Next to me, I can tell Laurel is excited to be part of the band for the day. Pulling up to the farm, it’s a perfect day for a photo shoot. Given the current weather pattern, the ‘estate’ is dappled in late afternoon clouds and shadows. The buildings are obviously at least fifty years old and the whole property looks better than any set we could’ve paid for. It’s hard to explain it, but at this moment I felt like maybe this was the beginning of something bigger. Like maybe our dreams of ‘making it’ could actually happen.
Laurel immediately snaps into professional photographer mode and rushes us to set up so we can take advantage of the ‘golden hour.’ We set up quickly for the shoot. With a rustic red barn and a beautiful sunset behind us, I know the portraits are going to turn out amazing and wonder why Jared in Shorts never bothered to do this. A concentrated Laurel begins clicking off countless images. We run from stone cold serious to ridiculously funny and goofy before she breaks off to do individual portraits. I switch to a pair of jeans so I can sit decently behind my drum set. Even though I generally hate how I look in pictures, I’m kind of excited to see how everything will turn out.
In the near twilight, I have one of those weird moments where everything is clear and you realize something important. Not even six months ago, I wasn’t really sure what Georgia had in store for me. It was never really a question of would I or wouldn’t I succeed, because that’s just not who I am. But on this September night, I realized how lucky I was. I had a boyfriend who I adored, a place – a meaning at my school, a band that was on its way to kicking some major ass, and best of all? Friends! When you’re an only child, friends are sometimes like the siblings you never had. Something hits me in the back of the head and I turn around. Both Jasper and Tyler have guilty looks on their faces. There is a hackey sack on the ground.
I pick it up and tossing the toy in my hands, say with a smile, “You know, you could just ask if I wanted to play.”
We were so excited to review the photo shoot, it becomes necessary for Laurel to spend the night. It’s funny, because the friendship I have with Laurel is so different than how things were with Kat. I mean, Kat was (and still is) this super cool older girl who I want to be, and whose opinion means the world to me. With Laurel, well, at first, I think we were a little guarded around each other and rightfully so. I knew Laurel had worked hard for her place in the Line. However, I think we both manage to fill a hole in the others life that we didn’t even know was there. And now, I’m so proud Laurel is on her way to having a decent portfolio and Beans and Cornbread having an excellent new look. With the late afternoon lighting, everything is deep shadows and dramatic. My favorite picture is the four of us, Greg is kind of standing in the front, and Laurel decided to shoot from a dynamic low angle – very rock and roll.
After we upload all the pictures, order too many of them online, goof around with Photoshop, and refueled on Diet Dr. Pepper, it was somewhere in the 3AM hour we discover Caitlin has responded to “Wade” and she would be “happy to see him at the game!”
After a sleepy Laurel heads home in the morning, I prepare for my brunch with Denny. Although I was slightly nervous about the conversation ahead, I wanted to make sure I let Denny know I was on his side.
“Hey beautiful.”
I immediately blush, wondering how he manages to do that every time, especially with only two words. Dropping a kiss on my cheek, he says, “I missed you yesterday.”
“I missed you too.”
It takes most of the ride over to Aroma Café to fill Denny in on everything that happened yesterday. Seriously. After we order (biscuits and gravy for me – the Lumberjack breakfast for him) I decide it’s probably the best time to break the news. Dabbing my lips politely, I say, “So, Denny…”
“Yes?”
“I was talking to Tags.”
“About?”
“Well, you, actually…”
“And?”
“They want you back on the football team.”
Denny stirs some cream into his coffee and after pausing for a dramatic sip, says, “I know.”
Not exactly the reaction I was expecting. I was anticipating a total spit take or at least an exclamation point, not a calm response.
Confused, I say, “I don’t think you realize how much they want you.”
Denny’s eyebrows raise – a reaction! – and he asks, “Just how much is that?”
Enough for them to talk to me, a total outsider, about it? Enough that your ex-girlfriend is already spreading rumors about how I won’t let you back the team? Judging these answers will really not be enough for Denny, I say, “I get the feeling you can dress out and everything. I think they even want you to start a game.”
I really had no idea if this was true, but it sounds convincing.
He takes a sip of coffee while I gulp water to quench my suddenly parched throat. I look across the table and consider my boyfriend. Was there a secret awesome quarterback hidden underneath the seemingly calm exterior? Could he be both tenor section leader and jock extraordinaire? Was he actually contemplating going back to football? I had been so wrapped up in Wade’s love life/Beans and Cornbread/marching band/drumline, it was possible I could’ve missed something in my boyfriend’s life. However, I didn’t think I had missed something as major as Denny considering a comeback to the football team in the middle of the marching season. I mean, give me some credit. I may be a little new at this whole long-term girlfriend thing, but I know how things are supposed to work. After I realize I’ve finished half of my water and Denny still hasn’t responded, I decide to try my best Dr. Phil impression, “How does it make you feel?”
“I don’t know.” Denny uncharacteristically looks away and won’t meet my gaze.
