Unlocked : a Love Story Part 21

"No," Ella cried out. "Don't leave me ... please." She breathed hard and fast as she fell to her knees. Her body heaved as she grieved the loss of her friend. "You can't leave." She sat up, her attention completely on the face of the Beast. "I ... I love you."

With that the haunting sounds of transformation began. A curtain shrouded in fog came around them and made the moment magical. The Beast slid behind the curtain and lumbered into the wings. It was Holden's moment. His time to join her on the stage. But he was nowhere to be seen.

"Holden," she called out quietly into the foggy darkness. "Where are you?"

At that same instant the lilting sound of the entire flute section kicked into gear. The music was "Tale as Old as Time" -Holden's favorite song. And there in the fog, before she could waste another second panicking over what might go wrong, Holden appeared before her.

He smiled, his eyes intent on hers. "I'm here," he whispered.

"Good." She kept her voice low. The lights were coming up, the transformation complete.

Holden looked stunning, standing inches from her in his white and gold costume, his shoulders back, strength and kindness emanating from his eyes, his expression. Never in all the times they'd rehea.r.s.ed this number had Holden recited the actual line, the one the script called for. But the miracles G.o.d was working tonight were still playing out. Holden touched her shoulder. "It's me, Belle ... Can't you see? This is who I've been ... all along."

Ella's lips parted, and for a long moment she wasn't sure if she could recite her name, let alone her lines. It was like Holden was no longer playing a role, but rather telling her something about himself. That this-and not the boy she'd met last fall-was who he really was. She smoothed the wrinkles in her dress and tried to remember her words. All the while the music played. LaShante and the tech guy had done what she asked and now ... now the music was giving Holden a chance to s.h.i.+ne.

Focus, Ella ... come on. "It's ... it's really you! I can't believe it." She reached out and took Holden's hands. "It's ... it's really you! I can't believe it." She reached out and took Holden's hands.

And with that he began to sing. "Tale as old as time ..."

It was her turn to sing, but before she could begin, something happened in the audience-something none of them had planned for or rehea.r.s.ed. Those in attendance were clapping, louder and louder. The band seemed to understand that Ella needed time, so they played the same eight bars of music again.

But what about Holden? How would he respond to the thunderous applause. She searched his eyes, but he only moved closer to her, so close she almost wondered if he was going to kiss her. But at the last moment, he brushed his cheek against hers and spoke near her ear. "It's okay, Ella. Wait for the music."

Up until this moment, Ella couldn't tell the difference between what was acting for Holden, and what was real. But now she knew. This wasn't acting ... this was Holden as real as he could be. The Holden he might someday become even without the music. Gradually the applause faded, and the band picked up by repeating where they had left off. Ella stood straighter, breathing deep before she began to sing. She smiled into Holden's eyes as he began twirling her in graceful circles.

The other cast members joined in, Cogsworth and Lumierre and Babette dancing in sweeping arcs around Ella and Holden at the center of the stage. "... Beauty and the Beast." Holden finished the song in a moment Ella knew she'd remember forever.

Ella wondered if everyone in the audience was crying the way she was, if they were processing the message Holden was singing. At the beginning of the year they'd been wrong-all of them. Wrong about Michael Schwartz and wrong about Holden. It had been tough to look past Holden's strange exterior, past his quirky behaviors and non-communicative nature. But now ...

Now everyone in the building was witnessing the miracle of Holden Harris. The music had always been inside him, only now they'd found the right song. Holden's song. And on this night they could all see the truth. Holden Harris wasn't merely a boy who struggled with autism. He was a friend to everyone at Fulton, and more than that-he really was a prince.

Ella would believe that as long as she lived.

SUZANNE COULDN'T STOP CRYING. SHE WASN'T SURE IF THE flood of emotion that had come over her was because of the very real transformation taking place on stage or because her husband had arrived at intermission and was sitting beside her. Whatever had brought him, she didn't care. Tonight she felt something she hadn't felt in years. flood of emotion that had come over her was because of the very real transformation taking place on stage or because her husband had arrived at intermission and was sitting beside her. Whatever had brought him, she didn't care. Tonight she felt something she hadn't felt in years.

She felt hope.

