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He hated having his hair combed, hated having hairspray put on his wonderful hair, it felt too harsh and smelled like disinfectant. He knew from his mum that was going to such a school because he had to meet more kids and not spend his time at home or in the studio surrounded by adults. He liked adults, when they weren't shouting. They parked in front of a colourful building, stuck his face to the window and saw more children with their parents, some happy and some crying.
“Am I going to live here?”
“Oh no honey none of that, I'll come back for you later. Be good and make lots of friends, come on come on”.
They got out of the car and approached a woman who was smiling. She didn't give him much confidence so he clung to his mother's calf hoping not to be seen. The women exchanged quick words and the stranger crouched down to his level, making him back up a little.
“Hi, you must be Matthew. My name's Meena, I'll be with you while mommy comes back, do you want to come with me?” He turned to look at his mother hoping to be saved but she only encouraged him, impatient. He moved his hand slowly saying goodbye receiving two big kisses on his cheeks. “That's it, let's go inside with the rest”.
He took Meena’s hand more firmly. “Call me Matty, that's what everyone calls me”.
“All right Matty, you can go with the others to the courtyard and I'll be there in a moment”.
“ 'Kay”.
He saw that in the playground the children had already made small groups that took turns to use the things, some on the slide, on the slides, others on the playhouse, nothing really caught his attention so he looked around for something else, a small area with a fence made him come closer.
It was a sandbox, he wasn't sure if was allowed to do that but carefully climbed the plastic bars and let himself fall into the space. Making sure no one saw him he settled down to dig out some buried toys and make figures, no doubt he would ask for a Christmas one so he wouldn't have to come here so often, he carelessly busied himself with his sculptures.
After a while he heard them start to call everyone's name, he didn't know if heard his name so he got out as best he could and joined the end of the line that was moving towards the classrooms. “Matty! Where were you?”
“In the sandbox”.
“You can't be there, only on Fridays. Come on, let's get you changed so you won't be bothered by the dirt”. He was separated from the rest to go to a kind of big dressing room like his mother's but instead of a wooden wardrobe it had lockers and shelves for children. Oblivious to the work he let them put his clothes on him, moving his body as necessary to get him inside, groaned a little when she passed him wet wipes to remove the traces of dirt.
By the time he reached the classroom everyone had found someone to sit with, from the doorway he contemplated his options and was interrupted. “There look, go with Michael”.
A boy in a jumper much bigger than himself looked asleep at his table. He didn't look like much of a talker. “Hi, my name is Matty”. He got a look before being ignored, tried again. “What's your name? Just Michael?” He got no answer.
He stood looking for a suitable friend, it was what mum had said and he was keen to find one, he saw another boy who looked quite focused but more importantly, without a partner. He took his pencil case full of crayons and colours, his worksheet and moved to the other table. The boy looked a little startled when he whipped his pencil case to attention but moved to give him space, even pushing his chair so he could sit down.
“Hi, I'll be your friend. My name is Matthew Timothy but everyone calls me Matty. What's your name?”
He looked at him a little perplexed. “George. You have an adult name Matty”.
“It's an adult name! My dad's name is Timothy and he's an adult, he has sparse hair. George sounds very serious, I'd better call you....” He turned the page over and tried to write what he thought was the name, but it was more like scribbling at his convenience. “I like the G, I'll call you like this”.
“I also like the G. Does your mum have sparse hair? My parents don't, although dad cuts it a lot and it looks like he doesn't have any but it feels like spikes, I don't like it”.
“Well no, mum has a lot of it, it's long and blonde thanks to some creams in boxes. I put some on once but it burned so much that I never touched it again”.
“Can I borrow sky blue?”
“I have these”. He spread out all his colours on the table, looking curiously at the tallest one as he made his choice and could tell how attracted he was to all his blues; he felt proud to have more than three. “I give them to you, you don't have to choose because I don't like to choose, I always take everything”. He shrugged his shoulders.
