Got inspired again, so here we are. First chapter I've written in probably two years for this story. I hope it continues to flow well. I've got a good outline for the next chapter and I'm excited about it. A few hints: a video email, Lindsey Rose, vacations and surprises. Kind of. And some Declaration. Please continue to R&R. The responses are encouraging and your thoughts and feedback help me ponder where to go next.


Chapter 28: Little Sparrow

Little sparrow, little sparrow

Precious fragile little thing

Little sparrow, little sparrow

Flies so high and feels no pain

All ye maidens fair and tender

Never trust the hearts of men

They will crush you like a sparrow

Leaving you to never mend

Little sparrow, little sparrow

Oh the sorrow never ends…

He ended the song on a hauntingly beautiful, quiet note. The crowd applauded his cover of Dolly Parton's song. It had been one of his favorites to arrange – I mean who would have thought of it? A guy singing this song. At this moment though, this day, this last week…it'd been almost like a guilt trip each time he performed. How ironic he's singing about not trusting men?

"If the shoe fits, I guess," he thought to himself when he walked off stage to change for the finale. You've got the two characters there – her the fair and tender maiden, the little sparrow and him the man who crushes hearts. Funny how he wanted to help end her sorrow and how he's become the cause of more of it.

"Hey, wrong way, David," Jason yelled over at him, bringing him back to the present and pointing back toward the stage. "Got your head in the game tonight? One more and we're done for the night."

David shook his head, running his hands over his face in an effort to get back into the moment. He hadn't even noticed someone slipping his guitar over his head and the hat in his hand now. "Yeah… Yeah. Sorry. Guess I'm just a little tired right now," he smiled quickly running back out onstage with Jason.

He gave it his all on the last song. The people in the audience deserved it. They were part of the reason he was living out his dream. He needed to live up to their expectations. But not only theirs – his own, his family's and he wanted to maintain that integrity he had hoped Emma had seen in him even if she wasn't aware of it right now. That wasn't who he was.

After the concert Carly caught David A by the arm as they headed to their busses.

"Hey, Archie. You notice something going on with David?" she asked, her eyes gazing toward the other David as he put something under the bus, his back pack over his shoulder.

Archuleta's expression changed to one of concern. "You know, he hasn't really been himself the last few days now that you mention it. He's tried. He's still put on the show. But you can tell he's withdrawn a little."

Carly nodded her head. "Good. Good to know I'm not the only one noticing something a little off with our Idol over there. Listen, Archie, do you think you could talk to him? I would, but you'll have all night on that bus with him. He already knows I'm a little worried and I don't want to push it with him."

Little David nodded. "Of course. He's important to me too. Like the older brother I never had. Good lookin' out, Momma C," he said with a smile and a laugh.

"Watch it, kid," Carly responded, giving him a playful push toward the bus.

"Child abuse!" he yelled, half-jokingly as he walked up the steps.

The guys settled into the bus. Jason headed to sleep immediately. Michael called his wife. The Davids…they sat at the front of the bus with their computers. Every now and then Archuleta would look up to see if Big David was in any sort of mood to talk.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUS

David opened his laptop to see if Simon had any other bits of information to share with him. More dates, deadlines, photoshoots, interviews? Thankfully there were just 2 messages. One from the tour manager about the last few dates on the road. The other was from Harper. One more in her latest batch checking up on him.

From:

Sent: Tues 5:34 PM

Reply-to:

To:

Subject: Checking In…

Hi David,

It's Harper…again. I know I've emailed you a lot this week. I'm half tempted to find your phone number on that paper Emma has somewhere and call you because I'm worried. You haven't responded to any of my messages. I don't want to just step into the middle of all of this, but I know you're both hurting and need to think it out for yourselves. However, I also know how you left from our apartment and figured you might want to talk it out some more. And…you know, I'm not above reminding you that I can let you know how Emma is doing. She does live with me.

Anyway, I just want to know the guy that cares about my best friend is ok because I know somewhere in there she does want to trust him. And if she's going to do that, I need to know he's safe.

Take care of yourself, David. I hope the rest of the tour dates are going well. You're destined for great things. Hope to hear back from you soon.

Harper

David sighed. He knew he wasn't really helping the situation at all by not responding to Harper. She'd been the one to help him think straight so soon after the incident with Emma in the kitchen. Even though it hurt to hear, she'd been right. Carrying on with life as usual was best for Emma for now and he needed to sort things out for himself. He'd been doing a pretty good job pushing that to the back of his mind though as the tour amped up for the final dates. No time to think about it. At least that's what he told himself after he'd spent hours after everyone else had gone to sleep thinking about what he could have done to make things happen differently.

"Hey, David?"

