“But the costume is important.”
“It looks good.”
He went to the bathroom mirror to look for himself. He knew he was being a diva, but he wanted to look perfect for his duet with Jacqui. The girl usually got most of the attention, but he wanted to get noticed too. And he certainly didn’t want to be a distraction.
“We should get going,” he said, finally satisfied that his mother was telling the truth.
“What about your make up?”
“We’re all doing that together in the dressing room.”
“And Carey and Robin?”
“They’re driving separately. I already gave them their tickets. Mom, come on. We have to go.”
He always got like that before a performance. He micromanaged everything and became an even bigger perfectionist. Frankly, he thought some of the girls were awful at putting on make-up and offered to do it for them. So, they had to leave a good hour earlier than normal.
Once he hit the stage, however, all that went away. He was nervous beforehand, but never once he started performing. He could do the routines in his sleep if he had to. But a lot of the time, he forgot about the audience, dancing as though he was telling the story for the first time, putting as much feeling into it as he could.
As he walked on stage with his group, the butterflies persisted a bit. It was hard to forget his friends were in the audience.
Chapter 3
Carey saw Mrs. Strickland wave to him from her seat as he walked into the auditorium. Apparently, she had been looking out for him and Robin. They made their way down the aisle and apologized to several people while scooting past to sit next to the Stricklands. Both sets of Brian’s grandparents and an aunt were also there, on the other side of Mr. and Mrs. Strickland.
“I’m so glad you could come. It really means a lot to Brian.”
“Sure, Mrs. Strickland,” Carey smiled.
He and Robin looked through the program together. There were six performances before Brian’s first routine. The jazz group was first, then his duet with Jacqui. Then a ballet performance.
Carey and Robin chatted with the Stricklands until the lights flashed twice, indicating that the recital was about to start. The five and six-year-olds were admittedly adorable, even if not one of them was in sync with another. Carey had to concede that the seven to twelve-year-olds were better than expected, yet still didn’t hold his attention. He found himself yawning. Robin nudged him a few times to make sure he wasn’t nodding off.
He sat up a little straighter when Brian’s group finally took the stage. Brian was easy to spot, being one of only two males in the class for their age group.
Carey glanced over to see a large grin on Mrs. Strickland’s face. He couldn’t help smiling himself. She was so proud.
The jazz piece was enjoyable, but Brian's part wasn’t as flashy as the girls. As is the case often, the boys were there to support the girls, not to be showcased.
Brian’s time to shine came in the next routine. He and Jacqui danced to a quick-tempo song with a Latin beat. The audience soon joined in with clapping along with some catcalls at some of the fancier moves.
Carey leaned over to Robin. “I told you he was good.”
“Wow.” She smiled in awe of his abilities.
“He’s amazing,” Carey agreed.
The audience cheered for the pair as they took their bows. Brian smiled brightly as he caught his breath. Afterward, they swiftly ran off stage to change for their next number.
Carey looked through the program once again.
“There’s a hip-hop dance and then Brian’s ballet group. The last one is some solo.”
“I’m sad it’s almost over,” Robin said. “I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.”
“You didn’t think you’d like it? Then why did you come?”
“I wanted to support Brian. Frankly, the thought of a bunch of kids doing dances in silly costumes wasn’t too appealing. But some of them were really good. Especially Brian.”
They sat through the hip hop, of which Carey wasn’t very fond. There was a long pause before classical music started for the next performance, but no one was on stage. Slowly, from each end of the curtain, the dancers leapt into view and took their places. Only six of the dancers were in this routine.
Brian and the other boy lifted two of the girls during the performance, and they danced part of the time just by themselves while the girls held dainty poses off to the side. At one point, one of the older girls moved to the front of the stage by herself. She danced en point and did several pirouettes, spinning elegantly around the stage. The audience loved it. She was the picture of grace and beauty.
At the end, all of the dancers approached the front of the stage and took their bows.
“That was really good,” Robin said enthusiastically. “That wasn’t a very long solo, though. I could have watched her dance forever. I wish I was that graceful.”
“Yeah, really,” Carey nodded. “I’ve always envied Brian for being able to dance like that. He tried to get me to come to lessons when we were younger, but . . .”
“You should have,” Robin told him.
Carey snickered. “No way was my dad gonna let me dance.”
The dancers left the stage. All except for Brian. He moved back a few steps and held his arms up, waiting for the music to begin.
“Oh, I guess he’s the soloist in the program,” Robin pointed out. “Did you know?”
Carey shook his head.
When the music started, Brian began to move slowly, deliberately, gracefully. Carey was mesmerized. The music seemed melancholy and Brian’s movements reflected that. His facial expressions were equally emotive.
Robin glanced over at Carey to find him staring, mouth slightly agape. She saw a similar expression on Mrs. Strickland’s face.
The music picked up the pace and Brian leapt across the stage and did pirouettes rivaling the girl before him. For his final turn, he spun a full four times and came out of it in perfect position, panting. He only broke character once the music stopped and the applause began. He received a standing ovation.
