“What?”
Karen lowered her voice.
“I told her not to touch that.”
“Yes.”
“I thought she was a student waiting for one of the groups.”
“She is.”
Karen stared.
Lucia smiled.
“She is also the harp soloist.”
Silence.
Naomi looked down.
She wished suddenly that Lucia had said it more quietly.
Not because Karen did not deserve correction.
Because Naomi hated the moment after adults realized they had misjudged a child.
Their faces changed too much.
Karen’s did.
Her eyes moved from Naomi to the harp.
Then toward Lucia.
“You mean…”
“Yes.”
Lucia stood.
“Naomi Carter.”
“The Carter?”
Lucia’s expression changed.
Naomi heard it.
The Carter.
She hated that too.
Apparently it was acceptable to stop her from touching the harp when she was simply Naomi.
Once a surname and competition result arrived, everything shifted.
Lucia folded her arms.
“Yes.”
Karen looked back at Naomi.
“I’m sorry.”
Naomi nodded.
“Okay.”
Karen hesitated.
“I didn’t realize.”
Naomi looked at the strings.
“I know.”
Lucia watched both of them.
She said nothing.
Karen seemed to expect more.
Perhaps forgiveness.
Perhaps a smile.
Perhaps:
It’s fine.
Naomi did not give it.
Because she was still twelve.
And because it was not fine yet.
Karen finally said:
“I only wanted to protect the instrument.”
Naomi looked up.
“I know how to protect it.”
“Yes.”
Karen nodded quickly.
“I see that now.”
There it was.
Now.
After title.
After recognition.
After the coordinator pulled out the bench.
Naomi’s chest tightened.
Lucia caught the change.
She stepped in.
“Karen, we need six stands in the chamber setup.”
Karen looked toward her.
“Yes.”
Then back to Naomi.
“We’ll talk later.”
Naomi did not answer.
Karen left.
Lucia waited until she was out of hearing distance.
Then:
“You okay?”
Naomi shrugged.
Lucia’s eyebrows rose.
“That is not an answer.”
“I’m fine.”
“That is also not an answer.”
Naomi looked toward the harp.
“She thought I wasn’t supposed to touch it.”
“Yes.”
“Because she didn’t know who I was.”
“Yes.”
“That’s stupid.”
Lucia almost smiled.
“Yes.”
Naomi looked over.
“You agree?”
“I am too old to lie to children about obvious things.”
Naomi smiled slightly.
Then:
“Was I rude?”
“No.”
“I said okay.”
“That is allowed.”
Naomi looked at her hands.
“Do I have to talk to her later?”
“No.”
“She might apologize.”
“That does not create an appointment you are required to attend.”
Naomi nodded.
Good.
Lucia checked her watch.
“Now.”
She pointed toward the harp.
“Play the opening.”
Naomi adjusted herself.
Then stopped.
“I’m mad.”
“I know.”
“What if I play mad?”
Lucia thought.