Shattered Hearts

by Coral McCallum

  In the kitchen, they found a note from Lori to say she’d taken the kids over to visit Maddy and that she’d left them a chicken salad for lunch. Grabbing some plates, cutlery and beer, the three friends settled themselves round the kitchen table. Outside, the rain was still lashing down, matching their own dampened spirits.

  “So, what’s the plan for September?” asked Grey as he filled his plate with a second helping of salad.

  “For out at JJL?” quizzed Paul.

  “Guess we need to write and record an album,” commented Jake, feeling as if he were stating the obvious. “We’re contractually obligated to it. There’s not much choice really.”

  “Will we be able to pull enough new material together by then?” asked Paul a little anxiously. “I’ve not come up with much. Not felt like it since we got back.”

  “I’ve nothing,” confessed Grey. “It’s been the last thing on my mind.”

  “We’ll manage it,” said Jake optimistically. “I’ve a few bits and pieces. Once I get this school workshop done and dusted, I’ll see what I can come up with.”

  “Any idea if Rich had anything written?” asked Grey. “Might be an idea to call Maria. She might know. We might as well check to see if he can at least help us out of this hole from wherever he is.”

  Nodding, Jake said, “I’ll give her a call later. His laptop was in the car so she should have it.”

  “This feels weird,” sighed Paul as he finished off his beer. “It’s like he’s going to walk in that door any minute, bitching about the storm and ordering us back into the basement to rehearse.”

  Exchanging wistful smiles, both Jake and Grey silently agreed.

  “Well, how about we play for a bit and see where this rehearsal goes?” suggested Grey. “I need to pick my girls up at four but we’ve an hour or so on our hands.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Walking back into the high school on Monday morning with his battered brown leather book bag over his shoulder felt surreal. Guitar case in hand, Jake called out a good morning to the school office staff on his way past before making his way along the familiar corridors to the music department. In the years since he had last taught in the school very little had changed. There was something comforting about the familiarity that helped to ease his “first day back at school” nerves.

  Methodically, he sorted out his notes then fetched a small amp from the music store and set up his guitar, ready to play if required. With a few minutes to spare before the students were due to arrive, he headed to the teachers’ base unit to make himself a coffee.

  When he returned to the classroom, four of his students had arrived, three girls and a familiar-looking boy.

  “Dorrian, right?” said Jake, hopefully.

  “You remembered!” gasped the surprised student.

  “Yes, I did,” replied Jake, smiling at the boy’s surprised expression. “How’s Becky?”

  “She’s cool,” said Dorrian as his face flushed scarlet.

  “Just be careful her dad doesn’t catch up with you two,” cautioned Jake quietly. “Nice to see a familiar face in class though.”

  Turning his attention to the three girls, Jake asked their names then wrote all four names on the chalkboard – Dorrian, Angel, Mia and Gabriella.

  As the other students arrived, he added their names to the list – Mark, Landon, Carlos, Cody and Cole – prompting him to joke that that was a lot of C’s to get his memory round.

  Five minutes after the class was scheduled to have started, the door flew open and a tiny girl with dyed green hair flew in.

  “Sorry, sir. Car wouldn’t start,” she explained then looked up and exclaimed, “Shit! You’re Jake Power! You’re actually him!”

  Staring straight at the new arrival, Jake fought back the urge to smile. Struggling to maintain a poker face, he said, “And you must be the late Miss Riley. Take a seat. We can discuss your late slip at break.”

  Cheeks burning with embarrassment, the girl sat on the first free chair with a clatter.

  “Ok, let’s make a start,” began Jake warmly. “First things first. Let’s get all this star-struck crap over and done with. Yes, I am Jake Power. Yes, I am in the band Silver Lake. Yes, I sing with the British band Weigh Station. But, for the next two weeks, I am just Jake Power, music teacher. Savvy?”

  “If you’re the big rock star, why are you spending your summer teaching class?” asked Cody bluntly. “Shouldn’t you be on tour or in the studio or something?”

