The Potter's Daughter - A chapter each week - Complete Novel Available on Amazon

Chapter 10

Mitch and Abby went back to the table to join Caroline and Brian.  Bob Jensen, owner of the Stone Tavern, was at the table.  Bob was complimenting the couple on the party and goading Brian as to whether he felt any ‘worse for the wear’ at forty.  After Bob stepped away, the pitchers began to pour.

The acoustic duo finished another harmonic number then announced they were taking a long break then began talking amongst themselves.  Mitch excused himself and walked over to the stage.  Abby could see that Mitch and the duo were friends by the ‘bro-hug handshakes’ they exchanged.  She saw them scan the table then focus back on her and suspected that Mitch was requesting some sort of song.

One of the musicians walked the three steps to the back of the stage with his guitar in hand and took a violin out of a case.  Caroline tapped Abby on the arm when, instead of putting the guitar down, the musician handed the instrument to Mitch.

“You’re going to love this,” said Caroline.

Mitch sat on the musician’s stool and the violinist stood to Mitch’s left while the other musician picked up his guitar and took a seat back on his respective stool.

Mitch spoke into the microphone, “I got the boys to do one more quick song.”

Mitch looped the thick black leather guitar strap over his neck.  “This is to make up for winning a pool game,” said Mitch fixing his gaze at Abby.

Mitch began to strum the guitar slowly.  Abby felt the warmth of her cheeks flushing and was giddy in her stomach.

“We don’t have a drummer so we’ll need everyone’s help when the time comes.  You’ll know when.”

The violinist serenely followed in behind Mitch.  Mitch began to sing a slow, sappy, sweet verse.  Abby had the urge to go for the door.  The verse was a simple rhyme scheme and a few lines that switched from serious to comedic.

‘If you had a chance

 to meet this girl

You would know

 why I feel this way.

Mary Love is the loveliest

girl in the world

now she is gone away.

But she left with Mark,

John, Paul, and Rob

so with them I wish she’d stay’

The bar filled with laughter and the violinist changed to a quicker rhythm that, with the accompaniment of the guitar, created an upbeat jig.  Two couples near the dance floor got up and began to dance and Mitch repeated the verse in time with the music and went into new facetious verses.  Abby had thought Mitch’s demeanor calm and cool.  Contrarily his exuberance had the whole room clapping in time.  The bow of the violin melodically sped across the strings with a melancholy cry that fit the song well.  The song was a comedic dreadful story of a man abused by a lover, named Mary Love, that he could not escape.  No matter how many times she would cheat and leave, she would always come back.  The man attempted to hide everywhere, yet to no avail, which came out in the chorus:

‘You can try to hide in the valley below,

You can try in the mountain above, but,

You cannot hide,

You cannot hide,

You cannot hide from Love.’

Mitch and the guitarist had both stood up by this point and were tapping to the rhythm.  Another couple was dancing and the air had turned electric.  The music of the last verse slowed then rose to a crescendo for the last chorus then stopped abruptly to everyone’s applause.

“Thank you everybody,” said Mitch.  He winked at Abby and then shook the duos hands before returning to the table.

“Told you you’d love that,” said Caroline.

“Who wouldn’t,” said Abby.

The three at the table clapped again as Mitch approached to sit down and Brian picked up the pitcher and topped off Mitch’s beer.

“Aren’t you talented,” said Abby.

“That’s the only song I know,” said Mitch.

“I doubt that.”

“Well maybe a couple more,” said Mitch.

“I bet you do,” said Abby.

“He does, don’t buy the modesty act,” said Caroline.  “Let’s see if he’s talented enough to read a menu.  I’m famished.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” said Mitch in a mock laugh as he took the menu Caroline offered him.

Instead of reading at what was on the menu Mitch was peering over the top at Abby.  Her cheeks were full and she was glowing after all of the laughter.  Mitch realized he had stared too long into the light and had to avert his eyes when Abby began to lift her head from the menu.  Abby had not noticed.  When Abby lifted her head she saw Mitch intently studying his menu.

“Do you know what you’re having?” asked Abby.

“So many choices I’m not sure.  It all looks good,” said Mitch.

“You should try the child’s menu,” said Caroline.

Mitch mockingly laughed again, “Ha, Ha.  You are full of them tonight.”

“Maybe if you looked at the menu a bit more instead of Abby you would find something,” said Caroline.  She had noticed Mitch’s prolonged gaze in Abby’s direction.

“Probably a burger,” said Mitch.  “Yes, a burger and sweet potato fries.”

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