Chapter 45

“Cathy,” my favorite choir teacher said, “Number 62, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ Just sing it all together...”

Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh, you pretty
Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you and our pretty
Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Loves us too

High, low, anywhere we go
On Chitty Chitty we depend
Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend
Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend

Your sleek as a thoroughbred
Your seats are a feather bed
You turn everybody’s
head today
We will glide on our motor trip
With pride in our ownership
The envy in all we surbay

Oh, Chitty, you Chitty,
pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
we love you
And Chitty our Chitty,
pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
loves us too
High Chitty, low Chitty
Anywhere we go
On Chitty Chitty we depend

I slowly applauded getting as loud as a single person clapping can get, “That was fantastical! How about number 135, ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.’”

A pretty, young Hispanic girl, no older than Isabel, came out front. “Michael, I am Hailey Coleman. I transferred to Jackson Heights, so I could sing.”

“Cathy please...”

HAILEY
I’d like to build a world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow-white turtledoves

EVERYBODY
(Through to the end of the song)
I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company

(I have been setup; they are breaking into all the harmony you would expect, I heard at least eight parts.)

I’d like to see
the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo
through the hills
For peace
throughout the land

That’s the song I hear
Let the world sing today
A song of peace that echoes on
And never goes away

I’d like to teach
the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company

Put your hand in my hand
let’s begin today,
With your hand in my hand
help me find a way.

I’d like to see
the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them
echo through the hills
For peace
throughout the land

That’s the song I hear
Let the world sing today
A song of peace that echoes on
And never goes away

Hearing that gave me the idea that if we ever take on a sponsor, it could be Coca-Cola!

“Miss Crabtree, these young people sound very nice together. Congratulations to you and to them. Very nice, Miss Coleman.”

She gave me a light kiss on the cheek drawing all kinds of Whoo-hoos and such.

“On to WICKED.” (That got them excited!)

“Cathy, I don’t know how well you know this, do your best to keep up please. Musical number 17 ... I will be directing them. All the dialogue as well ... Somebody, please cover if a particular person isn’t here ... You should all know this really well by now, so show me what you got...”

(SPOKEN) OZIANS
Go! And Hunt Her And
Find Her And Kill Her!
VICIOUS WOMAN
Good Fortune, Witch Hunters!
OZIANS
Go! And Hunt Her And
Find Her And Kill Her!
RABID MAN
Kill The Witch!
OZIANS
Wickedness Must Be Punished
Evil Effectively Eliminated
Wickedness Must Be Punished
Kill The Witch!
BOQ
And, This Is More Than Just A Service To The Wizard. I Have A Personal Score To Settle With Elph ... With The Witch!

(Crowd Cheers)
It’s Due To Her I am Made Of Tin
Her Spell Made This Occur
So For Once I am Glad I am Heartless
I will Be Heartless Killing Her!
And I Am Not The Only One. (Looks Offstage) Oh, Come On, You! Come Out And Tell Them What She Did To You In Class That Day. How You Were Just A Cub And She Cubnapped You.

LION
No!
BOQ
You See The Lion Also
Has A Grievance To Repay (Lion Roars)
If She’d Let Him Fight His Own Battles When He Was Young,
He Wouldn’t Be A Coward Today!

GLINDA
No, No, That’s Not The Way It Happened! Madame, You have Got To Stop This, It’s Gone Too Far!
MORRIBLE
Oh, I Think Elphaba Can Take Care Of Herself.
GLINDA Madame, Something’s Been Troubling Me About Nessarose And That Cyclone.
MORRIBLE
Oh Yes ... Well, I Guess It Was Just Her Time.
GLINDA Was It? Or Did You...
MORRIBLE (pause)
Now, You Listen To Me, Missy, You May Have Fooled The Rest Of Oz With This “Aren’t I Good?” Routine, But You Know Better. You have Wanted This Since The Beginning ... And Now You’re Getting What You Wanted. So Just Smile And Wave And Shut Up! Good Fortune, Good Fortune Witch Hunters!
RABID MAN Kill Her!
VICIOUS WOMAN Kill The Witch!
Wickedness Must Be Punished
Brave Witch Hunters I Would Join You If I Could
Because Wickedness Must Be Punished...
Punished ... Punished...
But Good!!!

