A Beautiful Instrument

37: Taking A Stand

As Jeremy and I walk out together, almost everyone is back. But they hardly notice us as Ava and Friedrich are screaming at each other by the conductor's stand. Jeremy's grip on my hand tightens as if to say there is no turning back now. We advance to our seats. He presses a quick kiss to my cheek before releasing me. I can feel a few pairs of eyes on me as I blush.

Ava yells. "You are being irrational! She's proven she is ready. It's been advertised. I sure as hell won't let you jeopardize her reputation and the reputation of this family by pulling this shit!"

"You are out of line and she was way out of line! And if you don't like it you don't have to play in this series either!"

Gasps go up around the musicians. Ava stares at Friedrich like she can't believe he actually went there.

Maxwell tries to intervene. "Friedrich, let's just get through practice and perhaps calm down a bit and then revisit this then, huh?"

Ava has found her words. "This is bullshit! You'll be hearing from my union rep this afternoon."

"Good, now get off my stage." He states with finality.

"Fine!" Ava stalks over and gathers her things. She glances over at me and mouths the words "this isn't over." She leaves.

Friedrich takes a moment to steady himself and turns back to face the orchestra. "My apologies. Not everyone approves of my methods nor how I deal with those who violate orchestra policies. Let me be clear, I am the principle music director. If I say we are cutting a solo because the musician has not met standards, I am not to be questioned. If anyone else has a problem with that they can join Ava in timeout or quit. And hide behind your union all you want. They have no authority on my stage."

He is primarily staring at the strings family as he says this. Then his eyes meet mine and narrow. I can see he is seething. "Miss Taylor and Mister Connors, please resume your original positions. Miss Taylor will not be debuting this weekend."

A whole chorus of shocked sounds erupt from the musicians. I barely hear it because I suddenly feel like I am drowning. Everything I have worked for is balancing on the cusp.

Grace is the first to speak out. "Friedrich, this is ludacris! How can you justify that?"

Like a spoiled child, he folds his arms. "I don't have to and she's lucky I'm allowing her to remain on stage for this series at all."

Maxwell gasps. "What? Why?"

Friedrich glares at Maxwell. "You of all people witnessed why. She had her supposed boyfriend physically attack me."

Maxwell isn't going to be intimidated. "And what I walked in on earlier that day and you later admitted to that night...sexually harassing Analeigh! How dare you think you have any moral high ground to stand on!"

Friedrich is caught off guard. "I...I admitted no such thing. I was coerced under threat of harm. Taylor. Connors. What are you waiting for? Get your asses up and move."

Jeremy resists. "No. If Analeigh isn't debuting, I'm out of this series."

"You are on thin ice already, Mr. Connors. If you think this little stunt is going to save your girlfriend, you've got another thing coming." Friedrich retorts.

Manny's voice sounds. "I'm out too."

"Us as well." Grace adds her and Maxwell to this coup. One by one my strings family stands and prepares to walk off the stage for me. My eyes well with tears.

I hear another voice join them. Deb. "Me too. This is some bullshit."

Friedrich is coming apart. "This is insane. How dare you! You are all in violation of your contracts."