And it was because of Holden Harris. Because of the impact he'd made on their family. As the play wound down, as Holden and the cast received a standing ovation that went on for nearly five minutes, Suzanne refused to think about all they'd lost by backing out of the friends.h.i.+p with the Harris family years ago. Yes, Holden suffered from a handicap. A disability.

But didn't everyone in some way or another?

What lessons might they have learned if they'd stayed connected with Tracy and Dan and Holden? Maybe the guys would've kept up their Bible study, and Randy wouldn't have drifted from their family. Maybe she wouldn't work so hard to keep up her outer appearance. Being around Holden made it painfully clear that the most breathtaking beauty came from inside.

When the play was over, after Mr. Hawkins thanked them again for coming, and as the cast members spilled into the audience for hugs and congratulations, Suzanne wanted to find just one person.

Her daughter, Ella.

She spotted her across the room and she touched Randy's arm. "I'll be back." She had to talk loud above the sound of the crowd. He nodded, and before she turned to make her way to the other side of the auditorium, she saw Dan Harris come up and give her husband a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Randy ... it's been too long."

It was another miracle-the idea that Dan would find Randy before he ducked out the back door, that the two of them might talk tonight after the emotional performance they'd all witnessed.

Suzanne clutched a long-stemmed red rose as she made her way through the crowd. Ella was surrounded by well-wishers, and standing next to her, still looking every bit the prince, was Holden. The expression in his eyes had changed, and he wasn't making eye contact with everyone pressed in near him. But he still held his head high, a protective figure at Ella's side.

Suzanne was only a few feet away, but still Ella hadn't seen her. And for a few seconds, she was grateful for the fact. Watching Ella and Holden was like seeing a vision, a figment of her imagination from back when they were three years old. Wasn't this what she and Tracy had always dreamed -that Ella and Holden would be the most lovely couple, that they would support each other and encourage each other, and be a magnet for everyone around them?

And here -against everything -it was happening almost like they'd hoped. She studied Holden, the kindness in his expression. He might never be completely out of his world of autism, and most likely the two of them would never date. But Suzanne knew as she looked at her daughter that Ella loved the friend she'd found in Holden.

She would love him as long as she lived.

A little further through the crowd and Suzanne was at her daughter's elbow. "Honey ..."

Ella turned, and with only the slightest hesitation she flew into her mother's arms. "Wasn't it amazing? Holden's miracle? Did you see what happened?" Ella barely paused long enough to take a breath. "Holden was ... he was completely with me up there."

"I saw it." Tears stung at Suzanne's eyes. She handed her daughter the rose and kissed her cheek. "I'm proud of you, Ella. It was like ... You were a real-life Belle. Your love and the music ... I think G.o.d used it to give Holden a miracle."

Ella beamed at the young man beside her. He seemed oblivious to the crowd, his eyes stuck on some quiet place in the far distance. But as Ella touched his arm, he met her eyes. The only person in the room he wanted to connect with. "You remember my mom, Holden?"

His eyes s.h.i.+fted to Suzanne and after a few seconds, the corners of his mouth lifted. "Yes." He had to raise his voice to be heard about the noise of the crowd still filling the theater. "You were sitting on the swing with Ella."

Suzanne was stunned, and she realized one more bit of truth. Holden hadn't missed anything. Never mind that he had gone away to live in a silent world inside himself. He still heard and saw and remembered. "That's right." She smiled at him. "We'll talk more later, okay?"

"Later." He looked back toward the far wall again, still standing shoulder to shoulder with Ella.

"Mom ..." The enthusiasm in Ella's voice fell away. "I'm sorry. For not making time to talk. Maybe ... maybe we can start again."

"I would like that." Suzanne felt a single tear roll down her cheek. "I love you, Ella. I'm sorry about how much I missed. I want to change. I want you to see the real me."

Ella smiled, and the light returned to her eyes. She glanced at Holden, and then back at her mother. "I guess that's true for a lot of us."

More admirers wanted a few words with Ella, a chance to take her picture or congratulate her. So Suzanne moved back through the people to the place where her husband was still talking to Dan. Tracy was standing nearby, and as she walked up the two women hugged. "Holden was amazing."

"I never could've imagined ... It was like a dream."

"It was a miracle."

