The Glow of the Spotlight: My Journey with Rebecca

“I’m not ready for the stage,” I tell Rebecca.

She asks why not, pointing out that I perform all the time. I take a deep breath and admit my deepest fear: I might freeze onstage. That happened last year. The audience’s stares left me too nervous to dance, or even move, until someone had to lead me off. I’ve been ashamed of it ever since, and too afraid to perform again.

Rebecca tries to hide her disappointment, but I catch it in her face anyway. Then she turns serious, telling me that putting off something scary only makes it worse. For now, though, she offers a smaller step: I could perform my act just for her, with no audience but a practice one.

I agree, and the two of us head back toward her house for the evening, where I’ll get my first chance to try.