Day 5
(William’s perspective)
“Class! Gather around. It took some time, but I reworked some of the teams that you have formed. This is based on your individual levels and what I think will help each of you achieve your greatest potential. So please when I call your name, come up to the front of the stage.”
He pulled out a sheet of paper and began calling off names. “Amanda, Tony, Frank, Harold, Helen, William, Alison, Susan, and Eric.”
We all approached the stage. He began by speaking to Helen and me.
“William, your dancing was superb. No one else even came close to what you did up here. But then you refused to sing. It’s one thing for someone to lack talent, but it is something else altogether to lack courage. I am afraid that I have to give you a different partner for this class. And frankly, I’m not sure you’re cut out for this kind of career if you can’t handle your fears. Alison! You and Helen switch partners. You will be William’s partner and Helen will be partnered with Harold.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was mortifying. About halfway through what he was saying, I zoned out. I vaguely heard something about giving me a different partner, but I was stunned.
(Helen’s perspective)
I looked over at William. So he didn’t sing. He didn’t deserve being called out like this in front of the whole class. Then I heard Raoul say that we were switching partners. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. Then he spoke the words, “…Helen will be partnered with Harold.” I spoke out in protest.
“Raoul can I have a different partner? Harold and I don’t get along.”
“Hello, class,” Raoul dripped sarcasm, “You are actors! Pretend to get along.”
I was stunned. I looked over at Harold. If I didn’t know better, I would say I saw him lick his lips. I wasn’t sure what I was going to…
My jaw dropped. Everyone’s jaw dropped. I looked over and William was on the stage! He wasn’t a great singer, but he was singing. I couldn’t have kept the smile from spreading across my face if I’d wanted to. I looked back at Harold and moved toward William.
(William’s perspective)
It was like an out of body experience. I watched myself from the floor as I took the stage and started a cappella. This wasn’t the plan, but here I was belting out broken note after broken note. I knew when I saw the look of fear on Helen’s face that I had to do something. The look of relief that washed over her as I started almost made it worth it. As surprising as my singing was Helen joining me on the stage. Our voices could hardly be described as blending, but her voice balanced the unique flavor of mine. Standing there together, I felt her hand move down my back as she grabbed a belt loop and pulled up.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered between notes, “I’ve got your back!”
From my out-of-body vantage point, I could see the silly ear-to-ear grin I wore throughout the entire tortured melody. I sang until Raoul waved his hands indicating to stop.
“I see, William. You have found your courage. It is not your singing ability I am so much interested in as it is your ability to step out of your comfort zone. I am impressed, but there is nothing like a pretty girl to help a man find his courage, eh?” he said as he grinned. “You two can continue to be partners. The rest of you come see me and we will sort out who will be partnered with whom.”
Helen was standing in front of me. Behind her I could see Harold seething. He was not a happy man. I turned and looked to Helen. She smiled and pulled on my ear to her lips until I could hear her whisper, “You can call me Verity.”