Backstage, I was wringing my hands in expectation. The show had just begun and I was more then ready. I looked around the room at all of the other performers who were getting ready to go on. I didn’t see Jenina among them. I really hope she makes it, I thought.
The show was filled with a wide variety of acts. There was everything from instrumental recitals to improvisational skits. I was impressed with the talent of the students that performed and I hoped that I would do as well.
When it was almost time for Jenina to go on, I still didn’t see her. I was beginning to worry that she wouldn’t make it on time. As the performer before her was taking his final bow, Jenina came rushing into the backstage area.
“It’s almost time for you to go on,” I whispered.
“Yes, I know,” she managed to reply as her name was called. She took a deep breath to calm herself before walking confidently onstage. She took her place center stage, refusing the microphone that was offered to her. As the accompanist began to play, Jenina began to sing in a way that I could only describe as angelic. Her rich soprano carried throughout the entire auditorium without a microphone. She sang in a full-throated opera style. My ears drank in every last pitch as they were launched from her perfect vocal chords. Though her singing was technically perfect, there was something that it was missing. Her singing has no feeling , I concluded. She does not feel passionate about her music. The diva then drew her song to a closing crescendo, ending with a note so high that it must have been several ledger lines above the treble staff. The audience was on its feet as she walked off the stage.
“Good luck,” she whispered to me as my name was called. I swallowed hard and walked out from behind the curtain. The audience politely applauded as I took my seat behind the piano. I adjusted the bench so that my feet could reach the pedals. I lifted my hands and began to play my song:
I long for your tenderness,
With your arms around me.
Even when my hope is gone,
I stand waiting for you.
When my sadness brings streams of tears,
Your face comes to mind.
Then I smile in spite of myself,
And my spirit is renewed.
I long for your tenderness,
With your arms around me.
Even when my hope is gone,
I stand waiting for you.
Though I know you’re far away,
Far away from my embrace,
But I trust within my heart,
You’ll be back again someday.
After a wait of about fifteen minutes, Ms Tori, our music teacher, walked to the microphone at the center of the stage. She held a sheet of paper in her hand.
“And now for the results of this year’s fine arts competition. Before I announce the winners, why don’t we have a round of applause for all of our participants.” The audience politely clapped for a moment before Ms Tori continued, “As for the winners, it looks like we have a tie. Two participants both earned perfect scores. Will Yosora Jenina and Mouri Shin come out to the stage?” I stood dumbfounded for a moment before I felt Jenina tug on my arm.
“What are you waiting for, silly, let’s go,” we both walked from behind the curtain into the bright stage lights. Ms Tori shook each of our hands before turning back to the microphone.
“Although we have two winners, we only have one first place scholarship. We are going to have to come up with a tie breaker,” the teacher informed us.
“Wait a minute,” interrupted Jenina, “Please give the scholarship to Shin. He deserves it more then I do.”
“Well, I suppose,” began the astonished teacher. No one had ever seen Jenina act so humble. “I guess the first place scholarship goes to…” Ms Tori was suddenly cut off before she could finish.
“You’ll do no such thing!” A tall, imposing man from the audience rose to his feet. Powerful emotional waves of dread emanated from Jenina.
“Father please!” Jenina pleaded. She was almost to the point of tears.
“You deserve the scholarship, you will participate in the tiebreaker,” he demanded. He spoke as if he expected his daughter to obey without question.
“No,” she answered softly.
“What did you say?” her father questioned, surprised by his daughter’s disobedience.
“I said no,” she responded, this time with resolve. “I don’t want a music career.” As she said that, a variety of gasps could be heard around the auditorium. Everyone was shocked that Jenina would stand and defy her father in front of everyone. “I want to become an artist,” she said firmly, “I want to teach children to draw and express themselves through art. That is my passion.” She then turned and looked at me, “Shin’s passion is music, give him the scholarship. I have enough trust in myself to know that I’m making the right choice.” She didn't wait for her father or anyone else to respond. She took off running and disappeared backstage.
I knew that it would be very rude to run after her and leave Ms Tori alone, so I stayed to accept the award. I smiled and said a few words about how winning was such an honor. As soon as I could get myself away, I went looking for Jenina.
Hey Shin, spoke Shu telepathically, aren’t you coming with us? We’ve got this great celebration party planned.
Give me a moment, ok? I replied.
Oh, you’re looking for that girl.
She did give up the scholarship for me. The least I can do is thank her.
Just meet us outside.
Sure thing, I focused my power on finding Jenina. I sensed that she was hiding somewhere backstage.
“Jenina,” I called out, hoping that she would answer me.
“I’m over here,” she replied softly. She was nestled in between two large boxes in the storage area backstage. With the black dress she was wearing, I found it difficult to see her. I didn’t think I would have found her if she hadn’t answered me.
“What are you doing back here?” I asked gently.
“I don’t want to face my father,” she said darkly, “He’ll scream and yell at me for sure. I don’t know if I’ll be able stand up to him when I get home.”
Using my mental skills I psychically scanned the auditorium for Jenina’s father. When I was able to sense him I got the impression that his anger would be short-lived and would cool down after a while.
“Jenina,” I began, “Why don’t you came with me and my friends? We’re going to this great restaurant that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
“What about my father? I don’t want to make him even more angry with me.”
“Just give him time to cool off, I’m sure he’ll understand after he has a while to think things over, trust me on this one.” I helped her to her feet and we both walked outside to meet the guys.
Jenina called me two weeks later to inform me that things were looking better for her. She had a long talk with her father and they both reached an understanding that it was up to her to choose her own career.
“I’m so glad that you’ve worked things out with your father,” I told her on the phone.
“Yes, I’m even going to be going to art school in Paris,” she said excitedly.
“Paris? You’re kidding!” I exclaimed. It was so glad that she would get the opportunity to follow her dreams.
“Yes,” she replied happily, “It’s like everything is finally coming together for me.” She paused for a moment before saying, “thanks Shin.”
“What for?” I asked, wondering what she was trying to get at.
“For helping me find the courage to trust in myself, silly,” I could tell by her tone of voice that she was grinning.
“Yes,” I replied, “always trust in yourself.”
“It still needs something,” I grumbled, ready to snap my pencil in half. I had been working on the same song for nearly a month and it still sounded wrong. “Maybe if I change the dynamics here or change the time signature in measures 38 through 47…”
“I know what it needs,” interrupted Shu from behind my shoulder. He and Seiji had been observing me the whole time.
“What’s that?” I asked.
"Friends,” both Shu and Seiji answered in unison.
“You guys may be on to something,” I smiled as I began playing the introduction to my latest work. The three of us sang the song together, with me on the melody and my friends singing harmony. Seiji had a surprisingly delicate tenor with an almost mystical quality that didn’t fade when he hit the treble range. Shu sang a lower tenor with a rich, velvety timbre. The song worked perfectly.
“Three Tenors eat your heart out!” Shu joked.
I knew at that moment that I had the greatest friends in the world.