Photo copyright Sandra Crook
In the darkness of the wings, Marcellus was nearly swept up as the tsunami of the third grade chorus rushed offstage, trailing nervous energy and holiday anticipation in its wake. Tugging one final time at his tie, the young soloist moved toward his center-stage mark. Stabbed by the spotlight as the curtain rose, Marcellus felt his stomach churn violently and sucked in a breath, certain his chicken nuggets were about to make an encore appearance. Instead, the purest, clearest notes spilled from his lips, immediately stilling fidgety parents impatient to get home before the roads iced over. ”O holy night…”
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Honestly, I’m not trying to rush the season in this little story for Friday Fictioneers, but the lone figure on the “stage” at L’Amphitheatre des Trois Gauls (Lyon, France) in Sandra’s photo this week made me think of elementary school Christmas pageants.
Things I See and Know 
sustainabilitea
October 13, 2013 at 11:28 PM
I love this line: ” tsunami of the third grade chorus.” I can see the tsunami. Really well done all throughout and I really liked the last line. I could feel them all settling and feeling the Christmas joy.
janet
rochellewisoff
October 14, 2013 at 4:52 AM
Dear Michelle,
My favorite line was “certain his chicken nuggets were about to make an encore…” priceless. How many of those concerts have I been to as a parent? You captured the anxiety on both sides of the familial fence. This is one of my favorites this week. Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Douglas Macilroy
October 14, 2013 at 4:54 AM
Dear Michelle,
The encore of the nuggets was a cheap thrill, and I laughed heartily at that, but nothing holds a candle to your use of words to paint such a wonderful scene that evoked so many emotions in me. A very special piece of writing.
Aloha,
Doug
lingeringvisions by Dawn
October 14, 2013 at 6:49 AM
Awwww…what a sweet story.
Sandra
October 15, 2013 at 1:58 AM
Lovely! It’s a shame this came late in the proceedings, as it might not get all the reads it deserves. Well done.