The phone call
The week went pretty quickly except that every five minutes I thought about Elizabeth and the fact I hadn’t rung her yet. Andrews had organized three rehearsals after school for the actors, and after band practice on Wednesday I figured I’d give her a ring and see if they were up for pizza again. It was a great plan, if I actually did anything about it. Brother Pat was also full of plans, but he, on the other hand, had no problem getting on with them.
Now don’t forget, Will, I will need you to be out of classes on Friday morning before singing practice. Make sure you give me a list of the teachers I need to notify so they don’t think you are up to any mischief.
For the first time in my whole school career I wasn’t looking forward to missing time out of class.
You know what, Will, I can help you if you want.
I looked down to see the Freak, waiting to walk out after practice with me like always.
Sure, Freak, that would be great.
At least it would give him a chance to tell the other losers to pull their heads in.
That all right with you, Brother?
Absolutely!
We left Brother Pat on the sax, practicing for his regular Wednesday-night gig with his mates.
We both stood on the veranda of the music room and looked out into the junior quad, not saying anything. The Freak must have been figuring which one of the geeks he was going to tell off first on Friday, and I was practicing what I was going to say to Elizabeth.
I got out my phone to check the time.
Are you going to ring Elizabeth?
No! Why would you say that?
’Cause you keep looking up to the hall and then going to get your phone out. I can’t go out tonight because Dad said not during weeknights.
Right.
But you should ring her because you said you were going to.
Right.
Thanks, Freak.
Silence.
What time is your dad coming?
Now.
I took a deep breath.
Do you want me to come out and wait with you?
Pause.
Nah, it’s all right. You can meet him at the show.
Exhale of breath.
All right, well, if I don’t see you around tomorrow, I’ll catch you on Friday morning in the hall. You can help me set up.
He made contact, his ancient eyes reflecting a very busy head.
I’ve already been thinking about that, Will, don’t worry.
He stopped mid-pogo. You really should call Elizabeth.
Thanks for that. He left me nodding to his back.
He was right, I should call. She told me to ring her. She’d given me her number, made me put it into my phone. So considering she said to, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t. It’s not as if I’m stalking her.
I went over to get my bike. I knew I could just as easily have gone over to the hall, but I didn’t, it would look too desperate. And Andrews would seize the opportunity to ask me in front of the whole cast exactly why it was I was spending even more time at school than I had to.
I put down my bike and reached in my pocket for my phone. I scrolled down to Elizabeth’s number. Don’t think about it, Will, just do it. I pressed the key.
Elizabeth?
Hey, Will? Have you just finished band?
Breathe, you idiot. She sounds completely normal.
Yeah. Are you guys in the hall?
Yep, but Mr. Andrews says he thinks we won’t be finished before nine. So it’s going to be a very long evening.
Right, no pizza then.
Pause.
It was definitely my turn to speak. Has Andrews lost it again?
OK, so it wasn’t great but it kept the conversation going.
No, he’s fine. Just giving us his usual motivational speech. Telling us how good we are, you know what he’s like.
I wanted to say he had a completely different delivery for me but I didn’t.
Will … I had a great time the other night. The girls haven’t stopped talking about you all week.
Ahhh …
I’d love to do it again but, but … maybe just us next time?
Ahhh …
I could hear Mark in the background telling her to get onstage.
Speak, you idiot!
Yep … OK … Elizabeth, I had a great time too….
So definitely next week then? Just us two?
Yep, that would be—
I’ve really got to go. Thanks for calling.
I got on the bike and floated home. Finally a victory! Brother Pat was right, I was the man!