WAITING FOR DAWN

Chapitre 3

                                                                                    The Lifeline

Billy found me deeply immersed in my work, to the point that he barely spoke to me until I was about to step out the door when I heard him say:

"Good luck for tonight".

"Thank you," I replied without turning around.

A crowd larger than usual had gathered. My joy was indescribable; I struggled to contain it. I then took hold of my faithful companion, and we began to play, nestled close to one another. We understood each other perfectly. Every time I took to the stage, she and I became one. All the tenderness and affection I could feel were focused on her. The harmony between us that night was so captivating that we were rewarded with a standing ovation. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Donald had reorganized certain aspects of the show, and though it was rare, some evenings we had a more interesting audience. However, my remuneration remained unchanged. Billy and I had made numerous promises to Mr. Davant, pledging never to let a month go by without paying him something. We strove to keep our word, even if it meant sometimes going to bed hungry or surviving on coffee alone.

One day, while I was at Marco's shop to get something, he offered me the chance to perform at a sort of fair he was organizing, though I couldn't quite grasp its exact nature. I hoped to earn a bit of money from it, which could have eased Billy and me, but that was to underestimate Marco. He hadn't planned anything for me, not even a glass of water. Billy scolded me severely for not consulting him, calling me naïve. How could I have expected anything from Marco? I still wonder.

Yet, I wasn't really displeased. I simply performed a few popular Danian songs, such as La Villa Dolores and Et si moi by the admirable Chantal Caporo, the artist who awakened my love for music. Her songs were true anthems, sung by past generations, my own, and even beyond our borders. This woman embodies one of the iconic figures of Dankit's music. I also performed Valencya, la Rose Envoûtante, interpreted by another great name in music, this time beyond our borders, the famous King Burrell Deson-Non.

Chantal Caporo came to music only later in life. As she liked to recall, her family never believed in her. Given the economic situation of our State and theirs, music was seen as the last thing to consider. How many Danian artists had truly managed to rise above? Talent abounded, certainly, but those who reached the summit could be counted on the fingers of one hand. She was advised to focus on her studies, find a good job, marry, and have children. The life of an artist was already frowned upon, and for a woman, it was even more so.

There was this paradoxical view of musicians, seen both as people who had missed out on life, yet were also indispensable. As strange as it may seem, every musician knows or will know this state of unease and powerlessness.

Continuing her story, Chantal shared that it was her husband who encouraged her to sing, as she constantly composed new lullabies or songs for their two daughters, Valerya and Enckyra, hence Valencya, a contraction of their names. Thus, at the age of forty, she was able to release her first album, which was an immediate success and allowed her to travel and gain worldwide recognition. Her journey fascinates me deeply, and I hope to one day have as significant an impact on the world as this great lady. She is affectionately known as Mama Valencya.

I had kept the portrait of Mama Valencya in my old apartment, but I couldn't save it from the hands of my former landlord. I wonder what he did with it. Perhaps it now adorns his office or living room, or maybe he disposed of it. But how could one discard such an icon?

Billy continued to sulk, frustrated by my naivety, especially knowing that we would spend yet another night with little to eat. To ease his resentment, I promised never to repeat such a mistake. Yet, deep within me, the drive for transformation was so urgent that I was willing to risk everything to finally achieve it.