"Yes," Tracy looked at their husbands and then back at her friend. "G.o.d's not finished yet."

With that they turned their conversation back to the play, to the packed house and the level of emotion the final number held for all of them. This was not the place to talk about her marriage to Randy, or whether they would get counseling and try to work things out. It was enough that Tracy was right. G.o.d had worked a miracle here tonight, and He wasn't done yet. Not with Holden ...

And not with her, either.

HOLDEN LIKED HIS VIEW. HE COULD SEE EVERYONE, ALL THE people from school and the parents and teachers, and he knew G.o.d had heard his prayers. He knew so much that he'd been praying ever since the performance ended. Sometimes he was talking to Ella, but right now he was praying. people from school and the parents and teachers, and he knew G.o.d had heard his prayers. He knew so much that he'd been praying ever since the performance ended. Sometimes he was talking to Ella, but right now he was praying.

Dear Jesus, look at all the happy hearts in this room. It's exactly what I prayed for. One thousand, fifty-three seats. Only tonight there were more than one thousand, fifty-three people. Because two hundred and eleven people were standing. And that meant one thousand, two hundred, sixty-four people were happy. Every single one. The music began to play again, sweeping him away to the happiest of places. The music began to play again, sweeping him away to the happiest of places.

I know, G.o.d, that You were with me tonight, and that You'll stay with me after this, too. Because You gave me my friend, Ella. And that's where my heart is. Up on stage and back in the drama cla.s.sroom and there on my couch watching our movie. With Ella. And now maybe everyone will have their heart in the right place.

He was still praying when his cousin Kate walked up and tugged on his sleeve. "Kate ... you're a pretty princess tonight." He said the words, and she must've heard him because she giggled and her smile filled her whole face.

"You're the best prince, Holden. The very best."

"And you're the best cousin."

"I can hear you, Holden." Kate hugged him around his waist. "Even when no one else hears you, I hear you." She bounced off to find Holden's mother. And then she came back and his mom and dad were with her.

"I'm proud of you, son. You were perfect up there." His dad patted his arm. It was a lot to take in, but Holden held his ground. This was his father. Home from fis.h.i.+ng. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you for being here."

His mom didn't say very much because she was crying. But Holden wasn't sad for her. The tears on her face were happy tears. Holden knew the difference. When they left to wait for him at the back of the theater, Holden finished his prayer.

And so, Jesus, thank You for this night. Because I've prayed for this all my life. I know You hear me, because You were right in the front row and in the back and on stage and everywhere tonight. He thought for a minute. He thought for a minute. Can You tell Michael we missed him? I know You love me. Your friend, Holden Harris. Can You tell Michael we missed him? I know You love me. Your friend, Holden Harris.

There was just one last thing to do, the thing he'd wanted to do since Ella asked him before the play. Less people stood around them now, so he looked at her. "Ella?"

She turned his direction. "Yes, Holden?"

"Can I give you a hug?"

Her smile turned into a pretty laugh. "Yes ... yes, of course."

Then, without any drums in the background, he pulled Ella into his arms and he hugged her. The music played, sweet and melodic, filling the room. Only now there was a difference, because Ella was swaying with him and that could only mean one thing. The thing he had known all along.

Ella could hear the music too.

READER L LETTER.

Dear Reader Friends, Three years ago, my kids were taking part in a Christian Youth Theater (CYT) musical when at rehearsal one day I noticed a boy sitting in the back of the room, rocking quietly and utterly withdrawn from the other kids. We'll call him Samuel-to protect his ident.i.ty. Samuel's mom sat not far from him, and later that hour she told me that her son had autism.

"He's noncommunicative," she told me. "His sister's in the play, so we'll be here at every rehearsal." She paused. "We pray for him every day, that something will unlock him."

Samuel was ten years old at the time, and over the next eight weeks all of us noticed something change with the boy. He stopped sitting in the corner, stopped rocking, stopped pa.s.sing the time locked in his own world. Instead he kept his head up and he began creeping a little closer to the kids. When they would work on a song, Samuel would nod along-, clearly mesmerized by the music.

The next session with CYT, Samuel was a different boy. He was able to take direction and communicate on a basic level -so much that he was allowed to be on the backstage crew.

