The Tempo of Tempura-Chapter Ten- T.J. Poling saves the day and Cameron finds his passion

“Mother says people shouldn’t smoke.”

Cameron put the glowing end of the Cuban cigar near his left cheek. Tears dripped from his face as his skin turned a soft shade of pink. T.J. Poling’s eyes grew wide as he took in the lurid spectacle.

“You stop that now, son. You hear me?”

Cameron’s eyes fixated on the grey and black embers swirling around his head. Ash covered his face and neck, and stained the collar of his once white dress shirt.

“Come on now, Cameron. Just give me the cigar before you really hurt yourself.”

“Fine.”

T.J. Poling had only a moment to savor his win. Cameron flicked the cigar into the filled wastebasket next to the sink. The paper inside caught fire and smoke wafted from the top of the brass can.

“Jesus, are you stupid or something? You are going to set off the sprinklers doing that.”

T.J. Poling picked up the wastebasket. He ran with it to an open stall and tossed the smoking rubbish into the toilet. The flames were extinguished as the paper flushed down into the pipe. Cameron looked into the mirror as he adjusted his black bow tie.

“That’s better. Sorry, Mr. Poling. I have to play in a minute.”

Cameron wiped his face with his hands. He wiped his ash-covered palms on the front of his dress pants. The young man shoved the bathroom door open.”

“Hey. That hurts.”

“Oh, sorry, Tara”

“What the hell happened to you, Cameron? You are a mess. Anyway, Dr. Burris the marching band is finishing their set. You go on after that. Let’s try to get you cleaned up.”

“Thank you, Tara.”

“No problem. Are you okay over there, Mr. Poling?”

There was no doubt T.J. Poling had seen better days. He should have told Tara about the incident with Cameron, but he did not. Tara’s curvy coed body distracted him.

“I’m better now, baby. And, you can call me ‘Travis.’”

“Um, okay. ‘Travis.’ Come on, Cameron, let’s go.”

“With any luck, I’ll be seeing more of you, sweetheart.”

“You just don’t give up. Do you?”

“Not when I see something or someone I want.”

Tara shook her head as she grabbed Cameron by the hand. She kissed him on the cheek. Cameron’s eyes lit up as his face turned a deep shade of red.

“Sorry, I already have a boyfriend as you can see.”

“Him?”

“Yeah, He’s always giving me a hard time. You know?”

Tara gave T.J. Poling a wicked little wink with her good eye. The man looked like someone ran over his little dog. Tara was always full of spirit. She never missed a chance to kick a man who did not show her respect.

“With any luck, I’ll be seeing less of you, sweetheart.”

Tara gave her pseudo-lover a tug on the arm. The pair went into the main kitchen. Tara looked for a sponge and some soap. Tara’s affection confused Cameron.

“Take off your shirt. Let me see if I can get that looking something resembling white again.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Sorry. I had to think of something to get that creeper out of my hair. We’re buddies. Right?”

Cameron’s expression went unnoticed by Tara. She was busy at the sink washing Cameron’s dress shirt.

A few minutes later, the shirt had only a faint tinge of grey on the collar. Tara’s home economics classes and caring for her mother when she got sick paid off on this night. Cameron put his shirt on as he heard his name being called to the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce this year’s Poling Foundation Award winner, Mr. Cameron Rankin. Cameron, won’t you please come to the stage to say a few words and play for us?

“Go on, Cameron. This is your big moment.”

Tara gave Cameron a decisive nudge. Cameron waddled to the stage looking more like a penguin on life support than a burgeoning classical pianist. The Master of Ceremonies handed Cameron the microphone.

The mix of ash and lemon-scented dishwashing liquid wafting from Cameron’s still wet dress shirt filled the poor, old woman’s nostrils. Cameron looked at the crowd. The spotlights made it difficult to see much beyond the outlines and shadows of people.

A moment passed without a word from Cameron. The crowd grew anxious as their murmurs got louder. Mrs. Rankin was not going to let this end like his audition day at Aprecian.

“Damn it. Say something, Cameron. Don’t embarrass yourself or me.”

“Yes, mother. Thank you, everyone.”

A small smattering of applause broke the awkward moment. Two stagehands prepared the jet black baby grand piano. Cameron took a seat on the piano bench. The lights dimmed as a single spotlight shone down on the piano. Sweat ran from Cameron’s forehead.

“Don’t choke, ‘Colossal’ Cameron.’”

“You knock that crap off, ‘Marshmallow.’ You can do it, Cameron. You got this.”

Tara encouraged Cameron with a big wave of her hand. She also gave a sharp elbow to Martin’s rib cage. Cameron stared at the black and white keys. Dr. Burris sashayed on stage.

“That piano is not going to play itself. Come on, Cameron. Play for me.”

Cameron’s expression turned happy. Dr. Burris gave him a gentle rub on his broad shoulders and a sexy little wink only he could see. Cameron took a deep breath as Dr. Burris walked off stage. There was a seductive wiggle to her gait. Dr. Burris and her actions also did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Rankin.

“Hey, you stay away from my son. You hear me?”

“Look, I was just trying to help your son.”

“He doesn’t need your kind of help. Okay?”

The conversation would have escalated if not for the beautiful sound of piano music interrupting the angry mother. Cameron started playing slowly. He found the passion of every note. His fingers were a blur as the piece moved into its most technical passages.

The long cadenza in the final movement was the product of divine intervention. Cameron plucked the final note, and he stared across the room. The applause echoed in the hall.

“See, I told you, ‘Marshmallow.’ Come on, even you have to admit he was awesome. Right?”

“Unbelievable. Un-freaking-believable.”

There would be no jabs about Cameron’s playing this evening. Mrs. Rankin dabbed her eyes with a tissue as Cameron came off the stage to more applause from the appreciative audience. The proud mother basked in her troubled son’s moment of triumph.

“Son, that was… Well, it just was something special. Your father would be so proud of you.”

The chairman of the Aprecian music department, Dr. McVicking ran up to Cameron. His smile was so wide it looked almost painted on his face. Cameron’s right hand was nearly crushed as the old chairman gave him a strong handshake with both hands.

“My dear boy, bravo. It’s that kind of talent that is going to get us big donations tonight. In fact, I’d like you and Dr. Burris to talk with T.J. Poling. We have to strike while the iron is hot. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t know, Dr. McVicking. My son is tired. I’m not sure it is a good idea.”

Mrs. Rankin did not want to defy the chairman. She knew he could make big things happen for Cameron. But, the thought of Dr. Burris around her son was not a pleasant one.

“It’s fine, mother. Remember, ‘We are in it to — ’”

“‘Win it.’ I know. Okay. But, please don’t be out too late.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Rankin. I am sure Dr. Burris will take good care of Cameron. She is always so hands on with the students in the marching band.”

“A little too hands on if you ask me.”

“What do you mean?”