Hunter & Lennon Duet

Chapter 3-1

Chapter Three

Lennon

Monday and Tuesday flew by, but today drags. Seconds feel like minutes, and minutes seem like hours, and all I want to do is go home and be with Brandon. At lunch, I look over my salad, not feeling very hungry as I think about everything left to complete for the spring concert in a couple of months.

Over the past few days, I taught my students two new songs on their recorders, and they were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy learning. I want this concert to go off without a hitch because it’s my first big program since I graduated and became a teacher. So much rides on its success, and it could determine if my contract is renewed or not, which is a big deal. I try not to think too far ahead in the future and live in the moment, but it’s hard when there’s so much to do in so little time. Being stressed at home because of Hunter and the dumb s**t he constantly puts me through doesn’t help either.

As I take a bite of my salad, I think about how every grade from kindergarten through fourth will be performing together on the stage. I have to choose the songs for them to sing as well as music for them to play on the instruments, and I need to have it finalized by the end of the week. After Principal Maples approved my budget increase, I ordered the percussion equipment for the older kids, and thankfully, it’ll be delivered by the end of next week so we can start practicing. Once I’m finished eating, the bell rings, which means recess is over and my classroom will soon be full of little bodies. As I walk down the hall, I unlock my phone and see a text from Brandon.

Brandon: I love you, sweetheart. Hope you’re having an amazing day!

I instantly smile and send a message back.

Lennon: Love you too, baby. I wish you were here with me so I could sneak kisses.

Brandon: Mmm. You’re making me miss you even more right now.

Lennon: You have no idea how much I wish we were home and in bed. Or that you were here, so we could christen the instrument closet. :)

Brandon: So my naughty teacher fantasy might actually come true?

Lennon: Ha-ha! Class is starting. Only a few more hours left until the day is over! Love you!

Shortly after I enter my classroom, a group of kindergartners comes inside for their lesson. I smile at Mrs. Jenson who escorted them over before she waves and shuts the door.

Their attention spans are so short that I have to work hard to keep them occupied for the class period. Though it can be exhausting, I still love it. They keep me on my toes.

“Good afternoon, class!” I greet with a wide smile.

“Hello, Ms. Corrigan,” they say in their cute little voices.

“So the spring concert is in a couple of months. Do you know what that means?” I ask, meeting their gazes.

Some of them shake their heads and others nod, while the rest are too busy picking their noses to care that I’m even speaking.

“It means we’re going to perform for a bunch of people including your parents. This year, Disney is the theme!”

Several of them are so excited they stand and start dancing around like I fed them pure sugar. Disney, to kids, is an instant trigger word, which is exactly why I chose it.

“Jewel and Lacy, please sit down, okay? So today we’re going to learn a new song that many of you probably already know. It’s called ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,’ and you’ll be singing it with the first and second graders. Have any of you heard of it before?”

David stands up and starts belting out the chorus before I can stop him, but he has a family addicted to all things Disney, which I learned when I met his mother at parent-teacher night. I made the mistake of commenting on her adorable Mickey Mouse shirt and listened to her go on for ten minutes about the five trips they take each year.

“Very good,” I tell him, and he proudly sits down.

I have the class stand and do stretches, then we go through the scales to warm up their voices. Once they’re ready, I teach the main chorus of the song. We sing it slow at first, over and over, and then I add in a few hand movements. Repetition is key with children this young, but I’m beaming with pride when I see most of them have the basic concept down. They’re quick learners, and I’m overjoyed that we’re already making headway.

After we’ve gone over it at regular speed, the bell rings, and all the little bodies swarm to the door and follow their teacher out of the room. I have just a minute to breathe before the first graders rush in to fill the chairs. Once everyone settles, I make the announcement about the spring program, and they’re ridiculously excited by the news too. It’s official: Disney is a win with the kids.

After I pass out the sheet music, we practice the song all the way through. They catch on much quicker than the kindergarteners, and not long after, I add in the hand movements for them to mimic. Before the class ends, we start at the very beginning again, and I’m pleased when they get most of the lyrics and choreography. This concert is going to be so cute, and ideas for other songs start flooding in.

“Great job! You all make me super proud. We’ll have more songs to learn, so take your music folder with you and practice at home. I can’t wait to see how great you are next time!” I try to encourage them every chance I get.

The second half of the day passes quickly, and by the time the final bell rings, I’m more than ready to get home to Brandon. Being with him melts away all my worry and stress.

As I walk to my car, I pull my phone from my pocket, and a smile instantly fills my face when I see an unread text message from my little sister, Madelyn. She’s four years younger than I am but moved from Utah to California to be near our older sister Sophie and me. The three of us have always been close, so being within driving distance of each other is something we’ve always wanted.

