Weathered Love

FREEDOM

I smiled, pretending to be touched by the ballad of a fan or a friend. But inside, I was planning all the ways I could murder Caleb and make it look like an accident. Even if I couldn't make it look accidental, I was sure I'd get a lighter sentence. It would be a first-time offense, and I could claim insanity. Or something. He did drive me crazy, after all. I wondered if that was truly enough for an insanity defense. Or I could wait until winter and use an icicle. They'd never find the murder weapon.

"Well, here goes nothing," Caleb nervously stated. He started strumming the guitar, and his nerves were obvious. I kept forcing the smile on my face, but as he played chord after chord, I began to recognize the song and smiling got infinitely harder. "This night is cold in the kingdom. I can feel you fade away..." He was singing "Let Me Down Slowly" by Alec Benjamin. It was a song about feeling your love slip away from you and asking for her to be gentle while she breaks up with you.

It was taking everything in me not to give away my real feelings. Pure, burning, rage. I balled up one fist and engulfed that fist with my other hand, squeezing so hard that my nails were cutting into the skin of my palm. I knew I needed to calm myself down, lest I let on how I was truly feeling and lost some fans over it. I focused on my breathing, letting my gaze rest on a spot just above Caleb's head so I looked like I was still paying attention to the performance. Breathe in I mentally instructed myself. I took a long, slow breath, then focused my energies on subtly letting the entire breath out. I took in another one, and let that one out in the same fashion.

My heartbeat became softer, the rhythm more even, the beat much slower. I had completely calmed down in time for the second half of the song. I just had to put myself into a performer's state of mind. Caleb was nothing more than a fan trying to impress me with his performance. He was an artist looking for recognition and support from another artist. That was all.

Once he finished, I smiled easily, and clapped along with everyone else as I walked on stage with Eric. "Well, thank you for that lovely song," I stated into the microphone.

"Caleb, what are you doing co-owning a bar? Songbird, you might have a new partner," Eric joked. I laughed, because I couldn't think of a politically-correct way of saying "Heck no".

"Well, he wouldn't be the first musical talent to want to fill the void that Wolf has left," I finally stated. At least that was non-committal.

"Well, Songbird, I believe it's finally your turn," Eric stated, nodding at me. I nodded back, smiling, then pulled up the stool that was already set-up on the stage.

Eric walked off, and I pulled the microphones towards me and my guitar. "Well, this one is for all of the people out there who have supported me and encouraged me in this journey. I believe this is a truly under-appreciated song. It's called "Thank you" by McMaster and James. I hope you all enjoy," I stated. I took a glance at Ella, who had quickly set-up the recording equipment so I could live-broadcast the show.

I panned the rest of the audience, smiled, and felt a warm calmness settle over my entire body. I started to play the song and felt the chords and lyrics easily flow out of me. I thought I sounded pretty good, and I was glad my nerves had left me before I started to perform. I really felt the gratitude of the lyrics and could feel the emotion I let out through my act. I drew out the last "thank you" of the song and slowly strummed the last chord with my eyes closed as I finished the song. I opened my eyes to see most of the bar standing up, cheering and clapping.

"Thanks everyone," I stated into the microphone. I got off the stage and was immediately rushed with a crowd of people asking for autographs. This was so new to me, and I felt completely unworthy of the attention and love these people were giving me. "You're all so sweet," I cooed as I signed sheet after sheet that was waved in my face.