Chapter 10

Charles got up, taking Mary by the hand. I knew just the number for these two... (Call Me Maybe)

MARY

I threw a wish in the well
Don’t ask me I’ll never tell
I looked at you as it fell
And now you’re in my way

CHARLES

I’d trade my soul for a wish
Pennies and dimes for a kiss
I wasn’t looking for this
But now you’re in my way

BOTH

Your stare was holding
Ripped jeans, skin was showin’
Hot night, wind was blowin’
Where you think you’re going baby?

Hey, I just met you

and this is crazy
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
It’s hard to look

right at you baby
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
Hey I just met you

and this is crazy
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
And all the other ones

try to chase me
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe

(I showed off my playing for a bit)

CHARLES

You took your time

with the call
I took no time with the fall
You gave me nothing at all
But still you’re in my way

MARY

I beg and borrow and steal
At first sight and it’s real
I didn’t know I would feel it
But it’s in my way

BOTH

Your stare was holding
Ripped jeans,

skin was showin’
Hot night, wind was blowin’
Where you think

you’re going baby?

Hey, I just met you

and this is crazy
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
It’s hard to look

right at you baby
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
Hey I just met you

and this is crazy
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
And all the other boys

try to chase me
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe

MARY

Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
I missed you so bad
I missed you so so bad
Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
And you should know that
I missed you so so bad

BOTH

It’s hard to look

right at you baby
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe

CHARLES

Hey, I just met you

and this is crazy
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe
And all the other boys

try to chase me
But here’s my number,

so call me maybe

MARY

Before you came into my life...
I missed you so bad
I missed you so bad
I missed you so so bad
Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
And you should know that
So call me maybe

During the applause, she initiated a kiss on his lips that everyone applauded as well.

“While during rehearsals we all may be motivated to ‘Kiss the Girl,’ we shouldn’t do that when we are performing in front of others, you guys. Do you ALL understand me?”

Now, forehead to forehead, Charles and Nancy agreed. As did everyone else.

Nancy and April were next, singing ‘Sisters,’ followed by all four girls singing ‘Funny Honey’ from CHICAGO... (I removed all the dialogue)

APRIL

Sometimes I’m right
Sometimes I’m wrong
But he doesn’t care
He’ll string along
He loves me so
That funny honey of mine

MARY

Sometimes I’m down
Sometimes I’m up
But he follows ‘round
Like some droopy-eyed pup
He loves me so
That funny honey of mine

NANCY AND JUNE

He ain’t no sheik
That’s no great physique
Lord knows, he ain’t

got the smarts

But look at that soul
I tell you that whole
Is a whole lot greater
Than the sum ... of his parts

ALL

And if you

knew him like me
I know you’d agree

APRIL

What if the world
Slandered my name?

NANCY

Why, he’d be right there
Taking the blame

JUNE

He loves me so
And it all suits me fine

MARY

That funny, sunny, honey
Hubby of mine!

NANCY

He loves me so
That funny honey of mine!

MARY

He loves me so
That funny honey, of mine!

JUNE

Lord knows
He ain’t got the smarts

APRIL

Now he’s shot of his trap
I can’t stand that Sap

ALL

Look at him go
rattin’ on me
With just one more
Brain
What a half-wit
He’d be

APRIL

If they string me Up
I’ll know who
Brought the
Twine

ALL TOGETHEER

That scummy, Crummy
Dummy hubby of
Mine

With that fabulous ending, all my brothers got up and applauded for ‘Their girls.’

“Michael,” Nevina said. “Doesn’t that number need them to move around a little, possibly in the hips and waist?”

“I’ll play it again, so you and Sarah can demonstrate exactly what you are talking about, if you’d like?” I said looking at them both. She pulled my mom up alongside her.

I started it again, and they demonstrated exactly what she had been saying. After giggling at first, the four Nicholas sisters got up and started matching the moves.

Surprisingly, Nancy got it right away, while Mary was being too evocative for her own good. April and June were perfect, also dancing quite well.

Ten minutes later, the boys helped their semi-liberated sweethearts back to the sofa. I thanked Nevina and Sarah, and we went on.

All told, we spent five hours, with a break every hour, until we had a total 46 numbers ready to go. We were only expected to play for two hours but being ready is important.

The two Moms had snacks prepared for us when we were done:

Ants on a Log; celery sticks with peanut butter inside. Hard-boiled eggs peeled and sliced. A large bowl of various fruits. (Apples, Oranges, Grapefruit, Nectarines, and Strawberries.)

Thirty minutes later, William said, “I’m ready to sing some more, anybody else?