Page 16 of Never Forever
“You cannot,” I agreed, and she gave me a death glare, but I knew Carrie well enough to know she didn’t appreciate bullshit.
In the distance the streetlights went on and bats swooped overhead. Dad would be freaking out about me being out so late. He was always worried about bears in the woods at night even though I’d never seen one. There was no way I was leaving Carrie though. Not for a million dollars.
“What’s the audition for?”
“A shampoo commercial.”
“You have to sing about shampoo?” That seemed weird.
She laughed. Just for a second. A little joy through her misery.
I did that.
I made her laugh even though when I found her tonight she’d been crying. “No. But, my mom says I have to show the casting agents I can sing. So if a singing role comes up, they remember me and call me in for it.”
Right. I could help. “Well, you want to sing for me? You know, as practice? I can tell you if you sound okay or not. Also, you know I won’t lie.”
She looked torn. Like she knew she was bad but she also knew she needed practice.
“How will you even know? Are you a good singer?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?” My dad was an excellent singer and sometimes when we were doing chores together around the house, I’d try to harmonize with him. Mostly they were silly Irish shanties and ballads, but I thought we sounded pretty good.
“Stand up then and let’s hear it. You sing for me and if you’re good, I’ll let you give me a critique.”
I narrowed my eyes at her even as we both got to our feet. “So I’m auditioning to tell you if you’re a good singer or not?”
“Yep,” she tossed her hair back over her shoulders and looked like this made absolute sense.
“That seems messed up,” I muttered. “Just…sing? Like right here?” In front of her?
“Don’t be a chicken.”
Well, I was hardly a chicken.
“I think you’re the one being a chicken,” I said.
“You already heard me sing!”
I almost cracked a joke about how what I heard couldn’t be singing, but I didn’t want this moment to end. So, I walked up to the edge of the stage, threw out my arms and belted out Carrick Fergus. It was a sad one and slow, but it was Dad’s favorite.
She was totally shocked. Like, mouth open on the floor, eyes wide. It was kind of awesome, really.
“There. Am I good enough to listen to you now?” I asked.
“Uh, hell no. I’m never singing in front of you. Ever. You’re really good, Matt.”
“Thanks. My dad is big on music. But come on, let’s hear you.”
She shook her head. “No way. I can’t compete.”
“It’s not a competition, Carrie. It’s just a friend helping another friend get ready for an audition.”
“Are you saying we’re friends?” she asked.
I gulped and felt my face get hot. “Yeah. I’d say so.”
“Remember when we were kids?” she said. “When you were sick and I took your homework into class?”