The Big Surprise

A few days ago, Buck called me, and he sounded really excited.

“I got something for you!” he said, “You have to come over and see it.”

“Really?” I said. “What did you get me?”

“You have to come over and see it,” he said again. “Do you want to come over tonight?”

Now I was really intrigued. What the heck did he get for me? My mind reeled with what item he might have procured for one Miss Healthypants. Well, I had just written about my fancy-ass olive oil and vinegar on my blog—maybe it was something oil or vinegar related. But he kept saying it was a large item. Perhaps some furniture type of item? But why the heck would Buck get me furniture? I really had no clue what he had gotten for me.

And unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to find out until a couple of nights ago. That night, Iwanski, my best girlfriend Diane, and I headed over to Buck’s apartment. When I called Buck to tell him we were on our way, he told me that Iwanski and Diane should walk into his living room first, while I waited—just so I could see their reactions to the surprise first. I found myself getting a little nervous. What the heck could it be?

A few minutes later, we arrived at Buck’s apartment, and as he had requested, Diane and Iwanski walked in first. Immediately, they both gasped and smiled. “That is awesome!” Diane said.

“Oh my God, now I’m nervous!” I laughed.

“No, it’s good. It’s really good,” Diane said.

So finally, I walked in.

There, sitting there on Buck’s coffee table, was…a trombone! Just like the one I played during junior high, high school, and college!

“No WAY!” I said, with a huge smile on my face. I couldn’t believe it. I used to LOVE playing the trombone—but it had been over ten years since I last played! “Oh my gosh, this is too cool!” I picked it up and hoisted it on my shoulder, just like I had done a million times before. It felt great. “Did you buy this?” I asked.

“No, I rented it for a month,” Buck replied. “I also rented a french horn for myself.”

I laughed. “You’re kidding me! Now we can do duets!” I could not stop smiling.

Then it came time for me to try to play. For the past ten years, every time I thought about playing the trombone again, I had secretly feared that I would not be able to play at all. I’d even had dreams where I picked up the trombone and only air would come out—no sound. Yep, I was nervous. But hell, I had to try.

So I put my lips to the mouthpiece, and—“Bwow!”—out came a sound—a note! An actual musical note! I could still play, after all!

Now mind you, I certainly wasn’t NEARLY as good as I used to be—and I hardly remember the notes, nor do I remember any real songs—but I could still play! I felt alive—like there was a part of myself that had lay dormant for so long, but came alive again that very second.

I played some more notes, and then Buck brought out his french horn, and we actually harmonized for a few notes. It sounded just lovely.

What a brilliant surprise it was!

And what a wonderful friend Buck is!

We already have plans to get together and play on Thursday night. I can’t wait.

Now, if you want to hear Miss Healthypants squawk out a few notes on the ole’ trombone, check this out. But remember—I haven’t played in TEN years. So I’m not so good. But at least I can still play!