“Really wonderful,” I said cutting them off. “Let’s do that again. Remember the lines must be crisp and articulate, but still need to all fit during the underscoring.”

They all sang it twice more. Even Isabel was singing her heart out. We had time to give the Finale a try.

Isabel talked me into letting her sing the Glinda part ... I let Lily Newman sing Elphaba. This ought to be great!

ELPHABA
Fiyero! I Thought
You’d Never Get Here.
(She Touches His Straw Face).
FIYERO
Go Ahead, Touch, I Don’t Mind. Ah, You Did The Best You Could. You Saved My Life.
ELPHABA
You’re Still Beautiful.
FIYERO You Don’t Have To Lie To Me.
ELPHABA It’s Not Lying ... It’s Looking At Things Another Way.

“Wowser, you guys are fricking awesome. This could be better than LES MISÉRABLES. Gold Standard Society members, we are leaving tomorrow at 4:40 sharp from in front of Lincoln High. Have something to change into, for after our performance.”

“We will eat before we head home.”

At home that afternoon, Ken and his crew were there. They had to use a crane to get the biggest timbers to the back of the house. I was kind of sorry I didn’t get to see it all. Isabel and I did go straight to the backyard and watched for a while.

They took some timbers and covered up the poles that they put in cement earlier.

They also were already putting up the roof rafters. I watched enough “Hometime” to know some of the terms involved.

I pointed out to her the finished walkway that had a cobblestone look to it. She determined that was for good footing after rain or snow. Smart girl.

There was a step up between the walkway and the level of the edifice itself. There was a doorframe to go through after the step up. I didn’t realize that from the drawings.

The roofline and style was going to match the house, something called an “I-house” style. They were trying to get the construction ‘tight’ before any major weather events happen. They had ‘planked’ the roof and wrapped the rest with thick plastic. That meant they were about to stop for the day.

Ken came over to ask, “What do you think, Michael?”

“It didn’t look big enough after just the concrete had been poured, but now it looks massive. The steps to it are very pretty, that’s a cobblestone design, isn’t it?”

“Very good, Mr. Thomas ... I take it you have watched some of the build-it-yourself TV shows.”

“This Old House” and “Hometime,” to be specific sir.”

Ken said, “I like watching Dean Johnson myself. He isn’t as in your face as the guys on “This Old House. Are you ready for your first Pay-per-view event?”

That made me chuckle. “The kids are making a percentage of the total payout, in case Mike didn’t tell you. If he hasn’t ... act surprised, please?”

That made the little girl on my lap giggle.

“I intend to let him keep it all, as hard as he is working all the time. He has gone from being a ‘C’ student to a high ‘B’ during all of this. I am certain all of your Society has similar stories. Perhaps, you could pay commensurate, based on their last report card. Of course, that is up to you, but they all seem to be very motivated. Goodbye for today. You are getting everyone from school directly, is that correct?”

“Yessir, that is correct.”

“Gotta go, see you later kids.”

“ISABEL,” came from inside the house.

“Ooh, I was supposed to go and get some new clothes. Sorry, Jennifer. It’s not too late, is it?” she said running to her.

“It’s OK, we have got a few nice places in Vincennes to shop. Are you still coming along, Michael?”

“Sure, I would never turn down a chance to be with my two favorite girls in the world,” I said sliding in the front seat and closing the door.

“What about your mother, Michael?” Isabel said.

“OK, you two are tied for second after Janice.”

“Tied?” Jennifer said looking over at me.

“Let’s get going, Sweetheart.”

She went directly to a place called Cato. Izzy looked at it like it was Cinderella’s Castle.

A nice-looking lady walked up and said, “You are the fourth young lady with that kind of necklace in the last hour here. What can I help you find?”

