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He frowned at Timmy. “Where did you get that?”
“It was my papa’s. But he died. It’s mine now.”
Gil couldn’t decide which was sadder—the fact that the boy had lost his father or that he could say so in such a glib tone. Either way, he was going to have to disappoint the child. “Well, Timmy, it’s a fine horn, and I’m glad you have it. But as I said, this is a men’s band, and you’re too young to join it.”
Timmy’s crestfallen expression pierced Gil, but he steeled himself against it. “You’d better go on home now.” He watchedTimmy trudge to the bottom of the staircase, slip his arm through the tuba’s loop, then leave. He found no joy in sending the boy away, but what else could he do? The child didn’t belong in the men’s band. He turned to enter the practice room and discovered Joseph in the doorway.
His cousin shook his head, disapproval in his eyes.
Chapter Ten
Joseph
This evening was going betterthan Joseph had hoped. The men now knew he, too, was a talented musician. The fact that Gil gave him the solo proved it. He’d had a nice chat with Ava, who’d seemed happy to find him with the other band players. And now this child had arrived and given Joseph a wonderful idea.
He gestured to the stairs and gave his cousin a rueful look. “It wasn’t nice to hurt the boy’s feelings, Gil. Hasn’t he suffered enough?”
Gil’s brows formed aV.“What do you mean?”
“That’s Timmy Dirks. He’s a sad story. He got left on his great-aunt’s doorstep a couple years ago.” Joseph tsk-tsked. “He never had a mother, because she died when he was born. Then his pa drank himself to death. Timmy got sent here to Falke. The aunt didn’t want him. She said she had enough to do, running the café. But I guess she felt obligated to take him in.”
Gil winced.
Joseph understood the reaction. The story, with the exception of how the parents died, could have been Gil’s. He went on. “Timmy’s a nice-enough kid, but he needs attention. Being in the band—maybe as its mascot or something—would bereally good for him.” And if Gil took the boy under his wing, so to speak, he’d have a hard time keeping up with Roald’s responsibilities. Maybe he’d finally fall off his pedestal.
Gil sighed. “I wish I’d known all that when I was talking to him. Maybe I would have invited him to at least play with us tonight. Let him have one evening of being part of the band.”
Joseph shrugged. “One time would only make him want more. But it’s too late now. You already sent him away. Unless…” Joseph inched toward the stairs, talking over his shoulder. “I’ll go after him. Toting that big horn, he can’t move very fast. I’ll bring him back.”
Gil nodded and flicked his fingers. “Yes. Go. I’ll talk to the men about letting Timmy be the band’s mascot.”
Joseph took the stairs two at a time and burst onto the street. As he’d suspected, Timmy hadn’t gone far. He was sitting on the corner next to the tuba, as dejected as anyone Joseph had ever seen. Joseph called, “You there, Timmy.”
Timmy peered around the tuba. “Are you calling me?”
“Jo. Come here. And bring that horn with you.”
Timmy scowled at Joseph for a few seconds, then he pushed to his feet and scooped up the horn. He huffed to Joseph’s side. “What do you want?”
“The band leader wants to talk to you again.”
“He does?” The boy’s face lit up. “Then let’s go!”
Joseph carried the tuba up the stairs for the boy, and they entered the room together. Timmy left Joseph behind and darted to Gil. “Mister, are you going to let me join your band?”
Joseph deposited the tuba next to Gil and went to his chair. He sat and watched, enjoying his ringside seat.
Gil put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Well, Timmy, as I told you a bit ago, you’re not old enough to play in this band.”
Joseph scowled. Why had Gil changed his mind? He aimedthe scowl at the band. The men must have said they didn’t want a mascot. What was wrong with the lot of them?
“But,” Gil was saying, “Mr. Siemens has a better idea.”
“What is it?” The eagerness in Timmy’s voice brought Joseph forward in his chair.
“He suggested forming a boys’ band.” Gil caught Joseph’s eye and grinned. “There are boys’ bands in nearby cities, but Falke doesn’t have one yet. Maybe it’s time to start one.” He grinned down at the boy. “You can be the very first member. What do you think of that?”
The boy erupted with a cheer, and the men laughed.