With some hesitation he took them one by one until he had all in his hand, looking at them with fascination. “Thank you, but mum told me not to take anyone's things”.
“I'm giving them to you, I can tell your mum if you want”.
“It's ok Matty, thank you”.
The female voice startled them. “How are you doing with your drawings, guys?” She approached the table, looking at the unfinished work. “You should hurry up so we can hang them up. Matty, weren't you with Michael?”
“Nope, I'll be with my friend George. Today and always ”.
The woman looked at them tenderly, resigned to check on them on more occasions, accepting the union to avoid a possible series of tantrums. “All right, just finish your drawing so we can do something else”.
They spent their day between little activities, breaks and games. It wasn't as bad as Matty thought, even a big boy like him felt great and now better that he had a friend, every chance he got looked up what they looked like, he really liked that both had very sticky curls.
He waited patiently for his mum, he knew she wouldn't leave him there even if it was a bit late, she was a busy woman as she always told him. After a while he could see her car and stood up eagerly ready to run, halfway there he remembered his backpack and went for it, hearing the teacher laugh, she welcomed him in her arms with a loud kiss on the cheek which quickly wiped off because he didn't like red paint.
“Sorry I'm late. How was it?”
“He had a good day, no problems, I only had to change him because he got into the sandbox, nothing serious. He is really lovely”.
“Oh thank God, he's a bit obsessed with those. Thanks a lot Meena, see you tomorrow, say bye sweetie”. Snuggling into the crook of her neck he sleepily waved goodbye.
He felt himself being laid down in the back seats half secured with seat belts, his mother turned the radio down low and let himself go until he woke up in an armchair at home hearing noise from the kitchen, music and being caught by a smell he knew all too well, steaks.
He walked to the kitchen stealthily hoping to surprise his mother, passed the door and saw that her back was turned. “One two three for you!”
His mother jumped up and down laughing a little. “Jesus Matty, did you sleep well honey?”
“Yes, I'm hungry and I...” He pulled a chair from the dining room and climbed up to one of the high chairs at the bar, which were his favourite because they rotated.
“Darling, be careful”.
“I made a new friend, he has curls like me and likes the colour blue. I had another mate but he was boring as shit”.
“Matthew! That word is for adults only, you shouldn't say it at home, least at school”.
“Yes mum, you should meet my friend, he has a super serious name. George with G - e - o - r - g - e but I call him G because it's shorter, he calls me Matty”.
“That's great baby, maybe I'll see him soon. Does he like it when you call him G?”
“Yes, he told me he was fine”.
“I'm glad you're making more friends, sometimes those relationships are lifelong and beautiful. Are you going to want ketchup on your potatoes?”
“Obviously Mummy, is there mustard?”
“In the refrigerator”.
He added homework to his unusual routine, every day was something different surrounded by adults, laughter and more. Sometimes he would get very stressed about not being able to go downstairs and perform for his parents' friends because he didn't finish some page or drawing, so he would end up crying and going downstairs with irritated eyes hoping to attract someone's attention and be saved from his new exhausting responsibility, it always worked because they would shower him with kisses pushing to sing, dance or do some trick.
Diary tried to go to sleep quickly after tidying his little backpack and choosing what he would wear, sometimes he fought a bit with his mum until she gave in and let him combine, he was so worried about looking good and getting there in time to see George.
As time went by he discovered that his friend could raise one eyebrow more than the other, didn't like cameras, was somewhat shy, liked to hold his hand and teach him things he learned from his sister, like origami. He had been giving him his blue colours whenever he could, would come home and make it clear that he had lost them so when he saw other shades of blue (which he had learned to differentiate thanks to a sheet with samples of how painted each of the previous ones) he would take them and throw them into the trolley.
They were at the till waiting their turn as he decided which chocolate he would take, thinking about taking one for George too because he gave him his last chicken nugget. His mother was putting everything on the band to collect when she saw two new coloured boxes. She couldn't remember exactly when had bought others but lately she was seeing more of them than usual.
