“Are you ready?” asks Emma impatiently waiting for Harriet to finish dressing. “We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up!”
“I’ll be ready in just a minute. I’m finishing fixing my hair” shouts back Harriet through the bathroom door.
“I can hardly wait for the concert. You need to move it or lose it!” jokes Emma as she puts on her coat and searches for her purse which is stowed behind a chair by the front door.
“I’m coming! See! I’m all ready …” Harriet looks great tonight. She went shopping with Emma who tastefully picked out clothes that would blend with Harriet’s eyes and style and had her hair done at the salon.
They settle into Emma’s car and leave for the Netherfield Brass Band Concert. The corps band is on tour throughout the territory. They are a premier corps band and nationally well-known. It is the first time that they have visited Crestwood for the Easter season.
“This will be the first time I’ve seen Elton since he was engaged to April. I’m rather nervous about it. I hope that it is an easy transition” explains Harriet pulling at her dress to move it below her knees as she adjusts her legs under the dashboard “I’ve tried to keep myself busy working with Mrs. Dashing at the Devon Outpost so I wouldn’t run into him”.
“I don’t think it is going to be a problem. But did you see the new bulletin? April is being transferred to be the Social Services director at Area Command at the end of the month. We’ll be seeing a whole lot more of her than we use to” sympathetically remarks Emma tilting her head as she looks at Harriet for a moment while they wait at the stop light “but I am sure that we will find a way to continue to all be friends”.
As they arrive and find a parking space in the crowded lot, Emma notices Knightly waiting at the door alone. He animatedly chats to people as they enter the corps building but seems anxious looking for someone too. In the moonlight, he looks quite handsome Emma thinks to herself.
Walking up the stairs Emma calls out to Knightly, “Who are you looking for?” curiously asks Emma as he turns and smiles at her “Have you lost someone?”
“No, I was just waiting for Ms. Bates to arrive. She called earlier and asked me to help with her mother find a comfortable place to sit” in a friendly manner chats Knightly “It looks like she is pulling up right now and I’ve go to go help her. I’ll see you inside. Please save me a seat, if possible near the front.”
“Alright, Harriet and I will find a good place where you can hear everything that is happening” as Emma takes a glossy colored program from the greeter at the door and looks it over “We’ll see you in a minute”.
The chapel is completely packed. Nearly every good seat is taken. Grant enthusiastically waves to Emma and calls them over to an entire pew towards the front that he has reserved for his friends.
Gracefully Harriet moves into the pew next to Grant followed by a hurried Emma trying to find a place for her purse at her feet. Grant leans completely over to the side so that Emma is clearly in view. “It’s good to see you again! Both of you look great tonight!”
Pleased Emma replies “thank you” while Harriet blushes and sparkles a bit at the compliment.
Grant politely asks “Is Robert, Ashley or Katie coming tonight?” as he looks around the chapel “I haven’t seen them in quite awhile since the retreat I think.
“Unfortunately, no they are not. Robert has to work late at the mall. Katie nor Ashley are really into band music and decided not to come” honestly replies Harriet disappointed “It’s really too bad because they might have made some new friends with the band members from the Netherfield corps” and sighs missing her friends “It is there loss, I guess.”
“You attended the Netherfield Corps before” confidently states Emma recalling an earlier discussion “Do you know many of the band members?”
“Yes, I actually know quite a few” Grant pulls out the program that list the band members according to the instrument that they play “There is Charles Bingley who plays flugel and his sister Caroline on solo horn, there are his other sister and brother-in-law, The Hursts too. She plays 1st cornet and he plays Eb tuba, and George Wickham on Euphonium” he considers for a moment “Charles is a great guy. He can make friends with anyone”.
“Did you go to camp with him?” curiously asks Harriet.
“Yes often as a child. He was also in the divisional youth band with me.” explains Grant fondly thinking of many happy memories on the youth band tours.
Grant continues “While growing up, Anna and Mark Darcy who are brother and sister often played with the group when their family was in town for the summer. When in town, Anna plays soprano and Mark plays trombone. I don’t know if they will be here today though, I haven’t looked at my program. The Darcy’s cousin, John Fitzwilliam, plays in the band too. He’s a very good cornet player and sits first chair”.
“I’ve heard of the Darcy family before. They’ve won lots of awards at NMI or Northern Music Institute for years. It seems every one of them is a good musician” explains Emma “It must run in the family.”
“Missy Debourgh plays last chair 2nd cornet. She hasn’t been feeling well for awhile though. Her mother is interesting. She seems to be in charge whatever camp she is assigned to” explains Emma recalling several years at territorial camp. “I don’t know why she goes every year to music camp because Mrs. Debourgh doesn’t play an instrument or sing, but she sure does like to be in charge.”
Nodding his head in agreement “Casey Younge plays the baritone. She is Anna Darcy’s best friend. For the most part, everyone is pretty nice give or take a few” explains Grant glancing over his program of profile pictures of the various sections in the band.
As he finishes speaking, Jane quietly walks up to the group and gently touches Grant’s shoulder “Is there any space left for me?” Grant turns around and smiles at her for a moment before responding. “I’m sure that we can make a place for you.”