“My name is Isabel ... the necklace means that I am a member of the Gold Standard Society, this is Michael Thomas, who created it and his fiancée, Jennifer. I am the one who needs some new clothes. Do you carry underwear?”

“No, but you can go to Kohl’s for that. I have a few items that would look wonderful on you. Come with me, Isabel,” she said putting out her hand.

Isabel looked at me and I nodded it was OK, and they went into a separate section of the store. Jennifer grabbed my arm as we leisurely caught up to them.

“What do think of this one, Michael?” Izzy said holding it up.

“Try it on and show us how it looks,” Jenn said.

“Can I do that, Zoe?” she asked looking at the employee helping us.

“Sure can. Come on, I will show you the dressing room.”

“Jennifer,” I said. “Do you think she needs some help?”

She went over to help. I did this with my mother so many times I didn’t get uncomfortable around women’s clothing anymore.

A few minutes later, there was a voice clearing. It did its job and I turned.

“Beautiful ... and the dress looks nice too,” I was quick to say. It was a pink and white floral sheath dress, I was told. It stopped about six inches above her knees, shorter than anything she had worn since moving in.

“Are you comfortable in it?” I asked.

“Yes,” she smiled. “I feel older for some reason.”

“Zoe, do you have this in any other colors?” I asked.

“This only comes in pink right now,” she said. “But we have more things that would look wonderful on your sister.”

I smirked, getting a dimple show from Izzy in the process.

She came back out in a little black knit dress, even shorter than the first one. She went from being eleven to fourteen or fifteen in front of my eyes.

“It also comes in coral and ivory,” Zoe said seemingly reading my mind.

“One of each color along with the first dress please, we still need to get to Kohl’s tonight.”

“Do you want to wear that dress out?” she asked Isabel.

“Yes please ... thank you Michael.”

“Go get the clothes you wore here,” Jenn said to her.

We were on the way to Kohl’s only a mile away.

“Do you know what size bra you wear?” Jenn asked.

“I don’t think I want to talk about this in front of Michael,” she said with a slight blush in her cheeks. “What size are you Jenn?”

“36-C,” she answered confidently. “Don’t worry about Michael, he doesn’t understand the numbers and letters any more than any other guy does.”

“Well, I have been a 24 Double A, but I know I have gotten bigger because my bras hurt now,” she admitted.

We found and stopped in front of Kohl’s.

“I don’t want Michael with us this time ... Sorry?”

“That’s OK, I will look in other parts of the store. Text me if you need me ladies.”

I headed off to the boys and men section. I found a colorful line of boxers, so I bought them. I looked and found some other stuff I had been running low on.

“Bzzzzz.”

My phone said, “All done, meet us at the car.”

“See U there in 5,” I texted back.

At the car, I met with them. Everyone had a bag of goodies and we headed home.

Isabel was a little nervous about something.

“Are you all right, Isabel?” I asked.

“I ... found out I was ... a 28B. I sure do want them to get bigger.”

Jenn looked at her for a moment before she moved her head to look out the front window ... and she said, “Whether you end up a B cup or a D cup, or somewhere in between, you have a beautiful smile, a great singing voice and the kind of personality that a number of girls at Lincoln could use.”

“For the time being, you have us too,” I said.

“Thank you, both of you. Jennifer you are my personal standard for beautiful. I hope I get as talented as you are.”

“You already are, and we are sharing the leader of the pack, so don’t be so worried about how big your boobies get. If you are destined, you could end up as big as Miss Stapleton, but there is nothing wrong with being a medium sized B cup, which is what most of the girls I have classes with are.”

“That’s so sweet of you,” Izzy said. “Having someone like Michael around who I get to hear tell me that he loves me really does make me feel good inside.”

I grabbed her hand as we finished our trip shopping and headed home. By the time we got home, she was asleep on my shoulder.

She woke up as we pulled to a stop, “Are we singing tonight before bed?” she yawned pretty big.

