Caterpillar's Leaf

chapter 2

Friday again. I put my guitar in my case and grabbed the sheet music for the song I was going to sing to study on the long walk to Caterpillar's Leaf. Ben Kweller's 'In Other Words' was the song. It was typically played on piano, luckily I had a friend to help out. 

I got to the cafe and saw a small amount of people had already got there to claim their seats. I stayed in back with my head down and my eyes glued to the music memorizing the guitar chords. I already gave the piano music to Kane, my good friend that plays piano.

"Howdy Cowboy. You back to play some more music?" Marigold all but screamed in my ear making me jump and lose my focus. 

"Erm... yeah." I smiled and showed her the music I was reading.

"Ben Kweller? Never heard of him. The lyrics seem good though. Can't wait to hear you again." She pushed herself from the wall and walked to the counter where her sister was talking to some guy. 

I went back to reading over my music but all my mind processed were those eyes and the fact they'd be watching my every move. I never got nervous about these pointless shows but she made my hands sweat and my foot tap. 

After a few people, who were a bit pitchy, played their songs, it was my turn. I walked up to the stage once more and sat down. I did my usual routine but this time, I looked out into the crowd before playing. I looked for those eyes. Those burning blue eyes. 

I spotted them and started talking. It came out more shaky than I had hoped.

"I'm J and this is Ben Kweller's song 'In Other Words'." As I stare into those big grey blue eyes l finish my Intro " I hope you enjoy." 

I play the song but I don't even know if it was right. By the end I couldn't even comprehend that I was singing. All I cared about was her.

The song finished and people clap. Marigold is smiling at me, and I feel the urge to smile back.

"I'd like to thank Kane for accompanying me on piano." The small crowd claps more.

l get up, pack up my guitar, thank Kane once more, grab a coffee, and leave. Walking down the street I am mesmerized by the thought of her.

All of a sudden, my brain snaps back to reality, the smile once on my face is gone, footsteps an following me. 'Oh god please be her.'

l turn to look and disappointment sets in quickly.

"J?" the man asks. I nod. " Hi J! My name Is Calvin Lotters." He sticks his hand out to shake. I shake it. "Thats a nice handshake you got there. Anyways, I own Lotter's Records. I got quite a few emails about you and decided l had to come see for myself. I was going to wait until you had gotten home to tell you. I loved your performance balk their. I want to make you a star. What do you think?"

I can't even process what is happening. Why would they want me? I'm a small town guy who lives in a dump of a house.

"Um... can we meet up in a couple days. I need time to think about this."

"Of course! How about we meet Monday morning at Caterpillar's Leaf for coffee?"

"Um... yeah, sure."