Page 23 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

Six

Charlie

It’s honestly a nightmare, Charlie texted Alicia. What the hell do either of us know about directing a choir?

You know about singing. That’s a good start.

You sound like Gram. And you both know it’s not the same thing. The only person Charlie had ever known who would be remotely interested in this turn of events was Tom. And even he might have questioned how to turn a random group of elderly residents into a passable choir before Christmas.

But your experience is not nothing. Plus it’s not like they know any better. I say, trust your instincts and see what comes of it.

My instincts were too slow to realize Julian was roping me into disaster. I’m not sure I can trust them. Also, you’re being unhelpfully optimistic.

I just like the fact that I’ll get more updates on how you hate the ridiculously handsome activities director.

Charlie frowned at her phone.

He’s just ridiculous. This idea is ridiculous! And he’s a scheming cheat for using a bunch of cute old people and Gram against me

Mm-hmm. Maybe he just wants to spend more time with you. Ever think of that?

Huffing, Charlie flipped her phone over even as her stomach fluttered. It was like a dusty, dormant moth had been startled in a corner. Choosing to ignore the feeling, she glanced around the common room.

She was seated next to the fireplace, in one of the wingback armchairs across from Gram. Two great bookcases framed the far wall, well-worn tomes lined up in a colorful display. Around the room, an array of small tables boasted half-completed chess games and abandoned solitaire. The room was suspiciously devoid of garland and twinkle lights, but outside a winter wind battered at the windows, leaving snowflakes to melt down the panes. It was the kind of day that made Charlie want to pull one of the books from the shelves and tuck herself beneath a blanket.

Instead, she had her laptop open on her knees, scrolling through her old set lists with Gram as they prepared for today’s auditions. Charlie had shown up bright and early at Gram’s request so they could go over her song selection. She’d made a point of telling Gram she didn’t have to try so hard. The whole reason she’d agreed to this with Julian was to allow Gram to make connections, so her being part of the choir was sort of nonnegotiable. But Gram was nothing if not dedicated to the shtick, and she was taking this audition very seriously.

“How about that one?” Gram said, pointing to the screen.

“‘Ten Minutes Ago’? From Cinderella?” Charlie frowned. “That’s usually a duet.” She considered her previous performances and the occasional tune that Tom would join her for while onstage. She remembered him turning from the orchestra and grabbing a mic, smiling at her as they performed duets the way they had as children in Gram’s living room. “I suppose you could just sing a few bars.”

Gram hummed the song, and Charlie mentally batted at the memories that were conjured with the first few notes.

“You really don’t have to audition,” she said again, making sure that was clear. “Besides the fact you’ve volunteered to play piano, I already know you can sing. Plus I’m confident Julian really wants you in the choir.”

She hadn’t actually seen Julian yet this morning. Perhaps she should have dropped by his office to figure out the logistics of how this audition process was going to work, but truthfully she was still annoyed with him for forcing her into yet another thing she wanted no part of. How was she supposed to turn him down in front of a room full of elderly people, all looking at her, their faces creased with excitement? She was becoming far too entrenched in the happenings at Glendale for her liking.

“What about you?” Gram asked.

“What about me?”

“Do you want me in this choir?”

“Obviously.”

“You don’t seem too thrilled by the idea.”

“It’s not that,” Charlie said, feeling a little bad that Gram would think so. She sighed. “I’m just not sure I’m thrilled in general. It has nothing to do with not wanting you to be a part of it.” This was Gram’s chance to really build community here. If Charlie couldn’t shake her annoyance, she was going to ruin it for her. “I guess I’m just nervous.”

“You, nervous?” Gram said with a smile. She patted Charlie’s knee. When she was young and worried about performing, Gram would pat her arms or her shoulders, telling her she was getting all the butterflies out.

“I’ve never done something like this before. And there’s a big prize on the line that Julian is really eager to win so he can support the music program. That’s a lot of pressure when I’m not even sure we’ll be able to cobble together a choir, never mind thinking about the actual performance.”

Gram reached for her hand and squeezed. “I have no doubt you’ll do wonderfully.”

Charlie shook her head. “You say that about everything.”

“I have to. Until you prove me otherwise.”