We continued discussing ideas, and even Amy started to offer some suggestions.
“I’d love to perform, but I think you can play the piano much better than me,” Amy said.
“I’d like to help out on trumpet or any of the other instruments occasionally. I need a dedicated keyboardist.”
Amy looked confused. “Keyboardist?”
“Don’t limit yourself to piano. Kris is getting your sister up to speed on the electric. There’s organ, and I saw some bitchin’ equipment at my birthday party last weekend!”
“If you think so.” Amy looked doubtful.
Kristen had come up behind Amy as I said that. “I think you’d be wonderful in such a band, Amy.”
Amy didn’t answer, but shrugged.
I got tentative OK’s from the people that I asked, and I realized that I would have to start putting together some realistic arrangements soon. It was one thing for me to do an impromptu lounge act with a gifted improvisational trumpeter such as Archy; these other people would require music and practice, despite their talents.
Tina was still sitting at the keyboard after I left the group, and I went over to see her. I was careful; if she looked as if she was going to run away, I’d walk away quickly.
Tina seemed just a little less shy than the last time I saw her. She saw me come, and even nodded at me.
“That was a great rehearsal… can I call you Oogie?”
“Sure thing, Tina!”
“Happy birthday, Oogie!” Tina’s face lit up as she smiled at me.
“Thank you. You played pretty well, Tina,” I said.
“Amy and Kris have been teaching me the styles you play.”
“You’re picking them up fast.”
Amy and Kristen came up behind me. Tina saw them approach.
“Thank you. Amy surprised Mom last year when she played that Charlie Brown song at home.”
“Which one? Linus and Lucy?”
Tina nodded. “She taught it to me, you know.” She started playing it on the electric piano.
“That’s great,” I said, smiling.
Amy approached her sister. “We need to get home, Tina.”
“Sure thing.”
The two girls said good-bye, and left Kristen and me alone.
I nodded in the direction where Tina and Amy were leaving. “Both girls are very talented.”
Kristen nodded in agreement. “Their father was a musician in college, but now helps do the weather forecast at a T.V. station in Chicago. I think they get their talent from him.”
“Hmm,” I said. I heard many similar stories from others before, albeit not being a weather man. “Why does nearly everybody who studies music quit? It can’t just be about the money.”
“Money is important to people ready to raise a family,” Kristen said. “Also, they don’t really quit. They just realize that they can’t make a living at it. The Chicago Symphony has a lot of people in it that thought they were the best people that ever picked up an instrument… until they met the others in the Symphony. For each opening, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people trying to audition.”
I wasn’t sure if I agreed with Kristen. “If you say so…”
“Look in the Help Wanted section in the paper some day. How many jobs do you see for a clarinet player?”
“Do you think I’m doomed to failure, Kris?”
Kristen shook her head adamantly. “No, Jim. You’re very different. I’ve heard people call you a child prodigy, but they’re wrong. You have a unique approach to music. I can’t put it into words…”
“He feels music,” Mr. Proilet offered, overhearing our conversation. “He can see the entire musical score without even glancing at the music. He has nearly perfect pitch, and the ability to separate music into separate parts. He can listen to Blood Sweat and Tears on the radio, and easily write down any of the parts immediately afterward. Add to all that the fact that he also works harder than any other musician that I’ve ever met. Hard work, talent, spirit, and ability… it’s a tough combination to beat.”
I sighed. “I’m not perfect.”
“No, you’re definitely not perfect,” Kristen said. “But you’re mine.”
I smiled.
The two of us bade farewell to my music teachers, and headed out of the school.
As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t like people telling me how good I am. I decided to change the subject.
“So, what does Happy Birthday Oogie need to do tonight?” I asked.
“Hey!” Kristen protested. “That wasn’t my idea! I think it was June’s.”
“June? I thought it was Sherry’s idea.”
Kristen shrugged. “I heard it from June.”
“What’s happening tonight?” I repeated.
“Oh, you’ll see!”
In the parking lot, June and Sherry were both out there with a couple of other cheerleaders, and the two of us went over to where they were.
As we approached, Sherry started walking quickly toward us. “Jim? Can I see you for a few moments?”
“Sure, Sherry.”
I let Sherry lead me back toward the school entrance. “What’s up?”
Sherry’s voice was quiet. “It’s been bad all day.”
I knew that Sherry looked strange earlier. “What’s been bad?”
“I feel… you know…”
Oh, shit. “Yeah, I know.”
“What should I do?” Sherry asked.
“Why don’t you meet me tomorrow in the music room? Fifth period.”
“Lunch?”
“Sure. Ask Mr. Proilet for a hall pass tomorrow morning. Tell him that we’re working on something for the talent show.”
Sherry nodded.
I pulled Sherry closer to me and hugged her. “It will be all right, Sherry.”
Sherry didn’t answer, but I could feel her body shivering next to mine.
Oh, yeah. I wasn’t going to feel like a rapist any more. That lasted what… a whole fucking day? Two days?
Happy birthday, Oogie.
Chapter 44—Seventeenth Birthday Continued
Kristen noted that I was no longer very cheerful on the ride home. It was obvious that my mood changed after I talked with Sherry. Kristen knew Sherry’s problem, and I think she understood my mood.
Despite the fact that I decided that I was going to take charge of my life, it was evident that there were still some problems caused by the tickets that I was clueless how to fix.
For some reason, I was reminded of a short story I read when I was in junior high called The Monkey’s Paw. It was a story of unintended consequences when people interfered with fate. The ending reminded me of the kind of stories you’d see on the old Alfred Hitchcock Presents or Twilight Zone T.V. shows. I think it was the influence of that particular short story, though, that now made me hesitant to try to “fix” Sherry’s problem using the tickets.