Something True Read Online Free Page A

for a reply, Shelley took a seat. “Can I play for you?”
    Maddie shrugged, her face expressionless.
    “If you feel like joining in, you go ahead, okay?”
    Maddie’s eyes darted away, staring blankly out the window. Sadness pulled down the corners of her mouth.
    Shelley pasted a smile on her face, showing none of her inner turmoil. If ever a little girl needed a friend, Maddie did. Shelley positioned her guitar and plucked out the notes of a familiar children’s song. She sang, her voice sweet and even, occasionally glancing at Maddie to see if there was any response.
    Frustration rose inside her, but Shelley didn’t let it show. “Do you have any requests?”
    Maddie shook her head.
    “Would you like me to keep playing? Or we could play a game if you want.”
    Maddie picked at the blanket with her fingertips.
    “I’ll play a few more songs. How does that sound?” Without waiting for an answer, she began to play The Treehouse . For a moment, she thought she saw a spark of interest in Maddie, but it was gone before she could be sure.
    A few songs later, Shelley put her guitar aside. “I hope you enjoyed the music, Maddie. Maybe next time, you can come and listen in the playroom.”
    Shelley tried to muster new energy as she walked to Aiden’s room. As she entered, she knew this visit would be different. Aiden played with toys on his bed, while his mother sat close by.
    “Hi, Aiden. I’m Shelley.” It was hard to banish Maddie’s image from her mind and focus.
    “I know you. I know you.” The little boy’s eyes brightened with excitement.
    “Oh, do you now?” His interest boosted her mood.
    “We have some of your music,” Aiden’s mother explained.
    “That’s awesome. What would you like to hear?” Shelley was still surprised when she met a stranger who knew her music. She didn’t think that surprise would ever go away.
    The rest of the visit with Aiden passed quickly. His enthusiasm buoyed Shelley and she left feeling elated, but tired. The children required so much energy. It had gone well today. The kids had been wonderful. If only she could get through to Maddie, that would be an even greater accomplishment. The sad little girl tugged at her heart. It was the children like Maddie who needed to connect most of all.
      ~ * ~ * ~
      Shelley slipped into the seat of her car and pulled the door shut. She rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She wanted to ignore it, but her curiosity compelled her to her to look at the screen. It was her sister, Kate, a talented photographer. Kate was having her first major showing at a local gallery, and Shelley spent hours on the phone reassuring her. She was probably in a panic over matting for a piece. Her normally level-headed sister had been in a tailspin since being offered the show.
    “Hello?” Shelley had time. She was willing to serve as a sounding board.
    “Shelley, you won’t believe it!” Kate’s voice bubbled with excitement.
    “What? Did something already sell on preview?” Several people had already expressed interest in purchasing Kate’s work, and the show wasn’t even officially open. Shelley was confident that show would be a huge success, but Kate wasn’t going to believe it until after the show opened.
    “Oh … no. But that would be great, wouldn’t it?” Kate’s voice drifted.
    “So, what’s up then?” Shelley asked.
    “You!” The excitement was back in Kate’s voice.
    “Me?”
    “Have you checked iTunes? Dixie Dog is number one in children’s music. Number one!” Kate shouted.
    “Right now? Are you serious?” Shelley knew that downloads of Dixie Dog had been increasing, but she’d never expected this.
    “I’m totally serious. I saw it. Woot!”
    Shelley smiled. She imagined Kate bouncing up and down in her mind’s eye.
    “You pushed Raffi out of the number one spot. I took a screen shot just in case.” Kate’s pride in Shelley came right through the phone.
    “You