Musically in Love

Chapter 23

McKinley's POV

"Hi everyone!" I said cheerfully, looking around the small circle of people in front of me. "Most of you know me already but for those of you who don't..." I made sure to look at both of the freshmen when I said that. "My name's McKinley. I'm your section leader this year, so get used to hearing my voice. Why don't we go around and introduce ourselves? Name, major, and... a fun fact! I'll go first! Obviously, I'm McKinley. I'm a music major - because band is life. And I'm currently learning sign language, so if you know any, hit me up! Please! I'm only slightly desperate."

"I never expected that to be your thing," Dana said from across the little circle. "When did that start?"

I smiled. "About two weeks ago. My boyfriend's deaf and his hearing aids recently broke, so I kinda like being able to talk to him... Learning sign language will definitely help with that." Then I nudged Amber, who was standing next to me. "Amber, you go next! Name, major, fun fact! Go!"

I've always loved the first day of band camp. Seeing everyone that I hadn't seen since the semester ended in May, plus all the new members we got this year, was always a great feeling. This was my second year as the section leader of the tenor saxophone section, and I honestly loved my position. People had told me last year to try out for drum major, but I really couldn't give up marching with my section, not ever for a higher position within my marching band.

Once introductions were out of the way, I had everyone take out their tenors. It was time to start playing. I was so excited that I was literally bouncing on my heels waiting for everyone to get their instruments ready.

We started off easy - with simple warm ups, since most of these people probably hadn't picked up their tenors since school ended for the summer. Then we moved onto the music we'd be performing this season. I was halfway through the first song, clapping out the beats as my section muddled through the piece, when I saw Tyler walking over to my little circle of tenors.

I smiled widely and I actually started slowing down my claps, too focused on why he would possibly be here right now. I thought he was at work today. This was such a great surprise.

"You good, Mick?" Jake asked, making me realize everyone had stopped playing and I was still clapping off-beat.

I nodded, but kept looking at Tyler as I gave him the little 'hello' salute in sign language. "Sorry I got distracted," I said to the section. "Guess you guys get to meet my boyfriend a lot sooner than I expected."

At that point, Tyler had walked right up next to me. "I seriously missed the sound of your voice."

I stared at him, my mouth probably hanging open. "You heard that?" Then I noticed the little hearing aids in his ears. "You got new ones!" I jumped into his arms, grateful he was strong enough to hold me up like this, and kissed him.

He laughed. "It's not like I didn't just see you yesterday, McKinley."

I climbed off him, trying to remember that I was in the middle of a parking lot running a sectional right now, not in one of our bedrooms. "But you didn't have your hearing aids yesterday! This is amazing news! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because everything is easier to explain out loud to you. Especially when it comes to my father. And I... I don't know. This isn't the right time to talk about this. These work and that's what's really important right now."

I leaned up to kiss him - a quick one this time - ignoring the comment about his father even though I really wanted to know. "I'm glad they do."

It was true - I was glad. It's been so long since I could really, truly talk to him. Not that I didn't like the sign language or writing out my words thing - okay, no, I didn't particularly care for it, but it's not like it was the end of the world. I got over the reservations I had about all that weeks ago. But honestly, I wasn't sure how much longer I would have been able to take it before it became too much.

"Uh, McKinley?"

I wasn't sure who had spoken, but they reminded me that we were in the middle of practice. "Sorry guys! Hold on one more second." Then I looked back at Tyler, feeling guilty that I had to stop talking to him. "I need to actually do things with them... but you're more than welcome to hang out and listen, since you know, you can now."

He smiled. "I'd love to."

"Great." I turned back to my section. "Alright. Let's start from the top again. And this time, I promise I'll pay attention!"

We worked on music until it was time for lunch. The whole band usually ate together, but I ducked out, deciding to take Tyler out since he was here. I didn't want to make him leave just yet. Plus, I wanted some answers.

"So..." I started once we had grabbed some lunch at a fast food place down the road from campus. "What was that thing about your dad you mentioned earlier?" The only other time he's ever said anything about his parents was when he first told me he didn't have a family. So where did this come from? I was really curious.

He sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry. Just forget I brought him up."

I reached across the table and grabbed his hand. "You can tell me anything, you know."

"Yeah. I guess it's just hard. I ran into him last week. Brought up some old memories and stuff. He, um... he never bothered to learn sign language for me. I was completely deaf for three years and he did nothing about it - we basically just coexisted in the same house, with very little communication. He got me the hearing aids, but I'm pretty sure that was only so that he could tell me what to do around the house again until I could finally move out."

I squeezed his hand. "I'm so sorry. But how could he do that to his son? Didn't he realize you being deaf wasn't your choice? You had no control over that."

"I wish it was that simple. He actually didn't mind too much. He hired me a tutor and made sure I was still getting my education. He even was going to pay for college for me. It was the fact that I'm gay that made him hate me. Unfortunately, he found out the same day I lost my hearing, so he associated the two together, I guess."

"And now? When you saw him again?"

"He realized I wasn't wearing them. I told him that they broke and I couldn't afford new ones. He offered to buy me them, but this time we did it the right way - getting them fit right and having everything work as well as possible. He didn't ask how I was doing or if I was seeing someone, just bought me the hearing aids and moved on."

I didn't know what to say to that, so instead, I brought his hand - which I was still holding - up to my lips, kissing him gently. I couldn't imagine what he must be feeling right now. To have a parent be like that to their own kid - knowing that your parent sort of cares while sort of hates you - was awful.

"Come home with me," I blurted out. "Next weekend. For Labor Day. My family's having a little get-together thing. Will you come?"

He smiled and I could see the sadness leave his face. "I'd love to."