“So we’re listening to,” Rachel checked the program again, “bark music?”
Owen plucked the paper from her hands and pointed at the word. “Baroque. Now scoot.”
She scooted. Owen had that manic look in his eyes again, the one he got whenever anything musical was involved. They found their seats, with Owen immediately leaning forward to peer down at the stage and Rachel digging into her pockets. She fished out a bag of gummy candy and began to chew on one.
“You brought snacks?” Owen glanced at her. “In here?”
“If I’m going to listen to the bark band—”
“—you mean the Portland Baroque Orchestra—”
“—Then I get to bring snacks,” she finished, defensive.
Owen sighed and held out his hand. “At least give me some.”
They sat and ate in silence for a while. Rachel watched as the other seats began to fill. Everyone looked more polished than she did, she realized. Her ratty sneakers and smudged make-up was a little out of place. Self-consciously she tugged at her jacket, trying to straighten it. Her only consolation was Owen looked like a poor college student, too. Or was he? She looked again. His clothes were suspiciously… crisp.
“Did you iron?” she asked incredulously.
Owen glanced down at himself. “Why do I feel like that’s a trick question?”
“’Cause the last time you ironed anything was in middle school.”
He scowled. “We’re at an orchestra—you expected me to wear sweats?”
“What’s so special about this place, anyway?” Rachel threw back another gummy.
Owen gestured at their surroundings. “Because this is the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Do you know how many orchestras like that around here? Try counting them on your hand and you’ll probably have quite a few fingers left.”
“What’s bark music, anyway?”
He poked her. “Baroque music is a style that used to be popular from the 1600s through the 1700s. It’s big part of the whole classical genre and it’s this is one of the best places to hear it.”
“In Portland,” she said, skeptical.
“Don’t knock Portland,” he leaned back in his seat and smiled. “One of the best places to find musical diversity.”
“We could have stayed in Monmouth,” she muttered. “The university has concerts, too.”
“Western Oregon University is great, but sometimes I need a change of scenery. And how could you pass up the Portland Orchestra?”
She rolled up the candy bag and shoved it back into her pocket. “Hush. The lights are dimming—I think you’re supposed to be quiet.”
Owen laughed softly. “Look—you’re excited now.”
She elbowed him, but didn’t say anything. They squished farther down in their seats, ready to listen.
For more information on the Portland Baroque Orchestra, visit their website at http://www.pbo.org/index_new.php.
For more information on the concerts at Western Oregon University, visit their website at http://www.westernoregonuniversity.info/concerts/
