Chapter 50

After a good night’s sleep, Red had on her red and white polka dot shoes the next morning. Her transformation seemed slow, but inexorable. She’s nine but seems eager to be ten, which happens on March 9th, but still wants to be older and more developed so very badly.

I walked her into Jackson Heights and she was immediately surrounded by girls her own age and younger, admiring her pretty hair and her shoes. She made a point of waving goodbye to me. I blew her a kiss. That caused giggles from them all.

I found the newest GSS members and handed them a release form for their parents. I asked to get them back by the next rehearsal. Both girls gave me a kiss on the cheek in response. Charles gave me a firm handshake in response.

Jason saw me and asked, “Since I don’t need to bring my electric bass anymore, what would you like in its place?”

I thought about that for a second, then said, “Remind me what else you have please?”

“American Banjo, Electric Harp, Lute, Mandolin and Ukulele,” he proudly answered.

“What is an Electric Harp?” I asked.

He explained the similarity between it and an acoustic Harp, adding he didn’t get much chance to play it anymore. He added it was a bitchin’ shade of blue. Whatever?

After getting a dollar from him, I asked if Selena, the Jackson Heights harpist, would be able to play it. He agreed it would be an easy transition. He noted she had sufficient finger strength to do the job.

I asked him to bring it and add the Banjo to his regular repertoire. He was glad to help. The Dueling Banjos instrumental crossed my mind!

I texted to Jenn and Katherine, “Do you have a spare necklace for a new member?”

Jenn was quicker saying, “I have some. Who is it?”

“I can’t tell you yet. Meet you at Lincoln admin.”

Ten minutes later, I asked Clara where I would find Selena Marshall. She looked it up and said, “Ms. MacArthur’s Math classroom. You do remember where that is, Michael?”

I went there knocking on the classroom door.

“Hello Michael ... class, do you all know who Michael is?”

There was a group “Yeah,” from the classroom.

I saw many familiar faces, Rose, Geena and Larry.

“I need Geena and Selena Marshall for a moment, please?”

Staying in the classroom to do this, I carefully handed the necklace to Geena; “We have a new member to our Gold Standard Orchestra, Miss Selena Marshall, harpist extraordinaire.”

That prompted Geena to put the necklace on her neck while Selena was visibly shaking. They hugged each other as the class cheered, and Selena gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. I excused myself.

With Jeremy taking over both orchestras in preparation for the Overture Concert, I had even less to do then before. I was able to spend more time with both GS choirs. They appreciated my presence.

At the end of the day, my girls and I left for home.

“So, who was it you added to the Gold Standard, Michael?” Jennifer said.

“You added somebody, today?” Red followed up.

“Yeah, I was talking to Jason, and found out he played something called an Electric Harp,” I began.

“Ooh, Selena ... you added Selena Marshal ... Wow, that’s really nice of you. She’s told me how cute she thought you were,” Isabel said with a smile.

“Leave her alone, please?” Jennifer said pulling up to the house.

“She’s even younger than Red, I can’t help it if I ooze sex appeal to girls of all ages.”

I got a slap on the back of my head. “Isabel, why?”

“You have all the girls you can handle, big brother.”

“Amen to that, Sister,” Jenn said with a wicked laugh afterward.

We arrived.

I went online to the big computer to look at sounds systems for our GSSEC. I had the measurements from Ken. After spending thirty minutes at it, I decided to bring Stuart in to help me. I called and invited him to our next GSS rehearsal at my house. “Sure Boss” was his reply. He was awfully quick to say that, but I took it as enthusiasm.

“DINNER!”

It was earlier than usual, but I was hungry. I saw that it was fried chicken and baked potatoes. I took Red by the hand and we walked to the dining table, hand in hand. After I pushed her chair in, I gave her a fatherly kiss on the top of the head.

I saw her eyes filling up about to let loose.

“What’s going on Red, are you OK?”

“The kiss on the head, reminded me of how daddy would be so charming just before he decided to ... harm me. Sometimes, he would do it in front of everybody, at the dinner table. I wasn’t allowed to cry or even make a sound.” She was in tears.

Jennifer went over to her and touched her hand. “I am sorry that your father did that to you. You are a big and strong young lady getting through all of that. But letting Michael treat you the same way may be a problem as you grow up.”

