Epilogue Part I
XXXIV. The Composer
Author's Note: This is part one of a two-part epilogue. It takes place one month later, and picks up where the last chapter left off.
The Composer is the property of Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Move On Up is the property of Curtis Mayfield.
You may not know how
To make words rhyme
Carry a tune or a clap on time now
You may have no knowledge of musical things
But deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That my heart sings
You may not know what
Quarter notes are
Or what I mean by Four to the Bar now
Such musical terms may be Greek to your ears
But deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That my heart hears
Now it's a tender song
Its like a rhapsody, a symphony
This song I find in this heart of mine
And its begging you
Let nothing keep us apart
Oh, my darling
Cause you put a song in my heart
Now this song that I find in my heart for you
Every lyric and line
I swear its true
The number one song on my personal chart
Deep down inside of me
You have created a melody
You're the composer of the song
That's in my heart
Deep down inside of me
You have created a symphony
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
You're the composer
You put a song in my heart
Red curtains hang over the stage, obscuring everything from the audience's sight. Craig props open a program, searches for her name. Leslie's on right after intermission, and the fact that his name follows hers makes him smile. Special musical guest: Craig Manning. He glances down the row, seeing Ellie play with the lens of a video camera, Paige knitting, and Spinner looking around awkwardly.
"Craig," he whispers urgently. "Don't they usually serve punch and cookies at these types of things?"
Craig smiles. "Probably afterwards, Spin."
"Shoot," groans Spinner. "The punch'll probably be flat by then. I know punch."
"I want some punch," speaks up Paige.
"Me too," says Ellie.
Craig stares at them blankly. "Okay, when did I become the mature one?"
Paige fans herself with her program, putting down the baby bootie she's been working on.
"It's hot in here," she complains. "You and Leslie better be good."
"We've been practicing for three weeks," says Craig. "Trust me. We're ready."
"And I'll be capturing every minute of it," says Ellie, patting her video camera. "Ashley's gonna feel like she's in the front row when she watches it."
Spinner begins talking about the right way to make and preserve punch, and Paige obediently listens. Craig takes the musical note chain from his shirt, grasps it tightly. Ellie grins at him, takes it out of his hand, twirls it.
"Very Ashley," she observes.
"Yeah," says Craig, blushing.
"It shouldn't be long now," says Ellie. "I'm sure you've been marking down your calendar."
"Nah," lies Craig. "I'm not a pining sort of guy."
Ellie ribs him with her elbow.
"Actually, I've been marking down Marco's calendar," says Craig. "He lent me one."
"Ah, Marco, king of calendars. So is it tomorrow?"
"Yep, hopefully. I really don't know how these things work."
The light dims, and Craig sits up in his seat. Ms. Park, in a nice black and gold suit that Paige compliments under her breath, taps the microphone. It makes a horrible screech that causes most people to cover their ears.
"Sorry," says Ms. Park. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, we are pleased to present Park Academy for the Performing Arts's traditional fall variety show. The students you see tonight are among the best and brightest the academy has to offer, receiving the highest grades in their class during the summer semester. They've also been personally selected by myself and their instructors. Without further ado, we'll start the show. First up, eighth graders Amanda Kitson and Cameron Miller performing an interpretation of Shakespeare's classic, Taming of the Shrew."
Ellie throws Craig a small smile, and presses the lens to her eye. Craig sits up, watches intently.
The girl, a pretty, sweet-faced blonde, wears a long, grey, Renaissance gown, carrying a wooden bucket to the middle of the stage. Seconds later, a red-haired boy, also dressed in Renaissance-style pants and a ruffled shirt, comes up to her, and puts an arm around her. Amanda tries to pull away.
"Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so," demands Cameron.
"I chafe you, if I tarry: let me go," cries Amanda, pushing him to the side.
Cameron hugs her to his side, forcefully recites:
"And, Will you, nill you, I will marry you.
Now, Kate, I am a husband for your turn;
For, by this light, whereby I see thy beauty,
Thy beauty, that doth make me like thee well,
Thou must be married to no man but me;
For I am he am born to tame you Kate,
And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
Conformable as other household Kates.
Here comes your father: never make denial;
I must and will have Kate to my wife."
