AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Despite the hot summer sun beating down on him, Gil broke out in chills from head to toe. With Earl’s trumpet under his arm, he escorted Earl to the middle of the performance area where the wooden stool he’d requested waited. He traded the trumpet for the boy’s crutches, then nodded to Roy Hiebert, the first boy in line. Roy began lightly tapping his snare drum. The boys marched out in time with the beat, heads high, instruments held erect, and formed three rows. The drums were at the rear, baritones in the middle, and the lone trombone, three trumpets, and Timmy with his tuba in front. A few chortles sounded when Timmy marched out. Gil understood. The small child with the big instrument lookedcomical. But no one could deny the determination etched into the little boy’s face.
Gil moved to the director’s stand, laid the crutches on the ground beside him, and faced the audience. His gaze landed on his aunt and uncle, then slid to Maria Flaming. Her bright smile bolstered him. He scanned the crowd, seeking Bernard and Ava, but he didn’t spot them. Had they left? Disappointed, he forced himself to focus on the performance.
He cleared his throat. “We will play ‘Ava’s Song,’ also titled ‘Whither Thou Goest,’ by Gilbert W. Baty.”
A few murmurs rolled through the crowd, and the three judges seated at a long table in front looked at paperwork and then at one another in surprise.
Gil quickly turned to the boys, removed his baton from his pocket, and ran his finger from the handle to the silver tip. In those few seconds, he remembered Mr. Goertz’s smile and certain words,“You have a God-given gift, Gil.”He closed his eyes for a moment, committing the performance to God’s glory. Then he tapped the baton on the stand.
The boys jerked their shoulders back. Every eye stared at him. He abruptly lifted both hands, and the drummers positioned their sticks while the horn players raised their mouthpieces to their lips. Then Gil signaled the downbeat, and the song began.
Ava
In the shadeof Papa’s bulky form, Ava unfolded the piece of paper Gil had given her and began to read. The tune Gil had played on his violin four years ago, now broader with its harmonies added, swelled around her, a familiar yet new song. She suddenly realized the words on the page paired with notes inthe melody. The combination was so lovely, so heart stirring, she could hardly contain the emotions rising up inside her.
I remember back when we played in the yard,
When we were both young and carefree.
The sunlight wove ribbons of gold through your hair,
And your smile was joy I could see.
Though but a boy, I knew even then
There’d never be another for me.
You were my heart, my light and my joy,
And my soul longed only for thee.
She dared a quick peek at Papa, who stood gazing down at her with love shining in his eyes. He gave a gentle nod toward the paper, and she continued to read.
After all these years together
You’re still my forever.
’Til the day I die, I will be true.
And whither thou goest,
I make you this promise—
My heart ever belongs to you.
Tears distorted her vision. She impatiently swept them away, unwilling to miss a single word.
Life took a turn that brought heartache and pain,
But God turned our tears into song.
He made beauty from ashes, what a wonderful God,
And nurtured our love through His own.
Now as a man, I know even more
There’ll never be another for me.