“Huh,” she said.

Ally said, “Many child molesters were molested themselves Isabel. His own father may have molested him No matter what has happened in the past, you deserve to be loved, not mistreated by anyone.”

“But, but Michael doesn’t mistreat me ... he loves me. I know they are getting married. Michael and I are just having fun with each other. I wouldn’t let him do any more even if he wanted to. I love them both, and you and Katherine. Also, Brian, Janice even Jeff. I hope you two end up married. Katherine ... as much as I love my big brother Peter, I can tell you love him just as much.”

“Let’s eat ... I’m hungry.”

What a remarkable young lady!

We had a wonderful evening, after dinner, singing in the back yard. Everyone had at least a solo, while Red and I had a couple of songs together.

Jennifer knew that I learned all the music from RENT, so she asked if we could do a song from it.

I asked if I could perform a solo song before that and she said, “Of Course.”

“This song is meant for an electric guitar to begin, but I will deal with it the best I can”...

MICHAEL
One song
Glory
One song
Before I go
Glory
One song to leave behind
Find one song
One last refrain

Glory
From the pretty
boy front man
Who wasted opportunity
One song
He had the world
at his feet
Glory
In the eyes of a young girl
A young girl

Find glory
Beyond the cheap colored lights
One song
Before the sun sets
Glory - on another empty life
Time flies - time dies

It really speeds up through here

Glory - One blaze of glory
One blaze of glory – glory

Find
Glory
In a song that rings true
Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame

Find
One song
A song about love
Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find
The one song
Before the virus takes hold
Glory
Like a sunset
One song
To redeem this empty life
Time flies
And then - no need
to endure anymore
Time dies

They all loved it. It is my favorite number in the show.

Jennifer came up and gave me a nice kiss. It did the job!

After it was finished, Isabel asked, “Are you sure I can’t audition for RENT, Michael?”

“You may be more mature than any other nine-year-old, anywhere on earth, but I am having a strict fifteen and older requirement. The storylines and some of the dialogue is quite very grown up. Sorry Red.”

“OK, I don’t like it, but I understand. Will I be able to come and see the show?”

“I say ‘Yes,’ but Janice should answer that for you. All right.”

“What number do you want to do, Love of my life?” I said to Jennifer.

“While I think I would prefer playing Maureen, there is that wonderful number called the “Maureen Tango” between Joanne and Mark. You know that one, Mikey?”

There were giggles from the audience.

“How about the Roger/Mimi number “Without You?”

“Do you see me as Mimi or Maureen?” she asked.

“You could play any part in this show you want, Jennifer.”

“Then, let’s do the number.”

I started to play...

MIMI
(She began it with her eyes closed)
Without you
The ground thaws
The rain falls
The grass grows
Without you
The seeds root
The flowers bloom
The children play
The stars gleam
The poets dream
The eagles fly
Without you
The earth turns
The sun burns
But I die
Without you

Without you
The breeze warms
The girl smiles
The cloud moves
Without you
The tides change
The boys run
The oceans crash

She’s really good!

The crowds roar
The days soar
The babies cry
Without you
The moon glows
The river flows
But I die
Without you

ROGER
The world revives
MIMI
Colors renew
BOTH
But I know blue
Only blue
Lonely blue...
Within me, blue
Without you

When we finished it, we kissed, open mouthed.

Isabel stood up leading the cheers, I saw tears on Jenn’s face.

“That was pretty good, wasn’t it? Maybe you and I could play Roger and Mimi,” my fiancée said.

“You have got to be kidding, I’m not an actor!”

“When you sing like that, there is no acting ... you really love me. Roger falls in love with her slowly all through the show.”

“What do I do about the orchestra?”

“Let Jeremy or Mike Bell lead them. I get to kiss you and I also would get a death scene. What more can a girl ask for?”

“I think you are crazy, but I will give it some thought. Wait a minute, you said Mike Bell? He’s only going to be twelve, plus his parents aren’t likely to let him be involved in such a ‘scandalous’ show as this.”

“Isn’t there another Roger/Mimi number Michael?” she said using her fingernail behind my ear.

