Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury Page B

and that would be that. Otherwise, what was the difference? Short of a miracle, this was their last show anyway. He waved his hand, trying to hurry Ella on her way. “Fine. He can sit in the back, but any outbursts and he’s done.”
    “Really?” Ella jumped up and clapped her hands. “Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I have a feeling about this. You won’t be sorry.” She gave Manny a quick smile and flitted back to her desk, her steps lighter than before.
    Manny returned to the script, but he felt a little better about the day. Maybe Ella was right. What harm could it bring, playing for Holden at this stage of rehearsals. The autistic kid was at least interested.
    And come spring they could count on this much —at least one Fulton High student in the audience.

Six
    T HE DRUMBEAT STOPPED, AND THAT WAS JUST AS WELL . H OLDEN was tired of doing push-ups. Also, he didn’t want to throw a ball across the gym with the other kids in his class. He’d already told the teacher that, but she wasn’t listening. That’s why he had to sit in a chair at the corner of the gym and work his numbers.
    That was better than throwing a ball. Numbers made him feel good, and not too long from now he could go home and visit with his mom. He had so much to tell her today. Because it had finally happened! He and Ella had found their way back to each other. She was just the same, her pretty eyes and happy smile. Best of all she could still sing, just like Holden always knew she could.
    Holden was bored of the numbers, finished with them. The music drew him back to the place where Ella was, and he went with it, willingly. She saw him standing at the door the way she saw him before and he went to her. He was really here and this wasn’t a dream. He felt dizzy and full and happy. So happy. The edges were a little blurry and the colors weren’t crisp like in therapy. But he was pretty sure what was happening was real.
    He walked up to Ella.
Remember when we were kids? We laughed and played and sang all day long.
    She smiled and took his hand.
Those were the best times, Holden. And now you’re here again!
    Holden looked around, but he and Ella weren’t in the classroom anymore, they were on a stage and the stage was long with pretty trees and fields of green grass blowing in the breeze.
Dancewith me, Ella?
He was still holding her hand, and he nodded to a bare spot on the stage.
    Ella laughed, like she laughed in the movie. And they danced to the music, the way they had danced all those years ago. Holden twirled her and spun her in pretty circles and Ella sang along with the words. In the distance he could hear people clapping. Louder and longer they clapped, because this was the most beautiful thing any of them had ever seen. Ella and Holden dancing together, singing a song of the angels.
    He’d spent all his life looking for her, his friend, Ella. And now she was here.
Do you know why I told you I could see you earlier?
He smiled straight into her heart. Smiling at her that way was easy. Ella’s heart was wide open.
    Why, Holden?
She kept dancing, and her words were right to the music.
    Because I could always see you. Even when you weren’t here with me. I never stopped seeing you. Your soul stayed.
    She did another twirl.
Your soul stayed with mine too. Because friends are like that, and you’re my friend.
    Holden loved this, talking with Ella after so much silence. Now that he’d found her, they could be best friends again and he would tell her everything, how he’d been feeling and how the music played all the time and how beautiful life was. He would tell her how much he loved Fulton High and how he prayed all the time for the kids around him. Because some of the kids had sad eyes or angry voices. Most of them didn’t hear the music.
    But you hear the music, Ella. You always did. Just like Michael.
    Ella smiled like she must’ve known Michael. He didn’t have a lot of friends, but Holden was going to help him find some. Maybe Ella