Disclaimer: Newsies are Disney's. Story contains slash. It also contains political and religious rhetoric, none of which reflects the views of Disney or FFnet or me, for that matter.
A/N: And now, the long-awaited continuation . . . .
Chapter 14 -- Full Circle
Considering this was a day Blink had long anticipated would count among the best in his life, he could be feeling better. A lot better. Like, if his heart could get out of his throat long enough to pump some blood to his fingertips, that'd be great. Instead, he fiddled with the keys of his saxophone numbly and swallowed nothing for the eighteenth time.
The band was crowded into the entry area corridor inside the dome. Team supporters of all stripes -- students, parents, local folk, and even traveling fans of the hosted team -- swarmed among the sequined and plumed band members. Everyone was eagerly anticipating kick off, but the game was definitely the last thing on Blink's mind. His focus was on the man wearing the dark suit (seriously, who wears a suit to a football game?) and smarmy smile midway across the crowd from where he stood. Snyder looked self-satisfied, smug as usual, which made Blink sneer, but at least it meant Snyder likely suspected nothing.
For the last day and a half Blink (and David, Lou, and crew) had been worried the plan would be leaked by a traitor in their midst. Of course they were ecstatic about the turnout for David's meeting, but this wasn't just a couple of angry kids anymore. This was war. Do or die. Blink swallowed again.
"You ready?" Racetrack tapped his shoulder and Blink nearly jumped.
"As I can be, I guess."
Race still wore his drum harness under his uniform jacket but had detached the snare drum and set it against the wall out of the way. Blink followed suit and unclipped his sax from his neck strap, setting it down carefully out of the flow of foot traffic. He blew on his cold fingers as he and Race casually wandered into the mob and approached cymbal Anna and another girl from the baritone section. It was subtle, but similar shifts were taking place throughout the crowd -- they were band members after all, they knew how to get into formation efficiently, and David had all but written drill charts.
Blink laughed in response to some joke of Anna's, but his heart and mind weren't in the conversation. He cast a glance around for David first, who he found off to Snyder's left, standing with Jack, and then searched for Mush. Mush stood more or less opposite Snyder, across the mingling masses, with Lou. He was just taking off his helmet and Lou teasingly mussed his curls to puff up his helmet hair. Mush smiled and he looked much calmer than Blink had thought he'd be. But that was good. Blink was nervous enough for them both. From deep in his own anxiousness, Blink surfaced enough to register Race seemed to be flirting with Anna, then plunged back into fretting. There was no way to know when this was going to start, but he looked to David for some kind of cue anyway. The genius of The Plan -- but also its greatest weakness -- was that it depended on Snyder.
All they had to do was wait. And hope. And -- ha -- pray.
Somehow Sarah had finagled marching the band down to the dome early, but game time was coming fast. Soon they'd have to line up for the pregame performance. The lines at the refreshment booth were already dwindling. Suddenly the smell of hotdogs and Gatorade and the glowing CatSnack sign triggered the memory of Blink's first ill-planned kiss with Mush. They'd been sitting just beyond the thick of this crowd over at the tables. That was the moment that had led to all this. David didn't know that, of course, but there was fitting symmetry in the fact that this was going to end (God willing -- again, ha) where it began.
Minutes passed. Blink fidgeted every second. He did managed to exchange a look with Mush and the bright smile from his boyfriend bolstered his confidence, momentarily at least. Because just then Snyder cleared his throat.
It was definitely one of those deliberate throat clearings, the kind that is supposed to command attention from every person in a twenty-yard radius. It was the clearest cue they could hope for. Blink darted glances to Jack and David and Mush and Lou. They'd heard it, too, and were ready. He looked to Race, whose smile was all ease and flirtation even while his eyes were suddenly somber. Race clapped him on the shoulder and pulled him into a noogie. Anna laughed.
