Monday Afternoon
December 12, 1966
- Abby's been studying for finals like a madwoman, pretty much nonstop, for two weeks.
- As she's crammed her brain with facts about literature and science, though, she's also avoided all things musical like the plague.
- Oh—and she's also ignored Lily Norene, her bestie.
- Not one to be avoided for long, Lily corners Abby and asks her what's going on. Abby wants to tell her friend how afraid she is to sing at the Christmas program, but finds herself unable to get the words out.
- On the night of the program, Abby wears a red dress she made herself and goes to the show with Lily.
- First up, two girls put on a little skit about how to get guys to like you. Then another kid recites "The Night Before Christmas," followed by someone else playing a Christmas carol on the flute.
- And then it's Abby's turn to sing.
- The pianist starts, but when Abby goes to sing, no sound comes out. The pianist starts over, but again, when it's time for Abby to sing, there's only silence.
- Third time's the charm, right? Well, kind of… See, sound comes out on Abby's third attempt, but it's terrible.
- It's so bad, in fact, that the accompanist stops and walks off stage without finishing. Yikes.