Strike Up the Band (Sequel to Blind Faith)

Five

The Saturn's Day following his surprise lunch visit from his family, Rob woke up a bit late once again, and it was due to yet another romp. But even though he was running a few minutes late, that didn't mean the marching band couldn't start practice for their upcoming competition while he was getting himself ready. He knew they'd most likely see him coming since they always gathered in the bus parking lot before everyone headed to the practice field–or even the actual field, if the football team wasn't using it.

        Just as he'd suspected, they were waiting for him to arrive in the bus parking lot like they always did, thinking they were gonna see him pull in in his car, if he didn't come outta the school. A grin stretched his face as he ran across his field of a back yard, Richie hot on his heels since he was gonna be helping him today. The middle schoolers were gonna be part of this Year's Christmas parade in about a month, so he needed to be taught how to march so he could teach his students. Said students were surprised to see two men with braids jog up to the ditch, then pause just long enough to check for traffic before crossing the road.

        "Sorry we're running a few minutes late, guys," the older brunette chuckled, just barely outta breath.

        "Damn, long jog?" the baritoneist who'd once called his wife ma'am–Johnny–asked with a chuckle of his own.

        "Eh, not as long as it coulda been," he answered. "We picked these schoolsta apply for jobs at since we live right across the street."

        "Wait, that's your house?" one of the clarinetists asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

        "Mmm hmm." Rob couldn't help a proud grin. "Don't ever let anyone tell ya busting your hump for whatcha want in Life won't eventually pay off, 'cuz we're living proof that that's a lie."

        The entire group burst into laughter, which they waited out.

        "Now, for anyone who hasn't figured it out–this is an old friend of mine, Mr. Richie Kotzen," he said.

        "Just stick with Rich unless another teacher or an administrator shows up for some reason," the younger brunette chuckled.

        "I didn't think y'all were still friends after what happened a few Years ago," one of the trumpeters mused.

        "We've our reasons for still being friends, but that's not why we're here today," he responded.

        "Richie's gonna be helping out today so he can learn a few things," the older brunette explained.

        "The middle school's gonna be participating in the Christmas parade next month, too–but I've yet to learn how to march like y'all do, which means I can't teach them yet," Richie said.

        "Ahhhh." The entire marching band nodded as they got it.

        "That being said, I'ma be more of an observer than not, but I'll still help out when and where I can," he told them.

        Nodding again, they turned to head up the Hill that ran between the building where the band room was and the tennis court right outside it. Directly across from a handful of parking spots one wouldn't know about unless they made a habit of coming onto the back side of campus was their lil practice field. Everybody started putting together their instruments, Rob taking those with bigger instruments or who were part of the pit inside to get theirs.

        The younger brunette was at least able to help Nathan get those who remained outside warmed up while they were waiting on the othersta Return. It wasn't a very long wait, and he certainly jumped in to help move things like the Bells down to the edge of the practice field. All the students seemed a bit surprised by his willingnessta help out, which just made him chuckle since he hadn't been kidding about that.