"We can't believe this," his mother told me. "Every day he comes out of his private world a little more. It's the music. It has to be."

A year later, after a long break from CYT, our kids took part in another show. It was Christmastime, and the production was Scrooge Scrooge -the musical. I'd been busy with writing, so I hadn't been to as many rehearsals, but as I took my seat on opening night, I could not believe what I saw. As the townspeople filed onto the stage in old English costumes, singing and interacting with each other-there was Samuel. -the musical. I'd been busy with writing, so I hadn't been to as many rehearsals, but as I took my seat on opening night, I could not believe what I saw. As the townspeople filed onto the stage in old English costumes, singing and interacting with each other-there was Samuel.

The boy who hadn't been able to talk was performing on stage.

At intermission I found his mother, and we both had tears in our eyes. "It's a miracle," she told me. "G.o.d used the music to give us back our boy."

I knew from that point on that I would write a novel about an autistic boy who was brought out of his private world because of the power of a song. That's how it was for Samuel... and so that's how it was for Holden Harris.

It was with great care and a tender heart that I ventured into writing about an eighteen-year-old boy on the autistic spectrum. I learned quickly that autism is called a spectrum disorder because no two cases are exactly the same. Some people are more highly functioning-as is the case with Asperger's Syndrome. Others-like Holden in Unlocked Unlocked -are noncommunicative and sometimes never find their way out of the private world they live in. -are noncommunicative and sometimes never find their way out of the private world they live in.

People on the autism spectrum struggle with sensory overload. Too much noise, too much color, too much conversation-even touch can make a person with autism explode into a tantrum or fall prey to a panic attack. Some of them experience trouble communicating from birth. Others-like Holden-progress normally and then experience a sudden, unexplainable setback. Every person's story is different.

For those of you who know and love someone with autism, I have prayed for you often. In my research something I heard time and again was that kids with autism have a special way of loving others. They are kind and sincere, and often their odd or different behaviors are very genuine expressions of emotions or feelings locked inside them.

I'm also keenly aware that not everyone who prays and loves and works with their autistic child will experience the miracle Holden received. However, I patterned Holden after the real-life Samuel. So I do know that some kids with autism can be unlocked. Some can make amazing strides, and with today's advancements in autism, hope remains strong for everyone involved.

In addition, if you're not directly connected with autism in some way, I pray that the story of Holden made you more sensitive to people around you who might be different. Kindness can go a long way toward understanding each other, and I found myself learning as I journeyed with Ella through her patient friends.h.i.+p with Holden.

Another topic I've never dealt with is suicide... and it was very, very difficult. Life is G.o.d's. It is His to give and His to take away. If you or someone you love is struggling with meaning in life, or especially if you know someone being bullied, please report the situation immediately. If you don't find life worth living, you need help. See a counselor, take yourself to an emergency room, or talk to someone you trust. In the end the only way I could deal with Michael's suicide was to show his last minute change of mind.

That's one of the worst parts about suicide-it's final. But that does not have to be the outcome. G.o.d wants us all to embrace life -not because it's easy or pleasant or even always tolerable. But because life is from Him. If you woke up today and you were breathing, G.o.d's greatest purpose for your life is still ahead. G.o.d tells us in Deuteronomy that He sets before us life and death, blessings and curses. "Now choose life!" is the message of the Bible.

I pray that for each of you and for those you love.

Finally, I dealt with the idea that there are many ways to be locked in your own world. Life is too short to be anything but real with the cast of characters G.o.d has placed in the story of your life. Love well, laugh often, and find your life in Christ. Don't hide away or be a follower. Be the wonderful unique person G.o.d made you to be, and know that your purpose will always be best when defined by your faith in Him.

As always, I look forward to hearing your feedback on this book. I'll tell you something. I outlined Unlocked Unlocked on a flight from Was.h.i.+ngton, DC's Dulles Airport to Portland, Oregon. I started writing, and hours later I had filled twenty pages in a spiral notebook. Page after page, just pouring from my heart. Along the way I caught myself loving Holden Harris and Ella Reynolds, and weeping with them at the loss of Michael. on a flight from Was.h.i.+ngton, DC's Dulles Airport to Portland, Oregon. I started writing, and hours later I had filled twenty pages in a spiral notebook. Page after page, just pouring from my heart. Along the way I caught myself loving Holden Harris and Ella Reynolds, and weeping with them at the loss of Michael.

