B. Lynn Goodwin - Talent

Talent

by B. Lynn Goodwin

Copyright 2020 B. Lynn Goodwin

ISBN 978-1-64663-017-2

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. The characters are both actual and fictitious. With the exception of verified historical events and persons, all incidents, descriptions, dialogue and opinions expressed are the products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real.

Published by

3705 Shore Drive

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

8004354811

www.koehlerbooks.com

CHAPTER ONE

THIS IS THE DAY that could change my life.

Ive been living in the shadow of my big brother, Brian Mason, all of my life, but in five more minutes, Im going to audition for San Ramos Highs spring production of Oklahoma! Im reading for Ado Annie, who sings and dances and flirts, but if I dont get it, maybe I can play Gertie or Ellen or somebody else with lines.

Across the room, the ugly Senior Sofa is crammed with dramas elite in skinny jeans and faux fur jackets. Theyre hoping for leads too, and theyre seniors. Where does that leave a sophomore like me? I slide my hand into my backpack and pull out two red M&Ms. The chocolate melts on my tongue and soothes my stomach.

Jenn McCall, the best singer in the sophomore class, slips in next to me, drops her backpack on the floor, and says, Hows your diet, Sandee?

The scrawny twit speaks. Truthfully, she has an angelic voice inside her sexy body, but sometimes she acts like a diva. Im about to tell her my diets fine, but I never lie. Instead, I smile and say, I gave it up. Im a girl, not a stick.

Okay, forget your figure. Whats the chocolate doing to your vocal chords? You might as well wrap your instrument in cotton.

OMG! Thats like hearing Bowen or some other teacher ask me why Im sabotaging my future. So heres the whole truth: I eat when I get nervous, and today Im so nervous I grabbed a whole handful of M&Ms without even thinking.

We take auditions seriously here at San Ramos High. Once youre in the cast, youre part of the drama family. Our shows win awards. Thats good for the college resume, but it goes deeper. Were all a part of one big show, and nobody ever treats a cast member like somebodys little sister.

Jenn leans over and whispers, Want to warm up? Shes probably afraid to stretch alone. She cares what everyone thinks. I stopped caring seven months ago. I was too busy fighting my fears.

Mr. Jackson, the music teacher, takes his place at the piano. On your feet, people, he says. His sturdy, dark fingers pound out the chords as we sing, Mee may mi moe moo. I cant hear myself, so I touch my vocal chords. Theyre vibrating. My voice blends in perfectly, and I know I fit in here. I smile at Jenn as we sing, Aluminum linoleum, up and down the scales. Then Mr. Jackson says, Theyre ready, Ms. G. Shes our director.

Thanks, Mr. Jackson, she says like its any ordinary day. Well continue with solos for Ado Annie. Jenn McCall, youre up. Ms. G taps her pen on her notepad the way she does when shes waiting for a scene to start in Beginning Drama.

Jenn wears a red skirt, a black turtleneck, and leather boots that fit like gloves. She slinks up the stairs, smiles at Ms. G, and says, Im ready.

Mr. Jackson pounds out the opening chords, and she sings, Im just a girl who caint say no. I dont believe she means it, and thats pretty sad considering what a flirt she is.

Nicole Lorca, youre next, Ms. G says after Jenn finishes the chorus.

Nicole sits next to the Senior Sofa, staring at the rings that sparkle on her fingers. Shes new, I think, so when Jenn sits down I ask, Do you know her?

She was Rizzo in Grease last spring.

Rizzo had dark hair.

She wore a wig, Sandee. Dont you know anything?

I know enough not to insult people when they make a mistake.

From the back of the room, Ms. G says, Sandee, youre not making a favorable impression.

I clap my hand over my mouth and slowly turn. Her arms are folded across her chest, and shes giving me the same look she gives the kids who mouth off in class. She says, Nicole, would you start again, please?

Mr. Jackson plays the opening chords once more, and as Nicole starts the song over, Jenn whispers, Great. Like she needs a second chance.

I dont know what to say, so I reach into my backpack for another M&Mjust one.

Nicoles lilting voice fills the rehearsal room. It sparkles like the rings on her fingers.

My heart wont stop fluttering. Calm down and focus, I tell myself, just as Ms. G says the words that could change my life: Sandee Mason, youre next.

I race up the stairs with my blood pulsing in my ears. A voice that sounds like my brother, Bri, whispers, Go for it, Sandee. I want to turn around and look, but I know no one will be there.

Bri went missing in Afghanistan seven months ago.

TALENT

B. LYNN GOODWIN

CHAPTER TWO

SOMETIMES I HEAR BRI talking to me, from a little place in front of my right eye and an inch or two out from my scalp. Mostly he says, Its going to be all right, Sandee.

The first time it happened, I asked, How do you know?

I think I heard him say, Trust me, but maybe I imagined it.

This time he said, Go for it, Sandee, which is a first. Whenever I hear Bris voice, the knots in my stomach untangle. Even though I cant see him, I feel his support.

I walk to center stage, wishing I had a blow dryer for the palms of my hands. I turn to face the audience. They stare up at me. I stare back. I didnt know it would be this hard.

Breathe, Sandee, Mr. Jackson says. He thinks I have stage fright. He has no clue.

I smile and say, Right. I forgot. Breathe.

The audience laughs. Sometimes I get laughs without even trying. Thats okay. Oklahoma! is a musical comedy.

I start laughing too, and we keep laughing together, louder and louder, until Ms. G says, Okay, Sandee. Lets get on with it.

Mr. Jackson plays the same introductory chords he used for everyone.

Have fun. Flirt. Dont blow it . Those are my thoughtsnot Bris.

At exactly the right moment, I sing, Im just a girl who caint say no, and Rob Cooper catches my eye. I havent seen him since Bri went into the Army. Rob became Bris best friend when they played on the same Little League team.

His old, goofy grin flashes across his face. Will he play Curley?

Over half of the audience watches, even though they heard the song yesterday and the day before. My smile is so big that it almost keeps me from articulating. I breathe in and sway to the music. This is fun. Adrenaline surges through me and lassos my nervousness. Kind of.

I belt out, Just when I oughta say no, and cringe. My alto voice squeaks. Literally. Jenn puts her fingertips over her ears, and Ms. G scribbles something on her yellow pad. Ouch! I want a trapdoor to open up and swallow me.

Thank you, Sandee, Ms. G says, in her neutral voice. Im cut off. I slink back to my seat. Maybe Ill sell tickets or be an usher.

Good try, Sandee, Jenn says as she crosses one knee over the other and tugs on her red skirt. If you take Mixed Chorus, youll get a lot of training for next year.