  “Too direct,” commented Jake firmly. “Musicians don’t spend their entire lives on the road or holed up in the studio. We have lives and families. I used to teach here a few years ago before Silver Lake took off. Over the years I’ve come back now and again to take a class or run a workshop. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of teaching any of you before. Silver Lake finished up their tour in June. We’re due in the studio in September so I’ve had some downtime. I’ve chosen to spend some of it with you. Is that ok with you, Cody?”

  “Suppose.”

  “Good. Glad to hear it,” said Jake. “Now, I’ve introduced myself. How about you introduce yourselves to me. Tell me your name, what instruments you play and briefly tell me what you hope to get from this two-week workshop. Cody, let’s start with you.”

  By the time all ten students had introduced themselves, Jake had added some notes to the board. He had updated their instrument beside their names then randomly noted down what the students hoped to learn from him. Scanning over his scrawled notes, Jake was relieved to see he had a mix of guitarists, pianists, vocalists, a drummer and a flautist.

  “Ok, here’s the game plan for the next ten days. Today we get to know each other a bit better, figure out our strengths and abilities. As the day goes on, I’m going to put you into twos. No swapping partners. You will undertake the homework assignment as a pair. I’ll give out the assignment this afternoon. You will be given some time in class to work on it. Next week, from Wednesday onwards, we will be based out at JJL Recording Studios out on the Coastal Highway.”

  Jake paused and glanced round at their surprised faces for a moment or two before continuing, “I want to give you a taste of the real music industry. Share what it’s like to be in the live room with a producer and a sound engineer. For the singers among you, it’ll give you experience in the vocal booth. For our budding producers, it’ll give you the opportunity to learn from one of the best, my good friend Dr Marrs.”

  “For real?” gasped Carlos.

  “For real,” assured Jake, relieved to see all ten students looking engaged and excited by his plans. “Now, this is a music class. Let’s play!”

  When Jake returned to the teachers’ base during morning recess, he was surprised to find another teacher sitting typing rapidly on a slightly battered looking laptop. She barely glanced up as he poured himself a coffee.

  “Hi,” said Jake, still holding coffee jug. “Care for one?”

  “Please,” she replied without raising her eyes from the screen. “Half a mug. I prefer plenty of half ‘n’ half in mine.”

  Pouring coffee into her empty mug, Jake said, “I’m Jake by the way.”

  “I know.”

  “And you are?” he quizzed, feeling slightly annoyed by her off-hand manner.

  “Nicole Tonriverdi,” she replied. “Department head.”

  “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” she said as she watched him pour some half ’n’ half into the mug. “I’ve seen you in concert.”

  “Hope you enjoyed the show.”

  “I did,” she replied. “New York City about three years ago.”

  When she looked up from her laptop, Jake found himself gazing into the most amazing green eyes he had ever seen. She smiled then looked away, breaking the eye contact.

  “Dr Jones said you might need some assistance in the class,” commented Nicole. “Do you need me?”

  “Probably not,” replied Jake. “I was going to take it easy to
day. I’ll possibly need you nearer the end of the week and then again next week.”

  “Fine,” she said, closing over her laptop. “I’ll be in my class if you need me.”

  Gracefully, she got to her feet, picked up her tote and her laptop then the coffee cup. Her height took him by surprise. Nicole Tonriverdi was almost as tall as he was.

  “Thanks for the coffee,” she said as she swept past him.

  Stunned into silence, Jake watched her as she walked off down the hallway.

  Shortly before lunch bell, Dorrian finally plucked up the courage to ask the question all of them had been desperate to ask. While Jake had been helping him to bring his guitar back into tune, Dorrian said, “Will you let us hear you play?”

  “Me?” echoed Jake with a grin.

  “Yes,” replied Dorrian hurriedly. “Can you play a Silver Lake song?”

  Glancing at the wall clock, Jake smiled, “Ok, do the rest of you want me to play?”

  The chorus of “yes” almost deafened him.

