Chapter twenty-five

The music faded softly in the room and they all looked at each other expectant.

“So, how was it?” Kris asked finally.

“I still think you focus too much on the piano for the rhythm. But Eric and I make sure we keep the beat.” Teddy said with his deep voice sitting behind his drums.

“The song is very heavy on the piano; I need to listen to Daniel.” Kris said frowning lightly. She turned to Daniel.

“You are still holding back. It’s like you are not sure, you can reach and hold the high notes. You can put much more power behind it. You simply have to try it.” He learned really fast, that Kris was still a bit unsure about her talent. If he only could make her try it once, then she could see that she can do it and she would surprise them all during the Christmas show.

“I’m not able to reach those high notes.” She answered back.

“Yes, you are.” Steve and Eric said in unison. They grinned. Kris smiled shortly and looked at Michael and Alex. They were both with them the last days and didn’t seem to be bored at all. Maybe because they could watch their partner all day long without getting stupid comments. Michael told her that nothing was sexier then seeing Daniel play piano and Alex was so happy that Eric and her were an item now, she could watch him sleep and would still be over the moon.

“Michael?” she asked.

His head snapped away from Daniel. “Huh? Oh, you know I have no idea about music, but I know that Danny has and when he thinks you can do it, you can.” Daniel grinned and placed a short kiss on his lover’s lips. Kris sighed deeply. That’s not what she wanted to hear.

“Alex?”

Her best friend looked at her nervously. “I think you can do it, Kris.” Kris rolled her eyes. “Maybe when someone else is listening to it, you will be convinced enough to try it.”

“You mean one of the guys upstairs?” Kris asked surprised. Alex nodded.

“Hm, good idea.” Steve said. “What about your dad?”

Kris shook her head. “I wanna surprise him with this song, you know that. And I’m not sure I would get a word out when he would be here.” She admitted nervously.

“How about David?” Alex suggested. “You already played piano for him. He actually showed you some nice little tricks. You shouldn’t be so nervous with him around and I’m sure he won’t tell anything about it when you asked him.”

Kris nodded and glanced at Daniel. He looked at her for a second. “Yeah, why not. Asked him to come down.” Kris smiled thankfully. She could see Daniel tried not to show how nervous he was about playing in front of one of his idols, who actually studied at the Juilliard. The school he wanted to study at so badly in two years.

“Ok, I’ll be right back.” With sweating hands Kris walked upstairs. She had to make sure Jon would understand why she didn’t want him to listen to it. He would be really hurt otherwise.

When she entered the living room it was empty except of David who just closed his cell phone. She bit her bottom lip and stopped at the door. He looked up.

“Hey, Kris.” Why was she so nervous? Did they damage something down there?

“Hey. Uhm…where’s Jon?” she asked kneading her hands nervously.

“He, Rich and Tico are outside playing football with Steph and Jesse. I just wanted to join them.” He pointed through the huge patio doors into the back yard.

“Oh, ok…David?”

“Kris, what’s wrong? Come on sit down here.” He patted the couch next to him. “Did you damage something in the basement?”

“What? No!” she looked at him shocked. “It’s just…I wanted to ask…” She closed her eyes briefly. “Can you come down and listen to one of the songs?”

He looked at her surprised. “Are you sure you don’t wanna ask your dad?” Jon would freak when he found out that she asked him.

“I wanna surprise him with that song during the Christmas show. He can’t listen to it prior.” She sounded desperate.

“Oh, I see.” He watched her a second. “Ok, but you have to explain it to him. When you don’t do it, he would be very hurt.” David said.

She nodded. “I know.”

“Good. How about you go outside and tell him and I go downstairs and talk with the boys?” Kris paled. She should tell him now.

“Now?” she asked shocked. David got up and walked into the hallway. She followed him looking for an excuse.

“Now.” He said and handed her her coat. She wanted to say something, but David pointed with a stern look to the door. She sighed and walked outside.

“Hey, sweetie. Did you see David?” Jon yelled as soon as she was outside.

“Yeah.” She whispered. Jon frowned. Did she say something? Concerned he walked over to her.

“Are you ok, sweetie?” he put his hand on her forehead. Maybe she was getting a cold again. Kris moved her head away.

“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath. “David is down in the basement. I asked him to listen to one of the songs.” She said and hoped he wouldn’t freak too much.

“Oh.” Jon was surprised. She could hear the disappointment in his voice.

“Jon...it’s because…” she started.

“It’s ok sweetie. You can ask whoever you want to.” He turned and wanted to walk back to the game, but Kris blocked his way.

