Two in Tune

by Russell Lewis

Dennis Lowry raced through the house, flinging his books and his trumpet case onto the living room sofa, then skidded to a halt in the kitchen. "Mom," he shouted, "someone's finally moving in next door!"

"Yes, Dennis, I know," his mom said as she slid a pan of cookies out of the oven. "They're from Guatemala. I don't think they speak any English."

"Any kids my age?" Dennis asked. "I sure miss Tommy. We used to have lots of fun playing our trumpets together."

"I think there's one boy," his mom replied. "Maybe you could go over to say hello."

That night Dennis took a plate of his mom's cookies next door. He didn't know if the new neighbors would understand his words. But he figured everyone understood cookies.

He was right on both counts. The dark-haired woman who answered the doorbell didn't understand a word he said. But she laughed and motioned him to come in when he held out the plate of cookies to her.

A tall, dignified-looking man and a boy about Dennis's age were watching a Spanish-language television show. Dennis didn't understand them either, but he understood the hand motions inviting him to sit down.

"No thanks," Dennis said. He felt uncomfortable and nervous not understanding what was being said. "Got to go. Home. Go home now!" He could hear his voice getting louder as he tried to make himself understood.

The boy on the couch stood up with a shy smile. "I comprendo un poco English. Little bit English. My name Carlos Salazar Mendoza. You name?"

"Me name, uh,...my name is Dennis. Dennis Lowry." He felt confused and embarrassed. "Got to go home now." He stumbled as he backed out the door. "Good night," he called over his shoulder, then tripped again as he rushed down the front steps.

"It's not fair!" he exclaimed when he got home. "Tommy and I did all kinds of things together. This new kid and I can't even talk to each other."

<Times New Roman 2>On Monday the music teacher asked Dennis to stay in the room after band practice. Dennis was still having trouble with "Trumpeter's Hymn," the solo he was to play that Friday in the Spring concert.

<Times New Roman>Mr. Gerhardt listened carefully as Dennis played the solo for him.

"Still needs work, doesn't it?" the teacher said. "Looks like lots of home practice the next few days."

That's exactly what Dennis did. After dinner that night he went to his room to play "Trumpeter's Hymn" over and over. By Tuesday he had it memorized. By Wednesday he was playing it perfectly. He wondered if the new neighbors were getting tired of hearing it every night.

Then on Thursday evening there was a knock on the door. There stood Carlos Salazar Mendoza with a shy grin on his face and a guitar in his hands.

"You-me-play?" he asked. He pointed to Dennis, then to himself, then to his guitar.

Dennis was speechless for a few moments. As he stood there with his mouth hanging open, Carlos put the guitar strap over his shoulder and began playing.

At first Dennis couldn't believe what he was hearing. Carlos was playing "Trumpeter's Hymn" on the guitar! Not only was he playing the melody, he was playing chords and rhythm to accompany the melody. Dennis stared in amazement.

"Come in!" he finally said, leading Carlos over to the sofa. "Wait a minute, I'll be right back." He ran to his room to get his trumpet.

While Dennis played the melody on his trmpet, Carlos played chords and rhythm as accompaniment. Dennis had never imagined that "Trumpeter's Hymn" could sound so beautiful. When they finished, he looked at Carlos with a big grin on his face. Carlos grinned back.

"Hey! I've got a great idea." Dennis jumped up. "Why don't you..." he pointed a finger at Carlos's chest, "and me." he pointed at himself, "play together in the concert tomorrow?" He made hand motions indicating them playing together.

Then he scratched his head. He didn't know how to say 'tomorrow at seven' with his hands. Suddenly Dennis had another idea. On the kitchen wall was a calendar and a clock.

Moments later, Carlos's eyes lit up. "Ah-mañana!" he exclaimed. "Siete!"

The auditorium was packed Friday night for the concert. In the front row sat Dennis's mom and dad. Beside them sat Carlos's parents, beaming with pride.

When the two boys played "Trumpeter's Hymn," the entire audience burst into loud applause. Then, after the concert, Dennis and Carlos met their parents in front of the auditorium.

The two families stood beaming at each other. Not a word was said. But as the two moms embraced and the two dads clasped hands, no words were necessary.

Dennis knew it might be a long time before they understood one another's words. But with the music serving as a bridge between them, he knew they already understood one another's love.