The Summer at Lake Minnetonka (Completed)

VIII

June 3rd, 1983.

Friday

First Avenue was absolutely packed to capacity, which I loved more than anything when performing. It was probably the only place I could forget about my problems at least for a little bit. Besides, Billy told all the performers not to bring our personal shit to the stage, but it becomes really hard sometimes. I'll never forget when he made me wash dishes once within the span of the time we'd been performing here. So he was no joke on it. But, occasionally he'd slip up. Like tonight.

We performed like normal, until the end. I decided to go to each of the girls and whispering that I'm changing up the last song which was usually a fast paced one. They all quietly agree and I address the audience, "Hope you don't mind if I slow it down a bit?" I don't wait on their reaction and a stagehand pushes the piano out for me.

I get comfortable on the bench, placing my fingers against the familiar keys. I look towards Sam, signaling her on her keyboard for the proper sounds for the background.

I begin to play the opening, singing at just the right part to start.

Close enough to start a war
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more

I'm not sure where I got the idea but I'm glad I wrote the song. As I immersed myself more into the song, my worry for the crowd's reaction doesn't bother me.

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb, I can't breathe

So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables, to turning tables

I turn my eyes in the direction of the crowd and find that they're enjoying the song, my eyes also find Prince attempting to hide himself in the crowd to watch from the sidelines. He disappears after a few moments, heading back to his dressing room I assume.

Under haunted skies I see
Where love is lost, your ghost is found
I've braved a hundred storms to leave you
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down

I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb, I can't breathe

So I won't let you close enough to hurt me, no
I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables, turning tables

Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior
When the thunder calls to me
Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own savior
Standing on my own two feet

I won't let you close enough to hurt me, no
I won't ask you, you to just desert me
I can't give you what you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables, to turning tables
Turning tables, yeah, turning

Once I've finished, we all receive a big round of applause and whistles. I politely thank the crowd before the lights onstage cut, we all head back to the dressing rooms. Just as I'm heading into the dressing room, Prince steps out and calls out to me, the girls all turn their heads but I quickly usher them into the room and meet him halfway.

"You did really good tonight," he compliments me, which is a rare occurrence coming from him. He wasn't the one to compliment any other performers here, so obviously he's being serious.

"Thanks, means a lot coming from you," I turn away, intending to head for the dressing room to change but Prince wraps his hand around my wrist.

"Won't you stay?"