Alex got the call first thing Tuesday morning, offering him the forklift job. Chuck, the warehouse foreman, asked him to come by the office that afternoon. Alex filled out a few more pieces of paperwork before getting the grand tour.
The warehouse was small, by warehouse standards. There were a half-dozen loading docks and an open floor. Pallets, filled with all sorts of merchandise, lined the walls. A single staging area sat in front of an open dock door. A forklift hustled back and forth, delivering full pallets to the dock. Chuck stopped the action and introduced Alex to everyone on the crew. Already, it seemed like the perfect fit.
Alex hit the ground running. On Wednesday, he learned the basics of operating his forklift. The other forklift operator was easy going. That put Alex at ease, too.
By the time Friday came around, Alex was loading trucks on his own. Back home, the girls were packed and ready to go. Marcus texted Portia. He wanted her to visit before she left. She said yes, taking the bus to his apartment.
When she got off the bus, she saw the black Ford Mustang in the parking lot. It was Darren‘s. She went upstairs, hesitating at the door. It was open, but the screen door was shut. She heard video games on the television. That only meant one thing.
“Hello?” she called through the window. Darren popped his head around the corner.
“Marcus is in the back.”
Marcus went back to the couch, allowing Portia to let herself in. Portia jumped when the screen door banged shut behind her. She was really nervous about seeing Darren for the first time since their incident. However, when she passed through the living room, he ignored her completely.
Marcus stood in the doorway to his bedroom.
“Come on back.”
Marcus was still in his basketball gear, but she could smell the fresh spray of cologne from the living room.
Dress clothes were neatly laid out across his bed.
“I thought this was going to be a booty call.”
“Would you be disappointed if it wasnt?”
Portia shrugged.
“I just wanted to talk.”
“About?”
“Nothing in particular, I guess.”
“Hmmm,” she said. There was a pregnant pause as Portia stood next to the bed, waiting for him to clear a space. As soon as he realized his mistake, he carefully placed the shirt on top of the slacks and offered her a seat.
Portia smiled.
“Are you excited for the trip?”
“I’m too busy thinking about the solo to be excited, but I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just a little high school competition. You’ll knock ‘em dead.”
Those were Marcus’ usual words that got under Portia’s skin. Inadvertently, he’d put distance between her and him – whether it was his ‘Big Man on Campus’ status, her ratty clothes, her good-for-nothing family, or, in this case, her god-forsaken ‘little high school competition’. She had had it.
“What does that mean?”
“What?”
“This ‘little high school competition’ is a big deal.”
“One day, you’ll see that it doesn’t really mean a thing.”
“Just like your basketball trophies?”
“I was going to get a contract in the pros.”
“But you didn’t.”
“Don’t even start, Portia.”
She stormed straight out of the apartment, shoving the screen door as she went. The hinge popped as the door snapped backwards.
“Hey, don’t break my shit!” Marcus yelled after her. It was all Portia could do to ignore him. She never admitted it before, but was sick of how he belittled her in a thousand tiny ways. She went out to the bus, catching her ‘loser cruiser’ back to school.
As Portia got off the crosstown bus, the ensemble was gathered between their luggage and the charter bus in the school parking lot. Phoebe was chatting with Sophie and some of their mutual friends as they waited for the last few students (including Portia) to arrive.
“Hey-ho, Hey, ho!” Phoebe called out to her sister. Portia sneered at Phoebe menacingly.
“Woo boy! What’s up with that?”
“Marcus.”
“Don’t worry about him. We’re going to Philadelphia. We’ll pick you up a real man,” said Sophie. Everyone, including Portia, laughed.
“That’s more like it,” said Sophie.
Mr. Tanner marked Portia off the list. They waited on the few stragglers and soon, they were on their way to Philadelphia. Some parents followed in their cars. The Gatteaus, however, stayed home. They simply could not afford anything more than they’d already spent, even though the ensemble held car washes, raffles, and Bingo games to pay for the trip. It was nothing new for either of the girls. Usually, they just didn’t go on field trips at all.
