The Everyday Life of Yesterday

Chapter Three: Music

Hi, I'm a person you kind of know from a class you're not very familiar with. After our seventh grade year comes our eighth grade year. After taking a visual art for one year, I decided to try a performing art. That elective would end up being the beginning band class. Now, for the past two chapters of my story we've been involved in the same classes but this time around it was only me.

The school band teacher was amazing. They could play a large selection of instruments, and not just standard orchestra instruments. Their musical knowledge extended from base flutes to soprano saxophones.

Right away I knew I wanted to play clarinet. The sound that came from the horn was rich and full of beauty. The band teacher had warned those who wanted to play clarinet that we would constantly need to have a supply of reeds, and that putting the instrument together would take up most of the time allowed to warm up. I wasn't discouraged by this.

When I got the instrument, I hurried to put it together as to start playing. It was a difficult process, involving pressing down numerous keys to assemble the parts together. I envied those saxophones who only had to put their mouth piece on, but at least I had a smaller case to carry around.

Band was a wonderful class, and many times over I would find myself wishing that I had joined seventh grade year. I spent lunch practicing to be the best I could ever be. The teacher would compliment me often.

"Keep up the good work, and perhaps they'll accept you in the Honor Band," they told me. I spent day and night working hard on the audition piece. I have to thank you for being a part of my life... in a sense. When the sounds that came out my clarinet sounded flat, I thought of you and the music would suddenly be filled with emotion.

I felt something new when I played my instrument; something much like pride. I was happy despite not having very many friends. In time I learned that the feeling that had such a strong presence in me was independence. For some time, I didn't have the need to belong somewhere. Security without support.

However, I still longed to get to know you. I see you walk in through the gate, and I feel as though you're a part that's missing in my life.

So with you in mind, I went to the Honor Band auditions. I instantly felt hopeless upon seeing the many other clarinets who were also trying out. I went over the required scales countless times. I played through the piece over and over, fixing every mistake I made. I spent hours practicing everything that would help me get in. I still felt overwhelmed.

"Don't worry," I heard my father whisper in my ear as I walked to the door. "You're the best clarinet player I've ever heard."

The only one you ever heard.

I pushed the bitter thought out of my head and gave him a smile. Just beyond the door awaited a judge who I would play for. With a deep breath, I turned the handle and stepped in.

Everything was a blur. I can barely remember how I performed, but it must have been good because the judge immediately congratulated me and offered me the third chair. I thanked them and hurried outside to where my father was waiting. I told him the news as soon as we got into our car.

The ride home was long and relaxing. I knew harder music was coming, but all I cared about at that point was that I had made it. Having finally accomplished something worthy in my life, I felt ready to speak to you the following Monday.

I'm ready.

With good thoughts running through my mind, I closed my eyes.

When I open them again, I'm in a hospital bed next to my father's. My mother was holding me, crying tears of joy.

"Thank God. Thank God," she kept whispering. I rubbed her back trying to calm her down. I glanced over at my father, who had blood-stained bandages all over is body. Worry fell upon me like an enormous wave. I looked at my mother, my facial expression asking the question that I could not speak. All she did was slowly shake her head back and forth.

The sun shined brightly upon my family and I whom were dressed in black. I watched the coffin get lowered into the ground. The day of the funeral was the same day I was suppose to play in the Honor Band. Once again, I felt the need to have people around me. I didn't want to be alone. I wanted my very few friends to be with me. I don't want to disappear.