Company

Rehearsal

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Sadie was sitting on a couch in her room. She was rehearsing songs with piano and lyrics. She moved from high tune to low tune and this she continued.

“Sister Sadie, can I come in?” Ethan said.

“Sweetheart, you can hear my voice; I am busy,” Sadie said.

“Sorry, sister Sadie; everywhere is boring,” Ethan said.

“Alright…, come in!” Sadie said.

“You are learning songs again?” Ethan said and sat down.

“Yes, sweetheart. The contest is around the corner,” Sadie said.

“Which contest?! You didn’t tell me anything about this,” Ethan said.

“Oh! I forgot. Davies and the rest are aware. Actually, a non-governmental organization, William’s foundation, has organized a music contest between teenage Americans,” Sadie said.

“Wow!! Are you participating?” Ethan said anxiously.

“Sure! I am rehearsing for it; I want to defeat my counterparts,” Sadie said.

“What are the participants' benefits?” Ethan said.

“Well, 6, 000 USD, 4, 000 USD and 2, 000 USD will be given to the first, second and third best singers respectively,” Sadie said.

“Wow!! That’s good. I know that the 6, 000 USD belongs to sister Sadie,” Ethan said jokingly.

“Of course! It’s mine; I can’t wait for that day,” Sadie said, and Ethan laughed.

“What kinds of songs are allowed in the contest?” Ethan said.

“You are just too inquisitive these days. Well, gospel songs, love songs and sundries are allowed,” Sadie said.

“That’s good. I was wondering why you have been learning love songs for days but I never knew you were preparing for a task ahead. I thought you were just showing some talents again to make people like us jealous,” Ethan said.

“C'mon! Sweetheart, you have your talents. Everyone has his or her God-given talents. With time, you will discover yours,” Sadie said.

“I pray so, sister Sadie,” Ethan said.

“Please, go now, so that sister Sadie can concentrate,” Sadie said.

“Just a minute!” Ethan said.

“You are too garrulous! Okay, what do you want to say again?” Sadie said.

“When will Davies and Liam leave our house?” Ethan said.

“Why do you ask?” Sadie said.

“Davies is too proud, he doesn’t have time for me; he is always writing some useless scripts,” Ethan said.

“C’mon! Ethan! Don’t be jealous!” Sadie said.

“I am not jealous, sister Sadie. Davies spends all his time writing scripts; he spends his leisure time with Liam instead of me,” Ethan said.

“Are you serious?! I have never noticed that. Well, Davies is a scriptwriter and needs to face his career squarely. You are younger than Davies and you don’t expect him to be flopping around with you. However, you have sister Sadie who is always willing to keep you company,” Sadie said.

“I am Davies’ cousin, not Liam,” Ethan said grimly.

“You are being childish, you know. Now, give sister Sadie a peck,” Sadie said.

“I hope you will not travel again?” Ethan said.

“No, I won’t. Why do you ask?” Sadie said.

“The last time you travelled to the United Kingdom, gosh! The house was tiring,” Ethan said.

“Really?! I am sorry, sweetheart,” Sadie said.

“Tell me the truth, are you traveling soon?” Ethan said.

“No! But I can carry you along when I am going next time,” Sadie said.

“Dad and mum won’t allow that. They will say I am too young to travel far away,” Ethan said.

“No worries, Ethan; I will persuade them. Besides, dad has a soft heart,” Sadie said.

“You are right, sister Sadie,” Ethan said with a smile.

“Now, go to your room; I want to rehearse,” Sadie said.

“Alright, sister Sadie,” Ethan said and walked away.

Davies was sitting close to Liam on a couch in the living room; the duo were having some conversations. Ethan dragged himself inside.

“Ethan! Are you blind to the extent that you cannot see your elders?!” Davies said.

Ethan looked at Davies with disdain, he hissed and walked away.

“This boy is becoming something else?” Davies said.

