Will (28 page)

You were right yesterday. You were right. I was worried about what other people would think. And it was a stuffed thing to do to you. I don’t think you’re a freak. I’m the one who’s been acting like a basket case
.

I looked up over him.

And I know if I say it won’t happen again, you’ll think that’s what I said last time. So I guess I’m just going to have to prove it to you
.

Mark continued to sit and say nothing.

But I want you to know that I really am genuinely sorry
.

The room filled with the sound of him swiveling on his seat. It was a good three minutes before he spoke.

I was still really pissed off yesterday, Will, but you deserved it. And I appreciate you backing up today. But I still mean what I said: I’ve learned the hard way that it’s all got to be about trust, otherwise it doesn’t count
.

We both waited in silence. Mark stood up from the chair and I thought for a moment he was going to leave, but instead he extended his hand.

Thanks for apologizing, Will
.

I reached out and shook his hand a little uncertainly.

So you like the jacket then? I’m wearing it to the party
.

He was dead serious. I looked at the jacket again; he had to be winding me up, but I wasn’t taking the risk.

Yeah
, I said cautiously,
it’s great
.

Joke, Will. It was a joke!

He was grinning at me.
You are coming then?

Yeah, yeah, of course
.

You and Elizabeth can get a lift with me after the show if you like. That is, if you two don’t want to go alone
.

You’ve heard then?

Who hasn’t? The chorus girls have been carrying on all afternoon
.

He looked over and grinned again.

About bloody time if you ask me. It’s taken you practically the whole term to pull your finger out
.

This time I returned the grin.

You’re just jealous, mate
.

I felt like Chris must have when he made the Dad joke the other night. I didn’t know if I was about to crash and burn. But he grabbed his boater hat and sliced it through the air at me.

You wish, buddy, you wish!

I caught it and threw it back to him. Things were instantly easier.

Look, I’d better get going, the geeks are getting restless. Are you nervous? Last night and all that?

Yeah, I am a bit. I’ve got some mates up from Melbourne
.

It was nearly out of my mouth to ask if it was anyone he wanted to impress, but I thought that might have been pushing it. I said goodbye and headed over for my last time with Brother Pat and the geeks in the pit.

Good evening, Brother. Are you ready for yet another fine performance this evening
?

You sound remarkably chipper, Will. It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain Elizabeth Zefferelli, would it?

I looked at him incredulously.

Not too old to notice, young man. Very good. Very good indeed. Nice girl. Now let’s get this show under way
.

Willo! Loved the show, man!

I looked up from among the band gear. It was the boys, led by a widely grinning Chris.

Yeah, that’s because you couldn’t take your eyes off the cancan dancers
.

Nah, that’s not true. I spent a lot of time looking at Polly. But some loser cut my grass. I’ll never forgive you, Willo
.

I gave Jock the finger and said hello to Chris and Tim.

Nice gangsta outfit! Show us your moves, homeboy!

Jock came over to my left side.

No, seriously, man, she’s cute. So do you reckon you can introduce the one who played her friend? You owe me!

I pushed him aside and continued moving music stands for the last time. Something I was definitely not going to miss.

Did you have to bring them?
I said to Chris.

I pointed over to where Tim and Jock had taken some of the geeks’ instruments and were trying to play them, which wasn’t working, in an attempt to wind up the geeks, which was working.

I couldn’t stop them. They wanted to make sure you knew who to set them up with
.

Chris looked over to where the Freak was giving them a very thorough talking-to.

If you’re not careful, the little man over there is going to become a William Armstrong clone
.

Jock and Tim were giving up the instruments and telling the Freak to settle down. He was doing an all right job of it too. I thought I’d give him some backup.

Hey, be careful with those, you idiots!
I shouted.

But it looked like Zach didn’t need any assistance, he just looked over and waved.

So you two are mates again?

Yeah. It was like he understood what was going on before I did. I mean, look at me last night about Dad, and I’m seventeen—imagine what you’d feel like if your mum walked out on you when you were nine. Nah, he’s a really cool kid, in a geeky kind of way
.

The Freak made his way over and shook Chris’s hand.

Are you coming tonight, Chris?

Sure am
.

I’ll see you there then. I can’t talk. I’ve got to organize these guys to get the gear down to the band room, otherwise Brother Patrick and Ms. Sefton will freak
.

Sure, Zach, I’ll catch you then
.

Quite the confident socializer, your Zach. You have taught him well, Yoda
.

I hit him with a drumstick.

All right, all right. So are you going to Mark’s tonight or are things still strange?

I spoke to him before the show. I think he’s OK. You could tell he was keeping himself distant, but we had a bit of a laugh. He said he had mates coming from Melbourne. You’d want to make sure that the boys are told to pull their heads in
.

Chris was smiling at me.

What?

I’m sorry, am I hearing William Armstrong speaking to me about being responsible? Man, this is great!

You know what I mean, after the tuckshop incident and all
.

Yeah, Will, I’m the one who gets it. The boys’ll be fine. They’re just up for a good party where they can check out the ladies
.

I looked around and saw we had at least an hour’s packing-up to get through.

Chris, do you reckon you and those two idiots could give us a hand?

Chris was shaking his head as he started with the instruments. Jock had obviously overheard and he came up and slapped me on the shoulder.

