My Butterfly

again and glanced one more time into the mirror and then at the angel in between my fingers.
    “I feel like I can’t get to you fast enough,” I whispered under my breath.
    Then, I slid the pin back into my pocket and pressed it against my heart.
    ...
    “Good morning, New York City,” I yelled into the microphone.
    Just then, a roar of screams echoed off the tall buildings that surrounded us. It was loud—louder than I had expected. And there was a row of people pressed up against the stage below us—girls, guys, kids.
    I looked back at Chris and smiled.
    He nodded his head once and smiled back.
    “This is our first time in New York City,” I yelled into the microphone again.
    The crowd screamed louder.
    It seemed as if every time I said the words New York City , the volume of the place increased ten times. I waited for the cheers to die down a little, and then I continued.
    “We’re just some small-town, Missouri firefighters who decided one day to start a little band, and we’re happy you invited us into your little town,” I finished.
    I smiled then and lowered the mic as the crowd seemed to erupt. And within seconds, Matt started a count, and a melody came pouring through the speakers surrounding us. I readjusted the strap across my chest; my guitar was slung behind me. Then, I casually touched my heart, feeling for my guardian angel, before I gripped the mic with both hands and brought it to my mouth. And just before my first words pushed past my lips and out into the crowd, I thought about her.

Chapter Thirty-Four
    Jessica
     
     
    I had just gotten the last of the cords wound up and off the stage, and Daniel and Chris were taking what was left of the equipment to the truck. Matt had already taken off. His cousin was getting married in Springfield the next day, and he was driving through the night.
    I stuffed the final cord into a plastic container and hoisted the container up into my arms when I heard my name. The voice was soft and kind of timid.
    I turned, and through the dark with only glimpses of red and white stage lights, I made out a girl.
    “Jessica,” I said.
    I watched her shy face grow a smile.
    “You’re back in Missouri,” she said.
    I lowered my eyes as I felt a smile creeping to my face. It felt good to be home.
    “Yeah, we got back earlier this week,” I said.
    “Well, I was in the area, and I saw that you were playing, and I just thought I would stop by,” she said.
    Just then, Daniel came in through the back door and stopped in between us. He looked at me and then at Jessica and then back at me again.
    “Uh, I think we’ve got everything loaded,” he said. “Is this the last one?”
    His eyes were planted on the plastic container still in my arms.
    “Uh, yeah,” I said.
    He grabbed the container.
    “We’re going to go ahead and take off,” he said, looking back at Jessica and then at me. “You’ve got your car, right?”
    “What?” I asked.
    “Your car—to get home,” he said.
    Daniel flashed me a cheesy grin.
    “Oh, yeah,” I said, nodding my head.
    “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then,” he said.
    Then, he bobbed his head at me, smiled at Jessica and then hurried again toward the back door.
    My eyes followed him until he disappeared.
    “You guys are really good,” Jessica said.
    I met Jessica’s gaze again.
    “Thanks,” I said, smiling and tossing my eyes to the floor.
    There was silence between us for a moment.
    “Look, I know this place is closing, but I saw a diner at the end of the street,” she said. “Maybe we could catch up.”
    I looked up and caught her soft stare.
    “Uh, sure,” I said, nodding my head.
    For some reason, I felt strangely awkward around her all of a sudden. She didn’t seem to be with Jeff. I wasn’t used to her showing up without him.
    “Okay, well, let’s go this way,” I said, eyeing the back door.
    She smiled and then walked toward the exit. I followed after her but then reached out and pulled the door open for her.
    “So, this is how you avoid all of your adoring fans,” she exclaimed.
    A coy smile was planted on her face.
    I laughed.
    “Of course, didn’t you see the ten people that were in there?” I asked. “It would have taken us at least two, whole minutes to get to the front door.”
    Jessica’s smile widened. She seemed confident again—a little closer to how I had remembered her from that New Year’s Eve night years ago.
    “You are crazy,” she said. “Will, I don’t know what you