A dozen or so CCCers were worming closer to Snyder and turning to give him their devoted attention. A greasy smile graced his face, and Blink could have sworn it was directed at him. "Friends," Pastor Snyder's voice was a raspy rumble, but loud enough to be heard clearly. "Friends, if I might claim your attention for a few moments before you are called to perform for the final time this season, now seems an appropriate time to give thanks to our good Lord."
Standing at Snyder's right elbow, Oscar Delancey nodded solemnly in agreement. Other CCCers, including Morris and Dana and Lexie, automatically formed into their standard circle. Bible in hand and cupped to his chest, Snyder eyed the gathering students and Blink watched as his eyes narrowed as he noticed that his number of faithful followers had dwindled. It didn't stop him from continuing.
"But before we bow our heads," Snyder began, "I would like to congratulate you all on your accomplishments this season. We are blessed to have so many musical spirits sharing their gifts and standing as examples of good Christian life for their peers. There have been trials for you in the past weeks, I know, but I am gratified that many of you have remained true to and spoken out for your beliefs in the face of challenge." Blink gritted his teeth and fought the urge to upchuck. "That said," Snyder continued, "let us ask the Lord to bless this last performance."
With impeccable dramatic timing -- and, Blink noted, one last lingering look shared with David-- Jack shouldered forward, stepping into the gap between the circle of die-hard CCCers and the rest of the mingling band members. In a spot-on imitation of Snyder, Jack cleared his throat.
"'Scuse me, Pastor Snyder, but we'd like to say a few words ourselves."
Anticipation tightened in David's chest as everyone's attention whipped to Jack. It threatened to make him laugh, but he managed to suppress the nervous giggle. Snyder's feature froze with false pleasantry, while at his elbow Oscar raised a suspicious eyebrow and Morris's upper lip lifted in a silent snarl. "Is that so, Mr. Kelly?" He scanned the crowd with a wary eye as knots of band members scattered through the crowd loosened and spread, advancing slowly. "And what do you have to say for yourselves?"
David winced inwardly. He'd gone over this with Jack time and again in the past two days -- whatever snide comments Snyder flung, Jack could not rise to (or stoop) to his level. If The Plan was going to work, Jack had to stay calm and cool as he did when speaking as band president or wooing a professor into accepting a late term paper. He had to prove he wasn't the loose cannon Snyder's planted newspaper story made him out to be. As Jack plastered on an empty grin and straightened his shoulders, David held his breath.
"You believe in the power of prayer, right Snyder?" Jack's tone was just this side of openly mocking, just toeing the line. Which was, of course, exactly what David had been trying to prevent because it was dangerous and stupid and . . .
Well, totally brilliant, actually. Jack had cornered Snyder with one surprise strike: Snyder couldn't very well say no to stop Jack from proceeding, but to say yes would allow a demonstration he surely did not want.
A glare sharpened Snyder's meaty face. "This is not a joke, son," he responded in a voice that was a menacing step deeper, but no less loud.
Jack didn't balk. "Nobody's laughing, sir."
Tension settled thick over the whole crowd as Jack and Snyder locked into a level stare. David checked his friends' faces and places. Everyone appeared focused and steady. To David's left, beyond Snyder and at the edges of the rising action, stood Kristy, tape recorder in hand. They caught each other's eyes and Kristy panned meaningful glance down at her recorder -- the tape was already rolling. She winked, and David returned her smile with a small, quick one of his own before double-checking everyone else's readiness.
Positioned directly across from Snyder were Lou and Mush. Jack couldn't have cued Lou up better, and she knew it. All concentration, she too stepped from the rest of the ranks of the increasingly aware and curious crowd.
With her typical assertiveness but a much more somber expression than usual, Lou spoke out. "You see, Pastor Snyder, we fear that you may have forgotten some of the most important tenants of the Christian faith." She paused, but not long enough for the shocked pastor to manage a response. "Jesus taught us to love the Lord our God with the whole of our hearts and souls and minds, and made this the first and greatest commandment."