She watched the boy place two chocolates on the bar, shaking his head to the rhythm of the music in the supermarket. “Matty, I just bought you colours we can't take these”.
“I need them, mum! They just get lost or end so fast and I need those, all of those, because I paint a lot”. His hair was totally out of place from how he had styled it that morning and the frustration coupled with the time they had been away was pushing him over the edge.
She sighed with no time to fight. “It's okay Matthew but you have to start taking care of things, because neither dad nor I will be buying colours forever, okay?”
He nodded reluctantly ignoring her, he held out his arms for her to deposit him in the trolley to the car. The ride was quiet, as he was allowed to sneak into the passenger seat he tried to move the radio but nothing pleased him, at home things went badly, his dad had returned but he ended up having a "loud conversation" (as they was told the fights were called) with his mum that he knew wouldn't end soon, so he didn't have much time to be with them.
In his room he took the blue colours out of the boxes, throwing the others in a cardboard box he kept under his bed for when he needed them. He reached for his shade sheet and scratched a little with each one so he wouldn't forget what they looked like, there was one that looked like metal, it had silver highlights in the light that he was sure his friend would love, that got him a little excited.
His morning didn't get much better, he and his father slept more which meant he couldn't sort and eat his cereal as always did, his attire got dirty and they almost forgot his bag. He was late for school but they let him in saying there was no problem but he shouldn't repeat, his dad just smiled a little and said something that made his teacher laugh and him frown, he didn't like it when that happened except with mum.
He looked around for the rest who were doing activities, all in pairs going through hoops, cones, mats and then back to form up, he tried to locate George sitting down because he must have been waiting for him but he realised he already had a partner, the boring Michael. Anger and sadness tightened his chest, he didn't understand why his friend hadn't waited for him and even less why he had replaced him with someone so silly, he stomped over to him.
“Get out of the way, George is my friend”.
“He is also my friend and you can't tell me what to do Matthew”
“No, he's my friend, he can't be yours! Come on George” The taller one watched the exchange in confusion, slowly walking away not quite knowing what to say.
“He's not yours, I chose him as my partner first!”
“He is my friend, he is always with me!”
“I'm not giving it to you!” He pushed him by the shoulders causing to fall backwards hitting his head lightly, the teacher was coming in watching the scene unfold, alarmed she approached the children watching for the curly one as another woman approached to talk to George and Michael.
“You're not my friend George, not any more!”
They took him to the infirmary leaving him crying, they put some cream on him for the blow and checked that he didn't have any other injuries. “Ready Matty, are you feeling better?”
“No. I want to go home”.
“Do you know who we can call first to come and get you?”
“My dad but don't let Meena see it, she laughs like mum does with him and I don't like it”.
The nurse laughed nervously. “I promise Matty, I'll get him myself, can you wait here, you could lie down”.
He nodded looking for a better way to settle himself, closed his eyes pretending to be asleep when heard someone come in and put something on the floor and then go out. Sure that no one was there he got off the stretcher with the help of the stool to rummage in his backpack, he found the chocolates that were meant for him and George, but he guessed that he didn't want it anymore so ate both and went back upstairs to sleep for real, he was exhausted.
He heard voices in the distance, opened one eye to see his dad talking to the nurse and another teacher, he watched with concern and nodded to what the women were saying. He felt himself being lifted up and snuggled into the familiar scent, he was pressed against the man's chest letting him know he was there.
He felt like they drove for a while, when he came fully awake he settled better between the front seats watching the road and his dad who looked pensive. “Do you want an ice cream?”
“Of what?”
“Whatever you want, love”.
“I want a glazed one with lots of chocolate”.
“It must be chocolate”. They went to an ice cream shop that they knew very well, they went downstairs and Matty took a seat at his favourite table that luckily was empty, he saw that the drawing on the table was two ice creams, one blue and one very light pink, it reminded him a bit of George but he tried to distract himself because his now ex-friend didn't love him anymore and it wasn't worth thinking about those people as his mum used to say.
