I've been playing piano a couple times a week in the lounge at a local hotel for a few years. There's not a lot of money in it but it gives me something to do and keeps me out of trouble (mostly). I'm not a great piano player or singer but what I lack in quality I make up in quantity. I know A LOT of songs. I'm kind of a human jukebox. It's really a curse sometimes.
Tonight I'm in a particularly blue mood, have my head down and am working on a sad version of the classic Eagles song "Desperado". (By the way: It's "EAGLES". Not "THE EAGLES". I know I shouldn't let that bother me but it does.) When I start warning the listener not to draw the Queen of Diamonds I hear a lovely alto voice adding harmony. The Queen of Hearts never sounded so good.
I look up into the dark green eyes of the loveliest lady I have ever seen. She has long, dark hair, smoky eyes and full, red lips. She's wearing a tight little vest over a white tuxedo-style shirt and tight, black jeans. My heart skips a beat and so do my hands.
"Oh, please. Don't stop." she says with a smile.
Next thing I know we're out riding fences together. Her harmony is flawless and she knows every word. When the song is over I seque into "Tequila Sunrise".
"Do you know this one?"
"Of course!" Not only does she know it but she takes the lead and sings like an angel, while I add a little harmony of my own.
When we finish that number I ask her name.
"I'm Loreena." I take her soft hand and give her my name in return.
"You have a fantastic voice."
She smiles sweetly. "I could listen to you play all night."
"What a coincidence. I'm here all night".
"Do you mind if I sing with you?"
"Not at all! I'd love to sing with you for as long as you like." Oddly enough - I usually HATE when people sing along (especially if there's a party and I'm forced to play "Sweet Caroline" over and over) but I don't mind spending quality time with this beautiful creature.
I break into a slightly upbeat version of John Denver's "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and she's with me all the way. I try some Chicago: "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" No problem. The Police: "Every Breath You Take". She knows them all.
I pat the bench beside me and she sits. Again - I never like it when someone sits on the bench because they are usually drunk and smell of alcohol and cigarettes but Loreena smells wonderful. Like lilacs and spring rain.
I try to stump her by pulling out some deep cuts. Dan Fogelberg's "Seeing You Again". Hall & Oats "Starting All Over Again". Jackson Browne "Something Fine". She knows them all.
I give up and get back to the standards. Loreena knows every Billy Joel song in the catalogue. "Only a Woman", "Piano Man" (of course), "You're My Home". Her version of "New York State of Mind" is a showstopper. We rip through a bunch of Beatles songs. From the ridiculous ("Rocky Raccoon", pick a name already!) to the sublime ("Something", just one of the sweetest songs ever written). At one point everyone in the room is apparently living in a yellow submarine but I only have eyes (and ears) for Loreena. I try out a schmaltzy Barry Manilow ballad (he writes the songs but he didn't write THAT one!) and hit her with James Taylor's "Your Smiling Face" (she even gives me a pretty little pout that turns me inside out). I sing Dire Straits like a love struck Romeo and then she lays everybody low with a rendition of "River in the Rain" that would make Allison Krauss weep.
I'm not proud of it but I even stoop to "Sweet Caroline". Good times never seemed so good. (I try to ignore the off-key noise from the bar.)
We sing and laugh together for hours. She rests her head on my shoulder and her hand on my leg like it's the most natural thing in the world. You have never heard a sexier version of Led Zeppelin's "D'Yer Mak'er". She even knows what the title of the song means. I thought I was the only person left alive (other than Robert Plant) who knew that. Loreena sings "Faithfully" as well as Steve Perry ever did. "Still Crazy After All These Years" has new life.
It suddenly occurs to me that there's only one way to stump her. I'll need to play one of my own songs.
I start to play a simple tune. She was able to get every other song after only a few bars but this one has her puzzled. She slides off the bench, leans on the piano and gazes at me with her deep green eyes as I sing to her.
It's a song about long lasting love and growing old together. About holding on and letting go. It's a song about remembering and looking forward. Two becoming one.
As I finish I realize how late it has become. The bartender is putting up the stools. Loreena and I are the only ones left in the room.
Loreena says, "Thank you so much. This has been the best night of my life."
"It has been my absolute pleasure. You can sing with me anytime you like."
She smiles at me, drops something in my tip jar and I watch her walk away. I feel like my very soul has left me.
I gently close the keyboard, stand up and reach for the jar. It was a really good night but I hadn't even noticed. There is a key card sitting on top of the cash. With "622" written on it. My heart leaps from my chest.
I wave a goodnight to the bartender. She gives me a wink and says, "Have a good evening, Keys."
"I'll do my best."
"I bet you will."
I grab my satchel and my tip jar and head to the restroom. I take off my shirt and wash myself down with cool water and run my fingers through my hair. A little breath freshener. A little deodorant. A fresh shirt. I look in the mirror and decide that's as good as it's going to get. I head for the elevators.
It's a quick ride to the top floor. All suites up here. Nice rooms. At the end of the hall is 622. I knock softly.
Loreena opens the door slightly. Her beautiful green eye looking through the crack.