popped my suspenders My big break should arrive any second now Excusez moi Lem interrupted Now you're both distracted Can we just talk about Byrd here Sorry Morgan and I said at the same time Merci Lem said I'd been around Lem long enough to know that meant thank you so I said You're welcome
But we couldn't talk about Mr Byrd any more just then Break time was over Mr Byrd stood on the podium front and center again For the second time today he apologized Sorry but I had to make an important phone call Now where were we He shuffled through some papers Oh yes We were about to play Kangaroo Capers Don't let those eighth notes trip you up What Kangaroo Capers doesn't have any eighth notes He's thinking of some other song Morgan said She raised her hand probably to tell Mr Byrd But he didn't seem to notice Morgan's hand waving in the air One and two and ready and go Mr Byrd clapped as he counted The song began with the woodwinds the clarinets flutes and saxophones Then the percussion joined in Davis Beadle Carmen Trochez and the rest of the drummers played a steady beat I licked my lips and buzzed into my
trumpet as all of us in the brass section joined in with our parts too After we played the last measure I waited for Mr Byrd to tell us to play the song one more time like he usually did Instead he said Okay that's a wrap For the remainder of the class please study your sheet music Read every note and every rest in every measure Finger along don't actually play Then come to class tomorrow prepared to play Kangaroo Capers again Any questions Yes Morgan Mr Byrd asked when Morgan raised her hand again Would you like me to tutor anyone who might need some help I don't mind she said So then Zac made a big show of circling his fingers to form a halo and perching it above his head which was hilarious But I knew Mr Byrd wouldn't be happy about Zac goofing off in class He got after Zac all the time for being a class clown I counted down
under my breath Three two one waiting for Mr Byrd to tell Zac to cut it out But Mr Byrd didn't pay any attention to Zac today All he said was Thank you for the generous offer Morgan But I have one more phone call to make so I'd prefer to keep things quiet Then he headed toward his desk I leaned over and whispered I told you Lem Byrd is definitely distracted Lem nodded Oui I believe it Something has his attention Morgan chimed in but it's not us So what is it Lem asked I thought for a second Or who is it Then I got an idea Baylor sat a couple of chairs down from Morgan Besides playing clarinet Baylor was a reporter for the school newspaper the Benton Bluff Bloodhound Everybody in the whole school knew if you wanted to know something just ask Baylor
