70's Jazz

Issues

"What were you thinking!" I shouted. People in the café turned around. I smiled at them. "Have you lost your mind?" I whispered. "We don't know for sure. Madeline just told me that she's late and she'll test tomorrow." He responded. "You better hope it's negative." I warned. I grabbed my coffee and left. He rushed out after me. "Where are you going?" He called out. "We can talk about this later I need to get ready for work." I replied. I can't believe him. This was a real issue. He's 17 almost 18. He is not ready to be a parent. What would mom and dad say? I pulled in my driveway when I saw a note on the doorstep. It was an envelope with my name on it. I opened it. It was a letter. Signed by Eric aka Coffee Guy. How did he get my address? How did he know my name? On the back there was more. "P.S your brother used to be a friend." Huh. At least it answers my questions. I had to get ready for work. I took a shower, put on makeup, and picked an outfit. I didn't get home until 8:50. Only 10 minutes to change. I ran to my room and picked a flowy dress with shoulder straps. I wore tall boots and went outside where Elise was waiting on me. "Where's your trumpet?" She asked. I smiled and walked back in to get my trumpet and case. "That's better!" She exclaimed as I got in the car. "Shut up." I joked. We went near a shopping area and we got out to walk around and look. "Play here!" Elise suggested. There was a lovely expensive fountain with rose bushes surrounding the back. You could tell this was a middle class to wealthy part of the city. I groaned and set my case down and put my trumpet together.

I played a song or two but not a single penny. When I played a famous song that was played by Louis Armstrong. That was when a group of women gave 20 dollars each. That equaled to 80 dollars in total. When I finished I looked at Elise. We were both so happy. "Keep going!" She encouraged. I played another song once played by Lee Morgan. I received 37 dollars. I smiled at Elise and she smiled back. I played a song I wrote when I was younger. I only got 5 dollars but that's better than nothing. I played 10 more songs and got more money. When Elise and I were getting tired I stopped and we counted the tips. 150 dollars in total. "Not bad." Elise teased as she elbowed me. I laughed. "Thanks." I empathized. She smiled. "I told you that you were good." She praised. I put my trumpet in the case and she dropped me off at my house. "How was tonight?" My mom asked. "I got $150" I cheered. "That's great!" My mom exclaimed. "I'm so proud." She professed. I patted her hand and went into my room. My earning from work and tips from this evening equal to $250. Just $9,750 left. I put all the money in a jar and tucked it under my bed.

In the morning, I awoke to a scream. I rushed down the hall and into the living room and my mom was sitting on her knees, crying. I peered over her shoulder and saw it. My dad. He was lying on floor in a pool of blood. His head bleeding. I cried. "Dad!" I cried out. My mother sobbed screaming "no". The noise woke up Ghram. My brother saw it and went to call the hospital. I patted his face to try to get him to respond. He eyes opened. I sighed of relief. My mom cried out of joy. He responded. "Dad keep your eyes open!" I shouted. "please, please, please" I whispered. He wasn't dead! Yet.