Craig thinks back to when he and Ashley did this same scene, the first instance where they actually spent real time together, getting to know each other, finding common ground. He understood her so completely back then, and she understood him too. Understanding was what grounded them. Despite the butterflies whenever they interacted, there was friendship, trust, comfort. Despite the pain, there was always that need to find the other, to constantly think about the other. Petruchio said he found Kate's beauty unique, breath-taking, and that still applied to Craig whenever he saw her, thought about her. He'd never tried to tame her, though, because that wasn't his Ashley. She's intelligent, opinionated, mysterious, sweet, understanding, and pretty soon, she'd be healthy.
Craig's train of thought breaks, and Cameron and Amanda have finished, bowing as the audience cheers loudly. Amanda goes over, and collects her bucket, but throws Cameron a shy, appreciative look. Cameron smiles widely, turning red.
"I thought this play was a dark comedy," says Ellie, pressing pause on her camera. "It seems to make people all lovey dovey. Years later, they'll date and he'll tear up a hotel room."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," says Craig.
"Shut up," says Ellie, laughing.
Following the acting scene, there are two break dancers who delight Spinner, enough that he krumps in the middle of the routine, and Paige has to pull him back down to his seat. Ellie seems to enjoy a somber scene from "Our Town". Craig's legs bounce as he nervously awaits intermission. He doesn't want to disappoint Leslie, though they had worked repeatedly on the song. He was so touched, and still is, that she asked him. Jimmy seemed fine with the idea, even if he never directly told Craig that. Leslie said he'd be there, but he hadn't shown up yet.
Ms. Park appears after a beautiful rendition of "Stormy Weather" from a seventh grader.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, there will be a slight intermission," says Ms. Park. "Ten minutes. Please enjoy the cookies and punch at the back of the auditorium during the break."
"Woohoo, punch!" cries Spinner loudly, everyone laughing at his outburst.
Craig rubs Ellie's shoulder. "I'm going to go check on Leslie, alright?"
Ellie nods. "I'll check to see how much tape I have left."
Craig opens a side door that leads to the backstage area. The room buzzes with activity. He sees Aubrey stretching out her legs, a yellow tutu around her waist. Darcy is pinning her hair, waves at him. Craig waves back, dodges a flying glove that's going between two tap dancers. Leslie's at the back, staring sadly into a mirror. Her hair is in a single braid, and she wears a black, long-sleeved dress and black dress shoes. Craig thinks she resembles a goth Ashley all those years back, but with rosier cheeks.
"Hey," says Craig. "You pumped?"
Leslie scratches her nose. "Daddy's not here."
"He'll show," assures Craig.
"Mommy's not here, Daddy's not...all the kids have at least one parent in the audience."
Leslie's eyes start to tear up, and Craig bends down next to her.
"When I performed onstage, I didn't have either parent there," says Craig.
"They...died, right?" says Leslie softly.
"Yeah," says Craig. "But knowing that I had friends in the audience, and my stepdad Joey behind me, that gave me confidence to go out and do it. I wanted to share what I could do."
Leslie sniffles. "You said your stepdad was there for you. Are you going to marry my mom, be my stepdad?"
"I really hope so," says Craig.
"I hope so too," says Leslie.
Leslie reaches out, hugs him, the first hug they shared. Craig smiles to himself.
"We better start warming up," says Leslie, pulling out of the hug. "You have your drums?"
Craig finds his bongoes, holds them up for her to see. Leslie starts doing light runs with her voice, and once again, Craig is startled by the beauty and clarity of her voice. She closes her eyes, sings the first verse lightly to herself. He feels a soft touch, then an arm yank him to the side.
"I noticed you're alone tonight," says Casey, mascara caked on the side of her eyebrows.
"Um, I'm going to do a duet with Leslie," says Craig, trying to get out of her grip. "Where are Warren and Winston?"
"I'd still like to make good on my promise in the woods. Warm you up, if you're interested," purrs Casey, pressing up against him.
"I'm not," shoots down Craig, finally out of her pawing hands.
"My mistake," says Casey, gritting her teeth. "Or rather, your mistake. You're not that cute anyway."
Casey skulks off, Winston running up to him next. He hands Craig a purple tulip.
"Can you give this to Leslie?" he asks.
"Uhh...," begins Craig.
Ellie walks over to them, pointing to her camera, indicating she has enough tape.