This is not really the insightful answer I’m looking for, however, it occurs to me I really don’t know how I feel about the whole situation. I kind of wandered into this conversation without thinking too much about how a potential return to the football team would affect both of us. I put my hand over his and say honestly, “I’ll support whatever you want to do.”
Denny looks across the table and the intense gaze he rewards me with sends goosebumps down my arms, “It means a lot to hear you say that, Julia. I don’t think a lot of people will understand my decision either way.”
Fiddling with my fork, I answer, “Life is too short to worry about what other people think. Maybe there’s a way for you to do it all.”
“Pfft.”
“Okay, Wade and McDaniel would probably kill you, and I’m not sure what or how the Coach would react, but I think the quint line could survive one game without you.”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you think would help you decide?”
“I wish I knew.”
“When was the last time you threw a football?”
Denny shrugs. I knew for a fact I had seen a football in the back of his car and he had definitely played a pick up game at band camp.
I say nonchalantly, “So, let’s go to the park when we’re done.”
“And?”
I ask hopefully, batting my eyelashes, “Play catch?”
“Julia…”
“Denny…”
And with that, in the matter of a half hour, we’re across the street playing catch. My small hands were definitely meant for holding drumsticks and quint mallets – not a giant leather ball. Denny, however, is obviously equally suited for both drumming and football. I’m in awe of the perfect spirals he keeps throwing in my direction (and consequently I keep dropping). When my arms threaten to give out, Denny comes over and drops a kiss on the top of my head, pulling me close (smelling perfectly masculine – the perfect mix of sweat and fresh cut grass) and says, “Thanks for doing this – I needed it.”
“So, any closer to a decision?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, you better make a decision soon,” I continue playfully, “Because your ex-girlfriend seems to have taken up a new hobby.”
&
nbsp; “Which would be?”
“Making my life miserable.”
“She doesn’t like you too much, does she?” Denny asks seriously, but his eyes twinkle mischievously.
I sock him in the shoulder and say, “No! Either way, the whole ‘it’s my fault you’re not playing football thing’ or whatever is getting annoying.”
Denny is quiet for a moment.
Talking softly, I say, “I meant what I said earlier – whatever you decide to do – I’ll support you – even if it involves another run-in with your crazy ex-girlfriend.”
“I’d place my bet on my current beautiful and talented girlfriend any day of the week.”
Which is not really an answer to the question of if he’ll play or not, but it’s still a good answer all the same. Thoughts of football and Liberty float away as Denny bends his face down to mine and brings me in for a series of sweet kisses.
Once again, the week passes by quickly. I know Denny went to speak with Coach Lewis on Wednesday, but when I asked how it went, Denny’s response was the difficult to decipher: “Hmph,” followed by, “Can you ride with Laurel to the game on Friday?”
“Is that because you’re going to be wearing cleats?”
“Julia…”
“Hey, you can’t blame me for asking.”
“I’ve just got some things I need to figure out, okay?”
“Fine, is there anything I can do?”
“No.”
Although I’m a little hurt by his answer, I know maybe Denny isn’t the most communicative guy in the world, plus, I’ve got other things to worry about. I wasn’t sure if Denny was going to show, or what he would be wearing. I mean, sure, in the whole history of the world, there are certainly more important things than what Denny was going to show up wearing, I just couldn’t think of any off the top of my head. Plus, tonight was the whole Caitlin meeting Wade thing. Unsure when (if) Denny was going to show, Laurel and I went outside to wait for our Instructor. We knew once Wade entered the percussion room, we wouldn’t get another chance. Having backed out from my original agreement, I nod, “Plus, I can’t lie to Wade! It’s impossible! It’s like he has some sort of weird power over me!”
She rolls her eyes and says, “You seem to have no problem not listening to him.”
“I’m working on that! Please, please, please be the go between?”
“Fine.”
We turn around in time to see Wade’s face change slightly as he walks up and sees the two of us waiting for him.
Laurel smiles and asks, “Hey Wade?”
“Yes?”
“Umm, so, there’s someone I want you to meet at the game tonight.”
“Who?”
From the hard and challenging tone of his voice, I can tell he thinks it has to be someone, duh, percussion related. I try my best to help the team and add, “Actually, Laurel’s been telling me about her cousin, Caitlin, and she sounds pretty cool.”
“Is she a drummer?”
Laurel and I barely manage to conceal our shared eye roll, and Laurel says gently, “No, actually, she’s an elementary music school teacher.”
The confusion on Wade’s face was almost comical. He actually asks, “Huh?”
Laurel, in the same soothing voice, continues “See, we thought you looked kind of lonely recently and thought maybe, since you spent most of your time with us, that you didn’t have a lot of time to get out and meet people, y’know, your own age.”
Wade responds by doing something I’ve never seen him do. He blushes. If we could just keep him this way for Caitlin… Either way, I doubt seriously he wants us to make a big deal about this, so I say in my most encouraging tone, “It can’t hurt.”
“But we have competitions coming up…” he attempts some sort of excuse, which is awesome, because I thought he was going to put up way more of a fight than he actually has.
