THE LUCKY CHARM

The performance was a minute away. Although she had done it countless times before, she was nervous; she could hear her jaws chatter. In the greenroom behind, she hugged him tight and felt a surge of warmth. He was always there through thick and thin, to cheer her up. She proceeded for the curtains and turned, showed him a thumb and beamed with a confident face. And then she donned the hat of a flawless performer. Her fingers glided over the piano keys. The audience went nuts and she watched them swing and wave as if drunk with the melody she produced. She stole hearts and the auditorium reverberated with thunderous applause and shouts of “encore!” She had once again foiled fear. Amidst congratulating voices she vanished into the curtains. The green room bustled with people. She searched for him. “There” cried her eyes pointing towards the table corner. His beady eyes shimmered against the light and she saw his puppy smile. He was always smiling (and that’s what she loved about him). She smiled back and carried Mr. Teddy away...