His dad came back handing him a layette with three scoops of chocolate ice cream, sprinkles, granillo and overflowing with syrup. He had a mint one which in Matty's opinion tasted awful, sometimes adults like that sort of thing.
“Why did that kid throw you away?”
“He was with my friend George when I arrived and he didn't want to let him go so that I could be his partner in the activities, then we shouted at each other and as George didn't say anything Michael pushed me to leave, I hit my head and it hurt a lot. I also told George that we were no longer friends, I even brought him presents, I was going to give him a chocolate and I ate it but I didn't want to eat it, it was for him....” He began to sob again, he thought he had never felt so sad, all his friends were friends of his parents and they never left him aside, the few times they had done it they compensated him with presents promising him that it wouldn't happen again. He didn't want to move away from the boy, he wanted to have a friendship like the one his mother had said, for life.
“Matty people can have more friends, just because you met him first doesn't mean he is your property, he is a person not an object and you should respect his space. Mum has friends and I have friends even though we met a long time ago because we should have more people to talk to and share, George probably didn't know how to react and that's why he didn't stand up for you, but it doesn't mean he doesn't want you as his friend or don’t love you”.
“But you and mum always do things together”.
“Most of the time, yes, but not always. Remember we make dinner together? Well mum also does it alone and sometimes with her friends, I've done it with some colleagues and we still love each other, that doesn't change anything sweetheart”.
“But I was carrying gifts, I'm better than Michael”.
“Matty... You may still be too young to understand but not everything we do at home is the ideal way to relate to people and I'm sorry it affects you, you're no better than Michael for giving gifts to George, that's just something else. What were you going to give him?”
“George likes the colour blue a lot so I give him the blues I find, they are all different. I was also going to give him a chocolate because he gave me nuggets at recess and now I don't have any. What am I going to do with the colours?”
“Well, first you should apologise to George and Michael”.
“But -”
“No, you must do it because that was wrong. Ask George if he wants to be your friend again and if he wants you can give him the presents”.
“ 'Kay but what if he doesn't want to?”
“Well, you can keep them to yourself and you will always find more friends”.
A little calmer he returned home, his mother was still not back which he assumed she would do later. He went to the office to get some papers, went back to his room and got out all the materials he could find for his letter. He had learnt to write properly just not any clearer so he tried hard to make every word understandable, he knew George would understand him anyway.
When he had finished writing, he turned over the sheet of paper which looked ugly because it was so white, thought for a few moments about what to draw and came to the conclusion that there was nothing better to put on it than a portrait of him and his friend. He devoted most of the afternoon to detailing it, putting it to dry and making sure it was well stored in his homework folder, so it wouldn't get mistreated.
He went to bed early hoping that the time would pass more quickly, the only thing he managed to do was to fall asleep in a short time, between dreams he heard his door open but the fear disappeared when the floral perfume and the creamy texture on his cheek confirmed that it was his mum who had arrived. He was allowed to miss a day of school and the next morning his dad was the one who took him as mum was very tired, he took a seat at his desk carefully taking out his letter putting on top the chocolate they bought on the way and the colours, he waited patiently until he saw the boy come in with his short curls, gave him a look that he looked away quickly making Matty a little nervous.
He arrived at his table and stared at what was outside. “Hi G, are you mad? I like your hair”.
“Hi Matty, no. Thanks, my mum cut it off. Is your head fine?”
“Yes. Hmm I am so sorry, dad says I should apologise even if I don't want to but I don't want to stop being your friend, I think you are like me and mum says I will never find someone like that in the world so I should take care of our friendship, I brought you a letter, I put a drawing on it and I have gifts, this time I didn't eat anything, would you like to be my friend again?”
