Chapter 11

   I am awaken by the sound of my section leader and mom talking from the front door. "Can I practice with Melody today?" He asks.

   "Sure... When?" She replies.

   "Like, right now... I was thinking the football field. Is that alright with you?"

   "It's fine with me," she says joyfully, "Melody!"

   "Yes?"

   "Come down here, please!" She yells.

   I hop out of bed. By now I had the house memorized. When I get to the front door I ask, "What is it?"

   "Jordan was wanting to have practice with you today... Are you alright with that?"

   She didn't have to ask. Of course I wanted to! "Yes... Let me get dressed." I say and scurry up the steps. Grabbing the first article of clothing I find I put it on, realizing it's a shirt. Quickly I look for shorts and converse.

   I hurry back down and Jordan leads me to his car.

   "Okay, so I think you have the most trouble with G.E., is that correct?" He says as he leads me to the car.

   I nod, "Especially in the third song."

   He chuckles. "Yes, you almost dropped your instrument more than a few times..."

   I blush and  hop into the car. I know he's walked to the other side when he turns the car on. As we leave  the driveway he begins conversation again, "So, what's it like to be blind?"

   I shrug, "Different... I guess, everyone thinks they have to baby you about it. Leading you everywhere, helping you into things, and telling me where to go... Sometimes it's a good thing, though. When I grab onto you I need help, when I don't I'd rather not have anyone help me."

   He grunts, "Okay, I respect that. You don't exactly want to babied, unless you ask for it."

   He hops out the car and tells me we're at the park. He opens the back door as I open the passenger door to get out. I trail around to the front of the car and he thrusts an object in my arms. I realize it's my clarinet and figure he got it for me at the house.

   "Thanks," I say smiling and reaching for his shoulder.

   He leads me to a table and I put my clarinet together. "Okay, come to your left and bring your clarinet," Jacob says and I do. "We're going to start on the third song G.E. because you seem to have the most trouble with that. Do what you know of the drum break."

   I nod and bring my left foot forward then trail it in a semi-circle around to my right heel. Then I snap back to a band stance. I kick backwards and get in sumo-wrestler position, lateralling to my left then floating back to center. I jazz turn to the left, then straight, then right, and then straight again. I hold the clarinet to my side signaling that I'm finished.

   "That was pretty good! Remember we don't go back straight until count thirteen. Do you know what comes after that?" I shake my head.

   ''Well, you bring your arms in front of you, then you take your right hand and bring it to the side and then back and then do the same with your left hand. Then snap to attention."

   I nod and attempt to do it. Jordan repositions my arms twice and then encourages me to do it that way again. I do and he hugs me. "Melody, that was almost perfect. You've got this, I believe in you."

   His words erase all the doubts I had earlier. I  believed in myself.