Found Heritage

Chapter 2

The house seemed empty. With school done in two days, I still needed to chose the new section leader since Aunt wouldn't budge on having me attend my home high school next year. My home was located in the nice area of town, though I never really questioned why when I knew Mother never made enough to afford a place like it. I sighed and left the house, closing the locked door behind me. I got into my car and soon headed for school.

"Hey, Morgan," Trevor said, sitting down at the table in the commons. "Heard your aunt's forcing you to move."

"I hate leaving like this." I crossed my arms and leaned down onto the table. "Aunt Kay doesn't care if next year's my senior year. I worked too hard for that." I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Morgan. If it helps, I'll drive up and visit every weekend."

"Thanks, Trev. But I doubt Aunt Kay's gonna let you in."

The five minute warning bell rang and the students in the commons and cafeteria began making their way to class. Trevor and I stood and made our way to our French class.

I focused on the final exam in French, my MP3 on. Since elementary school, I had taken French classes, so I wasn't all that surprised to have breezed through the questions I did know and I went back to the ones that I had left blank. It took nearly the two hours, but I finished and turned the test in. The bell rang when the two hours were over and I joined Trevor in leaving the class room.

"You've got any plans for later?" he asked.

"We've got the ceremony tonight. 'Member?"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. When is it?"

"Ten."

The only lights that lit the football field were the ones off the street. Which was fine with me. I stood center field with several unbroken glow sticks and waited for the stragglers to arrive. Those that had arrived had taken their positions, circling me in a large circle. When the stragglers took their places, I began. "Tonight marks the end of my term of section leader." I turned as I spoke, seeing that each one had brought their own glow sticks. "It's been a pleasure being your leader. We've gathered here so I can pass on the position of section leader." I broke the glow sticks and shook them, mixing the solutions.

The members followed my lead and broke theirs. They laid the glow sticks on the ground, marking the edge of the circle, and stepped inside.

"There are several of you who may be worthy of the position," I said. "When I place a glow stick in your hand, step further in." I moved to step out of the circle as the members lowered their heads and closed their eyes. I walked around slowly, placing a glow stick in one of a few hands. Once I had finished, I returned to the spot I had begun in. "Will those with a glow stick in their hand please step forward?"

Six stepped forward and set their glow sticks down and stood around me. Among them was Trevor.

"You six stand before me because of your dedication to our craft, to outstanding performance, and to furthering your skills," I stated. "Yet only one of you will become section leader." I looked out to those who made up the outer circle. "This decision comes not from any friendship, but one that would help the line. Trevor, step forward." I reached around and pulled a pair of drumsticks I had in a back pocket that I had been given at the ceremony that had made me section leader. "With these sticks, I name you section leader of Garden City High School drum line." I handed over the sticks.

"I relieve you of leadership," he said, accepting the sticks.

"I stand relieved. The line is now yours to command." I took Trevor's spot in the inner circle.

I watched Trevor as he turned to take in the whole line. "I'll do my best to lead this line," he said. "Though I'm following a tough act. So, until Monday the twentieth at nine am, line dismissed."

I stepped up to Trevor while the rest of the line gathered up the glow sticks. "Mind if I pick you up for the funeral?" I asked. "For emotional support?"

"Sure."

I climbed out of the car and looked at those who were milling about in the funeral home parking lot. I closed the door and locked the car before Trevor closed his. "I don't even know half these people," I said. "Where did my aunt find all these people?"

"Who knows?"

We headed for the door, smiling politely at the others. I had come with the thought that it would only be me, Trevor, Aunt Kay, and any friends of the family I had invited. The closer Trevor and I grew to the funeral home, the more people I didn't recognize. Once inside, I spotted the throng of people around Aunt Kay. "Aunt Kay," I called out. The small crowd of people parted so she could approach. "Who are all these people?"

"Your family, Morgan."

"Don't pull that with me, Aunt Kay. I don't recognize any of these people." I watched Aunt Kay wave those she had been speaking with away. She then stepped so close, only I could hear.

"Don't give me that attitude, 're here for emotional support."

I took a step back and fixed myself to look her in the eye. "For you or me" I saw her struggle to keep her composure. "Now, I have people to greet." I turned and walked away from Aunt Kay.

Hours later, I pulled into my driveway. Now left alone, I had little choice 'but' to go inside. With little left to pack, having put what I wanted to keep in storage or sent to Aunt Kay's and the rest I put on the curb or sold, I walked inside. I flipped on a light switch and headed for my room. There, a change of clothes for the night and the next day were on the floor, With only an air mattress, complete with a pillow and blanket, I flipped on the light and went to the night clothes. Before I could even strip off my shirt, my cell went off.

"Hey, Trev. What's it?"

"Some of the line are throwing a party tonight," he answered. "Feel up to it?"

"I'm not sure, Trev. I gotta be at my aunt's."

"I'm out in the driveway."

I left my room to look out the dining room window that faced the driveway and saw Trevor waving, resting on the front left quarter panel.

"'Sides, we don't have school and your aunt's not expecting you for a few days."

"Give me a minute to change." I hung up and went back to my room. I changed quickly into what I had laid out for tomorrow and grabbed my phone and wallet, turning the lights off and locking the door as I left.