BAE BOY

3-7

We snuck up on Wyatt, sort of.

And we heard her 'way before we saw her. Only I didn't know that at first. Or I did, I just didn't believe what I was hearing.

Lemme explain. I still get sort of light headed whenever I think about it.

It was one of her planning periods, when we headed into the English wing. Right after her AP class. And there was all this music--singing, along with it--coming from her room.

As we got closer, this girl's voice said, "One more time. Seriously. Cause...damn."

And someone sang this line that went: "First boy, I loved, time has come I would sing you this sad goodbye song..."

And the girl went, "That's insane! Really! That's impossible! It's like--okay, do the other one, now. The...step ups. Just that one line..."

And the other singer sang, "You're so much...so-o-o-o much mine..."

The "step ups" were on the "o-o-o-o" part. I knew exactly what she meant, when I heard it sung. It was a scale, but done in staccato notes. Helluva voice, a helluva lot of control it took, to do that.

And I knew whose voice it was. Instinctively, I knew it was how Wyatt's voice would sing. And I couldn't take another step. She'd blown my legs out from under me.

JJ said, "What is it?"

And I turned around, just pivoted, intending to head back down the hallway.

And said, "I don't think...I think we should come back. She's got--there's something goin' on in there. She's got--she's busy," I said. Sputtering around just like that.

And one of JJ's brows went up.

And he kept right on walking toward Wyatt's room.

With a little, "Well, now we must go," as he sailed straight toward the sound of the voices.

I caught up and grabbed his arm, and said, "Dude!"

And he said, "This is the first time you've ever acted your age. I must meet this woman."

He had this little twinkle in his eye when he said it. Devil.

I tried protesting. Gave him the standard teen boy whine.

"C'mon, man! Seriously."

He just kept on walking. But he didn't go in, thank God. He stopped a little bit before he got to her door and sort of cocked his head, listening.

I didn't know the songs then, I do now. They were these sort of modern folkie songs. Just the sort of thing Wyatt would like or be able to sing, probably. Real moody, hippie/hipster stuff. Also really pretty I have to admit. Incredible lyrics. Her music always had deep messages.

In fact, the "So Much Mine" one, that was dope as hell. I love that song. As a father, I can totally relate.

It's from the point of view of a mother trying to understand her crazy ass daughter. Goes:

"Where'd you get that dress?

Where'd you learn to walk like that?

Don't talk back

Tell me where you've been - maybe I don't want to know

Oh, Lord, why me?"

And then she realizes that the daughter is just like she was that age. That's the "so much mine" part. They're the same person. And that's why she's scared for her kid. She knows the consequences, right? Very cool song. Very common experience. You hear yourself saying things to your kid and then it dawns on you: "Hey, wait. I used to do that, too..."