Grant scoots everyone down the pew and makes a place for Jane next to him but turns his back slightly on her with an angle towards a direct view of Emma. Knightly observes this movement from across the room and makes his way over to that section. Knightly sees that there is still room on the other side of Emma. He walks around the entire line of pews. Emma instantly moves her coat and Knightly settles down next to her.
The meticulous uniformed band walks in two parallel lines sharply dressed wearing maroon tunics, blank pants or skirts, and clean crisp white shirts with the women all wearing the same neck broach of a gold Crest surrounded by a wreath. The women’s black leather heels and off-black hose all match in the same shade and height. It is a precision group of bandsmen.
The band members find their places on the platform and continue standing until the bandmaster arrives and respectfully takes a slow bow. He motions for the band to sit and soon they begin to play an outstanding piece of brass works.
After the first piece concludes, Elton moves to the platform to introduce the special guests for the evening. “Thank you for joining us this evening on this special occasion” He momentarily sees Harriet in the audience and quickly looks away sticking his head up to maintain his composure as he speaks. He clears his throat “We are glad that you are here tonight to listen to the amazing Netherfield Band”. April zestfully beams at him where she has been sitting next to him and makes a big show by placing her left hand on the pew, leaning forward, and then turning around and intentionally smiling at everyone to make sure that she is included as a couple in the greeting.
April turns back around eagerly smiling at Elton and by nodding her head gives him permission to continue. “Please enjoy the exceptional program that has been prepared for you.” Catching Elton’s arrogant look, Emma empathetically grins to Harriet and gently touches her arm not wanting for her to hurt tonight because of the nonsense.
The band continues to play several remarkable pieces that delight the audience of brass band enthusiasts. Although sitting very close to Jane who is listening intently to the brass music and at times leaning towards her, Grant ignores her for most of the evening and doesn’t speak to her. He leans over to add his own personal commentary before and after each piece to Emma and Harriet who listen with focused attention . He knows a few stories of how a few of the pieces came to be written by their composers so he adds a few words of wisdom to enrich the program. Perceptively Knightly looks over once in awhile as Grant keeps Harriet and Emma captivated by his profound sense of knowledge. Knightly intuitively knows the show is for some reason meant to annoy Jane.
However, Emma chats quietly with Knightly as well between the breaks of each piece. For one technically difficult piece with many movements, the band has a special media production of scenes for world services. It is moving and inspirational. Afterwards an offering is taken to help assist with the needs of those serving overseas as missionaries and specific projects in which additional funds are required to be completed.
An entertaining percussionist from the band comes to the microphone and offers a special deal on old CDS as well as promoting the current CD that has recently been released for a good price. He makes jokes with the audience and seems very comfortable in the role of a late night talk show host. It has been an exciting concert so far, so many of the audience hurry to the sales table to pick up a few of the recordings.
Walking out into the foyer, Harriet notices Elton speaking to Ms. Bates and her mother. Harriet decides that this is her chance to speak to him and perhaps clear the air between them. Harriet swallows hard and makes her way to where he is standing against the wall with some punch and cookies that have been provided as refreshment during the intermission. “Hi Elton, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I’ve been busy with working at the Devon Outpost and haven’t had an opportunity to come to Crestwood” begins Harriet “How are things going for you?
“Oh, it’s too bad that you’ve been so busy” flatly states Elton looking around to see if anyone is watching him talk to Harriet “Things are fine.”
“Umm, I just wanted to say that this is a great concert and that you have done a good job organizing and advertising the event” continues Harriet nervously rolling up her program in the palm of her hand.
“Thank you” impatiently sighs Elton.
“Have you been planning this for very long? It must have taken you awhile” suggests Harriet trying to be friendly.
“Of course I have. Something like this just doesn’t happen overnight” condescendingly snaps Elton noticing that Mrs. Bennett has moved near him.
As he sees April giving him the ‘eye’ from across the room “I need to go now” as he quickly walks away from her leaving Harriet standing there alone.
Harriet stands there for a minute in view of everyone who has heard the gossip of her rejection. Harriet looks uncomfortable and very alone. Knightly sees that she is about to cry and quickly walks up to her with a glass of punch. The biggest gossip of the entire division, Mrs. Bennett, is conveniently positioned herself to stand right beside her during her minimal conversation with Elton which Knightly has sympathetically noticed.
As Knightly walks up to Harriet he loudly states so Mrs. Bennett can clearly hear him and hands Harriet a glass of punch “Here, I brought this for you. I didn’t see that you had walk away from where I left you. I’m glad that I found you again. It has been such a great concert. But this time you will have to sit next to me so that we can both enjoy and discuss the music.” He holds out his arm as Harriet takes his arm and he leads her back into the concert.
As they enter the chapel as the lights dim as a warning that the program will soon begin again, Knightly moves into the pew next to Emma with Harriet conveniently finding a place on the other side of him. Looking back and noticing that Mrs. Bennett is still eyeing him with curious skepticism, Knightly rests his arm on the pew behind Harriet and courteously smiles back at Mrs. Bennett who is analyzing Harriet’s movements. Mrs. Bennett gives an “umph” and shrugs her shoulders. Knightly feels pleased with his efforts as well as Harriet feeling rescued from the humiliation of Elton’s actions.