“Yeah, it’s called “Light My Candle.”

“I know all the music, just like you do lover...”

ROGER
What’d you forget?
MIMI
Got a light?
ROGER
I know you? - You’re -
You’re shivering
MIMI
It’s nothing
They turned off my heat
And I am just a little
Weak on my feet
Would you light my candle?
What are you staring at?
ROGER
Nothing
Your hair in the moonlight
You look familiar

MIMI
Just haven’t eaten much today
At least the room
stopped spinning.
Anyway.
What?
ROGER
Nothing
Your smile reminded me of
MIMI
I always remind people of
- who is she?
ROGER
She died. Her name was April
MIMI
It’s out again
Sorry about your friend
Would you light my candle?

Through to the very end, that was so erotic. The other ladies loved it. I was hard as a rock. Crawling around the stage getting to look at her butt seemed like a wonderful thing to get to do. I can still direct the show ... all I would need is someone to conduct the small combo that I need.

I can’t believe that I am actually thinking of doing it!

The evening finished with Ally singing “Wind Beneath My Wings,” with a powerful amount of emotion in her voice.

A wonderful breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs and sourdough toast, started our day. After saying goodbye, we walked to get the bus from alongside Mom and Brian’s place.

Jenn had gotten a key to it upon her updated license and we headed off to school. This was her first time driving without any other ‘legal drivers’ in the vehicle. She managed to avoid running up on any curbs and pulled into the parking lot away from any other vehicles.

As we got out, I gave her a kiss, and a “Good girl,” to her. I walked Red to Jackson Heights. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and we separated.

I got a slap on the back of my head, grabbed her hand and gave whomever a kiss. It was Andrea Henry, our new cellist. She was as surprised as I was but gave me a grin before she walked off.

I decided to take a listen to Jeremy and the Overture music as played by the Jackson Heights half of the dual orchestras. I walked in to be greeted by Jeremy, Sarah Wallace and some of the orchestra who had arrived. The rest were following me in.

I got high-fives from some of the boys and girls. Jeremy walked up put out his hand and said, “Checking up on me, sir?”

“I had the time to come and listen, is that all right with you, Mr. Nichols?”

“Please stay? Even without Mike Bell and the rest of your Society, we have a very good sound. There are no ‘stars’ in here, but it’s still a really good sound. Excuse me?”

“COME ON PEOPLE, I am getting older here just watching you putz around. We have a visitor.”

“I have changed the order around, Sir, I hope you don’t mind?”

“Do whatever is good for you. Ignore me,” I said sitting down.

He got out his baton, put it together and raised it.

Pointing to his first trumpet Brian Ellis, he began with the NEWSIES Overture. From that there was a remarkable segue into BIG RIVER, with Jason on harmonica to begin things.

He has really magnified his abilities since I have been gone. Maybe I was holding him back? No matter, he and his team of orchestra members were all playing exceptionally well.

They didn’t get all the way through, but I now feel better about leaving Jeremy in charge. Hopefully, Sarah may work out as well.

Afterward, Selena came up to me and said, “I will need some help getting my harp to your house.”

“No problem dear, we will have one there for you. I promise. No sense moving one of those back and forth. I am doing the same with Tiffany’s drum set. All we need is you and your magic fingers.”

That made her giggle.

When she and I approached the bus, the rest of the kids applauded her. With the cello and double bass last in, Jennifer closed the door and headed home. I have noticed she is going out of her way to avoid left turns, but that should get easier as she goes.

She didn’t back in, but that was cool. Everyone applauded when we got to the house. Cece and Clarice came with us as well. They helped get out the instruments as I saw Brian, Mom, and Jeff show up.

Stu arrived separately bringing in some equipment on a handcart. Hmmm?

I went ahead and made a big deal of unlocking and unfolding our GSSEC. There were lots of Ooohs and Aahhs.

Stu went inside it, to do what, I wasn’t sure. We were setting up chairs and music stands as Peter and I moved the keyboards into place. The drum set was already there. The orchestra started getting into place as Stu came out with an extension cord, a piece of equipment under his arm and a bag that looked full of something.

He was setting up on the porch. I went over to him to see what he was doing.

