Chapter 152 – A Surprise for Jack
Once the kids and security left, John turned to James and Margaret.
"He is going to be okay, right?" John asked.
"Yes." Gran said. "He hasn't played in Church for a few years and never on the piano, but he also knows that Father Mark wouldn't have asked if there would have been anyone else."
"Okay." John said. "I look forward to hearing him play. I never even knew that he played the piano. Much less all the other instruments that it sounds like he does. I mean I knew that he had always liked the guitar and could sing, but to hear the other night that he could have gotten music scholarships was a huge surprise."
"We knew a little." James said. "Mainly because he has his instruments here. I mean he has a guitar in the city and I actually think he brought it along."
"So what does he have here other than his guitars that I know about?" John asked.
"Well." James said. "He has his five vintage guitars here and maybe seven or eight others – acoustic, electric and steel. As you heard, he had two hammered dulcimers. He also has two keyboards, both of which he can record music on."
"Don't forget his drum pads." Gran said.
"That is right." James said. "He also has quite the collection of music books and other various sheet music up there."
"So how many instruments does he play?" Peter asked.
"Seven or so different guitars." James said.
"Didn't know that there were that many kinds." Peter said.
"Steel string acoustic." James said. "Which is what most people think of when they see a guitar. There is the classic which has nylon strings. Acoustic-electric, that is an acoustic guitar that can be plugged into an amp – mostly used in concert settings. There is your classical electric guitar. A bass guitar. Those can be acoustic-electric, electric or straight acoustic. But that last one is really rare. Then there is the steel guitar that is played with a steel bar moved along the strings. Then you get into ones with more than six strings and specific types such as a Fender or Les Paul. Those are usually listed as their own type since they are distinctive."
"If you don't mind me asking." Peter said. "What kind does Jack have?"
"He has a vintage Stratocaster." James said.
"I know I bought him those two custom 1969 Les Pauls." John said.
"Don't forget his vintage Duesenberg." James said.
"He also has a vintage classic that he doesn't play." Gran said.
"He has two modern electrics." James said. "Three acoustic and a steel."
"So eleven, ten of which he plays on." Gran said.
"I also know that he is looking for both a bass and acoustic bass." James said.
"He also said something about another steel." Gran said.
"Wow." John said. "I mean he has his own money, so he can do what he wants. I am just surprised because I never knew that he was that into guitars. I mean when he asked for the Les Paul, I thought it was because he saw someone else with one. Then I found the twin ones, so I got both."
"He was so excited when they arrived." James said.
"I think it was the one time that I saw him torn between the horses and anything else." Gran said.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked.
"The two Les Paul guitars arrived the day before a show." James said. "JP was so excited about the guitars that I wondered if he was going to actually go to the show. This was the last year that he jumped, so I was always concerned that he would just walk away at any moment."
"So it sounds like the only thing that he doesn't have here is a regular piano." John said.
"Sounds about right." James said. "Had we known about the interest in the piano, we would have brought the one over here from Chris and Molly's before they sold it."
"Is there a place to put a piano here?" John asked.
"I have measured." Gran said. "We could easily put a baby grand in the living room. Or a full size grand downstairs."
"Would you allow me to buy a baby grand for here?" John asked.
"You don't have to do that." James said.
"If JP is going to be spending more time here." John said. "I think he should have a place to practice and play. I don't mind getting it. You both know that I have always encouraged music. I mean I have bought several pianos and donated them to the schools in Albany."
James and Gran looked at each other for a long time. Finally Gran nodded.
"If you want to get him one." Gran said. "I have no objection. Just don't tell him, I think we should surprise him."
"Even better." John said.
"Sir." Peter said.
"Yes." John said.
"I have pulled up the Steinway page." Peter said. "Just looking quickly, I would go with a Model S as it is their smallest, but most popular. It is five feet one inch."
"Plenty of room." Gran said.
"So you want classic black or one of the veneers from their crown jewel collection?" Peter asked.
"I don't know." Gran said.
"Where is it going to go?" Peter asked.
Gran got up and walked over to where she thought that they would put it near the front window.
"What do you think?" Gran asked.
"If you don't want the traditional black." Peter said. "I would go with the traditional mahogany or walnut."
"James?" Gran said.
Peter handed the tablet over so James and John could see.
"I like mahogany." James said. "It has a nice color and it doesn't look that bad with the other wood in the house."
"I agree." John said.
"Then mahogany it is." Gran said.
Peter took the tablet back and clicked through a few more pages.
"When do you want it delivered?" Peter asked. "The first available date is Wednesday afternoon as they currently have one of these in stock."
James and Gran looked at each other.
"I think if we want to surprise JP." John said. "We should do it Wednesday or Thursday while he is up in Canada."
"Then Wednesday afternoon sounds good." James said. "Don't forget to schedule a tuner for that afternoon or Thursday morning."
"Already on it." Peter said. "The piano should be here by two on Wednesday and the tuner will come on Thursday morning. They will email with a better estimate of time on Wednesday. I gave them your email, Margaret."
"Thank you." Gran said.