  “Ok. Ok. I get the hint,” said Jake, walking over to pick up his own guitar. He’d brought his cherry red Gibson SG into the class but was now wishing he’d brought his customer Mz Hyde instrument instead.

  “Well, what do you want me to play?”

  “Dragon Song,” said Cole with hesitation. “I’ve been trying to learn that solo all summer.”

  “Will you sing too?” asked Riley hopefully.

  “Maybe later,” replied Jake. “After lunch.”

  The green-haired student looked disappointed.

  Note-perfect, Jake played Dragon Song straight through, including the solo, much to Cole’s amazement. The student kept his eyes locked on Jake’s hands throughout the entire song. When he was finished, Jake winked at him and promised to talk him through it later. Growing in confidence, the other students put in requests and, by the time the bell rang, Jake had played through Out Of The Shadows, Engine Room and Mysteries.

  “Folks, we’ll continue this after lunch,” called out Jake as the students prepared to leave the class. “Vocalists, start to warm up those voices before you come back in.”

  Towards the end of the afternoon, Jake halted the class and asked them all to gather round. All afternoon he had let them play whatever they wanted, using the time to listen out for their strengths. While the musicians among the class were playing, he had taken the three vocalists, Riley, Mia and Landon, out of the class and into the small rehearsal room across the hallway. For half an hour, he coached them through some of his basic vocal warm-up routine. Once he was satisfied that they had grasped the exercises, they returned to the class and he asked them to listen to what the others were playing, choose a song they knew and to pair up. The resulting cacophony of noise had been beyond loud but the students had remained focussed and worked hard in their pairs.

  “Right, folks,” began Jake when they had all gathered round. “Time to pair you off and set your assignment.”

  “Can’t we choose our own partners?” asked Angel, gazing over at Carlos.

  “No, Miss Angel, you can’t,” replied Jake, knowing that she hoped to be paired off with Carlos. “Sorting out the pairings has been tough. You are one talented group of young musicians. I’m impressed, very impressed, by what I’ve heard.”

  He paused, suddenly aware of Nicole Tonriverdi standing outside the open door watching him.

  “Ok,” he said. “Pair number one are Angel and Mark. Mia, you’ll work with Gabriella. Riley, can you work with Dorrian? Landon and Cole together then that leaves Carlos and Cody to team up. No debate. No changing partners, ok?”

  There was some muttering at the pairings but not as much as he’d anticipated.

  “Right, your assignment is to write a song that you will bring out to JJL next Wednesday to record. I’m hoping for at least three verses and a song length of no less than three and a half minutes and no more than six. It can be any genre of music. I’m not expecting five hard rock anthems. I’m not expecting five ballads. I am expecting five brand new songs that show me what you are capable of producing.”

  “Where do you start with that?” asked Mia a little anxiously.

  “Start by talking to each other. Work out a theme. Think of the genre and we’ll take it from there,” said Jake. “Tomorrow I’ll talk you through the process I use to write a song then you’ll get time after lunch to work on yours. Any questions?”

  “What happens to them once we record them?” asked Riley curiously.

  “The plan is to compile them into a CD that can be sold to raise school funds. I might even throw in a song of my own,” revealed Jake with a smile.

  “I thought you were going to make us into a band or something,” muttered Cody sourly.

  “Well, when we get the songs worked out, we’re going to have to trade skills. Some pairings don’t have a vocalist. Some don’t have a guitarist. There will be some loose band formation required. I’ve a few friends who might help out too,” replied Jake as the bell rang. “I’ll see you all back here bright and early tomorrow. Be ready to work hard.”

  As the last student left the room, Nicole slipped in.

  “Interesting,” she said. “You would appear to have them under control and well organised. Clear cut plan. Clear expectation set. I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks,” replied Jake, flashing her a smile. “Guess I’ve not lost all of my old teaching skills.”

  “Apparently not,” she agreed, returning his smile. “Interesting split of the kids too. I taught here for six weeks before the summer break. Taught that group. Not the split I’d have gone for but I can see your rationale.”