“Probably not. We need to save our strength for Friday night. Can you get up, or do I need to pick you up?”

“Pick me up ... please?”

I opened my door and moved over so I could get my hands in the proper position. As I got her in my arms, she said rather loudly, “I love you so much Michael.”

Jennifer got all of our bags inside and was holding the door open for us. I gave her a kiss as I walked by.

After I came out of her room, I asked Jenn to change her into something to sleep in.

“Have you eaten?” Katherine asked us.

“No, we should have, but we got busy getting goodies while Jenn helped Isabel get some new underwear and I helped pick out some dresses. She is still upset she hasn’t gotten big breasts yet.”

“We have some leftovers we can heat up, if you would like?” Ally pronounced.

“Sure thing,” I said. “I will be right out.”

I have needed to pee since I got in the car for the trip home. While in there I changed into a new one of my boxers and came out to eat. I saw Isabel and turned right around and put on some sweats. I came out again as they all were laughing at me.

“Ha ... Ha ... Ha...” I said to them all. “I thought Miss Chapman would be asleep for a while. I apologize to you, Isabel.”

“I thought your new boxers were quite pretty,” she said. “I woke up and realized I hadn’t eaten. I would have a big headache in the morning if I didn’t eat.”

We had some leftover grilled cheese sandwiches and some hard-boiled eggs. There was even a big plate of Noodles and chicken, which I took with no arguments.

“So, what did you buy today, Jennifer?” I asked.

“Some new underwear, a few dresses; one that even matched with what Isabel bought ... and some more stable heels for performing in.”

“You know, that getting all the ladies in the same dress could add some professionalism to our look,” I said. “Maybe, after this performance is done, that could be arranged. It’s the kind of thing we are holding money back for, don’t you think?”

“That makes sense,” Katherine said munching on an egg, but looking at me like she was willing to share it like we did in the past.

“Michael, can you eat a whole egg at once?” my young lady asked me.

“If I wanted to, I suppose. Are you daring me to?”

“N-No, not really. I had a silly idea.”

“And what is that idea?”

“We share an egg ... at the same time. I figured if we did it just right, there could be a nice kiss at the end of it. Only if Jennifer said it was OK or not,” she said.

“Is this your idea, or somebody else’s?” I asked her.

“Mine. That’s a silly question, Michael.”

“Sorry, just checking.”

I picked up a peeled egg, salted it a little, and put it in my mouth. I moved closely to her and she got the other half in her mouth. We bit down at the same time, chewed for a while, and then it developed into our first pressure kiss.

There was a hand on my shoulder from behind me causing me to stop kissing Isabel. It was Alice. We were all sent to bed.

My phone buzzed, it was Izzy sending me a text, ‘I am sorry I got you in trouble ... great kiss!’

“Did you put her up to that, Jenn?”

“No, that was all her. Was it any good?”

“What?”

“The kiss. It was kinda hot to watch,” my fiancée said.

“I suppose that you are horny and want to make love?”

“Only if you want to. We just need to be quiet.”

“I don’t want to be quiet ... I want to pound you so hard you scream my name out for everyone to hear.”

“God ... that sounds incredible,” she responded.

“Good,” I said turning over to go to sleep.

Something awakened me, and it was Isabel in my bed.

“Go back to your room, pretty girl. It’s four in the morning.”

She got out quietly, showing off her new panty and left.

I rolled onto my right and the open eyes of Jennifer Guthrie were staring at me.

I gulped and said, “How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough to know and feel like I am losing you to her a little bit more every day. Tell me, right now honestly, who do you love more, me or her?”

“Well, to be honest ... I love ... you a hundred thousand times more than I love her. She is like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. You are my Eve and I hope I am still your Adam.”

“Then, please stop trying to raise some Cain. All it does is make her love you more and it gets me upset.”

“Fruit is good for you, you know,” I said making her giggle.

She lightly slapped at my face, and then we had one of our electric kisses that I felt all the way down to my toes.

“Goodnight, Adam.”

