Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Fifty-One

Third-Person POV

"This has gotten to be one of the longest day of Demario's life," Gianna breathed as she, Jose, and Mr. Tucker came from downstairs after making sure that the teenager was sleeping peacefully after he ate Noreen's signature sandwiches and fries before enjoying a languid bubble bath that would leave his muscles relaxed. It had been a long morning for everyone after they (the trio, the Nguyen brothers, the teens in group therapy, Mr. Tucker's wife and daughters, and even a few onlookers who were at the church for various reasons) saw him finally breaking down his walls and releasing all the bottled-up anger that he held inside of him for most of his life. "I'm surprised that this was bound to happen."

"Well, it was LONG overdue for Demario, given the circumstances," Jose reminded his co-worker as he led her and the older man into the spacious living room where the Lomax clan, the housekeeper and her family (Judge McGillivray included), Oliver, the Callaway duo, and even Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada were waiting for them. "Demario's asleep, you guys, so we need to be quiet as we discuss what's going down."

"Thank goodness," Holly breathed, placing a hand on her chest. "Poor guy. I'm still reeling about the jaw-dropper from yesterday. His mother's been sleeping around with some closeted guy who could be the real daddy?! This is some messed-up bull. Is the man even around?"

"Unfortunately, no, since the man died from AIDS-related complications ten years ago," Judge McGillivray said formally. "I had some investigators look into this earlier, and the story was legit as ever. Demario was born out of a love affair and his late parents wanted him dead but had to settle for making him into their personal whipping boy and house-slave."

"This is an abomination," the Hispanic band director seethed, her eyes lit in a quiet fury. "And the poor lad dealing with it all. It's little wonder that he was ready to move on with the past."

"What do you mean?" Taylor asked the older woman.

She gave them a recap from her conversation with Demario during break period. "Poor dear felt like he was all out of fight even when he was holding on from what's going on with that Peavey boy and the Kendricks-Blake duo."

"I had a feeling that my boyfriend was dealing with the remnants of that," Oliver piped up, crossing his arms. "Is that why he hadn't finished that musical piece that everyone's hoping to hear?"

Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada nodded solemnly. "I think that's one of the main factors," she replied.

"Why shouldn't he finish it?" Noreen asked. "If Demario could play some covers of the latest music today, I bet my favorite spatula that his original music could be twice as good."

Gianna's eyes lit up, she briefly heading upstairs before coming back down with Demario's music folder in hand. "I want to hear it myself," she said. "And lucky for me, I know how to play the piano thanks to lessons back when I was a girl."

"Are you sure?" Mr. Tucker asked, looking around. "This could be invading into Demario's privacy."

"I think that it's necessary to hear this and see how good Demario is," Joel commented, pointing to a nearby grand piano where Gianna was heading. "And I think that now is as good as ever to hear how it goes."

Gianna nodded, setting up the sheet music before sitting down on the piano bench while everyone was gwtting comfortable just as Serenity, Epiphany, and even Derrick (alongside their respective parents) came inside. "I'm only going to play a small sample, but Demario's out like a light," she said as she faced the piano and raised her fingers over the keys.

A soft and sad melody began to emanate through the room as everyone fell silent and began to get lost in the original music. Gianna closed off any distracting thoughts as she played the overture of the piece that detailed the story of a young man who's life was full of heartbreak and rejection. The next five minutes were spent with the young nurse gliding her keys and seguing from a blend of jazz to a slew of classical notes until she reached the final bars which would lead into the start of the first movement.

"Wow," Serenity said, shaking her head in awe as she and everyone else clapped softly. "That was some heavy shit,"

"Language, Serenity," her mother admonished her daughter sharply, "but it does sound so magnificent. That young man has the gift of music in his blood. His birth parents really didn't have a clue how good they had it."

"That's for sure," her husband agreed.

"What we need to do now is get Demario to see it himself," Derrick piped up. "From where we stand, the confesssion about his family and what happened today is just enough momentum to finally get him to finish that song and show the haters that he came a long way from being at the edge of despair."

"Leave that to myself, McGillivray, and my brother," Dr. Nguyen commented firmly. "Tomorrow morning is when the three of us will come over and talk to him about his meltdown and push him into being transparent about suffering from a lifetime of rejection and how his music can be the key to helping him heal."

"Are you sure?" Epiphany asked, looking concerned. "I mean, today was a bit of a setback and-"

"It wasn't a setback, Miss Sutton, but a stepping stone towards Demario's path to healing," Mitch interjected, cutting the teenager off. "And we can't let him give up on this at all. You kids focus on the Blake-Kendricks-Hillman-Peavey debacle at school and help him with that while the rest of us got this. Callaways, Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada? Can you help us out as well with the music and the planned concert?"

"Of course," the male principal replied, nodding his head. "The three of us will be here tomorrow if need be."

"Definitely," his wife replied, the band director nodding in assent. "Demario is a gifted soul and he needs to start believing in his talents."

"So it's settled," Joel said formally as everyone else began to disperse. "Mr. Tucker, I'll want you and your clan to come as well. My husband and the boys will also be here for Demario's important therapy session- one that will take some musical insight as we get him to use all of his emotions and instincts and translate them into music."

"We'll be there," Mr. Tucker nodded. "My daughters are finished with midterms at SMU, so you'll see us here."

"Mr. Lomax, tell Demario that I'll stop by tomorrow and spend time with him," Oliver said as he got his jacket. "I'll be doing chores in the morning, but I'll be there in the afternoon."

"But of course," Javi said. "Demario's lucky to have you, Slade. He'll need you more than ever after the shit he's been through. Never give up on him and don't break his heart."

"I won't," Oliver vowed. "Ryan's too toxic for him, but I'm what he needs."

The Lomax family watched everyone save for Holly and her mother leave. "It's been a long day, everyone," Taylor said tiredly. "Especially for Demario."

"Luckily, we're going to be there for him," his husband said firmly. He was sure of it.

And that's the truth because Demario's been through too many storms already with more to come. And it's good to have friends to wish you the best so you can finally exhale.

The next chapter is back in Demario's POV as he's in a special therapy session with a small group of people and music ensues from the teen. Stay tuned!

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!