Yours Truly (Post Malone)

03

A couple days before the concert Jay invited me to, I stood in my bar. I was setting the stage to play some music. My boss, Kenny, let me perform on certain days of the week. That was when we got the most customers. Some of those customers said they only came in for me. Others just came because they always do. I just liked to sing and play music so it didn't matter either way.

Once I was done, I tapped on the microphone to get everyone's attention. A couple seconds passed and I said, "I'm going to get started. I have a couple of songs here tonight so I hope you guys enjoy."

I sat down behind my piano, starting off with the first time. All eyes were on me as I sang. I had been playing music and singing for as long as I could remember. I had a talent for it that several people said I was born with. Maybe I was but all I knew it that I loved it with all of my heart.

As I sang, I scanned the crowd. Most of the faces were ones that I recognized. There were a few I didn't but we usually got some people I didn't know. One face stuck out more than usual. It was a guy with longer curly hair and tattoos on his face and some poking out from under his shirt. He was watching me from the bar, a beer in hand. When we made eye contact, he raised his beer as a cheers. I smiled a little in return.

When my last song came up, I took a break to grab a quitar and speak into the microphone. "This last song is dedicated to my daughter, Winter. She's the best thing to have blessed my life. It's called Dear Winter by AJR."

I started singing, everyone quieting down. There had been a little talking throughout my set but I ignored it. But at that moment, everyone was quiet and watching me. Dear Winter was one of my favorite songs to sing, especially to my little girl. As the song came closer to the end, I made eye contact with the man I had noticed earlier. He was still watching me, a little smile on his face.

Once the song ended, I thanked the audience and got up. I cleaned up the stage and returned to the bar. As I was doing a few things, I realized I was in front of the man who had been watching me the entire show. He had a beer in his hand and his eyes were still on me.

I looked up at him and smiled. "Good evening. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Nothing besides more of your smile," the man replied. "You sound great up there by the way. You're a great singer and musician. I'm a singer myself but you're something else."

My smile grew a little. "Thanks. I've been doing it for most of my life now so I've had practice."

The man nodded. "Nice. Was that song actually for your daughter? Winter, right?"

I nodded, grabbing a wet rag to wipe down the table. "Yeah. She's eight now and getting so big. I keep telling her I'll put a bucket and a brick on her head so she'll stopping growing."

The man chuckled, lifting his beer to his lips. "Sounds like a good time. You're a bit young to have a kid though, huh?"

I sighed. I got those comments all the time. "I had her when I was eighteen. She's been a good kid though."

"Dad in the picture?"

I sighed. I really didn't like talking about what had happened with Winter's father. He was a good man and treated us well but was taken too soon by a drunk driver. But that man was a stranger. I didn't want to tell him all of my secrets.

"Sorry, I'm prying," the man apologized. He tilted his drink towards me. "You know, I'm a bit of an artist myself. I actually have a show this weekend here in the city."

"Really? Is it going to be big?"

The man nodded, finishing his drink. "Yeah. I should get going though. See you around, Miss. . . ?"

"Mack," I replied. "And you are?"

The man smirked a little as he slipped on his jacket. "I'm Austin. See you around?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Don't be a stranger while you're in town."

Austin winked at me. "I won't be with a bartender like you, love."

I rolled my eyes as he walked away. I was no stranger to customers flirting with me. But there was something different about Austin. He was cute and had something about him. I couldn't place what it was though. He was just something else and there was nothing wrong with that. I smiled softly at the thought of possibly seeing him again. I'd like to see Austin again.