Across from where David stood with Jack, Blink strode up. "But he also commanded that we love our neighbors, and that to love them -- to show them respect and compassion and mercy -- is to love him."
As they spoke, the CCC members who had joined the meeting in David's dorm room three nights ago also sifted out of the crowd, hands at their sides and various stages of worry and care on their faces. Other band members, including Jenny and Sarah and Skittery and Racetrack and Anna, did the same. All of them filled in the gaps between Jack and Lou and Blink, and a large circle began to take shape.
At its center, completely surrounded, was the small ring formed by Snyder and the core CCCers.
David took his own last few steps forward, planting himself firmly at Jack's side. "In the first gospel of John, chapter four, verse twelve, it is written that if we love one another, 'God abides in us and God's love is perfected in us.'"
Snyder, who was turning deepening shades of red, began to bluster. He spun in place, glowering at the solid circle of challengers surrounding him. "Children," he spat, "What do you think you're doing? You twist the scripture to--" His words spluttered as he remembered the gathering pregame crowd.
Oscar crossed his arms at his chest and sent a malicious glare Jack's direction. Morris faced the opposite way, toward Blink, but David saw him crack his knuckles. The rest of the CCCers' reactions ranged from wide-eyed anger to shamed-faced shuffling.
After checking his temper, Snyder started again. "Your use of the gospel to justify your erroneous beliefs is blasphemous," he hissed. "And it is hardly appropriate for you to accuse and confront a respected community and church leader in this manner. I will not tolerate it. It is slander."
David knew he should hold back -- knew it was off point, and not part of The Plan -- but he couldn't help himself. A mean smile twisted up his mouth and he felt Jack's attention shift to him. "Slander in print is called libel. You reap what you sow, sir."
Unholy hate sparked in Snyder's eyes but David didn't flinch, and at the corner of his vision he saw Jack face Snyder again and cock his chin in defiance, seconding David.
For his part, Snyder bordered on turning purple. He opened his mouth, presumably to launch into a tirade, but promptly clamped it shut with a start. David whipped his head in the direction of Snyder's gaze and saw Denton approach the outer circle, just behind Lou.
Panic flutter through David. They hadn't told Denton what they'd been planning, and though his presence had shut Snyder up, it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that he would shut them down. Denton assessed the situation silently and fully. He made eye contact with Blink, looked down at Lou with half a smile, and turned to David and Jack gave a shallow nod. And then took a step to join the circle.
At that, Snyder did turn purple. David's heart swelled. He quickly leaned forward to catch Mush's attention.
Mush took two bold strides to position himself within the circle's scope, the last of the principal players to do so. And his voice was sturdy as he addressed the enraged preacher, "We offer this prayer on your behalf, Pastor Snyder, even as we speak it for ourselves."
That was the next cue for action. As Mush said "prayer" each person in the larger circle clasped hands with his or her neighbor and, like a wave in a baseball stadium that does not subside, raised their hands to shoulder height with a bend of an elbow. Jack's hand wrapped warmly around David's, palm damp but grip firm. David allowed the mellow jolt of pleasure to run through him -- there was no need to suppress it anymore -- and bowed his head like everyone else.
In the few seconds' pause as the circle of supporters steeled themselves, seeming to take a collective breath for confidence, and the outraged, bewildered pastor snarled silently at his accusers, David peeked up through the curtain of his curls to search out Kristy in the crowd. She had edged her way closer to the preacher and protestors, still holding her tape recorder in one hand, and ready with a digital camera in the other.
It's working. It's working. Dear God, it's working, Blink chanted internally, His heart thumped in his throat and stomach simultaneously. Long-smothered hurt had burbled to the surface as he watched the circle of solidarity close up around Snyder, and he'd fought back a sob when Denton moved to stand with them. But it wasn't a sad sob -- it was a sob of validation, of relief. The big word for it he'd learned from his English TA was "catharsis."
