Stampede
BBB Concert
Jovel found Cruz walking with Maria by the lake. “It’s on! Trent is gathering the wires, speakers, amps, splitters, and volunteers to help us get relocated.” Jovel handed him the orange drumsticks. “Go tell Seth someone started a rumor we’re going to play for everyone tonight. You have to get him to go along with this. The camp needs it.”
Cruz found Seth sitting under a tree overlooking the lake, deep in thought. He caught Seth off guard, overcome with emotion, eyes red and cheeks wet. Cruz apologized. “Sorry Seth. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Is everything okay?”
Seth tried to laugh. “Sure. You should see me when I watch Japanese dramas with Megumi. It’s all good Cruz. I was just sharing a personal moment with the man upstairs. They’re happy tears.“ He wiped his face on his sleeve, and sniffed to clear his nose. “We’re really doing this. Aren’t we?”
Cruz sat beside him. “Everything’s come together over this past month. It’s like you said, people are everywhere.”
Seth tossed a pinecone down the hill, watching it roll toward the water. “Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone’s story is worth hearing down to the finest detail. After all, they are living it right now.”
“We are living it right now with them, but some of them feel left out. It’s the buzz around camp… those on the other side feel a little isolated. They sit around their camp while we play Rock Band and drink wine. Most don’t care, but some are feeling like maybe we don’t get it? We’re too nonchalant.”
Seth looked up surprised. “What? They think we’re just camping? Playing church? Do they have any idea of the journey we faced?”
“They want to feel like they are part of what we’re doing.” Cruz pulled the orange drumsticks from his back pocket. “This will help show we care about them.”
Seth stood up and looked around the lake. “What are we going to do? Put the band in the back of the truck and go around the lake playing gigs? Are we a traveling band now?”
Cruz liked what he heard. “No… but that’s a great idea.”
“What then?” Seth turned to Cruz. “What’s your plan?”
Cruz grabbed Seth by the arm and put the sticks in his hand. “We want to move the Rock Band setup down to the point. We can play for everyone.”
“You mean stand on the shore?”
Cruz smiled. “Trust me Seth, I have my best guys on this. You won’t be disappointed. We’re going to be rock stars tonight.”
“You really think it will help?” Another wave of emotion welled up in Seth’s face. “Okay, okay. Run with it.”
After lunch Seth helped Cruz and the crew move the dock from the boat launch to a point around the corner. They set up the Rock Band gear on the new floating stage, getting the final pieces connected as the sun set. Hundreds of little orange spots lit up around the lake from the campfires.
Seth stood on the dock shaking his head, taken back by the view. “There were never this many fires before.”
Cruz patted him on the back. “I told you there was a buzz.”
Seth tested the mic. “Hello? Hello?”
Cheers came from the other side of the lake. Seth waved. “Can you guys hear me?”
People came out of the surrounding woods, filling the shoreline. Seth took a deep breath. “Tonight. . . Tonight we want to include all of you in our Rock Band party. Is that okay with you?”
They roared in approval.
Seth pointed all around the lake. “I know we are spread out. I know some of you want to be on this side, and maybe some over here wish they were over there.”
The crowd chuckled.
“But the gap between us tonight can’t be measured by distance. It has to be measured by the truths we step into and share.”
An applause rose from the crowd.
Seth turned to the people behind the dock. “We are here for the duration, there’s no question about that. It’s important everyone knows we appreciate your cooperation. We’re doing our best to make it comfortable for everyone… In fact, did I tell you tomorrow’s special… it’s fish?”
Everyone laughed.
“Okay. Let’s play some music. We’ll turn it up a little bit and go for about ten songs.”
Seth sat behind the drums, and they opened with "Lazy Eye" by the Silversun Pickups.