Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 131 - Dragons of All Sorts

Greg left the house early on Monday morning. He breakfasted with the family, then while the girls were taking Forest out for their morning walk, he left for his lesson. In fact, he passed Richard on the driveway, on his way to the Abernathy's house to for an early morning training session with Jessie and Forest. The two waved at one another through the windshields of their cars while Greg continued on his way.

"Good morning, Richard," Susan called from the front walk when their friend emerged from his car.

"Good morning, Susan," Richard said. "Where is Greg off to in such a hurry?"

"Singing lessons. I suspect he wanted to leave as early as possible so he doesn't change his mind," Susan told him.

"Did he get the part?" Richard asked. "In the play ... is he going to do it?"

"I think he will, although according to Greg they haven't done the contract yet," Susan replied. "Apparently some part of it is dependent on the singing."

"It would be for a part like that," Richard told her. "I'm thoroughly surprised he even read for it."

"Why?" Susan asked in surprise.

"Because ... Greg doesn't sing. He never has. He makes that much abundantly clear to anyone who asks," Richard said.

Susan regarded her friend thoughtfully. "Do you know why?"

"Why what?" Richard said.

"Why doesn't he sing?" Susan wondered aloud. "He flat out refuses whenever the occasion arises, except as a part of religious services."

"I've never even heard him sing that much, Susan," Richard said.

"He doesn't have a bad singing voice ... at least not in my opinion," Susan said.

"I was wondering," Richard said honestly.

"So, do you know why he won't sing?" Susan asked.

"No, I don't ... at least I'm not sure. I did hear a story once ... a rumor ... though it may be more like an unsubstantiated speculation as to why he doesn't," Richard said.

"What sort of rumor?" Susan asked.

"It goes back to his very first acting experience," Richard told her. "Has he ever told you about it?"

"Not really. I mean I know he was very young, and he was in some sort of community play, but I've never heard the details," Susan said.

"I don't expect there are many people alive who know the details," Richard said. "But the story I heard was that the part involved a little bit of singing. He was twelve at the time and got the part through a friend of his brother's at a community playhouse near his parent's home. What I heard was his voice started to change while he was doing this play. His voice cracked during the bit of the song he was supposed to sing alone. It was supposed to be a serious song but the audience responded by laughing. The play was a comedy anyway, so it wasn't detrimental to the production. I actually heard it was Greg's singing that brought in the best laughs and was highlighted in the review. It happened not just once, but repeatedly during the run of the play, though only while he was singing. From what I heard, he vowed afterwards to never sing again, at least not publicly."

"He doesn't sing privately either," Susan confided.

"And yet he is off to singing lessons," Richard said. "Greg has my sympathies ... and my admiration, Susan."

"How do you mean?"

"Greg's gone to slay his dragon. He's on his way to face the last of his known fears," Richard said.