Playing to Win

“Yeah, sure. Anything.”

He looked nervous, like he didn’t want to tell me whatever he had to say.

“Dude, it’s all good. Just say it.”

Payton cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve been practicing with some guys over at my buddy, John’s house. We’ve been working on this song, but we didn’t think we’d be ready for the show so we didn’t sign up for a spot.”

Ohh. I understood. He wanted to take our spot and go out there with his band. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Man, this thing isn’t about me. If you want to sing with your guys, I think you should do it.”

Payton’s body sagged with relief. “Really? You don’t care?”

“Payton, I don’t care at all. This is your chance to show what you’ve got. If you and your band are ready, then you should do it.” I glanced around the band room where the different acts were getting ready. “Are they all here? You guys should run through your song, don’t you think?”

Payton nodded. “Yeah, they’re over there.” He pointed to three kids hovering near the door, he waved and they shuffled their way over. “Guys, this is Asher. Asher meet, John, Scott, and Trey.”

We exchanged fist bumps. “Do you want me to listen in while you run through?”

All four heads nodded. “Yeah, man, that would be freaking awesome,” Payton’s friend, John said, looking at me a little awestruck. “We heard you guys in the park a while back.”

“Oh, yeah? Cool. Well, let’s hear what you’ve got.”

The band room had all the instruments they needed to run through their song. I sat in a chair in front of them and listened while they performed. They weren’t half bad. I could tell Payton had passed along a lot of the advice and instruction I’d given him to his friends. They sounded as though they’d put the time in and I didn’t have to worry about them embarrassing themselves in front of their friends.

“That was incredible,” I told them once they finished.

Their faces split into happy grins before they could catch themselves, smoothing their expressions into something a little more cool.

“Payton, my man, I think you are ready. I’m gonna go find a seat so I don’t miss anything.”

Payton snorted. “I think you should go find my sister instead.”

A laugh ripped from my throat. “Hey! What are you talking about?”

He gave me a look. “It’s okay. You know you want to.”

He wasn’t wrong. But still. “I want to see you perform, man. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Fine. But then, I think you should find Jordan. I can’t take much more pouting. From either of you.”

My eyes bulged. Who was this kid? “Just go out there and break a leg, okay? Let me worry about Jordan.”

“Whatever, man. See you after?” he asked.

“Absolutely.”

I left them to wait their turn onstage. Payton would sing solo first and then he’d perform with his band. I shook my head thinking about how far he’d come in such a short amount of time. He’d picked up the guitar like a natural. He still had a long way to go, but he could play the chords he needed to sing this song and after tonight, the pressure would be off and he could learn at his own pace because he wanted to, not because he had to. And I had a feeling he would do it, too.

The middle school auditorium was packed. When I mentioned the talent show to Mr. Hooper, I worried there wouldn’t be enough interest. Surprisingly, about twenty acts signed up and family and friends had shown up to offer their support. Mr. Hooper even told me he planned to add the talent show as a permanent activity for the school each fall.

According to the program, Payton would be up next. I found an empty patch of wall at the back to lean against and watched a cute little girl juggle eight balls between her legs. I clapped with everyone else when she finished, but as she walked offstage I became aware of a presence beside me, one I’d know anywhere.

Jordan.

Neither of us said anything. Payton had already walked onstage. As much as I wanted to do what he said and fix things with his sister, I also wanted to be there for him. I appreciated the friendship we’d developed and this night represented so much accomplishment for both of us.