III. What Child Is This?
"So it's nice to know how they all really feel about me," mumbles Craig, leaning against a nearby car.
The car beeps suddenly, releasing a string of loud wails. Children pulling a sled race in the other direction. Craig sighs. They were still on the Brooks' street. Spinner is unaffected by the cruel remarks thrown Craig's way, stuffing one last cracker into his mouth. J.T. is the same, looking left to right. Toby feels bad for him, though. He'd hate it if J.T. or any of his other friends criticized him like that.
"Increasingly saddened by what he just heard, Craig wondered if he made the right decision in cutting them all off. And it wasn't merely the fact that he wouldn't have any gifts under his Christmas tree," says J.T.
"How could Jimmy say that?" blasts Craig, startling them. "I found him after he was shot, rushed to get him help. We were so close...like brothers. A bromance."
"Man, if there's a bromance, it's me and Jimmy," argues Spinner.
"Whatever...you guys fight all the time," protests Craig.
"I can't believe this," mutters J.T.
J.T. grabs a handful of snow, makes an orb, and throws it squarely in Craig's face. Craig staggers to the ground. Spinner's eyebrows shoot up as he helps Craig to his feet.
"Bad neighborhood kids," guesses Spinner.
"Now I'm cold," complains Craig.
"Witness to such cruelty, Craig yearned for warmer territory, a sweeter atmosphere," narrates J.T.
"I wonder why," says Toby, frowning at J.T.
"Hey, do you want to stand here and hear this boy bickering, or do you want to move along?" poses J.T.
"A warmer atmosphere?" contemplates Spinner. "Know the perfect place."
Ghost Spinner and the three boys walk along the streets, going several blocks until they reach an unassuming, brick building, a playground in the adjoining area. Toby recognizes it. It's the community center, not too far from where he, J.T., Manny, and Emma squirted water guns and met for the first time. The playground looks exactly the same, except for the snow-covered slide, tire swing, and monkey bars. They enter two glass doors, head to the nearest room.
From outside, they hear awful, bone-tingling, mind-numbing guitar strums, drum solos, and singing. It's the most agonizing performance they've all encountered, except for Paige's Kevin Smith cheer.
"The horror...the horror!" groans Toby, sticking his fingers in his ears.
Once they enter the room, they spy the culprits. All seven of them. They're children playing for their parents, their siblings during a Christmas Day pageant. The room itself is pretty stylish, wreaths and red bows hung along the wall, a red plastic Santa petting a fake reindeer, snowflakes made of tin foil above their heads. Toby removes his fingers hesitantly, taking in the display.
"Play together!" begs a voice Toby knows better than the others.
"Ash?" whispers Craig, starting forward.
Ashley stands in front of the group of children, wildly waving a baton. Despite her best efforts, the group becomes more of a mess. A guitar string snaps, causing a girl with blonde pigtails to cry. A more heavy set boy manages to poke a hole in the lid of his drum with his fist, laughing joyfully. One of the other boys Toby is certain he's seen, the child banging his triangle with excessive force, trying to find the rhythm.
"Sleep in heavenly peace...sleep in heavenly peace," sing a pair of twin girls with caramel-colored hair.
Ashley points to the boy with the triangle. He clangs it three times.
"Do you know how to touch...a girl?" sings Jack, over the clatter. "If you want me so much, first I had to know..."
"Jack!" cries Ashley, slamming her forehead.
The parents gasp, folding their arms as J.T. crouches from deep laughter. Toby's jaw drops, glancing at Craig, who appears similarly flummoxed. Jack couldn't have been more than four or five, and this tune wasn't right for the occasion at all. Not to mention his voice is horribly out of tune. Luckily, the other students aren't encouraging him, having stopped playing.
"Are you thoughtful and kind?" continues Jack, closing his eyes. "Do you care what's on my mind?"
"No!" barks the boy, throwing his drum on the floor.
"Hey, you don't treat a drum like that," remarks ghost Spinner, protectively. "What'd you think, Craig?"
"This is beyond bad," answers Craig, grabbing at his curls. "The rhythm's atrocious, the instruments are on their last leg, and...poor Ash."
Ashley raises the baton and makes a final flourish, their signal to end. Thankfully, they do. Toby clutches his stomach. Ugh, who knew bad music could give you a stomachache? That, or maybe he's just really hungry. He wanders off to grab a couple Christmas cookies, the kind with multi-colored sprinkles. Surprisingly, Ashley joins him, clutching the table for support as the kids leave the stage and go find their parents. Aww, no cookies for him, since she'd be freaked to see cookies mysteriously fly off a plate.
Toby would have to agree. Poor Ashley. She told him she'd be doing something creative during the holidays, and he guesses this was it.
"At least it wasn't as bad as the Christmas show at Degrassi," consoles Toby.
