We entered the bar and to my surprise, there was big place in the middle of all the tables so that people could dance. There were old pictures of different types of boats and ocean all over the walls. To my right, people were sitting at the bar. A group of men was drunk and they were happily singing along to the song currently playing. Jeremiah seemed to know them because he gave them a nob when they said hi.
Some people were dancing around in the middle of the bar and energetically clapping along to the music. In front of the dance floor, there was a very small scene and there was only place for about the piano. Jeremiah confidently headed to the piano, and placed the microphone in front of his face so he could sing while playing. I followed Aurora to a non-occupied table where we sat while Jeremiah was getting ready to start at the front. A barmaid brought us drinks. Two enormous beers. Needless to say that this is not the kind of place where people drink wine.
Aurora eagerly took a big sip and Jeremiah started playing the first note of piano. He really seemed more confident than usual behind that impressive piano. Jeremiah had a mysterious smile on his face while he was looking at the crowd that was slowly gathering around the tables to listen to him more carefully. His brown eyes gleamed under the lights. It was weird how he knew exactly where to look to make a somewhat eye contact to Aurora and I. I am pretty sure though that he could not see us because it was dark and he only had a spotlight over him. Jeremiah talked in a soothing voice through the mic while playing this kind of introduction to a song:
'Hi. This song is for old time's sake. I used to sing this song every time I came up here. It's been a while and I think we all need to remember this amazing song. Ladies and gentleman, Piano man.'
People cheered rather loudly at what Jeremiah just said. I guess it's a classic in this bar. I instantly recognized the melody of the beginning as people became quiet again. I always have loved this song, especially the uplifting melody of the piano. I mean it pretty much says it all; the song is called Piano Man after all.
( A/N Song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEprNGh3FRo)
A barman joined Jeremiah at the front with a harmonica. They both began playing their instruments and Jeremiah finally began singing.
'It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
Regular crowd shuffles in....'
While Jeremiah carried on singing, I just looked at him in amazement and my mouth was probably hanging open. He had a really nice voice. Like the kind of voice you want to fall asleep listening to. It is not that I never thought Jeremiah could sing or anything. It just was so unexpected for him to be that good.
His voice is low and husky but at the same time very relaxing and uplifting. I just felt like at this moment I was in a bath of hot water with my favorite bath bomb from lush. It is a weird comparison though, but I can't think of anything better.
I liked how Jeremiah really could put the right tone in each one of the words he sang. Every emotion was applied at the right moment with the right amount in his voice. I had to admit: he is a good entertainer too.
'Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we are all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feeling alright.'
While the song continued, I listened to Jeremiah's voice and also to the lyrics. He talked about all those people in the bar listening to him that wanted to do something else, something that they all once aspired to do. It made me think about me: how I always aspired to become a writer. Like those people in the song, I never got to do what I really wanted. I am scared of never achieving my goal and never being happy. It is without a doubt my biggest fear. I don't want to be miserable because I did not succeed where I desperately wanted to.