He nodded curtly. “Yes, I want to be your friend again. Yesterday I worried a lot and missed you. I brought you a muffin because mum gives me one when I feel bad and I don't want you to cry. Thanks for the presents, is that me?”
“Yes, that's us. Thanks for the muffin G, I love you so much. Wait here, dad also says I have to apologise to Michael”.
“Let's go”. They took each other's hands and walked to the other table, and the boy looked at them a bit saddened.
“Hi Michael, I'm sorry I shouted at you. I know that even though I'm G's best friend he can have more friends, you can pair up with him too, I don't mind. Yeah?”
“I'm also sorry I pushed you Matty, I shouldn't have done that”.
“It's ok! I didn't get hurt. Well goodbye, Michael”.
They went back to their table doing what the teacher told them to do, talking quietly because they weren't supposed to do but they had a lot to talk about after having been fighting for almost two days, which felt like an eternity.
At recess while they were enjoying their chocolate George started telling him about his mum's party. “Dad bought her lots of chocolates because she likes them and my sister made a chocolate cake too. I helped to mix it and even decorated it. I wrote "I love you" with icing on it”.
“Did you decorate the cake by yourself?”
“Yes! My sister told me how and I wrote it myself, it looked good. Mum will be able to read it without her glasses because it is big".
“That sounds great, I've never decorated a cake but sometimes I help to mix everything together and let me eat what's left on the spoon”.
“I would like to do that”.
They spent the rest of the day as usual and when it was time to leave he waited patiently because knew that his mother might be a little late, after all she was very tired.
“Do you want to say hello to my mum? We can wait for yours to come and you won't be alone”. George offered.
“Well, let's go”. They held hands to walk towards the pretty lady who saw them amused, she was taller than Matty's mother, she had marked features and a very nice skin, like her wavy hair of the same tone as George's. “Hi G's mum, happy birthday”.
“Hi honey, thank you so much. You must be Matty, George says you were best friends”.
“We are friends again! This time for real, G is a very good friend and I am too”.
“I can see that boys, I'm glad you're friends again. Where's your mum, sweetheart?”
“She must be putting on her red lipstick or on her way, I don't know. She's famous, she's on TV as dad, are you going to ask her for an autograph?”
Jennifer laughed. “I know Matty but I'm not going to ask her for an autograph, I wanted to ask her if you want to come to my birthday party, did George tell you?”
“Oh I want to go and my mum will want to go too because she likes chocolate cake. Yes, he told me before”.
“Ah very well, then there won't be a problem, I just have to tell her... there she is”. They waved a hand in the distance drawing the attention of Denise who looked at them confused but quickly put on a smile.
“Hi hi, Denise Matty's mum, you must be....”
“Jennifer, George's mum. Nice to meet you Denise, today is my birthday and I was asking your boy if you would like to come to my party. It is going to be a family reunion but as Matty has been so attentive to my little boy I would like you to join us”.
“Oh really? Of course, yeah no problem. When and where is it?”
“It will be at home, something small. Today at four o'clock but it will start at about five, let me write down the address...” She took out a notebook and a shiny black pencil.
She took the paper. “I know the area, I'll see you there Jennifer. Thank you very much for take us into consideration”.
“No problem, see you later”.
“See you later”.
Each family separated, the Healy's got into their car playing the radio and humming, suddenly recognition came to the woman. “Matty, why did Jenn say you were so attentive to George?”
“Because I give him gifts, Mum”.
“Oh yes, like what?”
“Blue colours and food”.
Blue colours and food, touched and a little sensitive she let out a few tears, trying not to let her child notice them. “I love you very much my darling, don't ever change, you love George very much, don't you?”
“I love you too mommy and to George too, he is like another me and I love him very much because he listens to me but he also talks to me, teaches me new things and has curls, G is great”.
“Of course it is honey, he could be your soul mate”.
“Do you think so?”
“Yes honey, I can see that. Do you want to go shopping for the gift first?”
“Can you buy something for me?”
“If there is something you really like, yes, but no more, ok?”
