Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest

Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest — page 3 — actual chair That's because of having muscular dystrophy Since my legs didn't work so great I sat in a wheelchair Mr Byrd could just move Lem's chair over to make room for mine Anyway even though I was new to the band this year I totally got what Lem was talking about You mean Mr Byrd never used to be late I said Maybe he's printing sheet music and there's a long wait in the copy room Morgan Bryant said whirling around This was Morgan's first year in Byrd's band too She sat in the row in front of us with the other clarinet players Lem scrunched his nose making his blue framed glasses go lopsided But there wouldn't be a traffic jam at the copy machine every day Yeah I frowned Somehow I don't think that's it Okay so where is he then Morgan asked I didn't answer Morgan because Mr Byrd rushed into the band room then He must've

Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest — page 4 — hurried because his face was red like the sunset above the sandy beach on his shirt Mr Byrd always wore tropical shirts usually paired with khaki shorts and flip flops It was spring now but he'd dressed like that all winter too Sorry I'm running late everyone Mr Byrd said Get your instruments ready and let's bop a concert B flat scale And just like that class began We played up and down the scale a few times Then we played some warm up songs After that we practiced a new song for an upcoming end of year concert Somebody was off I whispered to Lem He nodded I heard it too I waited for Mr Byrd to nail em like he always did But today he didn't seem to notice Instead Byrd pulled out his phone Let's take a quick break everyone he said Okay something is seriously going on here Lem said

Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest — page 5 — Definitely Morgan said Mr Byrd just seems Distracted I finished for Morgan That's it Mr Byrd is distracted Distracted monsieur Lem asked That was another thing about Lem He randomly talked in French but he only knew a few words I asked Kori Neal about it once while we practiced a song together back in the fall She said it started when Lem found out his ancestors were from France Yeah I went on It's like when I'm filming videos to post online and my mom keeps asking what I want for dinner She finally says Miles Darr you're distracted For the ninety ninth time do you want spaghetti or meatloaf I even put my hands on my hips to imitate her Lem and Morgan both laughed Then Morgan said Spaghetti Oui Lem agreed

Mr. Byrd Flies the Nest — page 6 — That reminds me I'm working on a new band video I said When I upload it check it out You're distracted now Morgan said We were talking about Mr Byrd and you started talking about uploading videos Morgan was right Making videos sidetracked my brain Online presence is important Bands get discovered that way all the time and ours could be next I said Talent gets bands discovered Morgan said Plus hard work If I directed our band I'd make everyone practice extra hard Morgan dreamed of being a famous conductor someday But some music agent might see you in one of my videos I said Seriously Miles she asked like I was on to something I nodded Of course The problem is people have to develop their star quality like me I adjusted the newest hat in my collection and

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