by Lisa Page
“Ok, introductions over, you can dig in! It’s sub night, so enjoy them!” At that, the kids went to the table that was set with a sandwich and water bottle at each spot. She watched as Luke pulled up a chair next to the kids and started talking to them about their day.
“So, Max, how did you do on that math test yesterday?”
“I got an A! I don’t know how it happened, I wasn’t even sure I could pass it!”
“An A! That’s a great way to start your break off right, congratulations! I’m so proud of you! Remember what I told you? Studying pays off. You worked really hard to prepare for it.”
Max smiled with pride as Luke gave him a high five. “Now that you see what you can accomplish when you study, you can get an A on every test!”
“You really think so?”
“I know it, buddy! Wait til your mom hears the news, she’s going to be so proud of you!”
Ellie felt a little awkward just standing there watching the group. She felt a little bit like an intruder and wasn’t sure how to interact with them or if she should and it made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to feeling out of place. She caught Luke’s eye and he smiled and nodded to her, silently encouraging her to have a seat with the kids.
You can do this, Ellie, they won’t bite you.
She pulled up a chair next to Cori. Ellie had remembered her name because she was the braided girl who thought that Ellie was Luke’s girlfriend. Ellie liked her already.
“You are really pretty,” Cori said, looking up at Ellie. Ellie liked her even more.
“Thank you, I was just about to say the same thing to you. I love your braids. When I was a little girl I used to have my mom braid my hair just about every day for school. It was my favorite hairstyle all through the third grade.”
“My mom used to braid my hair. But then she died. My auntie taught me how to braid my own hair. I can do yours for you if you’d like.”
Ellie was taken aback at how Cori mentioned her mother being dead so nonchalantly, as if she were talking about the weather. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I’m sorry to hear you lost your mother, Cori.” She said softly. Cori looked up at her as she chomped on her sandwich and didn’t respond so Ellie went on. “Your aunt must be a great teacher because you are really good at braiding. I would have never guessed that you did them yourself. Maybe I’ll take you up on your offer.” She winked at Cori and this time got a smile out of her.
Sitting next to Cori was the little boy named Calvin. He was the youngest of all the kids in the group, tiny even for his age, she could tell. Ellie could also tell that he was Cori’s brother by the way he sat very close to her, almost as if he were trying to hide, and by the fact that they looked so much alike. They both had the same big, long-lashed dark eyes, though Calvin’s weren’t as twinkling and happy as Cori’s were.
Cori saw Ellie’s eyes on Calvin and said, “That’s my brother, Calvin. He doesn’t talk or sing, he just comes with me here because he doesn’t want to be alone. He just sticks with me.”
“He can’t talk?
“Well, he can talk, but he just doesn’t. I talk for him.”
“Oh, I see.” But she really didn’t. Ellie looked at him again and felt a deep sense of sadness. He looked sad and lost. He met her gaze and then quickly looked down, focusing on the sandwich that he was taking little bites out of.
“Hi, Calvin,” she said, trying to sound upbeat and friendly.
He just kept eating, pretending that he didn’t hear her.
“I see you have Batman on your shirt. Do you like Batman?” Ellie wasn’t sure if that was a stupid question to ask but she wanted something to talk to him about and figured it would be something he was interested in. It must have worked because even though he didn’t speak, he nodded.
“I like Batman, too, he’s pretty cool.”
She wanted to try to engage him a little more, she was really feeling compelled to talk to him, but she was interrupted by someone tapping her on the shoulder. She turned around to see Jasmine, with a smudge of mayo on her chin, smiling at her.
“Are you going to stay to listen to our Christmas songs?” she asked Ellie.
“Of course I am! I’ve been looking forward to it!” She looked at the end of the table to see Luke talking with another child and he met her eyes. He really was good with kids, she could tell already how much they all adored him.
He stood up and addressed the group. “Speaking of singing, this would be a good time to get started. Are you guys ready? Let’s get those voices warmed up.” This was met with cheers and yells of delight. “How about we clean off these tables and head to the piano?”
Once cleanup was finished, Luke sat at the piano with the kids lined up on the risers next to him. He played a few warm-ups and they practiced scales before starting on their songs.
“What songs will you be singing for the church program?” Ellie asked.
“St. Andrew’s Christmas Eve service is traditionally a musical one, full of traditional Christmas songs,” Luke answered. “The church choir leads most of it, but our children’s choir has three songs we’re going to sing for our part-Away in a Manger, Joy to the World and Silent Night.”
“Ooh, I love those ones, I can’t wait to hear,” Ellie said as she pulled up a chair and sat down to listen to them. They started with Away in a Manger and she was surprised to hear that they actually sounded pretty good. Luke started with them to lead them and then let them finish it on their own. She loved hearing Luke’s smooth voice again; it brought her back to high school. She wondered if these kids knew how lucky they were for the opportunity to have someone of his caliber, a Broadway star, as their voice coach.
Jasmine stepped forward for a solo part during Silent Night and she had an eye on Ellie to make sure she was watching. Cori stepped forward for another solo part in the same song and Calvin clung to her side as she sang.
