The family man

Chapter 9

HEY NOW

HEY NOW

THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

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A dingy and crowded karaoke pub was hosting its monthly Karaoke Championship. Right in the middle of the neon lit room, two groups of adults wearing the cheesiest outfits are having a karaoke battle. The night started out fun, everyone took a turn on the karaoke machine. People sang in melodious off-pitch tunes. Sometimes screaming their vocal cords off. All in the name of fun. 

Harry thought it was the freest thing ever, to sing like you mean it. No need to worry about the charts, the fans, the industry. Just plain old singing because you love it. 

He missed that. Harry's in way too deep in the business that he'd somehow lost touch of the soul of music. 

"Harry, it's your turn now, bub."

Harry jumps to the front of the crowd and stands in front of a giant screen with titles of songs more than he can count. He runs through thousands upon thousands of titles moving around the screen, the program will choose the song. Harry mutters a short prayer under his breath. Only a minute left before he has to start singing a song. 

"Come on, Hazza," cheers his mates. 

Harry smiles, the nickname emblazoned on his karaoke team shirts. He approaches the tiny platform and grabs the mike. 

This is disgusting. 

The microphone reeks of awful human breaths and a multitude of bad nights. But Harry shrugs it off, he knows his way well around the mike. It was his second instrument. Basically an extension of himself.

The song's screen card blasts on the screen in bright neon. 

"You're still the one by Shania Twain."

"Damn."

"Shit."

Louis cheers the loudest in the room. He's the leader of their small group of dads. The opposite team laughs at Harry. Louis hides his face, he's been talking smack and having a go at everyone that performed. Even himself. Plus, he's betting a lot that their group will win the competition tonight.

"Come on, Hazza. You can do it. Just imagine you're an American lady singing a country song," encourages Louis. 

Harry frowns. He wasn't sure whether that Louis was mocking him or egging him on. Nevertheless, these people have no freaking idea who they are playing with. 

Harry taps on the mike lightly. He could see all their amused faces from where he was standing. All these adults grinning from cheek to cheek. This is something he really missed from his alternate life. Harry missed being able to perform in front of a crowd.