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| Growing Up Smart |
With the dance only hours away, Ian Smart's day is anything but ordinary. Between helping Rev. Crabtree navigate a church dispute, enduring his mom's playful teasing, and being surprised by Fiona's special plans for the evening, Ian has plenty to keep him smiling. But when an unexpected encounter with a classmate reveals that someone may be carrying a burden alone, Ian is left with a growing concern he can't ignore.
Episode 11 | The Price of the Costume
Ian watched as Rev. Miles Crabtree was wearing a path into the office carpet.
“I can’t believe the choir director just walked out! In the middle of rehearsal.
Who does that?”
"Did something happen?" Ian said.
“He got into it with Cal the falsetto.”
Ian tilted his head. “I know Cal, and he seems like a pretty reasonable guy.”
Rev. Crabtree continued. “Cal wants a solo! Jonathan told him he's not ready for
a solo. That was it. Next thing you know, name-calling, raised voices, and boom Jonathan walks out."
Ian mouthed. “Wow.”
"Exactly!” Rev. Crabtree said.
“These grown folks calling themselves adults acting like middle schoolers."
“Ridiculous.” Rev. Crabtree raised his hand. “Just ridiculous.”
Rev. Crabtree raised a hand to his forehead. “I'm going to need a couple of aspirins,
and probably a prayer circle.”
Ian nodded. "I'll pray for you and get those aspirins.”
“Thank you,” Rev. Crabtree said.
Ian left the office and ran into his mother coming off the elevator.
“Hey Mom. Where are you headed?
“The First Lady asked to see me,” Raina said. “What are you doing here?”
“The Pastor needs aspirins,” Ian said. “The choir is really putting him through it.”
Raina chuckled. “Lots of drama there. Your father told me about the costume.
Napoleon?”
“Please don’t start.”
Raina was still smiling. “I just want to see it.”
"Why?
"Because I know it's going to be hilarious," Raina said.
"Mom..."
"I'm getting it on video," Raina said.
Ian shook his head. "It better not end up online.”
“No promises,” Raina said, walking off.
“Mom!” Ian said as she disappeared.
***
“Ian better have a good excuse for not calling me back,” Fiona said, heading into the Christian Center. She spotted him working at his cubicle. She smiled. He looked in his element.
As she got closer, she heard him say.
“There are a lot of applications for the teen choir.”
“Hello Ian.”
He smiled. “Fiona. This is a surprise.”
“Someone didn't call me back. I'm curious about the costume.”
“Sorry about that,” Ian said. “I was hanging with Lee and Riley.”
“They are more important than me?”
Ian leaned back. “Of course not. I lost track of time...but I got the costume.”
“And?”
“I meant to call.”
“Who are you going as?”
“You won't tell me but you want me to tell you.” Ian shook his head. “No way.”
Fiona nodded. “Ok. That's fair. I'm just worried. I want everything to be perfect for the dance.”
Ian smiled at her. “It will be. No worries.”
“What time are you picking me up?”
Ian gulped. “You know...I uh don't have a car.”
“Then I'm picking you up?” Ian said.
Fiona smiled and waved. “Later Ian.”
Ian looked to see Rev. Crabtree come from around the corner.
“Reverend Crabtree. We were just discussing...ahhh I was just telling her.”
Rev. Crabtree jokingly looked at them.
“Sure you were.”
***
Ian was on his way out of the center when he spotted Roger Summers, a retiree, sitting at his desk
“I didn’t know anyone else was here.”
“Hey young blood,” Mr. Roger said. “Tonight is the night, huh.”
“It is.”
“As you young folk say, you got this.”
“I'm headed home to get ready.”
“Have a good time.”
“See you Monday,” Ian said. He smiled all the way home.
As he walked up the sidewalk to his house, he heard a familiar voice.
“Ian!...”
He turned to face a frazzled looking fellow student, Emily Chester.
“Emily?” Ian said. “Is something wrong?”
“It's happening again,” Emily said in a sad tone. “ I just… I need someone to talk to."
Ian’s shoulder dropped. He was about to attend his first dance, and with Fiona. He didn’t want anything to interfere with that.
“Can we talk tomorrow? I'm on my way to the dance.”
Emily blinked. Her face dropped. "I just thought you'd understand."
She turned to walk away.
“Never mind,” Emily said over her shoulder.
"We'll talk later,” Ian said after her. “I promise.”
“No one cares,” Emily said and ran down the street.
Ian couldn’t move. He stood, watching her run away.
“Emily!
“Wait!” He yelled after her.
She turned the corner.
Ian lowered his head.
***
"I am just so incredibly proud of you.” Charli Hughes said, looking at Fiona.”
Seeing you stand there in that Marie Antoinette dress baby, you look like royalty.
Fiona beamed at her Mother.
“Now, before you head out to pick up Ian. I have a surprise for you. I rented a limousine!
It is waiting outside to take you and Ian to the dance.”
Fiona’s mouth gaped. “Wait. A limousine? Are you serious Mom? Oh my gosh, Ian is going to absolutely freak out when I pull up.”
Fiona hugged her Mother.
“Thank you so much, Mom!”
“You are going to make me mess up my makeup!” Fiona said. “This dress is already heavy enough without tears.”
“Nothing is too good for my baby,” her mother said. “Now go and have fun.”
🔄 Previous Episode 10: The Big Night
🔙 Next Episode 12: The Longest Night
Note: The story above is a work of fiction created for inspirational purposes. Any resemblance to actual individuals or events is purely coincidental.
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