Chapter 32 - The Audition
New York City was a sprawling, chaotic concrete jungle, entirely different from their quiet suburban town.
Richard and Sophie stood outside the towering, imposing doors of the Juilliard building.
"Are you nervous?"
Richard asked, carrying her sheet music portfolio.
"Terrified,"
Sophie admitted, her hands shaking slightly.
"But it's a good terrified. Not a locked-door terrified."
She smiled, taking a deep breath of the cold city air.
When Sophie walked into the audition room, she faced three severe-looking judges. They asked her to play her prepared piece.
Sophie sat at the magnificent concert grand piano. She closed her eyes. She didn't try to be perfect. She let all the pain, all the healing, all the terror, and all the love she had ever experienced pour directly into her fingertips.
She played with a raw, bleeding emotion that made the judges lower their pens and simply listen.
May you like
When she finished the final, lingering chord, she opened her eyes.
She didn't need to hear their verdict. She knew she had left her entire soul on those keys. She walked out of the room, ran into her father's waiting arms, and held him tight.
