The Little Drummer Girl

Part 1

Isn’t it funny how little things can turn out to be big things? How something small and ordinary can end up changing your future?

Like…a cap, for instance.

“Camille said what to Zoey? That she can’t sing?”

“I’m afraid so, Ma’am. And a few other things besides. Such as how Zoey is a liability to the other altos, and how she’s the reason practice keep breaking down. You know how Camille can be. And Zoey being Zoey, she didn’t take Camille’s criticism sitting down.”

“Oh my goodness.”

“After that, things started to get tense, so I ended practice early to give the kids time to cool their heads.”

“Oh my goodness. I’m not gone for an hour and this happens.”

“Well, Ma’am, pardon me for saying so, but what Camille said…granted she could have worded it better but, well, it had to be said. It’s just that nobody wanted to say it out of respect for you. Zoey is—well, she’s a good girl, and God knows she works harder than anyone, but the truth is, she may be better suited for something else. She just doesn’t belong in the choir.”

My brother had given me that black Nike cap for my sixteenth birthday, so it wasn’t exactly unimportant. Still, I wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone back to the high school music room to retrieve it after I’d forgotten it in my rush to leave. I had other caps at home, so it wasn’t like I needed that one. Besides, it was getting late, and I could just as well have come back early Monday morning to get it.

I wasn’t thinking straight, I guess. My ears were still ringing from Camille’s ugly, accusing words, and my chest still burning from the equally ugly things I threw back in her face. In fact, I’d fully intended to jump on my bike and burn some asphalt until I’d outraced my anger and wounded feelings. That would have made more sense, right?

So why had I gone back?

“Sorry, Ma’am. I know she’s your niece, and of course, your family being what it is—”

“Oh no. No, no, you don’t have to apologize. The truth is the truth. Zoey is my brother’s first child and he loves her dearly. But for years, we in the family have known—oh dear. You’re right, of course. Zoey is undoubtedly a hard worker. She practices the piano every day without fail, do you know? Her mother counts on her to keep her sister in line. She helps out at the store. And of course, she has always been diligent in transcribing her father’s work. Still—”

“I understand. She has never missed practice, and I often see her studying her scores even in school. But still—”

“I know. It’s terribly unfortunate, but my niece has—”

“Zoey has—”

“No talent at all. None. I swear, there is no trace of music at all in that child’s soul.”

Slowly, I let go of the doorknob and lowered my hand to my side. The voices from inside the room came through the door, muffled but unmistakable, each word sliding home like needles to the heart.

“What must her father think? He must be so disappointed.”

“Oh, he’s fine. He has Ray and Jess to carry on the legacy after all.”

“That’s true. Those two are such gifted kids.”

“As for Zoey, well, neither JC nor Raquel have given up hope that Zoey would one day take her place in the family.”