“Touché, Eve.”

We all met up for breakfast, and I reminded everyone to pack at least two changes in their travel bags. Ally said she would show up around four to stake out a decent parking space for the bus.

The drive to school was unusually quiet. Just as we pulled up to the school Isabel said, “Am I in trouble?”

“No dear, I am,” I said letting her out. I closed the door and Jenn went to Lincoln and parked.

I walked by admin and saw a note on the glass wall, “All members of the GOLD STANDARD SOCIETY are excused from their final class of the day.” Principal McGowan signed it.

Gee, what a cool guy.

From behind me was a voice, “Don’t expect this every time, Michael. I thought a chance to breathe before your first big event was in order. Break a leg tonight son.”

Shaking his hand, I said, “Yes sir. I sure will.”

From both members of the GSS and everyone else, I got an army of ‘Good Lucks” and the more accurate “Break a Leg.”

To take my mind off things I intended to practice WICKED in classes today.

The same note had been posted over at Lincoln, with Principal Summer’s signature at the end.

A special bell even rang. And I saw my singers and orchestra members starting to gather, all with their travel bags in one hand and their instruments in their other. I smiled at them and led them outside seeing our bus pull up.

Our keyboards and the home drum set were already packed. My favorite eleven-year-old ran and caught up to me. Brian and Ally were at the back of the bus ready for the kids to come by.

Inexorably, they handed off their instruments and I saw the Lincoln kids coming towards us breaking into big smiles. They waited their turns and after a bit ... things were all packed.

Everyone had gone inside. I asked for a count off. Mike Bell said, “One,” followed by “Two” and so on, until the last person said “Forty-Five.” I finished it with “Forty-Six.”

“OK everybody, just like we did it on Wednesday...”

“ ... Forty-Seven,” Stu Holland said, with a couple of big bags in his hand.

“Oh, yes, we have our own tech guy now. We need to get him a necklace before too long ... like I was saying, we have done this enough times that it should be like singing in the shower or playing your instrument blindfolded.”

“Ms. Guthrie, head ‘em on out.”

I sat down next to Jennifer, but Isabel was right behind us with Rose.

Ten minutes into the trip, I felt her hand on mine. I looked over and she was in tears. I sang quietly to her.

Not every man can
build his dream house
Not every man
has big words to say
Able men keep
this world turnin’
For the rest of us
making our way

Some of the singers were backing me up, as I cut the song short.

It ended, but I started a most delicious kiss with my girl. We didn’t care about the kids making noises. When we finally came up for air, I said, “I am sorry. You know what happens when I get emotional. Do you forgive me?”

“Of course I do, kiss me again, lover.”

This time there was applause from all around.

Peter broke into his “Fresh Prince” number as the rest of the trip was happening.

We got there with plenty of time to spare. I let Stu and his bags of goodies get off the bus first thing.

The rest of us got off the bus, and the instruments were being handed out. There were lighted music stands with chairs for the orchestra. I asked for enough chairs for my singers and a rack of chairs came from under the stage. Cool!

I saw my orchestra getting into place. The usual people were helping Tiffany with her setup. That was always the first set up. The two keyboards were brought out and powered up.

The singers were coming out of wherever they had changed their clothes. The ladies looked really hot. And our young men looked very nice in button down shirts and ties.

I saw Stu coming down to me. “House opens in 25,” he said.

He asked the singers to come forward as he handed them each their own cheek mic. He had a special one for me. It had an earpiece for us to communicate as needed. He asked me to treat it carefully, mentioning it was very expensive. He had one on himself. I asked him for a quote to buy a dozen for the GSS. He smiled and said, “Sure thing, Boss.”

He ran up to the booth, and then asked me to get each of them to do a sound check. They hadn’t done this before, so I announced, “Sound check, people. One at a time, sing something for Stuart when he calls the number on your battery pack.”

They actually understood the concept and they all did it more quickly than I had expected.

“House open in 5.”

“Thank you, 5.”

I got everyone’s attention.