Portia sat with Sophie while Phoebe sat with her friends. They swapped gossip and flirted with the boys who sat in the row next to them. Sophie opened her gym bag and shared snacks with everyone sitting near them.
As the bus exited the offramp that said ‘Pennsylvania Convention Center’, the chatter grew louder.
“This is it!” exclaimed one of the girls. Students rose from their seats and crowded the left-side window nearest the Convention Center.
“Everyone return to their seats!” shouted Mr. Tanner.
The students were so excited, they only half-responded to him. Even the students who obeyed eventually stood up and moved to the window again.
The building was covered in mirrored glass and polished steel, its silver façade gleaming in the early evening sun. Hundreds of students gathered in the causeway between the parking lot and the Convention Center. It was like nothing most of the kids had never seen. Most of them had never left Pittsburgh, except to visit relatives.
Mr. Tanner got off the bus when it stopped, but the children had to remain inside with their chaperones, Ms. Green and Mr. Coffman. When Ms. Green stood up, everyone went silent. Unlike Mr. Tanner, she ruled with an iron fist. There were even rumors that Ms. Green had worked at the State Penitentiary sometime in her past. If anyone had dared to ask her, she would’ve neither confirmed or denied the rumor. It was probably best not to know, anyway.
“Alright kids,” Mr. Tanner announced as he returned to the bus, “We’re good to go to the motel.”
“What about the competition?” asked Phoebe.
“We don’t perform until tomorrow.”
They headed out of town, stopping at a budget motel.
“Truly ghetto,” said Sophie. The students laughed and carried on while Mr. Tanner left them behind again. He gathered the room keys and passed them to each of the room captains. After everyone got a key, Ms. Green spoke again.
“We’ve purchased packaged meals for everyone. After you get your meal, you’re to go to your room until the morning. Everyone has a room on the second floor. You are not to leave the second floor at any time for any reason. We will be watching you and anyone who tries to sneak out will not be allowed to perform. Furthermore, there will be no ordering of pizza or fast food. Are we clear on this?”
There was a low murmur amid the ‘yesses’ and the students went reluctantly to their rooms. Phoebe split off with three of her friends while Portia stayed with Sophie and two other girls.
“We get the bed in front of the television while you get the other one,” directed Sophie.
Sophie also showered first, followed by Portia. The other two girls went directly to bed and were asleep by the time Portia finished drying her hair.
“Hey,” whispered Sophie.
“Hey what?”
“Tell me what’s going on with you and Marcus.”
“There’s not much to say. I’m just about done with all of it.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s hot and cold and I actually think I like his brother better anyway.”
“Isn’t he always high?”
“Not always.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard.”
Portia could not bring herself to admit it, but she couldn’t recall a time when he wasn’t drunk or stoned or both, but it didn’t bother her, even though she never smoked and rarely drank – and when she did, it was usually just a glass of wine or a sip of a mixed drink at a party.”
“Marcus would flip if you hooked up with Darren.”
“We um…”
Sophie covered her mouth as she gasped in shock.
“Be quiet already,” said one of their roommates.
“You’re kidding, right?”
Portia shook her head.
“Tell me what happened…and don’t leave out one detail.”
“Shhhh!”
“Tomorrow,” promised Portia.
Portia pulled her pillow around her head as she turned away from Sophie. Sophie prodded, but Portia ignored her. Although she was Portia’s best friend, Portia could not believe she let it slip about her and Darren.
Thoughts buzzed through her head as she tried to sleep. She stared at the clock as it counted through the hours. Sometime after 5:00 am, Portia finally fell asleep.
Seven o’clock came quickly as the girls rotated through their turns in the restroom. Portia dragged herself out of bed and went to the restroom. She leaned against the shower, trying to wake up. Sophie knocked on the door.
“It’s a quarter past nine. Ms. Green is looking for you.”
“Oh, God.”
