Page 34 of Echoes of a Silent Song
“And I’m not an athlete.I’m not popular or on homecoming court or student council or any of the other things a college like Illinois would look at.And the worst part is, as much damage as the war did to my father, he still thinks it’s my duty to go if I’m drafted.No one should get out of serving after all this country has done for them.That’s what he always says.”His voice sounded choked.“So unless I run away to Canada or figure out how to be a conscientious objector, college is my only option.And since Whitehall is tuition-free, that’s my only option for college.”
Tears stung my eyes.This meant far more than a degree for Victor.It might mean his very life.
“So you understand, then, just how important this composition is.Why I need this.”The tears spilled from his eyes.“I just ...I don’t know how I’m going to make it happen.”
“You will, Victor.”I pulled him into my arms, wanting to absorb his pain into my own body.I’d never seen a man cry before.“You will.Ibelieve in you.You have the notes inside you.And I’ll be right here.I’ll support you.I’ll encourage you.Anything you need—all you have to do is ask.”
Victor pulled me to him, clinging to me as if I were the only thing keeping him upright.“Oh, Iris.Thank you.I have no idea what I’d do without you.”
Nobody had ever said that to me before.Nobody had ever said anything like that to me before.My parents were mostly indifferent.I’d never had many friends.But here, the smartest, most talented guy I’ve ever met ...wanted me.He needed me.
I leaned my head on his chest.“I hope you never have to find out.”
Chapter Fourteen
THE STRAINSof students sawing on stringed instruments met Callum’s ears long before he cracked open the door to the orchestra room later that week, and the cacophony only grew louder as he slipped in the back, behind the double bass section.
On further consideration,cacophonywasn’t quite the right word.Not anymore.Joy’s freshman orchestra had improved considerably since the last time he’d heard them.
From her spot on the podium, Joy’s eyes met his.She acknowledged his presence with a nod, guided the orchestra to a dramatic crescendo with her baton, then cut them off with a flourish.“Good job today, everyone.Pack up a couple minutes early.”
Kids exchanged surprised glances, then moved almost as one to stash violins in cases and cellos on stands at the back of the room.Callum chuckled, recognizing thatquick, move before she changes her mindenergy permeating the classroom.He’d never seen it from his choirs.Then again, when had he not rehearsed until just past when the bell rang?
Joy wove her way through the mass of music stands to where Callum stood.“Mr.Knight.”She greeted him with a smile.“To what do I owe the—Brax!Jayden!Viola bows are not light sabers, for the love of all things Mozart.”She glared fiercely at a couple of gangly boys paused mid-bow battle, who appeared chastened and packed up their instruments with murmured apologies.Joy sighed, rolled her eyes, and offered a rueful grin.“Welcome to my world.”
Callum repressed a shudder as he surveyed the chaotic scene and thanked God that teaching choir didn’t involve trusting students withanything expensive.“Could I borrow you for a moment?It won’t take long.”
“Sure.”Joy turned toward her students and shouted, “Okay, you squirrels.Pack up and behave like civilized humans, or so help me, I will never give you free time again.”The sternness gone from her voice and her smile bright, she gestured toward her office.“Right this way.”
Callum followed her into a small, intensely cluttered office, where Joy closed the door most of the way and eyed him, her right brow arching above her colorful glasses in a gesture eerily like Blair’s.
“What can I do for you, Callum?”
Was every female faculty member here at Peterson this intimidating?He’d never found Joy to be so, especially since he had at least a foot on her in height, but right now, as she stood with her arms folded across her chest, eyeing him thoroughly, he felt like beating a hasty retreat back to the choir office.
“Well.”He stopped and cleared his throat.“That is, I wondered if you might ...”
“Spit it out, Knight.I haven’t got all day, and neither do you.”
“Coffee.Blair.”The words leaped from his mouth like scared kids off a high dive.“I want to know what kind of coffee Blair likes.Like, what does she order from a coffee shop?”
“Ooooh,interesting.”Joy’s eyes lit.“Why?”
Callum held up a hand.“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that.I just ...I need to get along with her, and I know she likes coffee, so I’m going to bring her one tomorrow.You know her much better than I do and thus are more likely to know her usual order.Because Blair does not seem like the sort of person who’d be happy with just anything.”
Joy let out a bark of laughter.“No, she’s pretty particular.About practically everything.”
Callum resisted the urge to roll his eyes.“I’ve noticed.”
“She has high standards, Callum.Nothing wrong with that.And I suspect she’s not the only person in the choir department to whom that applies.”
Callum studied the carpet between his shoes.“Yes.Well.”
“Okay, coffee.Listen up.If it’s before lunch, Blair likes—”
“Wait, she has a different favorite drink depending on the time of day?”
“You asked.I’m answering.Kindly wait until I’m finished before you complain,” Joy replied, in the same tone of voice she’d used with the kids, although thankfully at a lower volume.“Now.If it’s before lunch, she likes a hot butterscotch oat milk latte with an extra shot and whipped cream.After lunch, half-caf iced latte with skim milk, a shot each of coconut and vanilla, and about an inch of cold foam on top.”