"Thanks. She likes purple," says Winston.
"I'm aware of that fact. Does your mom know that you're handing out flowers to girls you barely know?" asks Craig, crossing his arms.
"I was just trying to be nice," whispers Winston.
Winston backs away, a guilty expression on his face. Ellie giggles.
"You're going to be a wreck on Leslie's wedding day," says Ellie. "Relax."
"I don't like him," says Craig.
"He's what? Six," reminds Ellie.
"Just wait until you have kids, El. I mean...sorry, word vomit."
Craig looks down, but Ellie gently touches his hand.
"It's okay," says Ellie. "Actually, I've been considering...kids lately."
"I'm glad," says Craig. "You'd make a great mom. I can see you adopting a kid. You have that big heart."
Ellie kisses Craig on the cheek. "We both do. Now, get funk drumming. I may've been a horrible drummer, but if my teacher sucks, I can just blame you for that."
Craig chuckles, waves her off. Ellie goes back out the door, and Leslie walks to the center of the stage with a microphone, Craig setting up his drums. He winks at her, and she smiles. They hear Ms. Park on the other end.
"And now, to kick off our second half, we're proud to have one of our most gifted and youngest students sing a classic Curtis Mayfield song. Leslie Brooks. Joining her is the wonderfully talented Craig Manning. Let's give them a hand, shall we?"
Loud applause and Spinner's whooping can be heard from the other side. The red curtain rises, and the spotlight shines right in Craig's face. His eyes readjust, and he makes out Jimmy, Tia, and Jimmy's parents in the front, clapping enthusiastically. Leslie spots them as well, beaming happily at her father.
Craig starts playing, his fingers conjuring up the beat. Leslie starts to move her hips to the rhythm, opens her mouth to sing:
Hush now child,
and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you
by and by
Leslie motions for everyone to clap, and they do, except for Ellie, who holds the camera steady, fixed on her. Craig glances at Jimmy, who appears transfixed, as does Mr. Brooks, who can't stop smiling.
Move on up towards your destination
You may find from time to time
Complications
"Come on!" shouts Leslie into the microphone, starting to dance a little more.
The crowd stands, Paige shimmying and holding her bump. Spinner does the snake, then the robot. Leslie walks to Craig, still dancing, sings:
Bite your lip
and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
You cannot slip
She holds the microphone up to his mouth for him to sing, and he does:
So move on up
and peace you will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people
Where there's only one kind
Leslie continues to dance, and Craig thinks this is the happiest he's seen her, that despite all the turmoil of the previous months for all of them, they'd come to some weird conclusion, some twisted happy ending.
So hush now child
and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Just move on up and keep on wishing
Remember your dreams
are your only schemes
So keep on pushing
Take nothing less
not even second best
And do not obey
you must have your say
You can pass the test
Craig recalls how joyful, how much happier Ashley's music had sounded when she came back from England, refreshed. Her going had done some good. This whole experience for Leslie has done her some good, maybe as much as Ashley. Though she was in tears for weeks, now she's more confident, more alive. Leslie finishes with a final beautiful refrain, Craig drumming energetically:
Move on up!
The clapping from the audience is loud, amazing. Spinner whoops, pumps his fists in the air. Mr. Brooks whistles, Jimmy shaking his head in proud disbelief. Leslie gives Craig a high five.
"We killed it," says Leslie.
"You killed it," praises Craig.
II.
Ellie places a marked label on the video, props open a box, and puts it in. Aubrey peers over Ellie's shoulder, smacks her gum loudly. Paige rolls her eyes at Aubrey, dumping in two bottles of lotion.
"What's that?" prods Aubrey.
"A care package," answers Ellie. "For Ashley."
"Oh," says Aubrey, dismissively. "I get those all the time."
Ellie raises her eyebrow at Paige, smirks. Aubrey scampers off, tags Leslie who is chatting with Spinner. Leslie gasps, runs after Aubrey, going up the staircase of Ellie's house.
"Hey!" yells Ellie after them. "Be careful, you two!"
She's beginning to think inviting everyone over at the variety show was a mistake. Craig and Spinner were yelling at a Maple Leafs game, particularly whenever they made a good play. Jimmy and Tia were talking by themselves about the performance. She, Darcy, and Paige were prepping the box they would ship to Ashley the next morning. Darcy was in the kitchen, getting sodas for them.