He looked up at Archuleta and smiled. "Yes, other David?"

"You okay, man?"

"Am I that obvious?" David asked.

Archuleta shook his head. "Well, not really. Not to everyone. But to your little brother from another mother and Carly, yes."

Closing his laptop, David leaned his head back on the couch. He should have known one of the two of them would catch him when he thought no one was looking – going off into another world with his thoughts.

"You caught me."

David A nodded his head. "Want to talk about it?" he asked, trying to tread lightly.

"Do you ever wonder if this fame is going to be worth it?" David asked, genuinely curious as to what the younger man's answer would be. Looking over at him, he saw his question being carefully contemplated. Archie was still so young but wise beyond his years as David had learned over the months of the show.

"You know, I do question it sometimes. I'm grateful to have my family be so supportive but they keep me grounded. Like I know yours does too. Your family is great."

David smiled. "Yeah, they are pretty amazing. Do you worry about the fame affecting you though? Your life? Your family?"

David A answered him slowly, choosing his words purposefully. "I worry about it. I don't want it to change who I am. On the other hand, I know my lifestyle will have to change in certain ways if I want to do this as something I love. But…", he paused to think for a moment. "But…I know I have the power to choose what I want to change and how I change it. It's up to me. Not only can I decide what I let affect me, I can also decide how I affect other things, other people. Like my family."

Big David let Little David's words sink in. "Wise beyond your years you are, young Yoda."

Archuleta smiled as he leaned his head back against one of the pillows on the couch on his side of the bus. "Patience, young grasshopper. Wise you will also be one day."

David laughed. "Thanks, Archie. I needed that reminder that I still have that power to decide how I live my life. It's hard to feel that in the middle of this sometimes."

"Anytime. You're like a brother to me. I expect the favor to be returned many a time in the future."

"You bet," David replied, grateful to have been able to meet this kid at all.

He stood eventually, taking his laptop with him to his bunk. Archuleta had fallen asleep on the couch.

He laid down finally and began to think about decisions. He had a few to make.

Before the night was over he had not one plan, but two.

THE NEXT DAY IN KENTUCKY

When Emma returned home from work there was a message on the machine she shared with Harper. Thanks to TTY she was able to comprehend the message. It was from the Lexington Philharmonic. They wanted to talk to her, schedule a meeting. This puzzled her while at the same time stirring up a mix of contentment and anxiety. It was clear where both of those emotions came from – her recent stint conducting and…anxiety from all that followed thereafter.

She hadn't really thought much of that night since it happened. Work had been non-stop with the beginning of school inventory and stock, back to school events at the bookstore, she just couldn't. She'd had her moment. She'd been pissed, she'd been angry, she got scared, she cried, she felt alone… But no more. It happened. Time to move on. She couldn't dwell on it further. If she did, she might start realizing she was more attached to him or the idea of him or even him as a friend than she originally intended.

No. For now she had to focus on her job and apparently, a call from the Lexington Philharmonic.

Looking at the clock she wondered if their offices were still open. It was still a little before 6pm. They opened a little later than most businesses and closed a bit later due to performances, box office. She decided to give it a chance.

Clearing her throat and hoping for as clear a voice as possible, she waited as the phone rang.

"This is the Lexington Philharmonic, how may I help you?" a man's voice answered.

"Um… Hi. This is Emma Lane. I, uh, got a call that someone wanted to talk to me from the Philharmonic?" she replied, wincing at the sound of her own voice.

"Oh! Ms. Lane. I'm so glad you called. They are so excited to talk to you about this opportunity. How are you feeling about it?" the man asked excitedly.

Emma was taken aback. She shook her head slightly in confusion. "Ahh. I'm sorry. What opportunity are you talking about?"

"Oh my. I think I said too much. You'll have to forgive me. I thought they'd left a message for you with a little more information. Hmm," he said and paused for a moment. "Well… They would like to see if you'd be interested in conducting the Lexington Youth Symphony later this fall. They were quite impressed by you, Ms. Lane."

Emma's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what was being said. If it weren't for the words also being transcribed on the TTY phone in front of her, she wouldn't have taken him seriously. "Are you…are you kidding me?" she asked.

He laughed, "No ma'am. Serious as can be."

She stumbled over her words, "I, uh… I…I'm flattered. Um, I guess I need to think about it? And…we need to meet?"

"Of course, of course. When works good for you later this week?"

Emma thought through her calendar for the week and responded, her mouth and hands working together while her mind was still trying to comprehend what just happened.

"That's perfect, Ms. Lane. They are so looking forward to meeting with you."

Words came from her mouth, but she wasn't sure what they were. Boy…did she have news to share when Harper finally got home that night.