Free Colors by Russell J. Sanders Page B

I’ve appeased her. Crisis averted… for now.
    “Melissa, I really like the songs from Godspell —and not because Zane suggested them.”
    “Neil….” Annoyance creeps in her voice again. “Your friend may know a lot about the theater, but I know the Church. I don’t want to do a bunch of chorus-line type songs, with high kicks and feathers.”
    I sing the first line of “Prepare Ye” from Godspell : “Prepare ye, the way of the Lord.”
    A beat.
    Nothing.
    “That’s all it is, Melissa. Just those seven words, sung over and over.”
    Another beat.
    “Well… maybe.”
    “I believe, I believe, I believe….” The Spring Awakening number.
    “What’s that?” Melissa’s voice perks up.
    “What?”
    “That song you were just singing.”
    “Was I singing?” I play innocent, hooking her, then reeling her in.
    “Stop it, Neil… you know you were singing. What was it?”
    “Oh, that. Just a song.” I believe, I believe, I believe and this time going beyond the opening and on to the lines that say there is love in heaven. “You like it?”
    “Wow. That’s amazing—I love it. That would make a truly incredible middle song in the program. Where did you say you found it?”
    A little soft-pedaling. “Well, it’s from a show called Spring Awakening , and there’s not a chorus line, a bead, a feather, or a high kick in the whole song. What do you say?”
    Melissa laughs. “Okay, okay. We’ll do that one, but nothing else Zane suggested.”
    That’s it for progress—for now, at least. I’ll give her time, then slip in the other two Godspell songs.
    “Tell you what,” I say, “you get some sheet music together, and I’ll pick out some things I like. We’ll meet at your house tomorrow after school. Okay?”
    “Sounds good,” Melissa agrees. “Night, Neil.” Her voice has suddenly become honey.
    “Yeah, sure. Good night.”
    I hang up the phone.
    She’s going to have to get over this Zane hang-up. Tomorrow she’ll see Zane is right about the show tunes. I’ll just sneak in his suggestions. Funny… a month ago I didn’t have any friends, now I have two of them fighting over me. Well, Zane will learn to share, and Melissa will just have to get over her petty jealousy.

Chapter 8
     
     
    T HE SUN nears the horizon as I arrive at the church. Melissa said to meet her in the sanctuary. My stomach’s gurgling at the thought. Just hold on, Neil. Melissa said we could go over last minute prep for the concert. That will surely be enough to distract me.
    “Neil,” she says, rushing toward me as I walk down the aisle, eyes straight ahead, blocking out any colors that may be shining through. She hugs me. It’s a nervous, apprehensive hug for her; for me, it’s just apprehensive. The hug does nothing to allay my fears.
    “I’ve been waiting for you. Why are you so late?” Her voice quavers. Did she work herself up over nothing?
    “Late? We said 6:15, and it’s 6:11. I wouldn’t call that late.”
    “You’re right.” She shakes her head. “I’m just nervous, I guess.”
    I stare into her eyes, ignoring the inevitable. There’s no one around, no one to see. I could kiss her, right here, for a few minutes longer. She’d like that. Then maybe she’ll let me focus on the concert—the concert only. That’s all that matters.
    “Look,” I say, placing my hands on her shoulders and looking her straight in the eye, “there is nothing to be nervous about. We are totally prepared, and you are fantastic.” I force a smile and try to be upbeat, delaying her hello kiss for whatever, a reason I’m not entirely sure of. “And besides, you look maavelous tonight.” Uh-oh. Wrong choice of words.
    “ Maavelous ? Did you pick that up from your friend Sweet Zane?”
    I know I blew it, but I don’t like the tone in her voice. “Don’t start. This is our night. Don’t let anything mess this up.”
    “Okay.” Melissa looks down at the carpet. “Thanks for the compliment.” Crisis