“I have been watching Ethan’s attitudes and actions since the first day I came into this house. Ethan was very rude, uncultured and arrogant. Who does he think he is?” Liam said and grimaced.

Davies raised his head up, used his hand to remove a substance attached to the couch and behaved as if what Liam just said did not in any way concern him.

“Davies, I am talking to you?! Are you okay?!” Liam said.

“Of course! I am fine!” Davies said.

“I just talked about Ethan's conduct and behavior and you didn't say anything,” Liam said.

“Ethan is a very small boy. I think he is just being shy to relate with us,” Davies said.

Liam was taken aback by what Davies said. He frowned to show his discomfort. Davies quickly noticed Liam’s reaction.

“Liam! What happened? You don’t want to talk again?!” Davies said.

“What do you want me to say?!” Liam said.

“C’mon bud! You've got a lot to say. I said Ethan may be shy to relate with us; what do you think?!” Davies said.

Ethan dragged his feet on the ground, adjusted his sitting postures and cleared his throat.

“See Davies, I know why Ethan is behaving this way,” Liam said.

“You know?! Really?! Tell me!” Davies said curiously.

“Ethan thinks we have come here to stay forever,” Liam said.

Davies looked at Liam's mouth and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“What is so funny about what I just said? I hope I have not said what I shouldn’t have said,” Liam thought.

“You haven’t observed well, honestly! This is my aunt’s house and I can live here forever if I desire it,” Davies said.

Liam looked at Davies and Davies' presence looked more irritating to Liam. To show his discomfort with what Davies said, he became mute.

“Why are you mute? Are you angry with what I said?” Davies said.

“Angry?! No! I am not angry! I am only surprised by the way you talk,” Liam said.

“Have I said something wrong?!” Davies thought.

“Why are you surprised by what I said?” Davies said.

“Davies, don’t be a dullard. Your cousin doesn’t like you! Let’s call a spade a spade,” Liam said.

The words of Liam hit Davies like a hammer on his chest. He opened his mouth in surprise.

“Are you surprised?!” Liam said.

“How can you say my cousin doesn’t like me? Remember we share the same bond,” Davies said.

“Bond under my feet! Siblings kill one another in this new world we are. Use your senses!” Davies said and walked away angrily.

“Could this be true? What have I done to Ethan?” Davies thought.

Aubrey was holding a bag, she stood flabbergasted and was watching Davies for about 10 seconds.

“Davies!!” Aubrey said.

“Ma!!” Davies said and discovered he had been carried away by his thoughts.

“What are you thinking about for crying out loud?! I was standing for about 10 seconds watching you painstakingly, yet you didn’t notice my arrival,” Aubrey said.

“Nothing, mum,” Davies said.

“That’s a big lie. Are you missing your dad?” Aubrey said.

Aubrey sat close to Davies on the couch, she put her bag on the floor and touched Davies on the back.

“My son, tell me what is wrong? A problem shared is partially solved,” Aubrey said silently.

“I said I am okay, mum; I was just reminiscing on some scripts,” Davies said.

Aubrey looked deep into Davies’ eyes. She could see sadness but she gave a fake smile.

“Scriptwriter! I surrender. If there is anything on your mind, you can share it with me,” Aubrey said.

“I said I am fine, mum,” Davies said.

“Alright…, give me a smile,” Aubrey said.

Davies smiled and carried Aubrey's bag. He looked into the bag and found nothing consumable.

“Mum, you didn’t buy anything for me?” Davies said.

“I didn’t tell you I was going shopping; I went to visit my sick friend in the hospital and gave her all the money on me. I promise you something when next I go out,” Aubrey said.

“Okay, mum,” Davies said.

“I am very tired and need to rest,” Aubrey said.

“Alright, mum, Davies said.

“I am off to my room” Aubrey said and stood up.

“Alright, mum,” Davies said.

“Where are these children? Ethan! Ethan!” Aubrey said as she walked to her room.