Chapter 18
Janie stood in the audience, cheering along with everyone else as Stella played the final notes in the recital. A gorgeous live spruce tree decorated with lights and red bows provided the backdrop of the scene with lights and spruce wreaths hanging festively throughout the auditorium. Travis was standing at her side. In the years Stella had been playing the piano in school performances, Janie had become accustomed to the rush afterwards. Diamond Creek felt both small and large in these times. Many parents and locals crowded the auditorium, and the space felt enormous. Yet, many of the faces were familiar. It was strange to have someone outside of her family and friends here with her. The cheering gradually died down and people began to gather their jackets and file out of the r