Mr. Strickland whistled through his fingers loudly and Grace hooted and hollered. As Carey cheered, he thought he saw Mrs. Strickland crying. He hoped no one had noticed him covertly wiping his own eyes.
They waited in the lobby for what seemed like forever, waiting for the dancers to emerge. Mrs. Strickland stood with a dozen peach colored roses, Brian’s favorite, in her arms. As soon as he appeared, she pulled him into a tight hug.
“Honey, that was wonderful. Why didn’t you tell me you had a solo?”
“I was still working on it to the end. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be ready.”
“It was fantastic, Brian.” Mr. Strickland hugged him as well.
“Me too. Me too,” Grace said, squeezing her way in for a hug.
Carey and Robin stood off a little bit to give him some family time. Robin spotted the girl that had a solo during the group dance and walked away to compliment her. But Carey stood watching Brian and his family. They were so close, including his father. He was a little envious.
After the hug fest, Brian caught Carey’s eye and smiled. Carey approached and gave him a hug.
“I wish I’d know we were supposed to bring flowers,” he said, looking at the bouquet in Brian’s arms.
Brian shrugged. “Usually the guys don’t get flowers, but Mom brings them anyway.”
“As if you don’t expect it,” she teased him.
“There’s nothing wrong with liking flowers,” Brian defended. “Why should the girls get all the pretty stuff?”
“You always take my pretty stuff anyway.” Grace laughed. “By the way, I want my new lip gloss back.”
“But it looks better on me,” Brian teased.
It still amazed Carey to hear Brian’s family talk that way. There was no hiding things from each other. They all seemed so genuine and honest. Of course, he and Brian had kept many
other secrets from their families, so he knew they weren’t all completely honest. But little things like skipping school or having a sip or two of beer at a friend’s party were no big deal. Sometimes, Carey felt like his family barely knew him at all.
“I had no idea you’d gotten so good,” Carey said.
“Yeah, well, I really needed to step it up if I want to get into a decent school for musical theater,” Brian told him. “I have a little less than a year before auditions start.”
“You’ll get to go wherever you want, man.” Carey tried to swallow, but his throat was dry. “That was . . . the most beaut–”
“Brian!” Robin squealed. “That was awesome. Thank you so much for inviting me. I want to go to all of your recitals from now on.”
“Sure,” he smiled. He glanced at Carey, who had backed out of the way when Robin practically pounced on Brian.
“Well, we should probably get going,” Carey said to Robin. “It was really great,” he said to Brian. “Call me later.”
“We’re all going out to dinner tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Okay. Bye Mr. and Mrs. Strickland,” Carey waved.
Robin got into Carey’s car, or more precisely, his mother’s car, for the ride home. Carey had just gotten his license the week before and was excited about being able to drive without a parent in the car.
“You’re awfully quiet,” she commented.
He shrugged.
“Case in point.”
“I just don’t have anything to say,” he said.
“Is something bothering you?”
“I was thinking, you know, what it’s going to be like after next year.”
“What do you mean?” Robin asked.
“I mean when we all go off to college. We’re all going to go to different places for sure. It’ll be weird.”
She nodded, “I guess. I’ll miss not being able to walk across the street to talk to you. And we’ll all be busy and meeting new friends.”
“I don’t want new friends. I like the ones I have,” Carey said.
“You have to make new friends while you’re in college, Carey. Otherwise you’ll have a miserable time.”
“I know. I just don’t want things to change. I’ve known Brian since Kindergarten. And you too. Even though we’ve only known each other a couple of years. You know what I mean.”
“What started all this?”
“Brian was talking about his auditions for college next year.”
She gave him a sympathetic look. “That’s a whole year and a half away. Have fun while you still can.”
He smiled. “Yeah, you’re right.”
After a brief silence, Robin said, “Brian sure looked good in that ballet outfit.”
“Yeah,” Carey said absently.
Robin smiled to herself and quietly looked out the window for the rest of the drive home.
Chapter 4
The Christmas season, along with winter break, came and went too fast. January was always such a bleak time of year in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Trees were bare, looking like giant twigs. And there never seemed to be enough snow to get off school, or at least go sledding. There were midterms to be taken, and projects to be started. Teachers always expected the start of the year to be filled with enthusiasm, but the winter was just depressing.
The only bright spot for Carey and Brian was the beginning of rehearsals for the band and choral concerts that happened in May. Carey auditioned for and got into jazz band and wind ensemble for the spring. Auditions for the spring musical were coming up.
“Did you hear about the music trip this year?” Brian asked Carey as they walked home after music practices.
“Not yet. Why? Did you hear something from Mr. Roberts?” Carey asked.
“He said the band and the choirs are going to New York together.”
Carey was less than enthusiastic. “New York? What happened to Virginia Beach? I was hoping those rumors were true.”
“The beach? In April? Are you crazy? It’ll be freezing.”
“Oh,” Carey furrowed his brow. “I guess I didn’t think about that.”
“And you know how we usually go to an amusement park?”