  “I just hope it pays off,” laughed Jake. “I wanted them out of their comfort zones. If I challenge them and pair them with someone they wouldn’t naturally choose then I might just get five half-decent songs out of this. They’ll work harder to prove a point to each other and me.”

  Nicole nodded, “And how much will you write for them, Mr Power?”

  “None of it,” he replied honestly. “I’ve a Silver Lake album to write. I don’t have time to write their songs too.”

  “Was this the lesson plan that Mr Santiago left with you?”

  The boldness of her question caught him off guard and, for a few seconds, Jake could only stare at her. Gathering his composure, he replied, “Rich left me no guidelines. I pulled this together myself. I offered to step in to fill the gap here. Do you have an issue with that, Miss Tonriverdi?”

  “Not yet,” she replied, a coolness to her tone. “I’m sure Dr Jones knew what he was doing when he agreed to this.”

  Without another word, she left the room, leaving Jake feeling angered by her attitude. He pitied the rest of the school’s music teachers if she was to be their department head.

  “Ice queen,” he muttered to himself as he gathered his belongings together.

  Much to his surprise, the house was quiet when he arrived home shortly before five. The sun deck was deserted as was the sunroom. Jake spotted a note on the kitchen table. “Down on the beach. Lx”

  Having changed into his shorts, Jake wandered across the sun deck and down the path to the beach, listening for the sounds of his children’s laughter. Within seconds, he could hear Melody giggling then he heard another familiar laugh.

  “Todd!” he called out as he jogged across the hot sand towards the spot where his family were sitting.

  Looking up, his young guitar tech grinned then tossed the football he’d been playing with to him, “Kids, your dad has the ball!”

  Catching it with ease, Jake broke into a run heading for the water’s edge. Both kids came flying towards him and, as Melody reached him, Jake threw the ball over her head to Jesse. It bounced a couple of times but his young son finally grabbed it and ran off down the beach away from them with Todd in hot pursuit. Their game continued for almost an hour despite the heat. Making sure both children got a chance to “win” occasionally, Jake and Todd kept them running up and down the beach an
d eventually into the waves.

  Tired and dripping wet, all four of them finally made their way back to where Lori was sitting. Still self-conscious about her scars, she had a soft pastel sarong tied around her waist.

  “Did you have fun?” she asked as Jesse threw himself into her lap.

  “I want to play more,” grumbled the little boy.

  “After dinner, buddy,” promised Todd. “I need to talk to your dad about work stuff first.”

  “Todd,” said Melody, snuggling in beside him on the large striped beach towel. “Will you check my guitar over like you do Daddy’s?”

  “Later,” promised Todd, giving her a hug. “But only if you play for me too. I hear you are a recording artist now.”

  Giggling, the little girl nodded.

  “I fancy a swim,” announced Jake still gazing out at the ocean. “Todd, want to join me?”

  “Or you could help me start the BBQ,” countered Lori hopefully.

  “Jake, I’ll pass on the swim.”

  “Ok. I won’t be long,” promised Jake as he got to his feet. “Lori, I put the burgers on the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. I also picked up some shrimp that was on special.”

  “Alright. I’ll put those on some skewers and we can BBQ them too,” she replied, getting stiffly to her feet.

  “I’ll be fifteen minutes. No more,” promised Jake as he loped off down towards the water.

  While the kids ran on back towards the house, Todd helped Lori to pack up the beach towels and the sand toys. As they walked slowly back across the soft sand, Lori took great care not to stumble. She’d left her cane in the house and was now regretting the decision. Sitting on the sand had been uncomfortable for her and her leg was protesting about it.

  “You ok, Mz Hyde?” asked Todd warmly.

  “Just sore sitting on the sand,” she replied with a smile. “So, what brings you over anyway? You ok?”

  “Yeah, I’m good, thanks,” he replied as they reached the white picket fence. “I’ve had a job offer I need to clear with Jake. Means I’ll be away for a few weeks.”