Reconnect: The Story of an old flame

Part 8: Right Timing and Good Coordination

June 2002

"Wait- Stand over here so we can see." Mr. Pine said right when we would have started.

We nervously walked over and stood facing the drumline, a group of 13 guys who looked at us like we were a burden. Still, I was determined not to let them make a feel like we were losers and so I focused. I have to say that until that point in life, I'd never put so much determination into anything.

Again, Jake rolled his eyes and began to count off and then we started. Sure- it was an easy and almost baby like cadence, no tricks no flippery but for a first day, going through it without mistakes, I felt pretty good. Even Tanya did okay, even if she was slightly off tempo. That was also a nice surprise, I have a pretty good grasp on tempo- I'm never off beat- so it was easy, even when he picked up the pace.

When we were done, there was a few approving nods, some of the nicer guys seemed satisfied, and Mr. PIne even said we did a "good job."

"Did you guys fix the order I gave you?" Vino asked suddenly, noting we'd rearranged the counts.

"Sara did." Tanya said, "She said it would look better."

"Good job." He said with a smile.

We looked at each other with grins and turned to walk away but of course, Jake always had something to say.

"Is that it? I thought they'd be doing more?" He said, rolling his eyes.

"It's their first day." One of the other drummers said, causing everyone to look at him. He quickly shut up.

"What else are they supposed to do?" The guy standing next to Jake asked.

"You know- the flipping, the tricks." Jake said with a chuckle, moving his sticks around and making them laugh.

"I wanna see." Another guy said.

"We're not quite there yet." Amy said, making them look our way again.

"Vino- can you show us a cool trick?" the same guy said. I suppose they were skeptical as to what to expect from a cymbal line. I mean, you have to admit- it sounds kinda lame... until you see it.

"Sure- Tanya- may I?" He asked, reaching for her cymbals, which she handed him.

"Let's see..." He said, making us all turn to him as he flipped the cymbals up quickly, then flipped them again into a position up in the air and finished with a low crash and a short trick. It not only looked great, but the sound quality was great. We didn't sound like that at all.

"There you go- are you sure they can learn to do that?" Jake said, pointing to us with his stick but looking at Vino.

"Why not?" Vino said with a shrug. There was some tension.

"It looks easy enough." I said suddenly, hating how Jake was talking down to us, making us look bad.

Everyone turned to me and I realized I had just put my foot in my mouth. Great job, Sara- you're going to make an ass of yourself.

"Okay- try it." Jake said, staring right at me. It was a challenge and I turned to Amy whose eyes widened.

"Okay." I muttered, prompting the girls to move away, probably remembering Gaby's try earlier and not wanting to be a casualty of my idiocy. I sighed, mentally going through the movements in my head before I went for it.