"Darcy's been in your kitchen, forever," points out Paige, as they tape the box up.
"Darcy!" yells Ellie into the next room.
"Wait a minute!" yells Darcy back.
She comes into the room a few seconds later, balancing a tray of six sodas. She hands one to Jimmy, Tia, Spinner, Craig, Ellie, and keeps one for herself.
"Um, hello?" says Paige.
"Oops, must've forgot you, Paige," says Darcy, sipping hers and going over to the couch. "My bad."
"If I wasn't pregnant, I would kick her...," starts Paige.
"There'll be no bloodshed on my carpet," says Ellie, giving her a pointed look.
Darcy scoots in between Craig and Spinner, flopping down on the couch.
"Oooh, hockey! Have the cheerleaders come out?" asks Darcy.
Spinner politely smiles, while Craig lets out a deep breath.
One of the commentators says they'll be right back, and there's a promo for a movie following him.
"This December, only on Lifetime, comes the story of a tragic romance...about a love that never dies," says a deep voice.
"Those are always the best," says Darcy, nodding.
"About a rock star and a journalist who found love as adolescents in the streets of Toronto. Degrassi Street, to be precise."
"Uh oh," moans Craig.
Onscreen, a tall, brown-haired guy that only slightly resembles Craig is in a gymnasium, holding a guitar, staring at a dark-haired girl with blue eyes.
"Something about the way you shine, when the lights go off, want to make you mine," he sings, in what Craig has to admit is a pretty good voice.
The girl smiles, immediately goes and kisses Craig.
"Craig, that song was so beautiful. You should come over tonight so we can totally do it!" exclaims the girl.
"That's not how it happened!" protests Craig.
"Shhh," says Darcy, a finger to her lips.
It flashes to a scene, where the fake Craig stares at a pretty, girl that truly does look like Manny, the Ashley character staring angrily at both of them.
"I can't believe you knocked her up!" cries Ashley. "You're a whore, Manny! A thong-wearing, boyfriend-stealing whore! And you, Craig...if I had my keyboard right now, I'd hit you with it!"
"Love hurts," says the fake Craig, breaking into tears as Ashley walks away.
"Now you can be with me, Craig," says the fake Manny. "What about me? Me! You said it was about me when we kissed on the ice! I hate you so much!"
"Who wrote this?" cries Craig, shaking his head.
"I don't know," replies Paige. "But I'm pretty sure that's Manny's future husband playing you, Craig. Complete with bad dye job."
"But somehow love and music united the two," says the announcer.
The next scene is the fake Craig singing Dust, the fake Ashley looking at him intensely. Craig has to give that some credit. At least they weren't coming up with lame dialogue.
"Awww," says Darcy.
"The future, however, is more complicated," says the announcer. "Eight years of longing results in bitter custody battles, heartache, and realizing that love trumps all."
Quickly, it snaps to a scene with the fake Craig and Ashley in the woods. The fake Craig doesn't have a shirt on, and the fake Ashley has on a revealing top.
"Oh wow," says Darcy. "Was it really like that, Craig?"
"No!" says Craig, throwing a glance in Jimmy's direction.
"I'm going to break up with Ellie, so you have to break up with Jimmy," says the fake Craig. "Also, I think we shouldn't engage in sexual activity."
"I agree," says the fake Ashley, sounding as if she's reading off a cue card. "That way, if there's a trial, they can't hold that against us. Wow, you're really smart, Craig."
"Yes," says the fake Craig. "We love each other. Let's go to Fred...I mean, bed."
"Some portions of the film are still being edited," says the announcer quickly. "Be sure to catch 'Symphony in My Heart', only on Lifetime."
Craig covers his face in shame as another commercial comes on.
"Murder me," he moans.
He swallows a lump in his throat, looks cautiously at Jimmy.
"Jimmy...um, I...," he begins.
Jimmy tries to hold in a laugh, but can't. He laughs loudly, hunching over.
"That has to be the funniest thing I've seen on television," says Jimmy, as tears roll down his cheeks.
Paige and Ellie are crying from laughter too, Spinner turning red. Tia giggles quietly, probably not sure what's real and not real. Darcy shrugs at Craig. Craig joins in the laughter.