For Maddie, staying with our parents during high school was difficult because she felt so alone without us. It was an adjustment when Sophie left. A year later, I followed, and Maddie was basically an only child without us there. She’s been here for a year now, though it feels like only yesterday since we haven’t been able to spend a lot of time together due to our conflicting schedules. She’s such a talented dancer and received a full-ride scholarship to CSU in Sacramento.

Sophie left after high school to attend CSU Fresno, which is why I applied there too. After graduation, she moved to Sacramento, and then I followed the next year. I wanted to be close to her and to give Brandon’s and my relationship a real chance since he lived there too. During my last semester, I applied for teaching jobs and was fortunate enough to find one right in the area.

Sophie now plays violin in the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, and when she’s not practicing, she’s performing side gigs for weddings or special events. She’s often fully booked, but when she has downtime, she teaches music lessons on the side for extra money.

Music played an important part in our lives growing up; it was all we knew. Ingrained in us from the day we were born, it paved the path for our chosen careers. I just love that we’re here together now and can hang out as much as we want when our schedules don’t clash.

I unlock my phone and read my message from her.

Maddie: Sis! Guess what? I received an invitation to an exclusive audition for a ballet company for their summer show. I AM SO EXCITED!

She’s been dancing since she could walk and is obsessed with ballet and lyrical dance. This is a huge deal, and it’s not lost on me how important this is to her. She’s worked hard over the years to perfect her skills, and I’m so thrilled for her.

Lennon: Oh my God! That’s amazing! When’s the audition?

Maddie: In two weeks, which means I’ll have to practice my butt off until then.

Lennon: You’ll do fine! Are you ready?

Maddie: I’ll make sure I’m ready! Sorry, I know you’re probably on your way home from work now, but I had to tell someone before I walk into practice. Love you! Oh, tell Brandon I said hey!

I grin at her last comment. My sisters love Brandon so much. Their support means everything, considering my parents still don’t know we live together or how serious we are. My sisters know my secret, and while it’s been hard to keep from my parents since I hate lying, I know they’d never approve. Their rules were always so strict when it came to relationships. Couples don’t live together before marriage, and they surely don’t have s*x either, simple as that. I love my parents so much and have always wanted their approval, so having to lie hurts more than I’d like to admit.

Living in a conservative, religious household wasn’t always easy. My dad is the pastor of a large congregation in Park City, and my mother is the daughter of one as well.

Growing up, the three of us kids sang in the praise and worship choir. When we got older, Sophie and I played in the church orchestra. She played her violin, and I played the organ, which was always fun, but it consumed so much of our time when all we wanted to do as teens was hang out with our friends.

My parents had stern rules in place until the day we left for college. We had an eight o’clock curfew, and we dedicated Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings to service. Dating was never allowed, and we were expected to get straight A’s in school. Though they were tough, they raised us with wholesome values and a distinct moral compass, and taught us compassion. We know they love us wholeheartedly, but after high school graduation, we were ready to leave the nest and do things our way.

Disappointing them would be one of my greatest regrets, and that’s why it’s important for me to keep my relationship with Brandon locked tight. Although I don’t always stay within the lines they’ve drawn, I’ll never admit it to them because it would hurt them too much.

Moving closer to Sophie gave me the freedom I desperately craved. The way she talked about California made it sound like paradise. I knew from the moment she left that this was where I wanted to be and so did Maddie.

Lennon: Love you too! I’ll send the message along. Have fun!

After I get in my car and buckle up, I pull out of the parking lot. I can’t wait to put on some comfy clothes and start dinner before Brandon gets home. Sophie calls me while she’s driving and tells me how her private lessons are going so far. She didn’t want to teach but decided it was nice to make some extra money.

“There’s this one student who refuses to practice at home, and the only reason she takes lessons is because her mother is living vicariously through her.” Sophie groans, releasing a frustrated breath.

I shake my head as I pull into my assigned parking spot. It’s actually Brandon’s, but after I moved in, he insisted I take it, and he now parks on the street.

“Well, we didn’t always want to practice music either, but Mom and Dad made it fun, remember? And now look. You play professionally, and I’m a music teacher.”

“Ugh, yes.” She half-chuckles at the truth. “But still, I don’t know how you’re patient enough to teach,” she tells me. “I love kids, but their parents can be devils. Hell, sometimes the kids are devils too.” She chuckles, though I know she’s being serious.

Laughing with her, I grab my bag, then exit the car and make my way down the sidewalk toward the apartment. “I know. Every morning, I wake up and tell myself it’s a new day, and each kid has a fresh slate. Most of them aren’t old enough to really know they’re being little shits.”

“You’re right. Wise beyond your years.” I can tell she’s smiling by her tone. “Are you home yet?”

“Yep. Walking up the stairs now.” I really need to work out because I’m almost out of breath after taking the two flights.