Lila ate both in thirty seconds.
Celeste approached while she was chewing.
Stopped.
Good.
Waited.
Lila looked up.
Peanut butter in one cheek.
Less intimidating now.
Celeste almost smiled.
“May I speak with you?”
Lila looked toward Renee.
Not Helena.
Not donors.
Her mother.
Renee studied Celeste.
“Yes.”
Celeste looked at Lila.
“I owe you an apology.”
Lila swallowed.
“Okay.”
Celeste continued.
“Before the program, I made jokes about you playing the piano.”
Lila glanced toward Gregory several feet away.
“He did too.”
Gregory heard.
His face reddened.
Celeste nodded.
“Yes.”
“I also assumed things about why you were here and what your father’s job meant about your training.”
Marcus’s expression changed.
Lila looked toward him.
Then back.
Celeste continued.
“That was disrespectful.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lila held the remaining cracker.
Then asked:
“Would you be sorry if I played bad?”
Celeste stopped breathing.
Renee looked at her daughter.
Marcus stared.
Gregory looked away.
Celeste took time.
The easy answer:
Yes.
Of course.
She could say it.
Nobody could prove otherwise.
Instead she looked toward Lila.
“I hope I would be.”
Lila frowned.
Celeste continued.
“But I’m not sure I understood that before tonight.”
Honest.
The child considered.
“Okay.”
Celeste nodded.
“I’m working on that.”
Lila looked toward her mother again.
Renee said nothing.
This answer belonged to Lila.
Finally:
“I accept your apology.”
Celeste exhaled.
Then Lila added:
“But Gregory has to do his own.”
Gregory’s head snapped up.
Marcus covered a laugh with his hand.
Celeste smiled.
“I agree.”
Gregory approached because there was no dignified alternative.
He looked at Lila.
“I’m sorry too.”