(I hope the person who wrote the song will forgive my inclusion of it in this story- along with the mention of several other songs which he has written- (and for changing his name to protect the guilty umm…. I mean innocent-) I am not conceited enough to believe I am the subject- but being unable to ask (without embarrassment-) I wrote a piece of Fiction. So J- here’s to you.)
“So- when is the next gig?” Joel asked
“Well there’s an Open Mike night as Jimmy’s tomorrow- but you know- I’m kinda busy then. Think you can go solo?” Danny asked as they were packing up from the night at the Caribe’ a local college nightspot, just off the campus of App State University.
Joel stared at Danny- unable to believe his ears- An Open Mike? Solo? Was Danny losing his MIND? Joel often performed at functions- but an open mike where he wasn’t doing covers or working with someone else was almost unheard of.
“Yeah- I can give it a shot. But should I do our normal stuff or what?”
“Joel, man, you’ve written some good stuff- Maybe you should give it a test run. It’s a shame I never met the person who inspired you. I wonder what happened to her.”
“You and me both man. I last saw her five years ago- and all I could think about was how I wished I could be the person to make her happy.” Joel snapped the guitar case, stood upright and froze. His jaw dropped in astonishment. Standing across the room- not twenty feet from him was Kayla- the woman he wished he could have lived his life with. She danced through his memory and inspired him as no Muse ever had. HE remembered the brief time that they had spent together- and regretted that he had left her.
She moved away from the bar and sat down at a single table.
He turned to Danny- “How would you like to meet Kayla, Danny?”
Danny looked at him- “She’s here?”
“Yeah- over there.” Joel smiled “and I am scared as hell- but I am going to say hi”
Kayla watched the young man who had just finished the set with his partner as they were clearing the stage for the next set of performers. She could have SWORN that the blond front man for the group was Joel- an old friend/lover from her past. Since she didn’t hear the introductions-she guessed she would never know. But the voice was very similar- a little more mature- but the same beautiful voice that had haunted HER for years, singing some of the ballads that they both loved. Until she realized that he was approaching her.
“Oh great” she thought “another guy on the make.” She pasted a smile to her face, lifted her drink and nearly choked- it WAS Joel. She hastily set her glass on the table and rose quickly to embrace him.
“Oh my Gods- JOEL- I thought that might be you! How are you?”
“I’m cool- How are YOU dear?”
“Well- let’s not discuss that here- you were great! I didn’t know you were still performing!”
“Um Kayla- this is Danny- he’s one of the group that I play with-“
The three of them sat down and chatted for a brief period- and Danny excused himself- pleading that he had to go to work.
Kayla rose to leave- “Joel- it was really nice to see you again. I hope I can run into you another time.”
“Kayla- I don’t want to be so vague. Can we talk – now?”
She glanced at her watch- looked around the café and said “no- I have to go.”
“Kay- please- there is something I need to say. I should have said it years ago- but I let fear and other people’s expectations stand in my way. Please- all I ask is a few minutes.”
She sighed-“All right- but I warn you- I can’t stay long. And I need to get out of here. Too many people know too many things. And I have to be careful.”
“Ok- let me put my case in the car- and we can go where you like.”
They climbed in his car-and drove to an old spot that they both knew and loved. Even though it was dark- they got out of the car and walked out onto the rock. Joel spread a cloak that he kept in the car for emergencies on the rocks and they sat down and stared at the stars.
“Kay- we’ve known each other a long time. You know me- inside and out. I love you- and I have since the day you teased me in the talent show about matching outfits- and how great minds thought alike. I was your first love, and I walked on air for months- just knowing that you were mine. We’ve been through heaven and hell together- and you stood by me when nobody else would. You alone stood by me, telling me to follow my dreams.
I only left you because I wasn’t given a choice. I WAS going to go to college- no matter WHAT I wanted with my life.”