“Yes mum”.
They went to the shopping centre where they ate fast food and thought about what they could get for George's mum. They started walking around and looked at the shop windows looking for something suitable, past the toy shop was never the best of ideas.
“Mummy, Mummy look!”
Denise turned her attention to where the little boy was pointing, it was a cute little drum kit that apparently came with a little stool and everything, she didn't think she was going to get out of there without it. “It's a drum kit honey, you already have a guitar and some drums at home”.
“Yes mum but I don't have a drum kit for me, the drums are dad's and they're boring. This drum kit is great, I can play it, remember?”
A series of rhythmless beats came to her mind. “Yes Matty but -”
“Please mum, I've been a very good boy, I promise not to play too loud, please!”
“OK, but that's all I'll buy . Let's go”.
“Yes, just that”.
With the help of employees they carried the boxes of the other toys Matty had chosen that would fit in the car and the drum kit would be delivered to the house. He had one especially, hugged tightly watching his accomplishments.
They returned to the place this time concentrating on looking for the gift, the little boy was struck by a set of necklace and earrings with a stone that he said was the same colour as his friend's eyes and surely Jennifer would like to have something from her son. Also a box of chocolates and a book recommended by Denise.
They looked for a tent to wrap them up properly, the curly one wouldn't let them do anything to his furry friend except put a bow on him, blue of course.
Arrived home with time on their hands to change into something more comfortable and clean, as best they could they told a very confused Tim where were going and that he had to stay for a delivery. They drove around a couple of slow drivers until they reached the house, it wasn't too difficult as they could see from the outside that people were celebrating something.
Just as they were coming down George came out and ran to meet them, happily taking them both by the hand and pulling in with the rest.
“You're here! Welcome, come in come in, we're almost ready”.
“Happy birthday Jennifer, we brought you this”.
“Thank you very much! You wouldn't have bothered, I really appreciate it”.
“I brought this for George too, here G”. He held out the light brown German Shepherd stuffed animal to the boy who saw it with eyes lit up with excitement, took it from his side and pulled his friend into a big hug.
“Thank you Matty, you have been a great friend to George”.
“I know! He has also been a very good friend”.
“Can we go and play mum?”
“Yes, go. I'm going out with Denise and talking to you for the cake later”.
“Look Matty, I have a cat!”
“Does it ring? I have a plastic one that if you squash it....”
“No, he doesn't like you touching his tail!”
The women watched the exchange with some alarm, deciding to have a moment to themselves they went to the backyard where there were more people and a couple of tables already with food and more. Denise was introduced to all the family and friends, a few recognised her from her more important roles but quickly picked up the conversation with banal topics.
A couple of times they saw the children running past, looking for something and raiding the tables for snacks. She could see Matty being chased by Nono and others the cat being chased by Matty, until finally the feline was hanging happily over his shoulder.
“And why is it called Nono?”
“We rescued him when George was younger but 'cause he had allergy problems we wouldn't let him get too close, so we kept telling him "no, no" that he couldn't be with and suddenly they both thought that was the name, we tried others but Nono wouldn't listen to us, only when George called him he would go and stay with him”.
Denise burst out laughing at the story, they continued to tell anecdotes of their little ones without overlooking the day of her big birth labour. The evening fell, painting the sky lightly, a pleasant breeze covered the guests leaving them satisfied and ready for the main dessert.
“It's time for cake kids, cake!”
A pair of curly heads peered out of the attic window. “We'll be right there, Mum!”
“Jesus George, what are they doing there! Don't get too close to the window, please”.
“We came for Christmas decorations Jenn, look Mummy they have a Father Christmas just like ours!” Matty pulled out a dusty doll showing it to all the guests who were now looking at them.
“Oh Matty, come down from there with George carefully. I'm so sorry Jennifer, he's usually very fearless”.
“No, don't worry. Georgie has a fixation with the attic and everything in it, I neglect it a bit and it ends up going up”.
