Chapter 8:
As promised I had up and joined the choir with Whitney that summer. Ms. Cissy was very pleased to know that I "wanted" to join, and to celebrate, she had me audition in front of the tenors. I chose to sing "This Little Light of Mine" and fortunately found out that I could actually half carry a tune and didn't have to embarrass myself more than already I was. Whitney jumped up to clap when I had made the all-exclusive praise team; her friends in the soprano and alto section giggled at her enthusiasm.
I had to admit, that being in choir wasn't half bad. I actually began to enjoy coming to practice and getting to know everyone at our church better. Plus, we got to travel to different places to sing, which was fun too. Although Whitney and I had fun goofing up with the other youth singers, we also knew when it was time to get to business because Ms. Cissy did not play when it came to practice. She made sure clear, strict directions and she expected everyone to follow them, or else, you would be called out by her. I thought she was particularly strict to Whitney because she was both her daughter and one of, if not, the best singers. Whitney would sometimes secretly complain to me that her mother was starting to get on her nerves about how she wanted her to "properly sing" "enunciate" and "know the melody" of a song. She told me that even at home, she would have her practice the songs we would sing in practice over and over again until she was satisfied about how they sounded. But as much as Whitney complained, she had to admit that the extra practice was helping her have a strong voice.
Finally one Sunday, it was time for Whitney to make her solo debut. Ms. Cissy could not make it because she had to perform out of town. But she made sure that Mr. Houston, Michael and Gary and her sisters were there to see their baby girl sing. My family was there, as they usually were. My mother had been happy that I had done some sort of extracurricular activity in the house of God. My father didn't seem to care either way; he really wanted me to start playing basketball in middle school, like my brother Brian (who was growing into a star player.)I really didn't want to play basketball, but I don't want to disappoint him any further. My brother, as usual, was ready to start snickering at me from behind a church fan for being up there in a choir robe. My little sister of course, just had to copy and giggle at me too.
Before we went out, Whitney came up to me and yanked me into a corner. "Cal, I'm so nervous. I don't know if I can do this." "Are you kidding me?" I asked, surprised. "Whit, you are more than ready. You've practiced for days and days on this. And you ain't horse." "But everyone is watching me." She whined. "What if I mess up or something? I'll disappoint my daddy and everyone else." I shook my head. I had no idea why all of sudden she was scared to perform, but I knew that she was expected to get the job done because wanted a full report. "You won't mess up, I promise." I told her. "Just imagine that they are all in their drawers or something." Whitney couldn't help but laugh a little. "I can't imagine them like that in church!" she told me. I humped my shoulders. "Well maybe you need to focus on something. Like look at the back wall clock or something while you sing, so you aren't looking at the audience." Whitney nodded like she was in deep thought. "I'll try I guess." She finally said.
Soon after, we lined up and went out the pews on the pulpit. After a couple A-selections, it was time for Whitney to step up and sing her solo. For someone to be nervous, she looked very confident, especially when she opened her mouth to sing. "Guideeee Me Oooohhh Thou Great Jehoooohhhvvaahhh, feeeed meee till IIIII want noooo moooorrrraaahhh" Everyone in the congregation was shocked to hear such a strong voice come out of a small girl and soon praise and worship began to fill the sanctuary. Whitney tore through that song and gave them all they wanted and more. After she finished, the church seem to light up. Tears were formed in both her and my family's eyes as they stood up and gave her a standing ovation. I even had to keep my emotions in check. Relieved, Whitney finally looked down from the clock and at the audience, her family and then back at me. I smiled and gave her the quick thumbs up sign for approval. Not that she needed it. I had the chance to listen to Whitney more now that I had joined the choir with her. But I really didn't know how truly talented she really was until that moment. My best friend had the gift of song and there was no denying it.
Now we only could wonder what she was gonna do with it.