Starting Over

Time To Sing

"What are you doing?"  Alison questioned.

"Reminding you it's okay to have fun."  He finished filling out the slip and noticed Alison trying to peek at it.  "Naw, naw.  It's a surprise," and he walked over to the dj running the show to turn in the request.  Alison couldn't help but watch him walk away, her eyes immediately drawn to his backside, wondering what it would be like to give it a good squeeze.  His negative response sounded a bit Southern to her, which got under her skin, even if he was just throwing his voice.  Something about country boys made her melt.  She bowed her head when she saw him coming back.

As Adam approached, he saw that Alison had moved to the back corner of the booth they were occupying, and was clutching her beer as if someone were trying to steal it.  "Um, are you okay?"  He began to worry that he'd gone to far.  After all, he had just met her, and he didn't want to hurt her.

"I don't know.  I'm such a mess,"  she paused then looked him in the eyes, "why are you being so nice to me?"  

Alison wasn't used to this.  Maybe when she was younger, and had her whole life in front of her, she may not have even questioned these actions.  She had people back then that helped her become, her.  But all the pain she had endured since then, she couldn't help but question anyone's acts of good will; she didn't know how to trust anyone anymore.

"Would you prefer I be a dick?" he asked her.  When she shook her head no, he continued.  "Look, I'm sure you've heard this before but, I'm a nice person.  I don't treat people like shit unless they deserve it.  And, well, right now, you don't deserve it.  Believe me, " he paused, swallowed, then continued, "I get it."

Alison was about to ask what he meant by that, but instead, Adam grabbed her right hand and said, "we're up!"  He led her down to the performance area.

Alison saw the song title come up and looked at Adam.  "Really?  Sonny and Cher?"  No sooner did she get that out, but she had to sing.  She started off quiet and mousey.  Even with a mic, it was not easy to hear her.  Adam got through his lines and made eye contact with her for the chorus of "Babe.  I got you babe.  I got you babe."  He flashed her a smile that was an attempt to tell her to let go and just have fun.

It was her turn to sing again, and she was a little louder with her vocals.  As her volume increased, Adam gave her a thumbs up.  Then the next chorus hit.  Something happened then that no one, not even Alison, was expecting.  When her next lines of "and when I'm sad, you're a clown.  And if I scared, you're always around," were due, something inside her let go, and the words poured from her mouth as if she were in front of  thousands of people.  Adam's eyes went wide with amazement at her voice.  It was incredible, and he found himself turned on by it.  She noticed him smiling at her with wonderful surprise.  Then she turned and saw Kelly looking at her with a "where the fuck did that come from?" look.

Alison let a smile come over her face as she continued to sing.  Adam kept on smiling while shaking his head before doing his part.  With the words, he grabbed her hand and they finished the song.  As they came to the end, the bar they were in would come alive with applause, whistling, hollering, etcetera.  Alison just hung her head and went back to her seat to finish her beer.

"Holy shit girl!"  Adam following her.  "Don't ever tell me you can't sing," as he slid into the booth across from her.  "That was awesome!"

Not sure what to say, she responded with, "Well, certain songs I don't like hearing get destroyed.  And, honestly.  I love Cher.  She's a badass."

Adam just smiled at her.  He was happy to see Alison begin to loosen up.  And to hear her go on about how she felt people didn't "get her" because of her eclectic tastes in music, it fascinated him.  The more she spoke, the more he wanted to know about her.

"I'm sorry," she continued, "I'm babbling.  Just tell me to shut up.  It's okay."

He giggled.  "No, you're fine.  I'm enjoying listening to you.  Did you at least have fun up there?"

"I did.  I forgot how fun it can be."  She paused and looked up at him.  There was some magic about his smile, and a glow in his eyes she hadn't seen from a man in years.  All she could get out was, "thank you."

"No problem.  Glad I could do you some good."  He reached over and patted her hands that were folded together on the table.  The look he gave her though.  Alison's mind began to wonder.  "I'll be right back," he told her.  "Oh, excuse me," he stated as Kelly and he met paths.  Adam walked around her and Kelly slid into the booth across from Alison.