Then again, she can't hear him, can she? From the corner of his eye, he sees the others approaching, including Craig.
"Looks like we're both having a bad Christmas Day," says Craig, viewing her.
"If only we had better instruments," whispers Ashley to herself. "If I had some help. And these kids so wanted to impress their parents."
"Craig could identify with both those desires," says J.T. "Together, he and Ashley brought a priceless guitar. That was taken from him by Skinny, and he didn't forget that awful day, more awful than this one, certainly. And whenever he played on tour, he envisioned Julia and Joey being proud of him. Part of him wouldn't have minded pleasing Albert too, despite their rocky past."
They're all interrupted by Jack Simpson, blue-eyed, blonde, in green pants and a matching jacket, running to Ashley. Craig spies Sean coming as well, red scarf wound around his neck.
"Great show," comments Sean.
"You lie," sighs Ashley, faking a smile. "At least the kids...stood in the right place."
She bends down to Jack, hands on her knees.
"Jack, for the New Year's celebration, are you going to sing the right song?" asks Ashley, gently.
"All that matters is that you sing from your heart," replies Jack.
Craig grins, even though the answer causes Ashley to raise her eyes in alarm. Sean ruffles Jack's hair. Jack skips away, happily.
"Sean, do you ever think Jack might be...tone-deaf?" whispers Ashley.
"Well, music doesn't exactly run in the Simpson or Nelson family trees," explains Sean. "He always wants to sing, though. It's hard on all of us since he can't, and most of the songs...uh, not appropriate."
"I noticed...where's he getting this music from?"
"Have no idea, honestly."
"Hmmm, hopefully my determination and perfectionism will rub off on him," shrugs Ashley. "Because he really is the sweetest kid."
"Thanks," says Sean, squeezing Ashley's arm. "Merry Christmas."
Craig's eyes fall to Sean's hand touching her.
"Hands off," warns Craig, crossing his arms. "I'm still your boss. You hear me?"
"Craig jealousy alert," moans Spinner, pulling Craig away. "Let's get you out of here. We gotta follow Sean and Jack."
"Jack!" calls Sean.
"I should make a move, but I won't," sings Jack, winding his tiny arms around Sean's waist. "I know you're probably thinking something is wrong...knowing if I do, then it won't be right. I don't get down on the first night!"
"That's enough for now," says Sean, putting his hand on Jack's mouth.
Unfortunately, the action prompts the heavy set boy with the broken drum and his mother to approach them. The boy digs up his nose, chuckles silently.
"Your son is a disgrace to this fine institution," huffs the mother. "Worst of them all."
"He's not my son," clarifies Sean. "But he has just as much of a right to sing and play as the rest of the kids."
"Heck, I'll pay for the lessons to get him in the same league as my Neil," offers the mother.
"No one's paying," speaks up Ashley. "This is all for fun."
"Scouts come to community productions," insists Neil's mother. "They don't want a tone-deaf kid stinking up the chorus. Take the money...it'd be well-spent."
"We don't need your hand-outs," bristles Sean. "I work hard and none of us need your charity."
"Didn't you used to live in a trailer park?" says the woman. "Saw you in the news. The hero of Degrassi?"
Sean shakes his head, and they're all surprised that he's not saying anything. He most likely didn't want to start anything with Jack present. Hmmm, guess he has matured since the arrest.
"What you can do is get your kid a decent drum," interjects Ashley.
"Perhaps," shrugs Neil's mother, leaving them.
"Merry Christmas, guys," says Ashley. "Bye Jack."
Jack waves, manages to lift Sean's hand and whistles on the way out of the room. J.T. motions for Toby to go, though he does look back to see Craig assess the instruments with a disgusted frown.
"Perhaps because of the recent humiliation after the trip to Jimmy's, Craig knew what it felt like to be at the brunt of harsh criticism. Unlike Sean, he never struggled with money, and unlike Jack, he never struggled with his voice. He figured those were far worse situations to be in."
Spinner guides Craig to the door, and the ghostly crew trump through the snow in a straight path.
"You'd think after hearing that raucous song, that mother would've paid for them all to get instruments," says Craig. "She noticed they lacked talent, knows scouts show up..."
Craig stares ahead at Jack, clumsily trying to navigate his way through the thick snow. Sean finally picks him up, sets him on his shoulders.
"As Craig watched the young, aspiring musician, his heart ached with pity, hoped with promise. What if Jack could actually sing? Be the next Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Clay Aiken? Okay, maybe not Clay Aiken," says J.T.
"If I was invisible...wait, I already am," kids Toby.
"Pretty good, Toby," compliments J.T. "And...also pretty scary that you know that."
"A lot of free nights to watch TV," confesses Toby.
