Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

‘Born to Run.’ How about a little more freedom, courtesy of motorcycles and old movies? Here’s Steppenwolf’s ‘Born to Be Wild,’ made famous by the film Easy Rider . Get going, friends. The open road’s waiting for you.”
    John gives me a thumbs-up. “I showed you that movie.”
    Then the phone rings. I jump a foot, but grab it fast. “KZUK, the Z that sucks.”
    “Can we get coffee now? It’s after graduation.”
    “Mara?” I should have expected her call, but I’m still surprised. My hands get clammy.
    “I feel like I’m meeting a celebrity or something.” She sounds like she’s twelve.
    “Trust me, I’m not that special.”
    “Let me be the judge of that.”
    I’m so glad she can’t see me blush.
    She keeps going. “How about this next Wednesday?”
    I tick through my life, but I don’t have to work, and when do I ever have any social stuff planned? “Okay by me.”
    “Did you see the paper last week? That was my picture of the garden party!”
    “Sure did. I even cut it out.” I feel like a dork admitting it. But right now I’m letting myself love the fact that a girl thinks I’m cool.
    “I did too.” I hear the smile in her voice. “What’s the plan for the UCB tonight?”
    “I’ll let you know in a minute.” Tonight I want them to decorate a stranger’s car—not in a bad way, just a festive way. Balloons or streamers or flowers, something like that.
    “I’m sure it’s awesome, whatever it is.” The smile in her voice is still there.
    My mind is swept up in imagining Mara and me, talking and laughing and looking like some fluffy coffee commercial. Then I realize there’s no music, just silence.
    “Oh shit!” Mercifully, when I hit the button, Devo’s “Freedom of Choice” slides onto the air.
    Laughter from her end.
    “Mara?”
    More giggles. “The ‘oh shit’ went out on the air, too.”
    “WHAT?” I might puke.
    “Just an added bonus for the Ugly Children Brigade.”
    I try to get myself together, but it’s not working. Best choice: get off the phone. “Wednesday, seven, Coffee Hag, see you then.”
    “’Bye.” She’s still chuckling when she hangs up.
    Who knows if the FCC has mobile trucks just waiting to bust people who use profanity on the air? I can’t imagine they do, but you never know. I slow my breathing down.
    John’s back, and he’s almost falling down. “Oh my heavens, OH my heavens … thank god they have speakers in the hall. That was priceless.” He keeps laughing as I get Akon’s “Freedom” on its way.
    “Yeah, thanks for your support.”
    His snorts are dying down. “It happens to everyone once or twice. Not a big deal.” He looks into the crate of CDs. “How many more songs do you have left? What time is it?”
    “Ten to one, and I have three more songs.”
    “I’m going for another smoke and a Pepsi.” And he leaves again.
    When the show is over and we’re walking to the car, I realize my mistake. “John, I forgot to tell the UCB to decorate cars!”
    “They’ll figure out something. They’re pretty creative.”

    When I get home, I check my email, just for fun. And there’s one from the Vibe.
    I stare at my pathetic inbox. One email. This one.
    I don’t want to know. But then I give in and click on it, because I can’t not know.
    While it opens up, I close my eyes and say a little prayer: Dear Universe, please make this moment not suck completely . Thank you .
    When I open my eyes, I read very, very carefully.
    Dear Gabriel:
    We’re glad to know you’d like to participate in our Summer Mondays in the Cities competition. We’re confident our guest spot at the Vibe will be filled by a wonderful DJ, thanks to you and your fellow contestants. We will also change your name in our records.
    We look forward to seeing you on July 12. Start planning your set—and don’t forget your secret song!
    Yours truly,
    Thad Rosenbloom, Station Manager,
The Vibe 89.1
    I print it off and run out the front door, banging it