"What's wrong with you, people? I'm still watching it," says Darcy, resolutely.
III.
Strumming his guitar, Craig murmurs to himself, doing his best to focus on this, come up with a good chord for the hidden track. Eddie is at the mixing boards, yawns.
"What rhymes with lonely?" he asks.
"What rhymes with break?" counters Eddie. "I need a break. Craig, it's seven...in the morning! Why are we here?"
"I couldn't sleep," says Craig. "Plus I called Hazel, and she's bringing over the CD art today."
Eddie clicks his tongue, turns up the volume so that Craig can better hear the notes. It's the morning after the variety show, but more importantly, the morning where Ashley was free to call him, that is, if she wanted to. He knows that in California, it's still in the wee hours of the day, but he couldn't lie down and pretend that that day wasn't special, hadn't been on his mind for all four weeks.
"I'm off," groans Craig, putting down his guitar in disgust.
He comes out, sits on the sofa. There's a soft knock on the door, and Craig goes to open it. Hazel's on the other side, dressed in a sharp pink business suit.
"It's Craig!" greets Hazel.
"It's Hazel!" replies Craig, hugging her.
"What are you doing in here?"says Hazel, coming into the studio. "Not getting busy with grade nines, I hope."
"Okay, that joke needs to be retired," says Craig. "First Paige, then you."
"Yeah, but picking on you for that never gets tired," says Hazel, smiling at him. "Sorry for making you guys get up early."
"Oh, I was already up," says Craig. "But Eddie here..."
"Was happy to get up this early," interrupts Eddie, rising from his chair and kissing Hazel's hand. "Pleased to meet your acquaintance."
"Chivalry...I like," says Hazel. "But business before pleasure."
Craig's mouth drops open, and then he gives Eddie a knowing look. Eddie shifts his eyes, watches Hazel pull out a folder with laminated pictures. All the designs she shows Craig are excellent, but his eyes stop at one.
"Ah," says Hazel, seeing that Craig's eyes light up on the last one. "This is with the picture you sent me about two weeks ago."
He's in a black T-shirt, with his leather jacket, Ashley's chain draped around his neck. He's not frowning, but not exactly smiling either. Mickey had arranged for a photo shoot after being displeased with most of the other shots.
"Thinking about Ashley?" teases Hazel.
"No," lies Craig. "But I like this one."
"Okay, so we'll use this image," says Hazel. "One of my graphic designers will be calling you in five minutes, Craig. And I'll get a track listing fairly soon?"
"Yes, you will," says Eddie. "And my number?"
Craig raises his eyebrows. "I'll take the call, leave you two alone."
He exits the studio, gets a drink of water, the cool liquid sliding down his throat. His cell rings, and he coughs, nearly spurting out the water. He swallows, presses the phone to his ear without checking who it is. He hopes the graphic designer won't notice that he had nearly choked.
"Hello?" he says.
No answer.
"Hello? Hello?" he repeats.
"I...just like hearing your voice," she says on the other end. "I miss it."
It's the most beautiful sound he could hope to hear.
"Ash," he breathes happily.
"I couldn't wait," says Ashley. "The sun isn't even out yet."
"Who needs the sun?" replies Craig, sitting down in the hallway. "How's it going?"
"Good," says Ashley, cheerfully. "The counselor lets me talk and talk. It's weird. Besides you, I don't share myself with anyone like that. I don't know, but I like it."
"And you aren't tempted or anything?"
"Strangely, no. I thought I would be, but it's relaxing and no one bugs me. Have no urge to take a pill. Although, I kinda want to test out that surfboard."
"Uh-oh."
Ashley laughs. "Don't tell Ellie. She'll make fun of me."
"I promise," says Craig. "I miss you. No sleep for me last night."
"Me either," admits Ashley.
Ashley goes on about her treatments and the atmosphere, Craig soaking it up, listening to the soft lilt of her voice. Hearing her, the thirty-day wait was worth it.
"When are you coming home? Did they tell you?".
"Five months."
Craig can feel his heart drop, his insides growing cold. He barely got through the thirty days, and now this.
"At least we can talk now," says Ashley.
"Right, right," says Craig, trying to buck himself up. "Did you know we have a movie now?"
"A movie?" says Ashley, giggling. "What's it about?"
"How much I love you."
"I like that plot."
"So do I."