"Jack may never get his chance," breathes Craig as they finally arrive at the door of a townhouse. "Then...he'll die, like Joey, with no hit records."
"Well, if they're going to die, let them do it and decrease the untalented population," says Spinner, giving Craig a sad grin.
"Oh, Spinner," breathes Craig. "I...I didn't mean..."
"Craig said that earlier," reminds J.T.
"My memory's not that bad!" whispers Toby. "Just...just my game. Man, I want a date."
"This should lift your spirits," promises J.T.
Shoving Toby gently to the door, they walk right through, Toby guessing the effects of the dust must last as long as a stretch of that one Saturday detention. With that kiss from Hazel. Toby grins at J.T., J.T. backing away from him a little.
Seconds later, Sean has unlocked the door, Jack racing into the room where they stand. The home is modest, but neat and colorful. With aquamarine walls, sturdy furniture, nature magazines on the counter, and a working stove emitting wonderful smells, it's the complete opposite of Craig's cold abode. Best of all is a long table, completely set, with a centerpiece in the middle, sunflowers stuffed into the hole of the log Craig remembers giving Sean.
"Sean Cameron's apartment!" cries Craig. "Oh, you can tell this is an inviting crib. Thanks for bringing me here, Spin."
They hear the clatter of pots and pans from another room, a shapely blond that Toby has been crushing on since he first arrived at Degrassi arriving in the doorway. Jack immediately runs to her. Emma Nelson wipes her hand on her Kiss the Conservationist apron before stooping down to Jack.
"Go get ready for Christmas dinner," she instructs.
Jack obediently runs past Sean and into a room down the hallway.
"How was he at the center today?" asks Emma.
Sean unfurls his scarf. "As good as you'd expect. Before he went on, he said he hoped people heard him, and were reminded that talent takes time."
"Awww," sigh Craig, Toby, and J.T. in unison.
"Sounds like Jack," praises Emma. "We should all be active instead of sitting around and doing nothing. That's why I've been slaving away all day to create the perfect dinner."
"And the log?" says Sean.
"Well, the dog kept trying to hump it, so finally did something with it," admits Emma.
"Who's humping?" asks a sleepy voice down the hall.
Manny yawns, stretches her arms. Toby's sure she's not supernatural anymore, clothed in a short, black dress that hid her body.
"Leave it to Manny to show when we're discussing hormones," teases Emma.
"We should really get Raditch neutered, Em," scolds Sean.
"I know...I listen to Bob Barker," says Emma. "Anyways, he's with my parents. Since I insisted on eating with you guys, and Jack threatened to sing to them if he couldn't come here for dinner, they're using Raditch to cure their empty nest syndrome."
Emma throws her hands into the air, apparently not put off by the odd family arrangement. Toby doesn't blame his MI teacher and his wife for heading for the hills, though. Jack's voice murders ears.
"Manny was a routine visitor at Sean and Emma's apartment, presently living with Emma's parents after a fall-out with her father. Her contributions whenever she came over? Being Emma's ever-present listening ear and telling Sean he's cuckoo bananas for working with Craig Manning," says J.T.
"You're cuckoo bananas for working with Craig," says Manny, patting Sean on the shoulder. "What'd you have to do to get the day off? Donate an organ to him?"
"Nothing," says Sean, grinning. "He can be nice..."
"When he's not being a total player," remarks Manny. "He played me...twice. Sean, you've never done that."
"Hey, we all make mistakes," says Sean, pulling out a chair for Manny.
Manny flops down in it, silently twisting her hair. Craig glances at the entrance to the kitchen guiltily.
"I pay Sean so little," observes Craig. "Spin, it just isn't enough."
"Sean's only working there to get money to open his own customs car shop," says Emma, disappearing into the kitchen.
"He didn't tell me that!" cries Craig. "I mean, in passing, he may've said..."
"Has he ever shown an interest in music?" asks Spinner. "Come on! He's like...the only guy in that school to never have been in Downtown Sasquatch. Except J.T. and Toby, but they're...J.T. and Toby."
"Hey!" cry J.T. and Toby, jointly.
"So going on my least favorite ghost part of the survey," says J.T. with a loud harrumph.
Craig cocks his head to the side, stands to the right of the table. Emma reenters, carrying in bowls of food, steaming dishes that make Toby even more hungry. There were spots for four people: Emma, Manny, Sean, and Jack.
"Taking in the different vegetarian options, Craig realized that he hadn't seen a family sit down for dinner in more than a year. The sight made him think back on many a good meal with his mom, Joey, and Angie. This time-honored tradition for Sean and his guests looked appealing and tasty. Too bad Craig doesn't know what a good cook my grandmother is. Mmmm mmm good."
"Sprouts, beans, steamed cabbage, vegetables and rice," lists Emma, undoing her apron. "Then the piece de resistance, tofurkey."