Laurel responds, “It’s just the third quarter.”
Wade mulls this fact over.
I ask, “Please?”
He crosses his arms, but gives us a killer smile, “Fine.”
That problem solved, Laurel and I look triumphantly at each other, it’s then I notice Denny walking across the parking lot. I couldn’t believe what he was wearing. Or rather, what he was carrying. In one hand, the Shako and uniform bag of a proud Marching Warrior, in the other…an unfamiliar helmet with shoulder pads.
* * *
CHAPTER NINETEEN: It’s a Snap!
Surprisingly, there is something about Denny that looks completely natural. I guess he’s just lucky. He makes the most difficult licks on tenors look like poetry, and when he was throwing the football, well, same deal. His strong jaw is set and he has the most determined look I’d ever seen. I don’t think failure is an option for him this evening.
In my most supportive tone, I ask, “Can I help carry something?”
He grunts something monosyllabic and hands me the helmet. It’s large and awkward in my hands. We walk into the school, and, on our entrance, quiet descends over the band room. I get the feeling this particular situation has only happened once or twice in the history of time. There are looks of confusion everywhere. Denny doesn’t stop moving, he just keeps walking towards the percussion room, which is not as forgiving. The confused looks are replaced by angry stares.
McDaniel asks, “What the hell, Napoleon?”
Like some sort of lioness on a nature show, I visibly bristle, but Denny puts a hand on my shoulder and shakes his head. Oh yeah, it’s kind of his fight. Denny puts everything down, loudly, slowly, and gets the attention of the room. This doesn’t take long, because everyone has already gathered around, including Wade.
Without any preamble, Denny starts talking, “Alright – it took me awhile to come to this decision and it will have no effect on my playing or commitment to this drumline. Everyone knows I was a jock before and at the same time I was a drummer. In middle school I was able to do both. When I did have to make a decision, I chose drumming over football, and haven’t once regretted my decision. However, this is my senior year, and for reasons I won’t bore you with, I’ve decided to dress out for a game.”
McDaniel starts to say something, but Denny keeps talking, “It’s only the last two quarters of the game – I’m going to get changed after halftime. I actually don’t know if I will see any playing time.”
“You expect us just to go along with this? We’ve been practicing for a while now, not to mention that you’re leadership on this Line. What you do sets the tone for your section and the underclassmen,” Wade challenges.
Denny sighs and crosses his arms, “I’m not asking you to understand – it was a difficult choice for me, but you can make my life a hell of a lot easier by not giving me shit about this. I’m trying to be honest, and you can either stand in my way or support me. The choice is yours.”
Everyone collectively holds their breath, me included, for either Wade or McDaniel to explode.
When it doesn’t happen, I’m surprised.
McDaniel paces the room for a moment, then says, “I kind of always thought you weren’t done with football.”
Wade, is obviously not expecting this answer, but good Instructor that he is, he lets the captain answer on behalf of his Line and remains quiet. McDaniel continues, “You’ve been there for me, for all of us, and while I never thought supporting you would mean this exact scenario, I guess, well, show them how good drummers can be.”
Crisis averted, the wheels in my brain start working again and I realize during the third quarter I’m going to have to be two places at once. There’s no way Laurel is going to fly solo with Caitlin and Wade, but how am I going to cheer Denny on while this is all happening? I’m sure Liberty will be right there waiting to “be there” for Denny if I’m not around.
Denny and I move over and get dressed next to our quints. He flashes a smile at me and says, “You know what?”
“What?” I ask, zipping up my carrier under my jacket.
“
That was the hard part. I don’t even really care what the football team thinks.”
“Just don’t tell them that, QB.”
“Good plan.”
The first two quarters of the game go well. Although I don’t know what circumstances will have to happen for Denny to actually take a snap, I constantly ask Stan what’s going on. Good naturedly, he continues my crash course in football, answering the many questions I have.
As we prepare for our warm up, Stan says, “Coach Lewis would be kind of an idiot to put in a player who hasn’t played in years – especially with a game so close.”
Are guys everywhere secret jocks deep down? As proud I am of Denny, I have to agree, so I answer in band terms, “I get it – I mean why would we put in someone who doesn’t know the drill, right?”
Stan smiles at me, “You’re getting there, McCoy.”
As soon as we finish the halftime show, I think maybe Denny should’ve chosen an away game to make his big comeback. As soon as we step off the field, Denny begins stripping off his uniform to reveal at least part of his football uniform. Denny strips off his jacket, carrier, and drumline t-shirt and proceeds to do the fastest change from band geek to hot jock ever.
I see Laurel frantically waving me over in the distance, and know I have to go help her. Of course, I also see Liberty lurking around, and I don’t want her to be the last thing Denny sees. So, I do what any normal red-blooded teenage girl would do. I flip up my quints and plant a giant kiss on my boyfriend’s lips.
He blinks and asks, “Can I ask what that was for?”
“Luck?”
“Whatever it was for, thank you.”
Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek Page 12