Ellie thought back to her years in elementary school and all of the private voice lessons that her parents paid for. Sure, she was born with natural talent, but it was the training she received all of those years that put her on a professional track. What if her parents hadn’t been able to afford the lessons, she wondered, where would she be today? She had taken those lessons for granted, not realizing how blessed she was to have the opportunities that she did.
She listened to Jasmine and it was obvious that Jasmine had natural talent, too. It was a beautiful voice, even if a little rough around the edges. That was where training would come in. If Jasmine didn’t have this free program that Luke led, she might never get the opportunity for her talent to flourish. The thought of it made Ellie’s eyes well up with tears, it really hit home with her.
Luke treated them like they were professionals, yet with a teacher’s patience and kindness. Ellie was attracted to him even more because of it. For a minute, she let her daydreams get away from her and started to think about what a great dad he would be. Her thoughts were interrupted by Luke’s voice, calling her name.
“Ellie, are you ok?”
She felt her cheeks fill with color as she came to attention. How long had she been daydreaming? She was glad that he wasn’t able to read her mind or she would have been incredibly embarrassed.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine, you guys really put a spell over me. I am just blown away at how good all of you sound. It’s obvious you’ve been working hard on your music.”
They smiled with pride at her comments.
“Well, you’ve had a chance to hear us sing, now let’s turn it around and give the kids the chance to hear you sing, Ellie, if you don’t mind.” The kids all echoed in agreement.
“I’d be happy to,” Ellie laughed. “Let’s see, my favorite Christmas song has always been O Holy Night. Do you know that one, Mr. Williams, or should I just sing acapella?”
“Oh, I know it, but I think you should sing acapella just the same; your voice doesn’t need any accompaniment.”
“Well, that’s an in
troduction that will be hard to live up to. You haven’t heard me sing in years.”
“How could I forget a voice like hers?” he said to the kids as he winked at her and she felt like she was going to melt. She usually didn’t get nervous singing in front of a group, but with Luke watching, she suddenly felt self-conscious. She decided to focus on the kids’ faces instead and just forget that Luke was even there.
She loved O Holy Night, it had been a song sung at family Christmas celebrations, her own church’s Christmas program and it seemed to her that it was the most sacred and beautiful of Christmas songs. Every time she sang it the beauty of the words with her powerful voice produced a very emotional experience for her audience.
And this time was no different. The kids were speechless, entranced. They had never heard such a beautiful voice and in their minds were sure that Ellie’s voice was what angels must sound like. They were spellbound.
Ellie could feel their fascination and awe as she sang, making the experience just as emotional for her. She knew that these were kids who were rarely at concerts or operas and probably had limited experience with hearing a live singer. She was overwhelmed with a feeling of joy and when she finished, they gave her a standing ovation. Over the years, she had performed in many theaters for audiences of many sizes, but had never felt the way she did singing for these children. Her whole body tingled with goose bumps.
“You’re the best singer in the whole world!” Max told her. The other children all agreed with him.
“You are, Ellie. It was really beautiful,” Luke added. Luke. She’d been so lost in the moment that she really had forgotten that he was there. A compliment like that from him meant so much to her, more than he probably realized.
“Mr. Williams, can Ellie be in our concert, too?” Cori asked.
“Yeah!” Jasmine yelled. “Please, can she? She’d make the whole church cry because she sounds like an angel. She should sing that song for everyone! Will you, Miss Ellie?”
Luke looked a little flustered and unsure of how to respond. “Well, I’m sure we could add one more song to the program if Ellie would be up to it. It’s on Christmas Eve, though, so we’d understand if you wouldn’t be able to, Ellie.”
Now it was Ellie’s turn to be flustered. She hadn’t expected to be put on the spot like that. “Um, well, let’s see, my family celebrates on Christmas Day, so I guess my Christmas Eve would be open. Sure, I’ll do it. I’d be honored to sing at your program.” She laughed as a couple of the kids ran over to give her a hug.
Luke still looked a little bit unsure and Ellie wondered why. She loved opportunities to perform and why not it be her favorite song in front of such a captive audience?
After the group ran through their songs a few more times, it was time for them to put on jackets and walk home. Even though it wasn’t far, Ellie felt bad that it was so cold and, being one of December’s shortest days, dark already. Many of their jackets looked like they’d been handed down several times before it got to them and were too thin or too small to adequately keep them warm.
After they were ready to go, the whole group left the church together as Luke explained to Ellie that he usually walked them to the corner of the church parking lot on the nights when it was dark to make sure they crossed the busy road that separated the church and the housing development safely. Once they crossed together, the children separated and went to their own homes, leaving Luke and Ellie alone in the parking lot.
The air was cold and biting on her skin as she tucked her face down into her cashmere scarf. Luke rubbed his hands together and smiled at her. “Don’t even try to deny it. You owe me a coffee. Should we head to the Sit-n-Sip so you can pay up?”
Ellie smiled. “Ok, you win. But let’s stop talking about it and just go there now. I’m freezing out here!”
***
Back inside the warmth of the Sit-n-Sip, Ellie purchased their drinks at the counter and they found a table.