It’ll cost you, Willo
.

I wouldn’t expect anything different, Jock. All right, I’ll introduce you. But you’ve got to act halfway human
.

Come on, it’s me you’re talking to!

At which point Tim called over to him and pretended to play the trombone by farting at the same time. Jock couldn’t speak for five minutes he thought it was so funny.

Forget it!

There were after-show drinks again—and rumors of a small party hosted by Brother Pat. I reckon that’s one of the main reasons he gets involved, for the drinks afterward. I headed over to the library, feeling pretty happy with myself. Things had sorted themselves out and I was about to see Elizabeth again. I found Mum talking to Danielli and Brother Patrick. I hoped it was another one of those sessions she’d told me about this afternoon. Mr. Cohen was there with an older couple in suits. They’d have to be Mark’s parents.

Here he is! The man of the moment! Did you get all of the instruments away?

Brother Patrick boomed this at me even though I was right in front of him. Obviously the sherry had been flowing already.

Everything’s good, Brother. All the little guys did their bit
.

That’s all down to your good guidance, Will
.

Mum beamed.

Well now, no room for false modesty here. We all know you were a right troublemaker before, so we may as well give praise where it is due
.

Danielli moved himself beside me.

Brother Patrick has been telling us about what an excellent job you have done. Well done, Will, well done!

I saw Andrews looking over in our direction. He excused himself from a bunch of very happy parents and headed over. I watched him, wondering what he was up to.

Truce?

Here we go.

What, sir?

Come on, Will, I haven’t exactly been your favorite person lately
.

What was I meant to say to that?

No, sir, I mean, yes, sir
.

It’s all right, Will
. He was smiling at me like he always did.

He extended his hand.

Congratulations on an excellent job, Will. Really. It’s been a pleasure working with you
.

This was more like it.

He was called away by someone over on the other side of the room. As he turned to leave he threw over his shoulder,
Don’t forget about the assignment due on Monday
.

Bastard! He’d done that deliberately.

Mum came over and led me to the older couple who had been standing with her.

Will, these are Mark’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Newman
.

Hello, Will. Well done. It was all excellent
.

I remembered what Mark had said about his dad. He sure fit the hotshot businessman description, all decked out in his pinstriped suit. He needed to relax, though. He was jiggling up and down on his feet as if he was nervous about something. Maybe if he loosened his tie a bit he’d chill out. But at least he’d made an effort to be here. Mark’s mum was completely different. She and Mum were nattering on like they’d known each other since kindy.

Well, it’s Mark and Elizabeth who are the real stars
.

Oh, I don’t know about that, you can’t have a musical without a band. No, I think we can say that you were all brilliant!

No wonder Mrs. Newman and Mum got on. They both spoke the same over-the-top language.

Will you be coming to the party, Will?

Oops! Hadn’t quite got around to asking Mum about that.

Ahhh …

Mark had just reached the group and answered for me.

Yeah, sure he’ll be there, he’s one of the guests of honor
.

I smiled over at Mum sheepishly. I knew we’d be talking about this later.

Hello, darling, we thought you were wonderful
. Mrs. Newman kissed Mark on the cheek.
I don’t know where it comes from—it’s not from my side, that’s for sure. Mind you, your father has a very good voice, don’t you, Stephen?

Mr. Newman looked uncomfortable.
Oh, I don’t know about that
. He extended his hand rather formally to Mark.
Well done, son. I admire your bravery
.

Thanks, Dad
. It wasn’t much but you could tell that Mark rated the compliment.

There was a moment’s silence while everyone looked at one another and smiled. Then Mark glanced at his watch and said,
Right, well, we’d better go home to make sure everything’s ready for tonight
.

Oh no, you can’t go yet
, Brother Pat boomed.
No, there are far too many people who want to meet you. Some of the old boys and their wives think you’re the best thing since …

I grinned wickedly at Mark, who gave me the finger and then turned to give a hasty smile to Brother Patrick.

Hey, Will
, Mark called out to me as Brother Patrick marched him off. I nearly forgot.
Elizabeth’s waiting for you in the dressing room
.

What?

It was pointless. He’d run off. What was she waiting in the dressing room for?

I excused myself while Mum and Mrs. Newman were at it again. Nervously, very nervously, I found my way to the girls’ dressing room and knocked.

I heard a
Just a minute
.

Elizabeth?

God, what kept you? I was beginning to think you weren’t coming
.

She opened the door and started to look around, then she stared at me.

What’s wrong with you?

I was speechless. She looked stunning. I mean stunning. She had on a deep red dress that tied at her neck and hugged her body. I didn’t know backs could be so sexy. I was blown away.

Will, what is it? You’re worrying me now
.

God, y-y-you look great!
I stammered eventually.

This time it was Elizabeth who blushed.

You don’t think it’s too much, do you?

No way, it’s fantastic!

She moved closer to where I was standing.

Thanks, Will
.

We stood looking at each other for a while. I began to wish I’d made a little more effort with my own gear.

Here
. She offered me a glass of champagne.
Mark’s mum and dad gave it to us at the beginning of the performance
.

We clinked our glasses Hollywood style and, in keeping with the theme, I reached over and kissed her.

So, what’s with the
meet me in the dressing room?
I said eventually, once my heart had stopped hammering.
Mark nearly forgot to tell me
.