Rose, Kyle and Charlotte had called a meeting with their parents.
“So, what’s this meeting about?” Rita asked.
“We have decided to start a band,” Rose answered.
Taylor very nearly choked on his drink, and in fact the liquid came out his nose.
“That’s encouraging,” Kyle remarked, then informed Rose what had happened.
“A band?” Taylor squeaked. “You three want to start a band? How can a blind girl, a mute girl and a deaf boy start a band?”
“We all play instruments,” Rose replied, trying not to sound hurt.
“I know I can’t hear anything,” Kyle said, “but I can feel vibration and I can write lyrics.”
“Well, we can all compose lyrics, and music. I’m the only one that can sing though. Okay, so we’re not going to have it as easy as some other bands, but we can still do it.”
“Of course you can,” Rita replied. “Your father was just surprised.”
“Surprised is one word for it,” Taylor said, shaking his head. “Startled is closer to it. But hey, if this is something you kids want to do, I’m with you all the way.”
“As am I,” Rita agreed. “Do you have a name?”
“Yep, we’re calling ourselves ‘No Evil’.”
Taylor laughed. Rita looked confused.
“You know,” Taylor explained, pointing to Kyle, Rose and Charlotte in turn, “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.”
“Oh. Oh!” Rita giggled. “Oh, I love it. Very clever.”
“Thank you,” Kyle replied, grinning.
“Have you written any songs yet?” Taylor asked.
“A couple.”
“Could we listen to them?”
“Sure! We’ll play them for you now!”
The five headed up to the music room. Kyle sat at the drums, and Rose at the keyboard. Charlotte sat near a guitar and a saxophone.
“Let’s play ‘Red Herring’,” Rose said.
The others agreed. Kyle counted them in, then Rose and Charlotte moved in with their instruments. Rose began singing, she had a more sultry voice than her parents had realised. They moved from Red Herring (which was aptly named) and into some other songs. Kyle had to keep a close watch on Rose to know his cues.
“Well, that was incredible,” Rita said when they were done. “Simply incredible.”
Taylor agreed.
“Do you suppose you’ll be able to help us get gigs and stuff?” Rose asked hopefully.
“Sure!” Taylor replied delightedly. “Ahh, I haven’t done these low key gig stuff in years. How fun.”
“Wait a moment,” Rita cut in. “Kyle, I noticed you have to watch Rose closely… well, you do realised you won’t necessarily be able to face each other all the time.”
“I’m sure we’ll be able to place the drums and the keyboards so that Kyle can watch,” Taylor assured. “And for now, well, we’ll think of something.”
And so No Evil was born.