Totally Unrelated by Tom; Ryan

start practicing the new version,” says Bert. “It’s not like we’ve got much time left.”

Ten
    The Welcome to Deep Cove sign on the outskirts of town claims that we are home to eighteen hundred people, but Gran always says our true population is many times larger than that. During Deep Cove Days it definitely feels that way, as people who were born and raised here make the trek home from Ontario, Alberta and even farther afield. Many of them have been gone for a long time and have raised families and made lives for themselves elsewhere, but they still flock home in droves every year at the end of July to hang out with family and old friends.
    Things always kick off with a parade on Monday morning. Shamus and Johnny will be marching with the Scottish Pipes and Drums band, so Mom and Dad cancel morning rehearsal, even though we’re scheduled to play in the park in the evening.
    I meet up with Sandy and Bert downtown, and we push through the crowds gathering on Main Street until we find a place to stand and watch the parade. It takes awhile because I keep running into people I know, and everyone wants to tell me how cool it is that we’re going to be playing with Vince Beach.
    â€œJeez, Neil,” says Bert. “You’re an even bigger celebrity than usual.”
    â€œWhatever,” I say, although I’m secretly pleased that Sandy is here to see me getting the attention. I know it’s kind of conceited, but I can’t help it.
    People cheer as the parade approaches, led by the Pipes and Drums.
    â€œI can’t believe your brothers wear kilts for this!” says Bert as they walk past us.
    â€œThat’s how it works,” I say. I’ve made fun of them for that too in the past, but as they march by us, I feel a flush of pride. The music even sends a little chill up my spine when I remember that this is how my ancestors would have marched off to war.
    As the first of the floats glides by, Bert shoves his way to the front of the crowd to compete with the little kids for the candy being thrown down to the street.
    â€œYou know,” says Sandy, “I was so worried about coming here for the summer. I thought it would be super boring, hanging out with my grandmother and Bailey. I’m so happy that I met you guys.”
    â€œYeah,” I say. “It’s cool.” I really have to work on my vocabulary.
    â€œI can’t believe I’m going to sing in front of an audience,” she goes on. “It’s something I’ve always kind of wanted to do.” She gives me a playful shove. “I guess I just needed to run into a professional musician to make it happen.”
    â€œWell, it was pretty much Bert’s idea,” I say. “I mean, the talent-show thing was his idea. You were my idea. I mean, your singing with us was my idea.”
    She laughs. “I know what you mean. Anyway, I’m really happy you asked.”
    I have trouble focusing on the rest of the parade. Floats and clowns and costumed kids on bicycles pass by us, but I keep looking out of the corner of my eye at Sandy. She stands next to me, clapping and cheering with the rest of the crowd, and I feel all light and goofy knowing that she actually wants to hang out with me.
    When the last of the parade has gone by, the crowd dissipates and Bert comes back over to us, his hands full of candy.
    â€œCheck out this haul!” he says, shoving a Tootsie Roll into his mouth.
    Sandy’s phone buzzes, and she pulls it out of her pocket. “I gotta go,” she says. “I have to meet Grandma and Beast for lunch. We’re coming to your show tonight—see you there?”
    â€œFor sure,” I tell her. “We should practice tomorrow too.”
    â€œSounds awesome,” she says. “I’m getting so excited! Can you believe it’s happening in just three days?”
    â€œI know,” I say. “It’s pretty