“Wait!” her voice was hard and he was taken aback of it

“I didn’t ask you, because I want to surprise you with this particular song during the show. It just doesn’t sound right by now and… and…” tears were filling her eyes. Jon’s expression softened.

“Oh, Kris.” He pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back. “It’s ok. I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m sorry.” He kissed her head softly and smiled. She’s planning a surprise for me.

“Everything ok?” Richie walked over to them and saw Kris tears.

“Yeah, everything is fine.” Jon said and watched Kris. “I just have a great daughter.” Kris smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Hey, no time to rest. Go back inside again and listen to your teacher. Sometimes he really knows what he’s doing.” Kris laughed.

“Only sometimes?” she asked with a grin. Jon winked at her and pushed her towards the door.

While Kris was outside with Jon, the boys had told David about their problem. They agreed that he would listen to them once before he would tell Kris what she should change.

“Ok, here I am.” She said and walked back into the room. David didn’t miss her red eyes and looked at her questioning.

“Everything’s fine. But only because I didn’t let him run away.” She answered his unspoken question.

He nodded smiling. “I see. Ok, show me what you got.” He stepped aside and Kris sat down on her stool. That’s problem number one, David thought, but didn’t mention it now.

The kids nodded and started to play the song again. David was impressed. This song wasn’t easy, especially not for the singer. At some point she had to sing without any instruments, in other parts she had to focus on the piano only. That was definitely not easy and he knew Jon would be really surprised about her choice.

“So, what do you think?” Kris asked after the last tones faded.

“Well, you are very ambitious to choose that song. It was good…but you can do much better.” They all looked at each other rather shocked.

“First of all…” he pushed Kris off the stool. “… this is a song were you have to stand as a singer. And you should do it anytime you sing, because you don’t have so much routine like your father by now.” Kris nodded.

“Second, you have to focus on the piano. That’s good, but only in that part where you two are playing alone. All the other time he…” David pointed at Teddy. “…is your barometer of truth.” Teddy grinned.

“Teddy tried to tell you a couple times that you were too fast, but you didn’t react at all.” Kris bit her bottom lip and nodded. David could see that it was hard for her to accept the critic. Just like Jon.

He looked her in the eyes and could see her fighting for control. “Kris, these guys are already playing together for a little while, it takes some time till you fit in completely.” She bowed her head. David tilted her chin up again. “But I can tell you, you already sound great together. I can only hear it, because I do it for a living. Nobody will guess that you only play for a couple weeks together. Ok?” She nodded.

“Good. Go and blow your nose otherwise you can’t sing.” Kris chuckled and watched when he told the rest of the band to listen better at each other.

“How long are you guys playing together?” he asked Steve.

“Uhm…about five years.” He replied.

“I see. You are getting lazy. You think you can do it and don’t have to listen to each other anymore. Well, I tell you something you still have to do it after 16 years.” The boys exchanged a look and nodded.

Kris watched David talking with the band. He didn’t mince his words. Everyone of the guys got a featback. When he turned to Daniel Kris swallowed hard. When he would give him a roasting Daniel would probably never play again.

“You are one talented guy.” Daniel released the breath he didn’t know he was holding. David smiled. “There are some little things you can change, that will also make it a bit easier for Kris, but we can talk about that later.”

“See, you won’t have a problem to be accepted by Juilliard.” Kris said and grinned at Daniel.

David nodded. “No, you won’t…when you continue to practise this way.”

“Oh, I will…you can be sure of that. I will.” Daniel promised and stared at the keys. He was a bit overwhelmed by the compliment. David smiled. Kris isn’t the only one here who doesn’t know how good she really is.

David turned to Kris. “We will do the middle part again. Focus on your breathing; you need a lot of air for that part.” She nodded and faced the mic.

Teddy counted them in and Daniel started to play the piano solo. Kris closed her eyes and sang. A smile reached David’s face. She was good; she was really good considering that she never had singing lessons.

“Ok, stop.” They all stopped and looked at him surprised. He stepped behind Kris. “I want you to sing alone.” She nodded. “Teddy, count her in.”

She started again and when she reached the part where she always lost her breath and her voice lost the power, David pressed his hand on her belly. She stopped shocked and looked at him unsure.

“You have so much air left, but you simply don’t use it. Kris touched her belly and frowned. “You need to sing with your whole body; you can hold the notes much longer and make them louder when you use your abdominal membrane.”

“How can I train that?” she asked confused.

“Simply by singing scales. Try it.” He encouraged her. Kris took a deep breath and sang. It worked. David nodded approvingly.

“Good. And now try the song again. Teddy!” he said and the band continued their rehearsal.