I'm sure my seatmates thought I was a few crayons short of a box.

But when I was finished, I had the sudden, certain feeling that I was on holy ground, that G.o.d had met me in that crowded plane and given me this story as a very special gift. I saved my boarding pa.s.s and scribbled on it "Unlocked" and the date. It was the first time I'd ever done anything like that. I just wanted you to know.

Anyway, take a minute and find me on Facebook or visit my website at www.KarenKingsbury.com. There you can find my contact information and my guestbook. You could even join the Baxter Family Club-a special set of benefits for those of you who read all my books, pretty much as soon as they hit the shelves! Just one way I can show how much I care about you.

Baxter Family Club members get a limited run Collector's Signature edition of each book. This is a high-quality paperback book with a copy of my signature integrated into the cover. Club members also receive an "extra chapter" of each book sent by email, and a newsletter with each release written by John Baxter. There's no members.h.i.+p fee except the reduced price of the book-and you can opt out anytime. See my website-www.KarenKingsbury.com-for details.

As for Facebook, I'm on nearly every day! I have Latte Time, where I'll take a half hour or so, pour all of you a virtual latte, and take questions. We have a blast together, so if you're not on my Facebook Fan (Friend) Page, please join today. The group of friends there is growing every day and is very special to me. I consider that my "living room" where I can hang out with my closest reader friends.

I'd love to hear how G.o.d is using these books in your life. It's all Him, and it always will be. He puts a story in my heart, but He has your face in mind. Only He could do that. If you post something on Facebook or my website it might help another reader. So please stop by.

Also on Facebook or my website you can check out my upcoming events and get to know other readers. You can hear about movies being made of my books and become part of a community that agrees there is life-changing power in something as simple as a story.

You can post prayer requests on my website or read those already posted and pray for those in need. You can send in a photo of your loved one serving our country, or let us know of a fallen soldier we can honor on our Fallen Heroes page.

My website also tells you about my ongoing contests, including "Shared a Book," which encourages you to tell me when you've shared one of my books with someone. Each time you email me about this, you're entered for the chance to spend a summer weekend with my family. In addition, everyone signed up for my monthly newsletter is automatically entered into an ongoing once-a-month drawing for a free, signed copy of my latest novel.

There are links on my website that will help you with matters that are important to you-faith and family, adoption, and ways to reach out to others. Of course, on my site you can also find out a little more about me, my faith and my family, and the wonderful world of Life-Changing Fiction.

Another way to stay in touch is to follow me on Twitter. I give away books all the time on Twitter, and I'd love to see you there! It's free and fun, and much less time-consuming than Facebook. (Even though I absolutely love Facebook!) Finally, if you gave your life over to G.o.d during the reading of this book, or if you found your way back to a faith you'd let grow cold, send me a letter at [email protected] and write "New Life" in the subject line. I would encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area and get hold of a Bible. But if you can't afford one and don't already have one, write "Bible" in the subject line. Tell me how G.o.d used this book to change your life, and then include your address in your email. My wonderful publisher Zondervan has supplied me with free paperback copies of the New Testament, so that if you are financially unable to find a Bible any other way, I can send you one. I'll pay for s.h.i.+pping. and write "New Life" in the subject line. I would encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area and get hold of a Bible. But if you can't afford one and don't already have one, write "Bible" in the subject line. Tell me how G.o.d used this book to change your life, and then include your address in your email. My wonderful publisher Zondervan has supplied me with free paperback copies of the New Testament, so that if you are financially unable to find a Bible any other way, I can send you one. I'll pay for s.h.i.+pping.

One last thing: I've started a program where I will donate a book to any high school or middle school librarian who makes a request. Check out my website for details.

Again, thanks for journeying with me through the pages of this book. I can't wait to hear your feedback on Unlocked! Unlocked! Until then, my friends, keep your eyes on the cross, and don't forget to listen to the music. Until then, my friends, keep your eyes on the cross, and don't forget to listen to the music.

In His light and love, Karen Kingsbury www.KarenKingsbury.com