“So, Miss Springfield, we have a proposition for you,” Thomas says. All I can see is the tie.
“Charlie needs a singing partner, he’s great as a solo act. We just think a partner will give him some more soul.”
“You mean bringing along a charity case will make him more appealing to a wider audience,” I say. I can’t help but be proud of myself. I know exactly what they’re trying to do.
I’ve shocked him. Thomas doesn’t know what to say. Good, put that in your pipe and smoke it douche bag.
“Ada, listen. I need someone with talent to be the other half of my thing. I need someone who can sing like you. I think you have true, raw, talent. I never knew you could sing like that.” Charlie says having the decency to look embarrassed.
“Well, had you taken the time to call or find out anything about me, then maybe you would have known.
He may not have known that I sang, but I noticed his talent. He sang or hummed all the time. I just preferred to keep my talents to myself back then. The choir was for losers. Man, I hated my high school self now. It was a miracle I actually pursued music after high school.
“I knew you did. I actually came to the talent show where you sang My Girl.” Why did I bring that up?
“Oh yeah, I’d forgotten about that one.”
“This is a good opportunity, haven’t you always wondered if you could be a star?” Thomas asks me trying a different angle.
“I haven’t,” I say and that’s the truth. Up until today, I didn’t think I could sing outside of my classroom and my shower.
“So, are you going to try singing with me or what? I think it could be cool, or whatever.”
“Thank you for the offer Charlie, but no,” I tell him confidently and walk out into the seats where the students from my music class are waiting for me. One sweet boy named Mitchell hands me flowers.
“You were just wonderful Miss Springfield. The voice of an angel.”
“Now Mitchell. Let’s not over-exaggerate,” I say embarrassed. The kid has never had a bad thing to say about anyone.
I notice Charlie has followed me off stage. I wonder if I shocked him with my no.
“He’s not over-exaggerating Miss Springfield,” another girl Sarah, one of the brightest in my class, says.
“Thank you so much, everyone. It means a lot to me that you’re here, and that we’ve raised so much for the school and Everyone Sings, but I won’t be making it a habit.”
Everyone Sings is a wonderful charity and they help bring music into the lives of chronically ill and handicapped children. To be able to contribute to something that brings such joy is a good feeling.
I have raised money for them in one way or another each year but this year I turned it over to my students. They planned the charity concert, percentage nights at local restaurants and the silent auction going on during the concert. I am so proud of them and surprised with myself that I never thought to let it be a student project before. It definitely will be after this year.
“Yes, you will,” Charlie says as he comes towards me.
“No, I won’t.” I don’t like where this is going. I cross my arms over my chest and set my jaw. I plan on fighting him on this and standing up for myself. Especially, in front of my students.
Chapter Five: Charlie
Addy Springfield. She has grown up, but now that I was looking I could see the sweet little high school girl she had been. She looked the same, but different. Addy had glasses in high school and she'd dyed her hair a dark black. She tried to look grown up when we were teenagers but it actually made her look younger. We’d been an odd pairing from the beginning.
I'd been failing math and she was slated to tutor me. It was too much for me, she was already looking at me with puppy dog eyes after the second date when I kissed her. I couldn't ruin her so I just never called her again. It wasn't the manly thing to do, but I was sixteen, I was not a man. It was funny how all this is going through my head as I watch her walk away from me.
I walk up to her students giving her praise. She's taking it with a flush to the cheeks. She looks even prettier.
She tells them she isn’t going to sing in front of people again.
“I wouldn’t listen to her,” I say as I come to a stop beside her. “I bet she sings again real soon.”
Lots of teens with different colored hair and wide eyes look up at me. Some smile, some, not so much.
Addy snorts and rolls her eyes. “That’s not going to happen.”