The following Sunday, Luckson was feeling more confident. Looking down at the front row from the vantage point of the stage which afforded him an eagle's view of the congregation before him, his eyes sought out the little girl with the brightly coloured ribbons on her pigtails and caught himself almost feeling disappointed when he did not see her.
Shrugging off his momentary weakness he pretended not to care and instead focused on putting up a sterlar that simply blew away the congregants. On that Sunday morning with the first signs of approaching winter beginning to make itself felt, Luckson's melodious voice soared to another as yet unreached level of excellence conveying a warmth that lifted the spirits of the entire congregation supplanting the gloom of winter with an joy stemming from somewhere deep within.
When the rest of the choir joined in, the mood among the congregation was elevated even further to a whole new ecstasy. That Sunday sealed the role of the choir in the hearts of the congregation. Word of the amazing All Saints Boys Choir and their talented lead singer spread rapidly like wild fire attracting attention from even those who had stopped attending service.
Father Michael was beside himself with ecstasy seeing the numbers in the church growing week by week, and week by week Luckson found himself looking for the little girl with brightly coloured ribbons on her pigtails. Week after week he was disappointed at not seeing her, he had given up pretending that he didn't care.
Though when he thought about it surprised him why he should care at all. Despite Father Attempt to explain the little girl's position during one of their talks, he still hated her or at least that was what he believed. How could he miss someone who had stolen his ball, he could still recall quite clearly that day when he had stood in front of the gate of the house in granite park, watching her happily playing outside with his ball, his heart had shattered.
Weeks turned to months, seasons changed. Luke and some of the older boys whom Luckson had formed a close bond with moved on to university. Luckson himself moved onto high school. Everyone was growing even Father Michael was beginning to have white hairs on his head.
Though the trade mark smile remained consistent, he was no longer as active as he used to be. He was relying more and more on Luckson to induct the new boys who had come as replacements for the older boys who had become too old to carry the tittle of alter boys. Though it was always sad when one of them had to leave it provided a rare occasion to celebrate those who had served faithfully. It was a time to send them off with much fanfare filled with best wishes on the tertiary leg of their journey and into their adult lives.
The occasion always evoked a lot of emotion on both sides, the boys leaving would reminisce over the fond memories they had at the cathedral. While those remaining would feel a bit sad at separation with those they had formed a bond over many years serving happily in the with Father Michael.
The boys never quite realised how much how much closer they had bonded with each other. Only Father Michael with his reassuring smile at life seemed to understand the passage of time. The boys would be too busy enjoying serving in church, going on outreach programs to give clothing, blankets, food and at times just to the needy.
Each day they went out on outreach was an adventure in itself and just the act of kindness, of giving someone a blanket in winter who needed it was very satisfying. It gave one a sense of accomplishment like nothing else on earth. Which was why Father Michael was very careful about choosing the boys with the attitude.
Becoming an alter boy had never been more prestigious. Ever since the establishment of the All Saints Boys Choir with its fame, that had reached far and wide, it had become the dream of every young boy to become an alter boy.
It was one of the far reaching effects of the formation of the choir and it had all been possible thanks to Luckson.
It also meant that standards had to be set. Alter boys had to be individuals who found joy in serving others. The boys had to be the cream of humanity.
It was that something special within each boy that guaranteed, he would always enjoy seeing the satisfied smiles on their young faces. Taking occasional glimpses in the rear view mirror at the tired looking but happy faces as they drove back to the cathedral in his mini van.
The boys never knew how happy those passing moments made Father Michael, seeing the genuine joy they derived from simple acts of generosity. It was not until they were ready to leave the chapel, that he would make a passing mention of it in his farewell, speech.
Luckson grew into a capable young man who was a far cry from the shattered little boy whom Father Michael had met years ago on that fateful day in juvenile detention. He had become someone, Father Michael could count on to help the new boys adjust to life at the cathedral. As well as helping with maintaining discipline so standards were never compromise.
The departure of the Luke and the older boys had left Luckson with a lot of responsibility. Where as when he himself had first arrived, he had an entire welcoming committee in the form of Luke, Tatenda and the other boys to make him feel welcome. In his case it was somewhat different as he had crowd of young eager highly excitable boys to help fit in. Boys who were looking forward to make their debut as members of the All Saints Boys Choir.
In so far as the newbies were concerned, Luckson was the famous lead singer whose melodious voice they had heard serenade them during several services.
They had lots of questions which they could not wait to put across to Luckson.