Page 56 (2/2)

Remember, Garrett believes in you Don’t let him down

I close my eyes a moment and take a deep breath I do what Garrett tellson the back porch, just hi in the distance, the calm of the sun onthe fear back, just a little, far enough for uitar, and feel the sweetness of theto Beachwood has been about th to be myself, to show myself to people, vulnerabilities and all Sure, they could hate e, but for the first time, I realize that it’s not about their reactions

This is about , deep inside Trusting her enough to let her voice be heard No polish, no perfection

No hiding any

23

Lord, that girl could slay armies with that voice of hers, tempt sailors like a siren to the shore

I’ she isn’t ready for--right up until the

Then it all justworld It all fades to nothing In a

Carina’s voice echoes out across the bar, clear and sweet as an angel I’ve heard the song before on the radio, it’s soe to the words, a darker emotion that makes it sound like new She’s clearly nervous as hell: keeping her eyes fixed to the floor, clutching the guitar like it’s a life raft, but for a fewher Totally under her spell

Includingin my chest Protectiveness and affection and awe all rolled up into one

She’s a miracle, and she doesn’t even know it

How could she have been hiding this talent for so long? Why would she think she was no good? It kills me that she’s spent sothe world at arh But at the sa out the chords for each new note, andfor her second chance, being so da about her is perfection

Carina reaches the end of the song, the guitar chords slowly fading away There’s a moment’s hush as we all take it in, and then a thunder of applause

Carina’s head snaps up for the first tiotten they were there Then she realizes the applause is for her The realization sweeps over her face, and she breaks into a delighted sno idea of her own talent