It only takes me a minute to spot what I want. I open the glass door, reach into the cooler and grab a six-pack. I don’t know if she’s going to sell it to me with it not being my usual day, but we’re about to find out.
“It’s not Friday,” she says, as she stands up.
“Yeah, just think you get to see me twice this week.”
“You alone?” she asks, her eyes pointing to the beer.
I look out the storefront window and into the empty cab of my truck. “Yep.”
The clerk sighs heavily. “Look kid, I know what you do on Friday nights and know you’re not the only one drinking all that beer, but tonight…” she shakes her head and I know what’s coming out of her mouth next. “Are you going to be driving?”
“No ma’am,” I lie. “I have to pick up my buddy. He’ll be with me and my girl.” I’m shocked at how easily the lie comes.
“All right,” she says, reluctantly as she takes the cash out of my hand. She bags the six-pack and I’m out the door and heading toward the Cliffs. No one will be there at this time of night and that’s the way I want it.
I pull into the same spot that I was in earlier. Being here with Josie a few hours ago makes me wish I had gone to get her, but I really want to perfect this melody for her. I want to be able to play something that makes sense even if I’m the only one who understands the way music makes me feel.
Climbing out of the truck, I have my guitar in one hand and my six-pack in the other. I turn on my pen-flashlight to light the path to the opening and get as close as I can to the edge. I can hear the river, but can’t see it. The pitch-black abyss is rumbling down below waiting to swallow whatever comes its way.
For a brief moment I consider stepping off the side to see if I can tame the river. I’d lose, of course, but the thrill of trying might be worth it. What would Sterling think when I turn up missing only for them to find me miles down the river? His dream would be shattered and there isn’t a damn thing he could do about it. The only consequence would be that I’d hurt Josie and I can’t do that to her.
I step away and sit down on the cold hard ground, popping the tab on one of the beers. This is going to be a night of firsts for me. I’ve never been here by myself. I’ve never drunk alone before. I’ve never drunk beer out of a can before either. I’ve never played in the dark. I’ve never played my guitar out in the open. What if the wildlife doesn’t like me? I guess there’s only one way to find out.
I down my beer and pop the next one before picking up my guitar. With it resting on my leg I let my fingers glide over the strings. I can’t look at it to watch my fingers. This will be blind playing for me and from memory. I don’t have the confidence I have on the field with my guitar. For all I know my positioning will be wrong and even though I’ll think I sound good, the reality is I probably sound like complete shit. I go over what I’ve learned from books. G, C, D, E and A, as I move my fingers into the shapes that I remember, repeating them over and over again. They sound right, but I can’t be too sure.
Over and over until I’m confident that I can play the melody I’ve been working on. I haven’t felt this relaxed since school started. There’s something so peaceful about making music with your hands, maybe all athletes should do this. Whatever it is, it’s working.
I close my eyes and let my fingers recall the notes I have written down at home. They may not make sense, but they will… someday. But that moment will have to wait. I’m eager to show her what I can do, what I’ve taught myself. I know she’ll be proud of me.
The song I’m playing echoes off the rocks and through the valley creating a lullaby for the lurking animals. That’s what I’m telling myself at least; to keep the fear away that any second I’m going to get mauled by a deer for disturbing his slumber. When I stop playing my tune carries on, almost like the surrounding scenery is my own personal orchestra. I smile, despite being alone. It’s a good feeling to have, being able to hear something you’ve created. That’s not something that can be done on the football field.
On the field, I’m a puppet being controlled by the giant. Do this, run this, throw there. None of those are my decisions. I’m trained to do what I’m told and when. I know every offensive scheme in our playbook. I can run any route thrown at me and pass with the best of them. Double team coverage is a joke because I’m hitting my target in their numbers each and every time. But I’m not free.
Right now I am and I love this feeling.
Chapter 10
I watch as the seconds tick off the clock before running into the locker room. We have a twenty point lead at half-time and I can’t think of a better way to start our homecoming celebration. My coach hates this part, but it’s tradition. I know he wants to go over what we need to execute, but Mason and I are due on the field for the coronation.
I jog out of the locker room with Mason by my side and find our girls. I hop into the back of the rented convertible and lay one on her. She doesn’t push me away or tell me that I stink. She cups my face, holding me to her lips.
The car lurches forward, making me pull away from my girl. We’re about to enter our stadium and drive around the track. The marching band is in front of the first car, leading the parade. The rest of the guys from the football team, lining the sidelines, in a show of solidarity.
Josie and I are dressed not to impress, that will come later tonight. I’m still in my uniform and she’s definitely in hers.
“I love you, Jojo,” I say, kissing her one more time before we’re visible to the crowd. My parents are here and have voiced their displeasure of me accepting my homecoming court invitation. This type of thing may not be what Sterling wants, but it’s important to my girl so this is where I’m going to be. I just have to keep him away from her and we’ll be good.
We do one loop around the track before the cars stop and we’re told to stand by the make-shift podium. I hold Josie’s hand while she exits and even though my parents want me to keep my distance, I don’t. I refuse to let her go of her hand. She’s done nothing wrong. I’m not some fifteen-year-old kid anymore. The first time they told me to stay away from her just drove me to be with her even more. Then I fell in love and it was all over from there. I didn’t care what they said then and I definitely don’t care now.
Most of the girls hoping to be crowned queen tonight are dressed in their formal dresses. Personally, I think it takes away the element of surprise of when your guy shows up on your doorstep, rings the bell and stands in your entryway waiting for you to make an appearance. Last year when Josie and I were nominated for Princess and Prince of the junior class, I asked her not to change into her dress at half-time because I wanted to see her in all her beauty when I knocked on her door later that night with her corsage in my hand. If I have to be in my uniform, I want her to be in hers as well.
“I’m sorry I smell,” I whisper into her ear, nuzzling her as I do. She giggles and pushes me away slightly.
“I’ll forgive you.”
/> “After I make it up to you later?” I waggle my eyebrows at her only for her to turn beet red. Our school administrators are standing behind us and one of them is snickering. I shrug and place my arm around her waist, pulling her as close as she’ll let me.
The microphone is tapped and the crowd goes silent. “Each year we’re honored to bring forth the finest in our student body for coronation and this year is no exception. The student body nominated two boys and two girls from each class to represent Beaumont High in the annual homecoming parade tomorrow. We use an anonymous ballot voting system here at Beaumont and this year we’ve had a record number of votes.”