"Pleaseeeeeee," I begged, comically batting my eyes and twisting my blonde braid. He slammed the locker door and leaned against it.
"Okay, yeah, I'll do it," he grumped with a smile. "Let me know what song you want to sing soon so I can practice it." He started to walk away. "Oh, and it has to be country."
"But of course," I grinned, giving him the thumbs up. As the first bell rang, I hugged my books and ran to my next class.
We both had just turned eighteen and were graduating in a few days. Life could be no better.
.
Several nights later, Travis came over to practice. He spent the first twenty minutes regaling my parents about how he planned to go to Nashville and rock the country world.
"C'mon, we have to practice this! I want to win!" I said, growing impatient.
We practiced every day until the night before the talent show. We were as good as we were going to be.
I met Travis backstage because even though I was a senior, my parents still insisted on driving me there. They were older, and I was their only child. They had always been overprotective.
He was sitting on a folding chair in the corner, softly strumming, and I caught my bottom lip between my teeth, taking in how handsome he was.
"You're channeling Patsy, huh? Not." he laughed, looking me up and down. I put my hand on my hip and twirled. White boots and hat, with a blue jeans skirt and a white blouse, the western yoke ablaze with pink sequins I sewed on myself.
"I am her! With my own style!" We both laughed.
We listened to our music teacher say we were up first. We stood nervously. Our fingers clasped in a lifeline between us. Just before he started our introduction, Travis leaned over and kissed me. I didn't have time to react because they were pulling the curtain back.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to our annual Lincoln High talent show extravaganza! We have a fantastic lineup of talented students tonight, and I guarantee you're in for a treat. Now, let's get this show started! Our first act tonight is a dynamic duo who will take us on a journey with their mesmerizing voices. Please give a warm round of applause to Travis and Sara!"
The stage lights glared as we walked out, momentarily stealing my sight. I blinked rapidly, shadows and bright spots dancing across my eyes. Beside me, I heard Travis mutter as the glare washed over him, too. We stopped, squinting and disoriented. But the cheering and applause from the crowd guided us forward.
I blinked hard, willing my vision to adjust. As the dark, fuzzy audience began to form, their smiles clapping sharpened, revving my adrenaline. Travis's hand found mine again, steadying me. I managed a grin as we waved, still half-blinded by the brilliant lights shining down.
The crowd's energy continued to excite us. In that glow, Travis's grin lit up his face, reassuring me.
Step by step, eyes slowly adapting, we made our way to the microphone amid the thunderous applause. Now, making out the audience that moments ago had been hidden in darkness. We raised our clasped hands high, waving excitedly to the blur of faces basking in the same glow that had blinded us just seconds before.
"So, Travis and Sara, what song have you chosen to grace us tonight?"
Travis dipped his head to the microphone and said, "Well, tonight, we're going to sing "
I Go Walkin' After Midnight
" by the legendary Patsy Cline." I admired how comfortable Travis was onstage already.
"Excellent choice! Patsy Cline's timeless melodies have a way of touching our hearts. Are you two big fans of her music?"
I calmed my nerves and said, "Absolutely! Patsy's voice has inspired us, and we've always admired her incredible talent."
"I have no doubt we'll be blown away. So, without further ado, let's give it up for Travis and Sara as they take us on a magical journey with "
I Go Walkin' After Midnight
!"
We took our places, smiling at each other. I started slowly tapping my foot while Travis began gentle, melancholic strumming, creating a dreamy and nostalgic atmosphere, then smoothly into a country twang with sliding notes and melodic bends.
The stage lights beat down, highlighting each speck of dust in the air. I could smell the sweet citrus scent of the cleaners used to mop the aged planks just hours before.
Travis began gently finger-picking his melancholy chords, his fingers gently caressing the strings. I held the microphone and closed my eyes as he slid up the neck into a twanging bend, letting the crying steel notes resonate through me. His playing was haunting yet beautiful - it stabbed at my heart but also soothed it.
As the music smoothly shifted, his guitar spoke in a lively country twang, full of soul. The melody lifted my spirits, injecting energy into my veins. Travis expertly danced his fingers across the frets, the instrument becoming an extension of his spirit. His playing perfectly accented my vocals, supporting them as though he were singing with me.
In his hands, the guitar expressed a range of human emotions - at times weepingly sad, at others bursting with hopefulness. And Travis knew precisely how to complement my voice with his playing. His chords resonated with my essence; his licks elevated my melodies. With him by my side, his guitar fills the spaces between my lyrical lines.
It was at that moment that I felt our music could accomplish anything.
"
I go out walkin' after midnight,"
I began in practiced perfect timing, my voice gaining strength with each phrase, rising and falling with the tender melody.
Travis embellished with subtle riffs, supporting my melody perfectly in a way only he could. I swayed gently. Travis's guitar was my guiding star. With each word, I poured my heart into the song, connecting with the audience.
"...
Searching for you."
As the final notes hung in the air, the silence was broken by thunderous applause.
We clasped our hands and bowed. I blew kisses, and someone ran to the stage with a bouquet of colorful wildflowers.
We shouted a thank you and ran backstage.
Travis dropped into the folding chair and pulled me onto his lap. We just looked at each other, breathless, feeling the same exuberance.
"That was some shit, eh girl?" he said, shaking his head. I was on the verge of tears. My throat was closed with emotion. He pulled me against him, and we kissed.
We watched the acts come and go, getting more nervous by the minute. There were some good acts, so the competition was stiff. Ultimately, everyone anxiously gathered behind the curtain, ready to run out if they heard their name called.
"Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for our incredible duo, Sara and Travis! They have just won our high school talent show with their mesmerizing performance of "
I Go Walkin' After Midnight
"! Let's give them another round of applause for their outstanding talent!"
We ran out, waved, and bowed, laughing at the antics of our friends.
Sara and Travis, that was absolutely phenomenal! Your rendition of "
I Go Walkin' After Midnight
" left us all spellbound. You two are a match made in musical heaven! Now, I have some fantastic news for everyone here. The judges and the audience loved your performance so much that they wanted to hear more!
We looked at each other and laughed while they started stomping their feet.
"Are you up for it? Can we have another dose of your musical magic?"
I looked at Travis, and he nodded, and I said, "Oh, absolutely! How about a little Waylon and Willie?!"
We laughed as the crowd jumped to their feet and began to shout.
Travis leaned into the microphone and said, "It would be our pleasure!"
The cheers still echoed as we retook the stage for an encore. Travis stepped up to the mic, bathed in a lone spotlight.
"Y'all have been so amazing tonight. We will leave you with one more," Travis said, flashing a dimpled grin that elicited girly squeals from the crowd.
He slung his worn acoustic over his shoulder and finger-picked a bluesy intro. The beat increased, and I did a little country footwork.
Travis leaned into the mic, unleashing his gritty tenor on the first verse, "
