Accidental Hero

Chapter 8 The Concert

I can't believe how nervous and excited I am about this concert. It's just that we had PSSA exams for the last two weeks and didn't get to practice together but once yesterday! Whoever made this schedule was a total ass! Now I can't find my orchestra shirt. Looking through my closet for the tenth time I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

The front door bangs and Tracker jumps off my bed to run and meet Mom. Finally, she's back from running errands. "Mom!, have you seen my orchestra shirt? Ive looked everywhere!"

"Its hanging up in the laundry room baby, I thought it needed a good ironing." Mom said as she dumped several grocery bags on the kitchen counter. Stopping to pet Tracker she smiles up at me. "Calm down kiddo, I ironed your cummerbund and tie too. I bought some picnic snacks and thought we'd hang around the park awhile after the concert."

"Whatever, Mom" I say grabbing the stuff off the washer. Who cares about that now? "Ive got to get ready! Can you braid my hair?" I holler over my shoulder as I run upstairs. God! Why'd she have to run errands now? Doesn't she know I won't be able to play if I'm late? She doesn't understand anything!

With the car loaded and Tracker panting heavily with her head out the window, we're finally here. The parking area is starting to fill up as everyone unloads their instruments, lawn chairs, and yes, picnic baskets. I can see the band director off to the side helping kids tune their instruments. Abby waves at me and I'm so glad shes here. Grinning, I grab my viola and ask Mom, "Have you got all this? I wanna go talk to Abby and get set up."

"Sure, go ahead" Mom says giving me her 'you're a pain in the butt' sigh.

"If you hadn't taken so long to get everything ready I wouldn't be here at the last minute!" I grumble. The last thing I need is her stressing me out.

Looking a little hurt she blurts "Ok, ok. Go on ahead and Morgan, you're gonna do great. Just have some fun with it and everything will be fine." She gives me a real smile and I feel little better.

"Thanks Mom, gotta go!" Just then Abby walks up in shorts and a tank top. Her red hair frizzes and shines in the midday sun and she looks like a lion.

"Can I help you with anything Ms Randall? My mom and brother are set up over there." She points to an area off to the left of the stage and closest to the water.

"It would be a big help if you could hold tracker while I carry this stuff and set up." My mom smiles gratefully.

"Sure thing" Abby says. She opens the door and grabs the leash like a pro. "Ill bring her back to you before the concert starts, ok?"

As we walk toward the bandstand Abby blurts. "I don't know why Mom couldn't just drop me off. She had to come and bring Ryan. I thought I'd be able to cruise with Allison and Becky while you play but Allison had to go to her Dad's this weekend and Beckys not here yet. How are you doing, are you nervous?"

"A little I guess." I say. "Im really glad the weathers nice and we didn't have to play at the school. I think I'm just wired from two weeks of exams and limited practices. I feel better now thats it's finally here"

"Morgan?" Mr Carver calls out, " Everyones meeting around back. Please sign in and get your seat number. Then we'll have 10 minutes to warm up."

"I guess this is it Abbs, I'll meet ya after the show!" Taking a deep breath I head to the back.