Blink wondered if that hadn't been part of David's plan, too.
He felt as though his nerves had risen to the surface of his skin, as though any light touch might sting him, might make him lose it entirely. And yet, Race's drummer's grip and Jenny's -- sweet Jenny who he'd once snapped at, accused of taunting him -- thin flutist's fingers didn't hurt at all. Actually, they anchored him, and somehow seemed to pump in the strength he needed to do what he had to do next -- erm, do now. Right now. Jeez he was nervous. With a quick glance at Mush, he took a deep breath and focused on the words (provided by Lou and David) he'd been rehearsing for two days.
"My Lord God," Blink began the prayer, "I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end."
Across the circle, Jack picked up from there, his gaze unfocused on some middle distance and voice thick with emotions in a way Blink had never heard. "Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so."
Next to him, David continued, "But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you."
"And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire," Lou contributed.
Blink mostly kept his head bowed, but movement among the crowd outside their ring of band members and defected CCCers caught his attention. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw other folks from the crowd forming up at various places around the arc, bowing their heads too. The flash of pink and orange to his left he was pretty sure was Medda slipping into their ranks, taking the hands of the students she'd parted.
At Blink's side, Race rambled out, "And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, even though I may know nothin' about it."
Steadfast, Mush delivered the final line, "Therefore I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."*
Blink lifted his head slightly. Snyder's coloring had progressed past purple into an apoplectic asheness. His loyal crew had broken ranks and shifted away from him, leaving the pastor alone, an island of anger. All pretense of goodwill was long gone, and Snyder stood with his hands at his sides, bible in one while the other clenched in a fist, and chin lowered, chest heaving with angry breaths. He glared eerily straight ahead, fully fixated on Mush and Lou.
Like a practiced prayer leader, Lou calmly began adlibbing, using ideas they had brainstormed as a group. "You have brought these young people together, as new friends, to stand against forces that have tried to keep us apart," she paced her words carefully and kept an even, earnest tone. "We hope that you can help us all to see our way clear and continue to breed acceptance and respect and the love of our neighbors."
Pretty much everybody had their heads up by now, alert with that awareness of Something Huge happening, except Lou. And Mush looked at Blink, eyes bright and sad, so neither he nor Lou saw what Blink did as Lou rounded into the last part of her appeal.
"Above all, Lord, we ask that you forgive Pastor Snyder. We pray that you see his desire to please you, but wash away the sin of his hatred, as well as enable him to expand his narrow--"
And that's when Snyder lunged for her. "NO!" Blink shouted. Snyder clawed past his milling minions, faster than Blink might have imagined a man of his size could, and Blink dropped Jenny and Race's hands with force, shoving himself into a sprint.
A lot of things happened at once then.
The circle broke ranks, bodies set in motion everywhere. Snyder raised his bible arm above his head as he charged. At the corner of his vision, Blink saw that Oscar had seized the opportunity of chaos and headed straight for Jack, already swinging. David held Jack back firmly, his shouts lost in the rest of the sudden clamor. What Blink didn't see was Morris closing in on him, until it was too late. All Morris did was kick out a leg, tripping Blink into a freefall.
He threw himself forward into a dive, landing just in front of the already ducking Mush and catching the force of Snyder's blow on his way down. The bible hit hard against his right temple. Pain in the form of bright light exploded across his vision, but he stretched out an arm gathering Lou and Mush and shielding them from Snyder's second strike. That one landed across his shoulder blade. Blink squeezed his eyes shut and yelled.
Everyone was yelling. Everything around him was a blur. Every second might as well have been an hour. Blink didn't know how much time went by, but he heard gruffer voices and heavy boot stomps and Snyder's hits quickened then weakened then stopped.
Wincing, Blink twisted to look up and still saw Snyder's crazed face hanging above his, but his arms were pinned behind his back by one campus security guard while another pried Snyder back and away from Blink with an arm across the chest.
Blink collapsed forward into Mush, who'd been clinging to him already.