Jack wasn't sure what he was thinking about playing at Church, but he also knew that Father Mark wouldn't have asked if he had another option. Both Lee and Doug realized that Jack was in his own head.
"Hey man." Doug said. "It will be alright, we got your back."
Jack just nodded.
"Sorry." Jack said. "I just haven't done this in a few years and it will be the first time that I will play the piano in public where people know me."
"Just breathe." Doug said. "Don't think of everyone in the Church. Just focus on Father Mark and you will be fine."
"Thanks." Jack said. "I will try."
"We will be there with you." Nathan said. "You won't be alone."
"Again, thanks." Jack said.
Elizabeth leaned over and put her head on Jack's shoulder.
"I believe that you can do this." Elizabeth whispered. "You will be great."
Jack looked over at her and smiled. He quickly kissed her nose before he leaned his head on hers. The rest of the ride was quiet. They got to the Church and Jack directed Nathan to pull into the back parking lot that was smaller. Chris followed and pulled up right next to Nathan. They all got out of the vehicles. Nathan and Doug grabbed the guitars. Jack led them in the back door of the Church. They headed right for the sanctuary. Chris and Katie headed for the back of the Church while Rob took up a spot near the piano. Elizabeth and Lee sat down with them. Nathan and Doug pulled out the guitars and got them tuned. They then adjusted their microphones so they could sit and play while also singing. Jack immediately went and sat at the piano. He adjusted the microphone and then looked over the music. Most of the songs he knew. There was only one that he didn't.
"Nathan." Jack said. "Do you have the sheet music there?"
"Let me look." Nathan said. "There is a stack of music here."
Nathan grabbed the stack and then came over to Jack. They quickly realized that someone had pulled the guitar music. Jack and Nathan got everything in the same order.
"I am not familiar with playing most of these." Nathan said. "But I have heard them all."
Jack pointed to two songs.
"I want to run through these." Jack said. "At least the first verse and refrain. I have only heard this one once and this is one not at all."
"Sounds good." Nathan said.
Nathan sat down and picked up his guitar. Doug was ready as well. Jack started playing and Nathan and Doug came in together just before the words started. They played through like Jack had said. Elizabeth and Lee both thought they sounded wonderful. When they were done with that song, Jack looked over and Nathan nodded. Jack flipped the music and started the second song. They played through the entire song as it was unfamiliar to all of them. Listening to them you wouldn't have known. By the time that they were done with the song, Father Mark had come in to talk to them for a moment.
"Thank you." Father Mark said. "I know that this is out of your comfort zone, but I didn't know who else to turn to."
"It is fine." Jack said. "Let's just not make this a regular thing."
Father Mark nodded.
"Are you okay with the music?" He asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "We played the two we were unfamiliar with. I know the parts of the Mass so, no problem there."
"Good." Father Mark said. "Just remember even though there were two songs pulled for communion, you might need to repeat one."
"If we play through both." Jack said. "I will just play in the background, without words."
"That works." Father Mark said. "If you wanted to look through and pull another song that would be fine as well."
"I will be okay." Jack said.
"Then let me pray with you three before people start arriving.
Doug, Nathan and Jack came over together and stood with Father Mark on the far side of the piano.
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Father Mark said.
They all made the Sign of the Cross as he said the words."
"Heavenly Father." Father Mark prayed. "Thank you for these three young men and their willingness to step up and help today. I know that this is out of their comfort zone, but you have blessed all three of them with a wonderful talent to play music. Please be with them as they play for Mass. Surround them with Your peace and take away any nerves they may feel. We pray these things in Your Most Holy Name. Amen."
"Amen." Nathan, Doug and Jack said together.
"Thank you." Doug said.
Father Mark left them to go finish getting ready. Before going back to the piano, Jack came over and knelt next to Elizabeth. As he was praying, she put her hand on his back for support. Jack was so surprised, he momentarily forgot what he was doing. He had to squeeze his eyes shut tighter and take a deep breath. After Jack finished his prayers, he sat back and looked at Elizabeth.
"If you want to go sit with my grandparents you can." Jack said.
"Lee and I talked about it." Elizabeth said. "We are going to stay here with Rob. Though Lee said they might join us here."
"Whatever you feel comfortable with." Jack said. "I am going to have to start playing soon, are you going to be okay?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Rob is right here and Lee will be back in a few moments."
"Okay." Jack said.
With that, Jack got up and went back to the piano. As he sat down, a young gentleman came over and let him know that he was working the sound board. He double checked what microphones they were using. He let them know that he had done it many times.
"Okay." Jack said. "Just remember to bring the ones up for the guitars as well."
"I will." The young man said. "Is there anything else that you need?"
"I think we are good." Nathan said.
"Okay." The young man said. "What I usually do is when I hear the first notes of the piano, I bring the microphones up."
"Sounds good." Jack said.
The young man went back to his spot and Nathan picked up his guitar again. He started lightly playing from memory. Doug joined in when he recognized the song. Without singing, they lightly played as the people gathered. With only a few minutes before Mass started, they stopped playing and got ready for the first song.