Carey nodded.
“Well, we might go to a Broadway show, or the Met! We could see La Bohème.” Brian did a little leap in the air as he said it.
Carey couldn’t help smiling. It would be worth it to go to something like that just to see Brian so happy.
“But Mr. Roberts isn’t sure,” Brian said. “So, we’ll see. But, that’s not all.”
“Oh, yeah, I heard they were posting who is in the musical today.” Carey didn’t ask if Brian got in. He stood and smirked until Brian couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“I got in!” he blurted out. “Not only that, I got the part I wanted. It’s not the lead, but the sidekick is always more fun to play.”
“Good for you.”
“When are pit try outs? You’re going to go for it, right?”
Carey shrugged. “Maybe. Jazz band and wind ensemble keep me pretty busy. Plus the concert band. Mr. Daniels hates when kids have to miss band practice to go to pit practice.”
“Oh, come on, please. Last year you said you’d do it again this year,” Brian begged. He grinned. “You’ll have the best seats in the house. You can admire my performance up close and personal,” he joked. He twirled and curtsied. Carey couldn’t remember the last time Brian had been in such a good mood.
“Okay, I’ll talk to Mr. Daniels and see what he says.”
As they walked home, Brian told Carey who got all the other parts in the musical. And he started to sing one of the songs that he knew already. By the time Carey walked in his front door, he was getting a little excited about being in the pit. Auditions were the following week, so he got out his clarinet to get in some extra practice.
◆◆◆
After chorus practice the following week, Brian went to his locker as usual. He waited a few minutes, watching Carey’s locker before he remembered that Carey told him he was staying after band practice to audition for pit. Brian thought about going to listen to auditions, but he probably wouldn’t be allowed inside. He didn’t really have any other reason to hang around, not knowing how long Carey would be.
Brian reluctantly left the building alone. David Messner and two other boys were standing on the sidewalk in front of the school parking lot. Even though it was only the end of January, baseball try outs were starting already and David and his fanboys, as Brian liked to call them, stayed after school to attend. David grinned when he made eye contact with Brian.
Groaning inwardly, but maintaining a passive expression, Brian cut through the grass to avoid the boys.
“Oh, no you don’t.” David laughed. The three boys cut Brian off from the path. David stood in front of him while Austin and James stood behind.
“What do you want?” Brian asked, sighing heavily.
“Where’s your boyfriend? Not here to protect you?”
Brian remained silent. He knew it was better not to talk back. Maybe he’d get away with only having his books thrown around this time.
“He asked you a question fag,” James sneered.
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Brian mumbled.
“Yeah, right,” David chuckled. “I wonder which one of them is the girl. Are you the girl?” he asked Brian.
“He does wear make-up,” Austin said. The three of them started laughing.
Brian suddenly dropped his backpack and made a break for it. Austin reached out to grab him, but missed, and David gave chase.
Stealing a quick glance behind him, Brian could see that David would catch up to him in a matter of seconds. As David caught up, he stretched out his hand trying to get a hold of Brian’s jacket.
At the last moment, Brian ducked and changed directions, running into the parking lot.
The girl behind the wheel slammed on her breaks but wasn’t able to avoid hitting Brian altogether. Insti
nctively, he thrust his arms out, as if he could stop the hood of the car from crashing into him. Instead, he was thrown a few feet in front of the car and lay in a heap on the black top.
For a moment, everything was silent. David stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded. The girl driving the car suddenly screamed. Students who had still been milling around began making their way toward the scene. Several of them ran past David, who remained motionless.
“I’m calling 911,” one of the students announced.
The young driver got out of the car. “He ran right into me. I tried to stop. Is he okay?”
“Mary, calm down, it wasn’t your fault.” She was comforted by a friend as they waited for the police and an ambulance.
Austin approached David and took him by the arm. “We’ve got to get out of here,” he said quietly. “James!” He called out and jerked his head toward the other side of the parking lot where Austin’s car was parked.
“Shit, did you see that?” David finally spoke.
“Yeah, that was intense,” Austin agreed.
“Man, I’m going to be in so much trouble. All I was going to do was punch him a little.”
“No one’s going to rat you out. I won’t. James won’t,” Austin assured him.
“Yeah,” James chimed in. “It wasn’t your fault he ran in front of that car.”
Austin opened the passenger door and gently pushed David inside. James climbed in the back seat and looked out the back window.
“Go man! The cops are pulling in,” he warned.
The car left the parking lot just as the police car pulled in, followed by an ambulance.
“Shit,” David cursed. His hands were shaking. “I can’t believe that. Do you think he’s okay? Did you fucking see that?” He began to panic, running his hands through his hair. It was bad. Even if Brian wasn’t hurt badly, he would tell. He would tell what David had been doing to him for years.
“Yeah, we saw it,” James yelled. “You don’t have to keep saying it over and over. You think you’re the only one gonna get in trouble if somebody snitches?”
“We’re going to my house,” Austin said. “My mom will say we were there the whole time.”
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