Denton entered his field of vision then. He waved off the security guards then squatted down to Blink's level. "It's okay," Denton soothed. He showed Blink his hands palms up, like you would a scared dog, then tenderly examined Blink's temple and back and arm -- the places he'd been hit. Blink closed his eyes, felt Mush's lips against his forehead. "It's all right," Denton spoke again. "You don't have anything to be scared of anymore. Not the likes of him, not anybody. And you're going to be just fine. Looks like the worst of it was that knock on your thick skull, okay?"
Blink nodded limply. Or, tried to. His head swam. Mush held him tighter, and his mouth moved from Blink's forehead closer to his ear. "Hey, Ry, you're all right. It's okay. What you did -- you were so brave. You're gonna be okay. And I love you," he whispered, body rocking gently. "Love you."
As soon as Dana and Lexie and the campus security officer yanked Oscar away from Jack and restrained him, David pounded over to where Denton crouched over Blink's crumpled form. Jack was at his heels.
"What's wrong? Is he okay?" David huffed as Jack skidded to a stop beside him, primed to ask the same questions.
Denton rose, clapped Jack on the upper arm, and addressed David. "He'll probably sit this one out, but all things considered he's in good shape."
A world of worry rolled off David. A bruise was developing on Blink's temple, but he did look okay otherwise. Better than he had from a distance.
"Now if you'll excuse me, fellas, I have to go convince the authorities to that my students did not intend to provoke an attack and do not need to be held for questioning." He quirked a smile. "At least not until after the game."
"We didn't mean--" David started, but Denton cut him off with a sympathetic look and a pat on the shoulder.
"I know, David. I know."
David looked down at Lou and Mush after Denton left. "Really, guys. I had no idea. I'm so sorry." He extended an arm to help Lou up -- she took it, dusting off the seat of her green uniform pants as she rose. "I didn't know that would happen. I really am sorry."
Lou laughed a little and swooped David into a hug.
"Nobody knew," Mush said. "How could we?"
"We knew he was dangerous," David protested, still kicking himself mentally. This had not been part of the plan. No one was supposed to get hurt. Least of all Blink, who had dealt with the brunt of all this bullshit for too long.
Lou broke off the hug and slung an arm through David's. "Not physically dangerous."
"Guess he's just even crazier than we thought," Jack said matter-of-factly.
From the concrete floor and Mush's lap, Blink snorted. "You can say that again."
Chuckles rounded the group. Jack stepped over to help Blink to his feet and Racetrack showed up just in time to steady him. Another pang of guilt hit David as he watched Blink wobble. Now it was even more important that the second part of The Plan -- the part David hadn't told these guys about, yet -- came off successfully. His eyes swept the thinning crowd for Kristy, but didn't spot her. He hope she'd ducked away to follow up some angle, and not had her tape recorder or camera confiscated.
Sarah's voiced boomed through her megaphone. "Okay, kids. We had a little commotion there, but that show's over and this one's got to start. Get your stuff and get in line." Her language was light, but her tone was all business and it put David and the others on the move immediately. Making his way back to his trumpet and helmet, David still scanned for Kristy. Instead, he found Spot.
Spot who'd been nowhere in sight through the whole thing, but gave David a look that clearly conveyed he knew exactly what had happened.
Jack bounded up behind David, evidently not noticing David's staring contest with Spot. When Jack swung an around David's shoulders for a quick congratulatory squeeze, Spot's lids lowered and his lips pursed into a smirk that was also clearly intended to nettle David. It did.
"We did good, Dave," Jack prattled, gathering his things. "It could've been better, but we beat 'em. All of us together, we beat 'em."
"Yeah, all of us together," he repeated absently, keeping up the eye contact with Spot a few beats longer before breaking it off to put on his helmet. When he looked back, Spot was gone.
*Preceding lines adapted from the Merton Prayer, from Thoughts in Solitude .org/merton_.