Grant speaks to Emma at every opportunity even though he is still sitting very close to Jane “How are you enjoying the concert Emma?”
“I think it is wonderful. I wish that our band played as well and looked as sharp”
Genuinely remarks Emma “It would be fun to go on a tour sometime.”
As a congregational tune is introduced, Grant shares his program with Jane which list the lyrics to a few praise songs and hymn tunes that the band accompanies with the congregation. But other than these slight moments of interaction, there is little that passes between them.
Jane is quiet and although enjoying the program contemplates Grant’s actions and really not understanding his motives at all. He appears to want to be near her but doesn’t want to communicate with her. It is all a bit puzzling. She can’t figure out why he still appears to be so upset with her but on the other hand wanting to be near her.
Grant would like for things to be back as they were with Jane but it seems everywhere he turns, Grant finds a picture of Jane and Allen Dixon together. It is so irritating to him that the War Cry published the VBS photo of Jane and Allen Dixon as well as the Young Salvationist in their recent magazines which happen to still be on display in the foyer. It was even used on the cover of a packet that was sent to the corps as a how-to conduct Vacation Bible School during the summer for the corps. The photo haunts him. It doesn’t appear that he can ever get away from it.
In his opinion, Jane seems oblivious to the fact of how much it annoys him. “Perhaps she really doesn’t care” frustrated considers Grant in his thoughts “Maybe she is hoping that things will still work out between her and Allen Dixon in spite of the fact he is engaged”. He gave her a copy of the Northern News a couple of weeks ago, Jane should know by now what is bothering him. But there she sits next to him as if she has done nothing wrong or at least anything that would make him upset.
There Jane is looking over to him, smiling her beautiful smile as she hands his program back to him at the end of the song. Grant shakes his head in disbelief. He can’t understand her. The band stands to sing their closing benediction in clear pitch perfect eight part harmony. It is a lovely prayer to the end of the day.
After the program is over as everyone finds their belongings to rush back out into the cold, Grant gains enough confidence and taps Jane on the shoulder as she locates her purse underneath the pew. Grant asks her because of his intense desire to know overcoming his doubt and fear of rejection “Have you heard from Allen Dixon since you moved back to Crestwood?”
“Yes, he is doing quite well. He seems very content in Bristol and enjoys working for the corps. It seems to be a very good place for him. I’ll let him know you said ‘hello’ the next time I call” genuinely replies Jane without any malice having talked to her best friend earlier in the day that was more than willing to talk about her fiancé and plans for their wedding.
Grant angrily stares at Jane unable to believe her brashness in sharing that she hears from him all the time. Grant smirks and snaps his program against his leg, “thanks” and incredulity walks away leaving a stunned Jane standing in the aisle wondering what made him instantly so mad.
Knightly walks with Emma and Harriet back to their car. As they walk across the parking lot Harriet almost trips and Knightly catches her by the arm to keep her from falling on the uneven asphalt. “Thank you so much” replies Harriet grateful not to fall in front of everyone.
“It’s nothing” kindly replies Knightly “I’m glad that I was helpful”.
“Emma! Knightly!” yells April across the lawn running after them in her uniform and heels in a sort of crazy shuffle.
“I forgot to give you your invitations” explains April then looking over at Harriet “You are invited too if you want to come”.
Knightly curiously looks at the pink, yellow and purple invitation with palm trees.
“Are you having a party?” asks Emma.
“Yes, Elton and I are throwing an engagement party and we are inviting all of our friends to come. I hoped that the Martins would be here too, but I haven’t seen them” April states rapidly looking around “Jane is my party planner and she has such wonderful ideas! It is going to be so much fun! You must put it on your calendar for next Friday. You need to be there!”
“What kind of party are you having?” asks Knightly thoroughly examining the invitation.
“It’s a luau. So you need to wear your Hawaiian clothes and ready for an outdoor party” explains April.
“I had planned to do one in the fall for Elton’s housewarming party but it got post-poned. I could help if you would like me to” sincerely offers Emma “I have a few things already and we might be able to borrow some from the supply program closet at area command”.
“Check with Jane. She is the one organizing the whole thing. We have been such good friends lately. I would say we are even best friends” remarks April pleased with having a confident so close to Crestwood and to let her know what is happening with Elton when she is away.
Standing slightly on her turned ankle, Harriet feels a little out of place. However noticing Harriet’s submissive demeanor, April adds at the last minute “Bring your friends. The more people we have the more fun it will be celebrating our engagement! We fit so well together I’m sure there could not be a happier couple in the universe!”
“Thanks. Congratulations” replies Harriet not sure what else to say as April hurriedly walks away finding another person across the parking lot in dire need of an invitation.
“I think that I see Ms. Bates and her mother coming out of the corps building. I’ll see both of you later. Give me a call some time” replies Knightly in Harriet and Emma’s direction smiling at both of them while he walks away.
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