"And in a wide sea of eyes I see one pair that I recognize" (604 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.6 on 7 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Emily <browneyedgirl123.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2004-01-16 00:10:15 EST
I peered through the slit between two heavy, burnt-orange velvet curtains that divided me from the rest of the cafe.
People.
People were everywhere. How could so many have filtered in since the last time I checked 30 seconds ago? My hand tightened anxiously on the guitar neck, I felt the steel strings leave impressions across my damp palm. Turning away from the curtains, my eyes fell on the water bottle sitting on a three-legged stool. Yes. Water would be good right now. Every good singer drinks lots of water right before a performance. I set down the instrument then wiped my hands quickly across the front of my jeans as I crossed the room to retrieve my water. Damp hands would only slide across the strings. No good for playing. Besides, the lovely callouses I'd built up on the tips of my fingers would be virtually useless with clammy hands. I drank down the rest of the water left in the bottle. Ugh, lukewarm and metallic. Oh well, no need to be a diva about it. There were other matters to be dealth with here. Would he be here tonight? He said he'd come see me play. It was time to go on, any minute now. I glanced at my watch then doubled back across the room again to retrieve the guitar. Might as well make sure it was perfectly tuned. I slung it across my shoulders quickly and strummed a C chord. All was well, no amount of fiddling could adjust the sound to anything better. Just as I turned back towards the curtains to check the crowd again and search for his comforting familiarity, the manager came strolling through and approached me. "You're on" he simply said. I smiled weakly, gave him a nod, then crossed the threshold out onto the open stage.
The air was thick with the smells of coffee and incense. I let out a slow, even breath and surveyed my audience. I scanned across the crowded room, all I could make out were shadowy silhouettes against the glare of the stage. My eyes fell on one shadow that stood out from the rest. There he was. My stomach gave an extra turn and I felt my heart skip a beat. He was here and tonight was for him. Tonight I sang to him. The heat of bright yellow lights warmed my face as I approached the microphone and wooden stool placed before it. All was still except for the dull hum of quiet conversations and clinking coffeecups against saucers. Shaking slightly, I settled myself down onto the stool and leaned forward. My lips pressed together and as I opened them I murmured softly into the microphone "I wish I'd written this song. I hope I can do it justice." I glanced into the audience once more before I began playing the opening notes. I looked directly at his form and in that moment I loved him. I loved him for being there, for feeling music with me, and providing me with a shelter were I could leave my nervousness and perform to the best of my ability. I smiled and plucked the beginning tones from the guitar and soon I was lost into musical oblivion as I felt my voice rise and throw itself from the speakers onto the ears of the patrons at this little coffeehouse. They were all watching me, listening to my words, hearing my music, interpreting my very essence. The strings moved easily beneath my fingers and I felt my voice flow and blend evenly with the harmonics I played. This is what I'd been born to do, to tell the world my story through music, to have them feel it and know me.
Then, as suddenly as I'd started to play, the song was over and I heard applause reverberating through the room. I blinked and leaned back, exhaling peacefully. I zeroed in on him once again, recognizing his hands as they lifted, and noticing a smile light out from his silhouette.
I grinned back as I saw him clapping. No more anxiety, it was euphoric smooth sailing with the music from here.
My shaky, clammy hands and the dry mouth were gone. I was bearing my soul for all to see and was filled with nothing short of rapture.
User Reviews
Submitted by Lady_Emily_03 (user info) at 2004-01-16 16:50:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Work is blah today. So sloooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
I need to find jobs to schedule our technicians.
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2004-01-16 15:02:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Know the feeling.
SpikeGoddess
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2004-01-16 14:37:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
cool. How's work today?
I'm really annoyed today, I just got re-assigned to drive up to 29 Palms for a couple days. Have to leave sunday night. Thanks for the 3 day weekend, boss!
I wanna do something this weekend, but I have no idea what, now.
Submitted by Lady_Emily_03 (user info) at 2004-01-16 14:22:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
It was right after I turned 18... sort of something that just fell in my lap.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2004-01-16 11:14:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
hey!
Fiction, or did you really do this, and why couldn't I come too?
Submitted by BuckeyesTHEGAME (user info) at 2004-01-16 03:07:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
nice
Submitted by dakingisdead (user info) at 2004-01-16 00:57:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
nice one girly.
I get these feelings everytime I open another exhibition. You expose your soul to the rest of the world for their criticism or approval. Last year I finally managed to do it straight.