CHAPTER 7: The Concert
The last day of school came and went. I was sad to be leaving Stoneybrook Academy, but at the same time, I was looking forward to going to Kelsey Middle School. It would be a giant step for all of us, being in a whole 'nother school, and one without a playground, mind you. But at least we'd be going through it together.
But more about that later. We'd been working really hard at rehearsals. Jessi was watching us very carefully as we went over "Proud Mary", our opening number.
"Pamela, smile bigger if you're going to fake it, honey," Jessi called out. Apparently, Pamela was still a little miffed over not getting the part I did in "I'll Be There". But she still got to choose a song to sing all by herself, so why was she complaining?
After rehearsal ended, Mr. Drubek made an announcement. "All right, everybody," he said. "As you already know, our concert will be held next Friday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Stoneybrook Elementary School. Since your costumes aren't ready just yet, everyone is asked to wear brightly-colored T-shirts—and they must be a solid color, by the way—jeans, and sneakers. Also, I'd like for you to be there no later than 6:15. Finally, just so you'll know, it's going to be videotaped and sent to Washington, DC, to see if we qualify for the international competition, which will be held during the first week of July."
All of us started murmuring excitedly, and hoped that we'd qualify. There was no doubt in my mind that we'd not only be invited to compete, but also that we'd win.
That evening at Daddy's house, my brothers and I showed everyone what we'd been working on. They loved it, especially Andrew's spoken part in "ABC".
"Sit down, girl!" he shouted into the flashlight he was using as a microphone. "I think I love ya!" On that part, he pointed directly at Emily, who giggled and blushed. And I mean blushed. I guess she was really flattered to hear that.
After that, we showed them our finale. One of the steps we did was this really cool ripple-effect turn. Andrew went first, then David Michael, then me. The one thing I remember the most about that was seeing David Michael's rattail sail up behind him like a kite. Thankfully, it only comes down to where the shoulder meets the neck, because if it was any longer, it would've gotten me right in the face.
After we finished, Daddy, Elizabeth, Kristy, and Emily applauded and cheered. "That was great, kids!" Elizabeth said ecstatically. I'm surprised we could hear her over Kristy's whistling.
"Outstanding," Daddy agreed. "You're really going to bring the house down!"
"Again, again!" Emily squealed, clapping and bouncing on Kristy's lap. "Do it again, please?"
"Okay, sure," I said, then I started singing, "Left a good job in the city..."
"Okay, Karen, that'll do," Daddy laughed, getting up from his chair and grabbing my shoulders. "You kids are going to do a great job, but right now, it's time to get ready for bed."
I couldn't wait for the concert. This was going to be the longest week of my life.
Well, the night of the concert finally arrived. Since we were supposed to wear bright colors, I'd chosen my brightest red T-shirt, dark blue jeans, and really white Chuck Taylor high-tops. The shoes were the best part, because not only did Elizabeth bleach them, but the laces were red, to match my shirt. Charlie once told me that if there was ever a power failure, my shoes would give us all the light we needed.
When my friends and I arrived at the school, we got a good look at the backdrop. It was painted in all these pale, psychedelic colors, and had "STONEYBROOK KIDS" in big black letters that were outlined in blue and white Christmas lights. We couldn't stop staring at it.
A minute or so later, the Everetts arrived. I started to make a beeline for Jason, but stopped when I saw how tired he looked. "Are you all right, Jason?" I asked. "What's wrong?"
"I really don't know, honestly," he answered as he sat in a nearby folding chair. "I woke up this morning with an upset stomach, and I've been trying to ignore it all day."
"Uh-oh," I said worriedly, laying a hand on his forehead, which didn't feel warm at all. I suspected that something was wrong, but I didn't know what. The next thing I knew, Jason was feeling my forehead, and then Hannie's, just to be silly. Before too long, we were all feeling each other's foreheads, and trying not to laugh.
"I think you're all coming down with something," Bobby commented as he and Hank passed by.
"Yeah, and whatever it is, I hope we don't catch it, too," Hank added as the two of them laughed and high-fived.
"Oh, it's not that bad, really," Jason reassured us. "It just comes and goes. I took some Maalox before I left the apartment, so I should be all right."
"Okay," I said, only half-believing him. "But you take care of yourself, you hear me?" As soon as I said that, I thought, Oh, no, I'm turning into Mom!
"I will, love," he smiled, patting my shoulder. "And Karen? Break a leg."
"Thanks," I smiled, then ran off to join the others.
I really hoped he was right.
The concert got off to a great start. "Big wheels keep on turnin', Proud Mary keep on burnin'," we sang, our smiles bright, our voices nice and loud, and our moves perfectly synchronized, thanks to Jessi. Now that I think about it, I'm surprised she wasn't banging a big wooden stick on the floor during rehearsals! If she had, I wondered if she would've accidentally hit her foot at least once.
If you were to ask me what my favorite song was, I'd tell you that it was "September" by this group called Earth, Wind & Fire—namely, the chorus, which goes, "Bah-de-ah, say do you remember..." It sounded really silly, and reminded me of those campfire songs we sang the three summers I went to Camp Mohawk: once when I was six (the youngest you can go), once when I was seven, and then again last year. But that wasn't the only reason why I loved it so much. The real reason is because it's so high, and considering the fact that David Michael's voice is just starting to change, I was impressed that he could get through it. I'm also surprised that no one's sung "Time To Change" to him yet! (Okay, all together now: "When it's time to change, then it's time to CHANGE!" or "Don't worry, Greg. I'm sure by Friday, my voice will be just SWELL!" Take your pick.)
The highlight of the concert, in my opinion, was "I'll Be There". While we were rehearsing this particular song, Jessi had paired us up into couples. I was with Rick, of course, because we were singing lead. Hannie was with Scott, and to no one's surprise, Jenny was with Andrew. Fortunately, he's not so embarrassed by her anymore.
Toward the end of the second verse, the other kids gathered behind Rick and me. Some were holding hands (Hannie and Scott), some were linking arms (Jenny and Andrew), and some had an arm around each other's shoulders (Claire and Jamie), waist (Nick and Nancy), or both (Dru and Hank). The best part was when we were singing the chorus and swaying back and forth. That, combined with the harmonies we'd worked so tirelessly on, not to mention my singing, gave me chills all over my body. When I looked out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Pamela had laid her head on Bobby's shoulder. I assumed that she'd gotten over not getting the part I did. It was also nice to see, considering the fact that when Rick and I had our "wedding" in second grade, Bobby actually kissed Pamela, grossing her out. I'm still surprised she didn't clock him, and I also wish the other kids had played "The Wedding March" on kazoos, and that Audrey had said "holy mattress money". (I know, I've seen too many episodes of Full House, right?)
The song ended with all of us joining hands and raising them up to about shoulder-level. It was a very touching moment, if you'll pardon the expression.
Now, for the finale. Right on the guitar chord, we all dropped hands and shouted, "ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!" Then we all started laughing, cheering, and whooping it up. Hank and Becca rushed up front and did some break-dancing moves. Claire did a pirouette and landed in a split, even though Nick and Nancy had to help her up, and then it was time for me and my brothers to do our ripple-effect turn. This time, David Michael's rattail landed right under his nose.
Well, immediately after we finished performing, every single person in that auditorium jumped up, cheering, applauding, and whistling up a storm. As the curtain closed, I thought, Tonight was the best night of my life.