The Simpler Times

Part 2

Entry #10
I was helping out Mark and Steve* with some of their class work today. They were hoping they wouldn't have to take any more math classes once they graduated high school. Stu grew up around this area so he recommended a diner to go to when we are studying. It's called Tuesday's, the establishment is quaint and the food is mediocre. Our waiter was named Leighton. Leighton helped solve an equation Mark, Steve, and I were stumped on. Leighton is majoring in mathematics.
I finally got around to playing Greg some records I have from various musicals. Chad was also there and listened, he seemed disinterested.  Stu stopped by midway through Gypsy. He sang along to a few tunes. Eventually Mark and Steve also found their ways into Chad an my dorm. For the most part the music was well received. Stu asked if I know how to play piano. I told him the truth that I dabbled. He said he had an idea. He refused to further elaborate.
My courses are going well. Professor Horis has given us a rather long essay to write but it will be very simply finished.
*Steven has asked to refer to him as Steve

Entry #13
I turned in my essay to Professor Horis. Working on it proved tedious but it has been completed.
On another note I found out today why Stu asked me about my piano experience. Today he dragged me into Tuesday's with Greg, Steve, Mark and Chad in tow. He greeted Leighton and pulled him aside. Leighton then went behind the counter of the bar and pulled out a keyboard and handed it to me with a smile.
Leighton lead us to a booth in the back corner of the diner next to a power outlet. Leighton told us to keep it down unless I'm a really good pianist. With a wink he was back to serving other patrons. The others looked at me expectantly.
I played middle C to make sure the keyboard worked. The electric piano was incredibly loud. I could see Leighton flinching from the other side of the restaurant. "Sorry!" Steve yelled vaguely to the others in the diner. I adjusted the volume down and proceeded to play a simple major scale.
Chad asked if I knew any of the songs from my records on piano. I explained that I only know the accompaniment to the singing parts. Greg said I should just sing along to the song. Stu said he would sing a long if I didn't want to.
I'm not used to performing for others. I was really quite nervous. I shyly played the beginning of Singing in the Rain. That's the song the others appeared to most enjoy. It's really hard to play and sing while your peers are staring you down. Stu saw that I was nervous and sang along with me. To my surprise Chad and Steve sang the chorus. Mark and Greg just hummed along.
It was quite pleasant when the others joined in. Leighton clapped respectfully after I finished the piece. He took our order and we spent a while sitting there and playing tunes.

Journal #20
I'm starting to suspect that Leighton is growing accustomed to our "jam sessions" as Mark calls them. Whenever we arrive at Tuesday's Leighton just nods at us and gestures to the table with the keyboard preset. Leighton appears to enjoy our singing.
Stu explained that Leighton used to be a dancer. Stu and Leighton apparently both grew up in this area. They don't seem very close. Leighton does have the weightlessness of a dancer.
Stu and I were mostly studying for a Anatomy exam we have coming up. Chad and Mark  were trying to figure out the chords to some rock song. Greg and Steve were mostly engulfed in their food.
For the first time since we started going to this diner I saw Leighton take a break. He took a seat in our booth next to Stu. He asked Stu, "So how did you get MVP Chad Hanover to like show tunes?" Chad seemed a bit shaken "How do you know my name?" Leighton laughed a little "I'm a waiter honey, I overhear things. I also keep track of happenings around campus so naturally I'm aware of our newest football players."
I enjoy Leighton's company. I hope he get's more breaks to talk to us.