I come downstairs and find them waiting for me. There must be twenty people in the room. All of a sudden, I feel dizzy.
My father sent out invitations in October. He asked them to come to our holiday party. He told them I was going to play something special, and that made me so excited. I could hardly control myself. I was going to make my family proud. I was going to show everyone how well I could play.
Now the time has come. And all I want to do is disappear. I want to turn around and run back up to my bedroom and hide under the covers.
But I don't. I take a deep breath. I bow and walk across the room. I sit down on the narrow wooden bench in front of the piano. I look up and see my father. He smiles and nods. Then the room goes quiet.
My neck is tense. My palms are sweaty. But my head is clear. And my fingers feel nimble. They should. After all, I have been practicing for months. And I know I can do this.