Chapter 38: Wherever (You Go, There You Are)
Contains spoilersOverview
As Hurricane Darcy knocks out power at the Revelry, Jo’s mother plays piano to calm the shelter. Sebastian arrives, unable to evacuate, and hears Jo’s mother playing a half-finished melody identical to Jo and Sebastian’s song. A revelation follows: Jo’s mother co-wrote that old song with Ami McKellen, Sebastian’s late mother, leading to an emotional recognition and connection. Jo’s mother asks Jo and Sebastian to perform their finished version together, and they wordlessly agree.
Summary
During the hurricane, the power fails at the Revelry. Hank, Uncle Rick, and Jo’s brother go to fix the generator while families and pets shelter inside. To soothe everyone, Jo’s mother sits at the Steinway and begins playing, first joking with requests then settling into songs, her talent filling the venue and drowning out the storm.
Jo slips to the office for radio batteries and finds an old photo of her mother onstage with a red-haired woman, dated June 17, 1988—the night of Roman Fell’s first Revelry concert, when Jo’s parents met. The woman’s familiar blue eyes unsettle Jo. As Jo returns, she hears a melody drifting from the stage that resembles the tune she and Sebastian once shared telepathically.
The front door blows open and Sebastian enters, drenched; the bridge has flooded, trapping him in town. Together, Jo and Sebastian realize Jo’s mother is playing a version of their song—same core melody, different key and tempo—and follow the music back into the venue.
Onstage, Jo’s mother says the tune is an old, unfinished piece she “noodled” with a friend years ago. When Sebastian asks the friend’s name and hears “Ami,” he reveals that Ami McKellen was his mother. Jo’s mother recognizes the nickname “Sasha,” confirms his likeness to Ami, and, with Hank, embraces him, offering comfort and memories of Ami’s pride in him.
Jo’s mother explains she and Ami worked on the song on the road but never found what was missing; the last time she played it was before an argument that estranged them, though Ami later often spoke about Sebastian. Sebastian admits he wishes his mother were there; Jo’s mother reassures him, noting shared habits and gently calling out his disbelief.
When Jo confirms she and Sebastian finished the song, Jo’s mother requests they play it together. After a silent exchange testing trust and willingness, Sebastian tips his head toward the piano, and Jo agrees, ready to perform as the storm rages outside.
Who Appears
- Jo (Jo Lark)
narrator; shelters at the Revelry, discovers an old photo linking her mother to Ami McKellen, reunites with Sebastian, and agrees to perform their song.
- Sebastian Fell (Sasha)
musician and Jo’s collaborator/romantic partner; returns soaked after being trapped by a flooded bridge, recognizes Jo’s mother’s song as his and Jo’s, learns Jo’s mother co-wrote it with his mother, and agrees to play with Jo.
- Wyn (Jo’s mother)
plays piano to calm the shelter; reveals she co-wrote the unfinished song with Ami McKellen and emotionally recognizes Sebastian as “Sasha,” requesting Jo and Sebastian perform their finished version.
- Hank (Jo’s father)
works on the generator; recognizes Sebastian’s likeness to Ami and supports the reunion.
- Uncle Rick
assists with the generator during the outage.
- Jo’s brother
helps with the generator.
- Gigi
Jo’s best friend; comforts dogs and hands Sebastian a towel.
- Mitch
present at the shelter; suggests songs and reports on the generator delay.
- Todd and family
sheltering guests with children who are frightened by the storm.
- Ami McKellen
Sebastian’s late mother; appears in memories and is revealed as Wyn’s former bandmate and co-writer of the song that Jo and Sebastian finished.