“Thank you,” Luke said with a twinkle in his eye as he raised his cup. “And I don’t just mean for the coffee. Thanks for coming tonight. I watched you…you really made an effort to connect with the kids and I appreciate it.”
“It was hard not to connect; they were so sweet and really made me feel welcome. I was afraid they were going to be obnoxious and out of control; I guess I watch too much TV.”
“Well, they weren’t like that at first, believe me. It’s taken awhile to gain their trust and for them to believe that I want to be their friend and want them to succeed, whether in school or music or whatever they choose to do. I’m sorry if you felt put on the spot when they asked you to sing in the Christmas program, I don’t want you to feel pressured, so let me know if it’s something you don’t want to do.”
“I meant what I said to the kids. I’d love to be there. Honest. In fact, I have plans to meet some old friends for breakfast in the morning but my afternoon is free. I’d like to join you again. If the invitation is still open, that is.”
Luke almost dropped his coffee. “Are you serious? Of course the invitation is still open. I know the kids will be thrilled to see you back.”
“Thanks. You were right, I had more fun than I expected to and it just really put into perspective how lucky I’ve been. Volunteers like you really make a difference in their lives.”
“I saw you talking with Cori and Calvin-did Calvin say anything to you?”
“No, I was going to ask you about him. Cori mentioned their mother being dead. Have you ever heard him speak?”
“No, I haven’t, but I’ve been trying to get him to come out of his shell slowly, without pressuring him. I’m just happy he will stand by his sister in the choir, even if not a sound comes out of his mouth. Their story is a sad one. Their father murdered their mother and Calvin was there when it happened. He saw the whole thing. The father was sent to prison and the kids were sent here, to live with a great-aunt in Lincoln Terrace. She’s a widow and luckily for the kids she thinks the world of them. But she works two jobs trying to take care of them and they spend a lot of time alone, with Cori looking out for her brother.”
Ellie’s blue eyes glistened. “How devastating! Those poor kids… I can’t even begin to imagine what their world must be like. No wonder he doesn’t speak.”
“I know, that kind of loss and tragedy at such a young age, it’s impossible to tell what kind of impact it has on their lives or if they can get over something like that.”
“They are lucky to have you. Watching you work with the kids, I have to say, it really melts my heart.” She saw the corner of his mouth curve into a smile and she added without thinking, “And it’s very attractive, too. It’s a side a lot of men rarely show and …it really works for you.”
“Thanks. And you know what? It’s working for you, too. This coffee was on you but I want to thank you properly for wanting to go again, for agreeing to sing in the church program, for everything. After Christmas, I’d like to take you out for dinner, for a real date, before you go back to college.”
“I’d love that.” She felt her body getting warm and thought she’d need the cold December air outside to cool her down. He reached over and sweetly held her hand and looked into her eyes.
“I would too, Ellie.”
***
Though the first time she drove to St. Andrew’s her only excitement came from looking forward to spend time with Luke and she’d been nervous about being around the kids, this time she was excited to see Luke but just as excited to see the kids. Especially Calvin. She really wanted to bring him out of his shell and made it a personal goal to try to get him to speak. She had no knowledge of child psychology or if it was even a realistic goal, but at the very least, she wanted to make him feel like she was a friend.
This time she met Luke in the basement. Instead of sandwiches, he’d brought a big pot of soup in a slow cooker and was plugging it in a wall outlet when she found him.
“What’s in the pot, it smells delicious?”
; “That would be my famous chicken noodle soup. It’s a big hit with the kids, keeps them warm on a cold day like this, it’s healthy and it tastes delicious, if I do say so myself.”
“Wow, he sings, he cooks, he’s great with kids, are there any other hidden talents you possess?”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but that’s about the extent of my powers.”
“I highly doubt that. Something tells me you’re holding out on me. What is it? Are you an Olympic medalist, a chess master, do you invent lifesaving medical devices in your spare time? What’s your secret?”
He chuckled as he sampled a taste of the soup. Then he turned to her and said, “If you don’t mind, I was hoping that today while I work with the group, you could pull Cori and Jasmine aside and help them work on their solo parts.”
“Sure, I’d love to. And I really want to spend more time with Calvin. The story that you told me about watching his mother being killed by his father, it’s been haunting me all day. Do you think there’s any chance I could get him to talk again?”
Luke looked at her with kind eyes. “Ellie, it’s really sweet that you want to help him. But don’t focus too much on getting him to talk, even therapy hasn’t done that for him yet. It’s going to take him a long time to process the trauma that he experienced. I don’t want you to be disappointed if that doesn’t happen because of you. Focus on what you can do-showing him the kindness and friendship of an adult. And use your voice.”
“My voice?”
“Maybe you didn’t notice it yesterday, but when you were singing, you had him mesmerized. Usually his eyes are so cold, showing no trace of emotion. I’ve never seen eyes like that on a child. But when you were singing, those eyes lit up, if only for a moment.”
Ellie felt like her heart was going to burst. She wished that she could sing for Calvin every day. Just then the sound of boots could be heard trampling down the steps to the basement. Soon, Luke and Ellie were greeted with smiling faces that were excited to see that Ellie was back and that there was hot chicken noodle soup waiting for them.