Based off of this song [Connor's favorite]
A little known fact about Jeremy was that, when he was extremely stressed, or he was feeling depressed, he played ukulele. Of course, he only did this when he was alone, as he felt it more of a private matter. He would sometimes write songs, and sometimes he would learn songs others had written. Today was the day he wrote his own song, as he was thinking about his mother. This morning, he had walked in on his dad, and realized Mr. Heere was crying, holding a picture of Jeremy's mother, Cecily. Jeremy thought of the story about how the two met, and how broken-hearted his dad was, even after nearly a year. Jeremy had gone to his room and started at the ceiling for a while, feeling numb as tears poured from his eyes. He had texted Michael, but his boyfRiend had not replied, so he quickly abandoned that plan. Once the tears stopped, he had grabbed his instrument and began creating. As soon as he had made a soft melody, he started making up lyrics. The song was in his dad's perspective, his parents' love story fresh in his mind. After some practice, he finally had it down.
"The war was over, I was living with my folks.
I yelled upstairs 'hey ma, I'm off to grab some smokes!'
And my father called, 'why do you need to smoke so late?'
Well I'd lied... I had a date.
Free from my folks enslavement, skipping along the pavement.
To see a brunette, who I'd never met.
But I never would forget
How she looked in that dress.
How she stuck out her hand and said
'My name is Cecily Smith.
And I hope you like music.
'Cause I've got two tickets for La Traviata'
That's when I said 'I hate opera.'
She laughed and said,
'Well lucky for you, if you're with Cecily Smith,
Who cares what you are listening to?
It's who you're listening with.'
So we take our seats,
Her hands are folded in her lap
If not a kiss, then I at least will get a nap
So I close my eyes as the orchestra begins,
Then I hear violins...
And the hair on my neck was rising.
A feeling new and surprising.
But it wasn't the sound,
That made my heart pound.
No, it was because I found,
Her hand is in mine.
And that's where it will stay
Until they play the final chord.
She says, 'Were you bored?'
And I say,
'I guess it wasn't quite so bad
It was the best time that I ever had.'
She laughed and said, 'Well lucky for you,
I got seats to Beethoven's fifth.
Who cares what you are listening to?
It's who you're listening with...'"
Jeremy began plucking at the strings a bit, making it up as he went. He knew his dad loved Cecily, even if Jeremy had tried to erase her from their lives. He blinked away tears as he began singing once more.
"A perfect wife...
A perfect life...
The time exploded like a bullet from a gun.
A week, a year, and then a marriage, and a son.
And a rental where I still can hear her laugh,
When I play the phonograph.
So I let the music guide me
As Cecily sits beside me.
A girl of nineteen,
With a nervous marine.
Feel her head begin to lean
As the melody soars.
And though it was real,
It doesn't feel like it could be.
That night when you said to me... That
'I've got two tickets for La Traviata.'" Jeremy now thought of his dad, sitting there, crying over the loss of his wife even though she didn't give Mr. Heere a second thought.
"It's sad but true,
How much I miss you.
I miss you Cecily Smith.
Life is not,
The things that we do.
It's who we're doing them with..." Jeremy ended, new tears running down his cheeks as he finishes the melody. He set the ukulele back in its case and placed it back under his bed. After a moment of silence, he began sobbing into his pillow. He missed his mom more than anything, and missed the days when his dad was happy. He mourned for the life that had left alongside her. He was so distracted by his own thoughts that he didn't notice there was someone else in his room until he felt someone rubbing his back. Jeremy looked up to see Michael standing there, a warm smile on his face as tears glistened in his brown eyes. Jeremy practically threw himself at Michael, now crying into his boyfriend's shoulder as Michael held him. Once he had calmed down and they were lying in Jeremy's bed, the questions and explanations began. Soon after Jeremy sent the text, Michael finished his chores and saw that Jeremy needed him. Michael had then run to Jeremy's house, only to hear (heere) Jeremy playing the ukulele. He stood outside the door for the duration of the song, conflicted on whether or not he should interrupt. Once he finally made a decision, however, he heard Jeremy sobbing, and all caution was thrown out the window. Jeremy chuckled a bit, finding the entire situation slightly amusing. Michael complimented the song, and Jeremy explained it was about his parents. Michael nodded, kissing Jeremy softly.
"Will there be a song about us one day?" Michael had asked.
"Yes. But that one will have a happy ending," Jeremy had replied, closing his eyes and falling asleep against Michael. Michael smiled, pressing one last kiss to Jeremy's forehead before falling asleep himself.
Life is not the things that we do, it's who we're doing them with...
Written by: Connor
