Page 129 of Bless This Hot Mess
The ON AIR light was still glowing. Out there, in living rooms and coffee shops and maybe one slightly shabby chic cottage kitchen where a blonde-banged woman stood twisting a dish towel in her hands, people were listening. Rebekkah leaned into the mic, regaining her broadcaster poise with a little effort after all the excitement and said, “We are going to take a quick musical break while we all internally scream about something we’re not allowed to tell you yet. In the meantime, here’s a little number about saying yes when the Holy Spirit, or the casting director, lets you know you’re on their mind.”
Japheth leaned in for a further share, “It’s about rising up when you hear adventure calling and deciding to be louder than your own fear. This one’s an original and it’s really personal to us because if you hadn’t heard, we’ve been through a lot! But we’re still here, proudly queer with more than a few allies. Turn it up and feel free to bust a move to this groove. It’s calledAshes? Never Heard of Her.”
Ronald slid faders. Their pre-recorded track started, filling the Ark and the airwaves with a disco beat and shameless hope. AsAshes? Never Heard of Herplayed, Trinity ripped off their headsets and huddled together in the cramped space between the mixing board and the couch drowning in pillows.
“Okay,” Ronald said, “one way or another…”
“Or some other way we’re not thinking of yet,” Rebekkah added.
“We have to be in that movie,” Japheth finished.
They stuck their hands in the middle, and Ronald readied them, “On three! One, two, three!”
“Trinity!” they shouted.
Outside, Rino laid down on the dock and rested his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky. He listened to the muffled laughter and cheers spilling overboard and the music from his boyfriend’s band playing out of the rigged-up megaphone on the mast. He thought about the weird little station his money and their madness had made possible. He chased the clouds through the blue skies over Greater Napanee and, for the first time in a long time, felt like the future might not only be prosperous but a heck of a lot of fun. Before he knew it, his toes were tapping along toAshes? Never Heard of Herand by the second chorus Rino was singing along,
“We rise up, rise up, louder than fear
Every past doubtfinally brought us here
Side by side by side, it’s crystal clear
We rise up, rise up and sail away from this pier.
We found love, found strength, found our voice
Every setback led us right to this choice
Now the whole world’s gonna hear the noise
We rise up, rise up–everybody rejoice!
We’re risin’ our way back to joy, now
Thought all hope was gone, but we survived
Showin’ and growin’ love out loud now
No way that we’d run and hide
Won’t let this ship drift away
Together, stronger every day
With every voice and every prayer
Spreading joy to the world–we swear!
Spreading joy to the world–like a flare!
Spreading joy to the world–love to share!
Spreading joy to the world and everywhere!
We were down in the dust, hearts heavy and tired
Carried all the weight, walked through the fire
