Maestro

by Auden Dar

her voice, her laughter. Her.” “You won’t.” “How can you be so sure?” “Because she loved you.” His voice assuring. “We can’t forget those who truly loved us and those we love… I know from experience.” He’s correct; I’ll never forget the man next to me. The way he’s loved me all these years. The way he continues to love me—even after all we’ve been through. “Priscilla only wanted what she thought would be best for you,” Chad says, moving back to lie supine. “And she’d want you to play for the best.” “And your orchestra is the best?” “It would be the best if you were in it.” “You’re saying all the right things.” “I’m saying what I’ve always believed.” I scoot closer, lean my head against his shoulder, and sigh. “It feels like déjà vu.” “But we’ve never been in this hotel together.” “I know, but it reminds me of the first time we hung out in my home.” “How so?” I look up. “I’m still that nervous fourteen-year-old, lying in bed with the cutest boy ever.” Chad smiles against the side of my face. “I was nervous too.” “That’s hard to believe. You were so full of confidence. Even at such a young age.” “Maybe I was confident in our friendship,” he utters. “I knew then what I hold to be true.” “And what is that?” “That I’d always want you to be in my life.” On our sides now, he puts his arm around me and I snuggle against