Portia changed into her choir dress and went outside. The rest of the class was on the bus while Ms. Green waited outside.
“Snap to it, you’re going to make us all late.”
They rode to the Convention Center and filed into the building. It was even busier than Friday night. Mr. Tanner led his troops to the far end of the auditorium. Their section was marked with a sign and masking tape. Portia found a seat on the bleachers and rested her head in her hands.
“Are you okay?” asked Mr. Tanner.
“I’m so tired.”
“How’s your voice?”
“It’s okay, I think.”
“Sophie, here’s some money. Get her some tea from the concession stand.”
“I don’t like tea,” said Portia.
“You do today.”
Portia drank her tea as everyone waited. When it was their turn, the ensemble filed onto the stage. They started with the ensemble piece. Portia’s voice faltered. Sophie gently kicked her in the foot and Portia lowered her voice.
During the second song, it was more of the same, but Portia’s voice got stronger as she matched melodies with her sister. By the end of the song, she was feeling confident; her voice singing boldly.
Mr. Tanner moved the microphone from his piano to center stage.
“And now, here’s our competition solo, ‘I Am What I Am’. Our featured soloist is Portia Gatteau.”
Mr. Tanner adjusted the microphone as Portia approached the stand. She cleared her throat. Everything felt good.
“You ready?”
Portia nodded.
Mr. Tanner returned to the piano, leaving Portia alone with the microphone. He raised his left hand and looked at his choir, and gave thime a reassuring smile and wink. Then, he lowered his hand as he played the first notes.
“I am what I am…” sang Portia.
Her voice found its way through the first line, slowly climbing in volume as she listened to the sound of the chorus behind her. She was placed perfectly in front of them – their voices urged her onward. Her voice was crystal clear – and stronger than it had ever been before. She looked around the auditorium. All eyes were fixed upon her. Mr. Tanner’s smile was so wide Portia thought she could see the fillings in his molars. She focused on them – she was in the zone now.
By the end of the song, everyone was running on all gears. Mr. Tanner raised his left hand and balled it into a climactic fist. The ensemble hit the crescendo together – every voice in tune. Mr. Tanner pulled his fist down to his chest. Every voice stopped, right on cue.
Portia felt surreal as she turned to join the chorus. She paused for a second, turned, and bowed to the audience. People rose to their feet, clapped and cheered.
The ensemble filed off the stage and returned to their seats. When they gathered in their seats, they congratulated each other heartily. Even Ms. Green was smiling. It did not last long though, as she ordered the ensemble to quiet down while the rest of the schools performed their numbers.
At the end of the competition, they recessed for dinner. Cheers went around, even from Phoebe and her friends. Portia was just glad she made it through to the end.
After dinner, they returned for the results. The emcee announced the Honorable Mentions and the three finalists. Their school was in the top three. They announced third place and it was a school from the Philadelphia area. Next, the emcee paused as he opened the envelope.
“And the winner is…East Philadelphia Tech.”
The entire ensemble deflated simultaneously upon not hearing their name. For the first time in a very long time, Mr. Tanner’s kids did not finish first.
Ms. Green leaned over and gave Portia a hug.
“It’s okay.”
The bus was silent the entire ride home. The bus pulled into the empty school parking lot just after midnight. Portia and Phoebe’s parents got the news a few minutes after the emcee announced the ensemble’s silver medal. They were not there to greet the girls. Phoebe took her friends home while Sophie took Portia home.
“Don’t worry. It’s not like it was your fault.”
Portia let out a quiet breath as she stared into the distance. When Sophie pulled up to the house, Portia got out.
“I’ll see you Monday,” said Sophie.
“Yeah, Monday.”
Portia went inside and went upstairs. Phoebe arrived a little later. She did not say a thing to Portia. Instead, she unpacked her bags and changed into a fresh set of clothes before slipping back out. Portia turned off all the lights and pulled the sheets over her head. If she didn’t have anything else, at least she had the solace of solitude as drowned in self-pity.
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