I'll Be

Chapter Twenty-Three: Rock God

Sawyer walked up to the microphone, guitar in hand.

            I stood, Kennedy slung over my shoulder, a shield. I was about to face the love of a century, and crack into a million pieces in the process.

            “Well, hey everybody!” Sawyer greeted, the crowd cheering in response. He smiled, “Look at all these gorgeous people. Did you guys know you’re the biggest crowd we’ve played in front of, ever?” They screamed again, and I felt goose bumps on my arms.

            Sawyer nodded, “You guys are stoked, and I love that. But before we get started, I want to bring someone out on stage for a minute. And I know it’s cheesy, and I know some of you guys aren’t aware, but fuck it. I would like to welcome the beautiful, the talented, the amazing Teddy Alt to come out for a moment, please.”

            The crowd cheered, and I began to walk out on to the stage. I couldn’t look up, or out, but when I saw Sawyer’s hand reach for me, I grabbed it without thinking. I forced my eyes up, and he handed me the mic.

            “Well, good hello, everybody!” I welcomed, and took a deep breath “Wow. This is unreal. I can’t believe how many of you are out there right now. This is just…Can I hear that crowd again, please?” It was twice as loud this time; people shouted, and could hear all the way to the back wall. I looked at Sawyer, who grinned in agreement; this was too crazy. I cleared my throat, “So, you guys might know me from a little band called Try As We Might,” There was a cheer that lifted up over the crowd, “Thank you. And though they’re all here tonight, we are not set to perform this evening. No, I’m here because this guy” I kept my hand in his and smiled, “Is the single most mind-blowing person I’ve ever met. You guys have…no idea how lucky you are to have him in front of you right now. And I am honored to call him mine.”

            He rolled his eyes, “God, you’re so sappy. I can’t believe I asked you to be my girlfriend.”

            “Shut up and play something already, jeez.” I laughed, and the crowd applauded again.

            “Right, of course; That’s why we’re here. But,” He shook his head, “Before we do that, I want to talk to everybody, say something for a minute.”

            It was happening. He was crossing the line. There was no turning back now.

            “First, I want to confess something.” He said, swallowing his doubt, “About three and a half years ago, my dad passed away from a very unforgiving disease called ALS, which resulted in a sort of paralysis all over his body. It messes with the way your nerves and muscles work, and how you move, talk, walk…everything. Well, the thing about this disease, it’s genetic. Which means that when I first started feeling pain in my hands my sophomore year of high school, I was preparing for the worst.”

            The crowd was a breath away from utter silence. They watched Sawyer, eyes wide in shock and disbelief. I never let go of his hand.

            He smiled, “I’m going to keep playing. And I want to tell you that no matter what happens, no matter where you go or what you do, no matter what people tell you, you can have everything you want if you work hard, and you don’t let what people say dictate the way you live your life. Believe me, I know. It sounds a lot easier than it is, but it’s the one thing that I’ve learned over the past few years. I’ve got time; maybe not as much as the average person, but I’ve got time. So do you. I’m going to spend mine making people just like you realize how amazing you truly are, and I have you to thank for that.”

            I closed my eyes, taking all of it in. After a moment of silence, he spoke one last time, “So now that we got all that sappy stuff out of the way, we’d like to play a song for you. This called ‘Nothing’s Wrong’.”

            He looked at me, watching, asking if I was ready. When I nodded, he raised up his arm, signaling for Dustin to set up; I looked at Robbie, who nodded to me in subtle approval. I glanced to Reeve, the corners of his mouth turned up in a soft smile.

            Go.

            Personally, I think I'd much prefer to stay.

Between you and me, there's too much standing in the way.

But you'll go on;

keeping everything in belief as you sip on something strong,

wishing you could make your own history.

 

All in all, I'm doubting everything lately.

So tell me, what's it like to fly?

 

Here's to something that you said would be nothing.

I braced myself for this (Only you could ever hold me back)

Here's to hoping you put thought in your judgement,

or this is how it ends. (This is how it ends)

 

January, I took the time to settle down.

Between you and me, that stress comes crawling back,

but you'll go on; saying "can you sing to me?" and pretend that nothing's wrong.

We still know it's not how it used to be.

 

All in all, I'm doubting everything lately.

So tell me, what's it like to fly?

 

Here's to something that you said would be nothing.

I braced myself for this (Only you could ever hold me back)

Here's to hoping you put thought in your judgement,

or this is how it ends. (This is how it ends)

 

And all this time we could be changing our ways to find out

 

We've been here before.

Nothing ends up the same.

We've been here before.

The promises made fuel the game.

We've been here before.

Nothing ends up the same.

We've been here before.

The promises made fuel the game.

 

Here's to something that you said would be nothing.

I braced myself for this

Here's to hoping you put thought in your judgement,

or this is how it ends.

(This is how it ends.)

 

Here's to something that you said would be nothing.

I braced myself for this (Only you could ever hold me back)

Here's to hoping you put thought in your judgement,

or this is how it ends. (This is how it ends)

This is how it ends.