Reunited

Chapter Four

        John was already working for more than eight hours in order to reach his targeted goal to have enough money for him and Joseph to make the trip to the Philippines. He went to his workplace two hours earlier than his usual check-in and arrived home three hours after his usual checkout. His son had noticed his longer working hours after he told his father about the Philippine tour.
        Joseph and Michael came in early for choir practise. They saw their choirmaster doing his usual preparations before the practise: organising the notes on top of the piano, arranging the chairs, sweeping the floor.
        "Glad to see you coming early lads." Mr. Fox said as he was placing the notes on top of the piano.
        "You could use a hand, Mr. Fox." Joseph grinned.
        "Make it four hands." Michael jokingly added.
        "Well, I could use some help with arranging the chairs." Mr. Fox pointed to the chairs, previously scattered from their last practise.
        "We're glad to help you, Mr. Fox." Michael started arranging the chairs. Joseph followed.
        "Please, call me 'Albert'. There's only the three of us here in the room." The choirmaster suggested.
        Joseph jokingly elbowed Michael with their choirmaster's remark of referring to him with his first name.
        "Oh, John," Mr. Fox called Joseph.
        "It's Joseph, Albert."
        Michael shot a glance at Joseph. It seemed queer to address the choirmaster with his first name, without the 'sir'. Joseph continued looking at Mr. Fox.
        "Right-" The choirmaster mumbled something. He continued. "-Your father and I met two days ago, and I forgot to tell you yesterday."
        The two boys stopped arranging the chairs to listen.
        "John talked about the tour and asked me if he could go on tour with us, and I said 'yes'."
        Joseph felt his stomach churned.
        "He's been to the Philippines sixteen years ago and has lived for five years there."
        "I know." Joseph spoke wistfully.
        Michael looked at him, shocked.
        "I was born there."
        Mr. Fox was silent for a few moments, and then continued to talk. "Did your father tell you about this?"
        "No."
        The choirmaster thought about this and came up with an idea. "If your father asks or speaks to you about this, then act as if you don't know. Act like you're surprised so as not to sober him up."
        Michael gave a clap. "That's a great idea. 'Act natural' Joseph."
        Joseph's plans rambled in his mind. How was he supposed to find his mother with his father around him for the tour?
        He had to come up with another way.

        Josephine and a few of the 'chosen eight' arrived early to have more practise time inside the Practise Room.
        Several minutes have passed since Jo arrived; Anne opened the door to the Practise Room. Once she saw Jo, who was sitting by the corner with a portable keyboard on the floor, Anne screamed as she ran towards her best friend.
        "JOOOO!!" Anne dropped to the floor and took out a flyer from her bag. She gave it to Jo.
        "What's this?" Jo read the leaflet.
        Anne became hyped. "They're gonna come!"
        "Who?" Jo asked.
        Anne pointed to the leaflet. "The St. Joseph Boys Choir!"
        "Uhh, Anne, should I get excited too?"
       "Yes! They'll be here in the Philippines from the twenty-second of October until the twenty-seventh. And they'll have a concert here in the school during the twenty-sixth!"
        "So, does that mean you'll be watching the concert?"
        "Yes! Why not! I've ordered the middle front row!"
        "What? You're kidding, Anne."
        "Nope, and I've bought you a ticket as well!"
        "What?" Jo exclaimed, shocked.
        "Shush!" One student, who was practicing a portable keyboard as well, hushed the two.
        "What?" Jo asked again, whispering. "Why?"
        "So that you and I can enjoy the concert together." Anne whispered back, smiling. "Isn't this just great?"
        "Wait wait. I've never heard of this choir before. Where have you 'discovered' them?"
        "Well, do you remember that particular mass where I played the guitar during communion?"
        "Yes."
        "The song that I played came from them!"
        "No way."
        "Yes way! I had to play it by ear since no notes were available."
        "Oh, okay."
        Professor Fox entered the room. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your practise, but this is urgent."
        Everyone stopped practicing and gathered around the professor to hear what he had to say.
        "Whatever you have practised for the past two months, you will present in the Amphitheatre next week."
        Several students gasped.
        "You were given ample time to rehearse. Now, in case the administration does not approve of your recital piece, you will have two more months to search for a better song and practise it. I wish the best of luck for all of you. Now, back to rehearsing." Professor Fox exited the room.
        Jo and Anne looked at each other. They would have to finalise their recital piece and make some last-minute revisions to make sure their pieces are worthy enough for the flat-one grade for midterms and finals.