Manny drops her napkin purposely, whispers, "Should've gone to Darcy's."
"I...I haven't had tofurkey," stammers Sean. "Ummmm, let's eat."
"Such a small tofurkey...Sean won't get the full experience," says Craig.
Jack scurries into the living room, in a blue sweatshirt and jeans. He takes a place near Manny, as the rest of them sit.
"Hmm, Jack, would you like to bless the food?" asks Emma.
"Okay," agrees Jack.
Everyone, including the invisible members of the party, bow their heads in anticipation. Respect isn't only a thing for the visible, thinks Toby.
"Oh baby, baby," sings Jack. "My loneliness is killing me...I must confess I still believe...when I'm not with you, I lose my mind...oh, give me a sign...hit me baby one more time!"
Sean starts to violently cough into his napkin, grabs his water glass. Manny giggles. Emma lets her head fall to the table.
"Wow, it's...it's worse than I thought," whispers Craig to Spinner.
"Jack, that's not a prayer!" chastises Emma. "What are you listening to at Mom and Dad's house?"
"It's...it's not Mom and Dad's house," defends Jack. "It's...the ipod."
Emma turns to Sean.
"Don't look at me...don't have cash for one," says Sean. "Still using a CD player. I promise."
"Well, I listen to aboriginal music," admits Emma. "So it must be coming from..."
Manny drops her head, whistles as she plays with her nails. Emma narrows her eyes at her best friend.
"Why does everyone always look at me like that?" cries Manny. "He must've found mine, and that Britney track's been M.I.A. since forever."
"Emma, blaming Manny isn't going to do anything," says Sean.
"Thanks, bicep boy," says Manny, smiling.
"Yeah," sighs Emma. "Know who we should be blaming? People like Craig Manning. Musicians, that are actual musicians, but hide away. So artists without any substance are front and center, thus prompting kids to learn their music without substance."
"Me?" exclaims Craig, going near Emma.
"She does have a right to her opinions," speaks up Spinner. "Of course, Emma always has an opinion...which she'll share...without you wanting her to. Ugh, during her science project that I helped with. Man, I want health food again."
Thanks to the heated discussion, Spinner manages to scoop some sprouts without anyone detecting any movement.
"Get a grip, Em," warns Manny. "You know you break out when you're stressed. And hello, prom's on the horizon."
"Forget prom!" shouts Emma.
Sean, Manny, and Jack gasps, though Toby can tell Jack has no idea what a prom is. Jack stabs at the tofurkey with his fork.
"If your boss actually cared for the musical half of this community, he'd work with these kids, like Ashley," says Emma, more calmly. "That's all I'm saying."
"Can we stop criticizing and eat?" sighs Sean.
The request seems to be heeded, Emma zipping her lips and taking the bowl of bean sprouts. Sean stops Jack from poking the tofurkey. Jack taps the log instead.
"What's this wood?" questions Jack.
"Craig gave me that log," explains Sean.
"To Craig," says Jack, breezily. "The giver of wood."
Manny spits out some water, doubling over in laughter. Her reaction can't be matched by the full smile on Craig's face, however, especially when Sean, Emma, and Manny toast Jack's proclamation.
"God bless Emma!" says Jack, raising his water glass. "Then...everyone else."
"God bless Emma!" repeat Manny and Sean, clinking glasses.
Emma blushes. "Guys...it's not like Degrassi won't go on without me."
J.T. shares a long look with Toby, the two boys smirking. Spinner wraps an arm around Craig, as night shows itself outside the apartment window. The drumsticks' charm must be wearing off, good for half the day, or maybe the time seems faster in a happier home.
"Will Jack ever...ever sing better?" asks Craig.
Spinner's eyes fall to the floor.
"If things continue as they are, I see an ipod without a listener," says Spinner, softly. "Dude's dream will cease to be."
"I already let my sister down," breathes Craig. "Our dream for her to come back. No kid should..."
"Should Jack suffer the same fate?" asks Spinner after Craig loses his words.
Craig hugs himself, going to the corner as the diners begin to eat. Jack, the smallest, can barely see past the tofurkey to his sister. He appears so vulnerable, especially his tiny, weak throat that hasn't been trained.
"Show me no more," begs Craig when Spinner comes to him.
"Afraid I won't, but someone else will," shares Spinner.
Without moving, without his drumstick, the door to the apartment parts, a blast of chilly wind blowing in. Spinner nods for Craig to go, Craig silently exiting with J.T. and Toby. None of them can scarcely move after Sean closes the door, shutting off the warmth.
How to Touch A Girl is the property of Jojo.
The First Night is the property of Monica
Baby One More Time is the property of Britney Spears. I personally have nothing against pop music or these artists. Meh. :)