“Hey Boss, I need just a couple more minutes than we will have the microphones all set up and ready to go.”

“What?”

“I just installed two of the speakers and the receiver for your cheek mics. They all have fresh batteries. I can turn them on and off while I am sitting here.”

I turned to see Brian giving me a thumbs up. That old so and so.

The last of the orchestra were getting into place. The singers were in the first row of the audience. Mike probably did that when I wasn’t looking. Stu gave me my cheek mic, then went to give the rest of the singers theirs.

“Hey,” I said surprising them. “Sorry for the time this is taking, but at least we are not crushed together like sardines anymore.”

“Our Tech Manager extraordinaire is passing out your cheek mics. We will keep things less than full volume this afternoon. We don’t want the police being called over a noise complaint.”

“That doesn’t mean I want you to be quiet either. I have one more song to teach you, before we start rehearsing for our job in eleven days. We have our newest member of the GSS, Selena Marshall playing harp, specifically Jason’s Harp, which he is loaning to the GSS.”

They all applauded. “Jennifer, would you pass out the music to the orchestra? Mike Bell, talk to the orchestra while I talk to the singers.”

We broke into our groups, and I explained what I wanted. This would become our final song of the evening for a while.

Twenty minutes later, Mike said that they were ready. “Stu, turn on the mics as you see them coming up on stage please?”

“I am spending this time, because it is a beautiful song with lots of beautiful tight harmony. That’s why Isabel is starting this number”...

ISABEL
Just One Voice,
Singing in the darkness

ADD RICH & JOHN
All it takes is One Voice,
Singing so they hear
what’s on your mind

ADD JENNIFER
And when you look
around you will find
There’s more than

ADD JAN & ALICE
One Voice

ADD JEFF, NAN & ROSE
Singing in the darkness,
Joining with your One Voice

MICHAEL, JOHN, CHARLES & SAM
Each and every note another octave,
Hands are joined and fears unlocked

(ALONE) JAMES, JOAN & GEENA
If only One Voice

A shiver went down my back

ALL (AS A CHORALE)
Would start it on its own
We need just One Voice
Facing the unknown,
And then that One Voice
Would never be alone
It takes that One Voice.

THE ORCHESTRA BEGINS
(ALL VOICES)
Ba ba ba da da da da,
Ba ba ba ba ba ba da da da,
Ba ba ba ba ba ba
It takes that one voice

(ALONE) CECE, CLARICE & KATIE
Just One Voice
Singing in the darkness

EVERYONE TOGETHER
All it takes is One Voice,
Shout it out and let it ring.
Just One Voice,
It takes that One Voice,
And everyone will sing!

Jeremy and the orchestra carry it out to the end, with a fadeout. He finally showed me some emotion in his methodology. Selena and her harp sounded wonderful.

Our small audience of Stuart, Jeff and Brian were all crying big tears. That’s what I want our big audiences to do. Cry their frikking eyes out.

After everyone settled back down, Peter helped me hand out our set list for at least our next couple of events.

“Don’t worry too much if your song isn’t here this time, I plan to rotate music in and out as we go along. It’s five o’clock, can anyone not stay until seven?”

I saw all their smiling faces, and no one responded.

“Wonderful. Let’s start from the top.”

Ally got up ready to sing “Goldfinger.”

I waved the orchestra to start, then I begin to play and she began...

What a voice, what a woman! The moment she was done, she bowed and Isabel, Rose and Geena came up. We started up the “Single Lady” music and she was on her heels singing like she’d been performing her whole life.

Their dance was together and very stylized.

At its end, they curtseyed, and James, Sam, John, and Peter came up to sing “I have Got You Under My Skin,” with James on the lead...

Boy, they have been practicing together ... their harmony was so tight behind James sensational falsetto.

Seven pm got there sooner than anyone wanted, but I had to get everyone home. The harp was set inside the GSSEC, the chairs and music stands were put under the outside porch where they had been. Stu put his stuff in the GSSEC as well. Everything was switched off and I closed it up.

“Mike’s dad did a fantastic job on this. We should get him to design and build some of our sets,” Stu said.

“He’s unavailable for a while. He just got a really big job. The job you were talking about being offered by Lincoln, I will double their offer if you come to work for me in two years.”