After a short while both children came downstairs with a couple of things hanging and misplaced, they wished Jennifer a happy birthday, sang and looked forward to their piece of cake. They both took on the role of waiters happy for the adults to praise them and give them a few coins in return, they ate to go to where others were building a fire, Denise felt a tug on her trousers.
“What's up, honey? We're almost leaving”.
“Can George come over? Just tonight, I just want to show him my super drum kit mum, please”.
“I don't know, we have to ask his -”
“ George's mum and dad!” He ran to where the adults were talking to their acquaintances. “Can George come to my house? I promise to bring him tomorrow, please, please, please”.
They looked at each other gracefully and glimpsed their son's excitement at the mention of the idea, silently agreeing. “If your mum agrees of course, he can come with you and we'll pick him up from your house tomorrow afternoon, right?”.
“Yes, thank you!”
“I have to go and pack! Come on Matty”
“Don't forget your pyjamas and toothbrush George”.
The children were lost inside the house again and little by little people were saying their goodbyes, leaving only the hosts in place, opting to return to their chairs as there was no reason to get up. “It’s fine Denise, don't you have things to do?”
“No, no, we'll be at home and we're delighted to welcome George, he's a great kid”.
“Thank you, just like Matty, it has made the change more bearable for our baby”.
When they had everything ready after a little tug of war over whether they could take Nono or not, resignedly got into the car and said goodbye through the window. They arrived at Healy's home to find Tim in the garden making the necessary introductions.
“How did the party go?”
“Very good dad, Nono almost left me hairless like you”.
He laughed. “Who is Nono?”
“It's my cat Tim, he's not very nice to visitors but he knows Matty is good”.
“At least or I'd have to call him Tim too. Want to go to the shed to see something cool?”
“Yes!”
They followed the man excitedly, Matty pointing out every detail and explaining his story to George who listened attentively and followed the conversation with questions and more questions, they passed by the place and were fascinated.
The shed had always been a magical place for Matty ever since he could see his dad's little get togethers with his friends and the times they played a few instruments, the guitar had totally stolen his heart. Over time they had decorated it better, added a couple of instruments and details that made it more welcoming, but it felt more like the future home of the little curly who was jumping up and down with excitement.
"It's a real drum kit!" shouted the children at the same time, fascinated by the new acquisition they surrounded it and played lightly with some trepidation.
"But where's mine, Dad?" He saw him accusingly.
"In the hall, so you have it closer when you want to play for the guests”.
"Oh ok."
Both saw Tim and Denise who looked at them happily, cheering them on.
“You can play it, flea you could play something on your guitar, show George”.
He nodded frantically, taking the guitar from the stand and plugging it in as he had learnt, he played a couple of chords trying to follow the rhythm catching it after a couple of tries.
George looked at it. “Can I try?”
“Yes, look, sit there. Now hold it like this and put your hands here. You can hold whatever strings you want and play them all down here, like this”. It ripped causing a loud buzzing sound. “Oh just play the one you're holding, like this”.
“It is a bit difficult”.
“Yes it is but you can play the drums if you want to”.
Both took their seats with their respective instruments, Matty began to play first the chords he knew from AC/DC repeating them for his friend to pick up, the taller one struck tentatively until he was sure of what would do, he nodded towards the curly one and they played in tandem.
They were out of time, the tuning and the choice of notes were not the most appropriate but they did very well for their age, both had an incredible ear that allowed them to coordinate surprising the adults in the room.
They finished their performance excitedly, a little shy of the applause they received. “You guys are rockstars, you have everything in your hearts”.
“You know Dad, when I have a band George will be my best and only drummer ”.
“Yes, I will be his only drummer and his best friend . We'll be very old and still playing music”.
“But…. we'll still have hair, won't we mum?” Both turned worriedly to look at the adults who laughed discreetly.
“Yes Matty, you will still have hair”.
“'Kay, so we definitely will do that ”.