Backbeat Rhythm

Chapter 1: New Kid on the Block-2

After nearly an hour had passed, Kit returned to the school to join the small group of other parents already gathered on the sidewalk. He nodded to Rashaun’s Aunt Flora, but made no attempt to join her. The woman would talk your ear off if you gave her half a chance.

One of the other women strode toward him, a hand outstretched. “You’re new. I’m Rosa Sanchez.”

Rosa introduced Kit to the other parents. They wanted to know more about him, of course. Some of them turned away with condescending smiles when he said he waited tables at Chez Nous, even though it was one of the most popular (and expensive) restaurants in the city. Kit made a good salary there, and the manager was willing to give him the day shift to work around Ebon’s school hours. He didn’t see any reason to be ashamed of his job, though he could probably make more if he went back to school and got a business degree.

He did hand out a few of his business cards to parents who seemed interested in music lessons for their kids, but he didn’t mention the band. Not many parents would be impressed to hear he played bass for a heavy metal group. He spotted a few furtive glances at his ponytail, but that was hardly a dead give-away at his third job. He’d have gotten more blatant stares if he’d not worn a long-sleeved button-down to hide the obligatory tattoos all rock musicians seemed to collect.

Finally, the school door opened and the troop spilled out, chattering excitedly to one another and calling goodbyes. Kit spotted Ebon in the crowd and gave him a little wave. Ebon wasn’t quite old enough to pretend he didn’t know his father in public, though Kit was certain that day would come. The boy pelted across the sidewalk to Kit’s side, a wide grin on his face.

“Dad, we’re going on a field trip next week! And I showed Mr. Lopez my knots and he said I could get a badge as soon as I’m old enough to be a Boy Scout.”

A stocky Hispanic man crossed to shake Kit’s hand. “Joe Lopez. Your son’s a real trooper. Glad to have him in the Scouts.”

Kit didn’t spot the very interesting Mr. Hill in the crowd. Maybe he’d stayed to clean up, or vanished out a back door. Ebon regaled Kit with the details of his meeting all the way home. It was good to have the kid so excited. Cub Scouts might be one of the best ideas old Mrs. Kennedy had suggested, back at that parent-teacher meeting. Ebon had been having trouble before, struggling with getting his work done, disinterested in the schoolwork. Now, he was eager to read his Scout book, and Kit only had to threaten to take the book away to get the boy to finish his homework. He wasn’t making all A’s by any stretch of the imagination, but at least he wasn’t in danger of failing any longer.

Ebon fell asleep with his beloved Scout book in his hands, and Kit took the time to pick up the apartment a little. Tomorrow was Friday, and the band was performing at a new club. Alicia would be sitting with Ebon, and Kit didn’t want the young lady to feel like she had to clean while she was here. He’d really lucked out getting a sitter who’d accommodate herself to his oddball schedule. Alicia was willing to house-sit for two nights every weekend while Kit worked the clubs Fridays and Saturdays. She was even willing to take the odd weekday shift if something came up unexpectedly. Worth every penny he scraped together to pay her.

* * * *

Once the place looked halfway presentable, Kit dropped to sit on the sofa for half an hour of mindless entertainment. He had to get Ebon up for school in the morning, so no late hours. A dad needed his priorities straight. He found himself thinking about Ebon’s Scout leader again. Wouldn’t it be great if the man swung the way Kit did? Of course, Ebon might not like his dad hooking up with his Scoutmaster. That didn’t stop a man from daydreaming, though.

Mr. Hill was a little more slender than Kit usually liked, but what he’d seen had been well put together. Mr. Hill had the sort of mouth that looked like it needed to be kissed frequently, and that rigid posture hinted at a forceful personality. Kit could really get into a masterful partner, especially if the man turned out to be a top, or versatile.

The television droned on in the background as Kit drifted into a happy dream of a tall, dark stranger. He jerked back awake as the Night Show music blared. Snapping off the TV, he dragged himself to bed, careful not to wake Ebon. One day, he’d be able to afford a place with a separate bedroom for the kid, but for now, Ebon didn’t seem to mind sharing a room with his old man.

Stretched out on his bed, Kit allowed his mind to drift back to the daydream he’d dozed off to: Mr. Hill taking charge of all those little things Kit was bad at, running them like a master-sergeant while Kit concentrated on his music.

“I love it when you play for me,” the man would say in a husky voice. “Lay down a heavy rhythm and let me dance for you.”

Kit’s eyes slowly slid closed, and he was off to Dreamland once again.