Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream

I’ve imagined lots of ways to get famous. The best of all would be if I took a game-winning shot in the NBA finals. But I wouldn’t mind being a magician who slices people in half on America’s Got Talent. I’d like to set the Guinness World Record for burping the Chinese alphabet. I’ve seen lots of YouTube videos. I know what it takes to become famous.
I never, ever, imagined getting famous by playing the violin at the Brisk River Elementary School fall concert.
The concert program booklet calls it a “memorable night of musical escape.” The sweaty audience slumped on rows of metal folding chairs looks ready to escape. It feels like three hundred degrees in the school cafeteria. But “memorable”? I’m sure everyone will forget tonight as soon as they rush out the doors to the parking lot.
Ms. Sterling is waving her baton like she’s conducting the National Symphony Orchestra, not the fourth-grade orchestra. I’m sitting on the second level of the stage, melting in a white shirt, black pants, and purple clip-on bow tie. It’s extra hot because I’m wearing my basketball training jersey and shorts underneath. I ran over from the gym right after practice. And I couldn’t find my dress shoes this morning, so I’m in my sneakers. My basketball and empty water bottle are tucked under my chair.
Our third song goes perfectly. Ms. Sterling raises her hands, soaking in the applause.