You Stole My Heart

Part 1: When We Were Young

               December 3, 1972

Roger and the band were rehearsing for the big New Years Eve gig. I sat at the table with a friend to watch the band practice. "They're so good, aren't they?" My friend asked. I nodded and took a sip of my wine. "They are great!"

They played "Doing Alright" and we heard Roger sing very sexy. Freddie sat on a wooden chair on the other side of the stage. Roger was interrupted by a man walking in. "Stop singing, it has to be in good volume, this sounds like a drunken goat!" The man said.

Roger rolled his eyes. "He's doing his best, isn't he?" Brian asked in an angry voice. The friend and I looked at each other. "You are not doing well at all, I am going to get a drink and then I want to hear beautiful music!" The man said angrily.

Roger stood up, "We'll do our best, you're screwing it up!" Roger shouted angrily at the man. The man turned and cheated on Roger, "Don't be so rude or you might forget your money!"

Roger knocked over his drums and ran to the dressing room. I ran after it.  "Roger, come back!" I screamed. When I entered the locker room, I saw Roger sitting on the couch angry. "I want to stop playing the drums, I'm going to be a better dentist or something." Roger said. I sat down next to Roger and put an arm around his shoulder.

"Don't worry darling, you're doing great! You don't have to stop drumming, and you don't have to worry about that stupid man, luckily he's here temporarily." I said with a sigh. Roger bit his nails, "You're right!"

Freddie walked into the locker room, "Hey lovebirds, are you okay Roger?"  Freddie asked. "It's going great, come on, let's try again!" Roger said.  Freddie clapped his hands and walked back to the stage. "Are you coming Antonia?"  Roger asked me.  I nodded and took his hand. We happily walked to the stage.

Roger reassembled his drums. He sat down and picked up the sticks from the ground. He sighed and started playing "Doing Alright" again.

"I have to go home, my kids are waiting for me." My friend said. I nodded, "When are you coming back to see the boys?" I asked. My friend checked her watch. "Again next week anyway!" She said.

                 ----

Roger had finished practicing, sighed and wiped his sweat with a towel.  "Well done everyone!" Freddie said.  Roger went downstairs to sit at my table. "Deaky and Brian, let's get a drink!" Freddie said happily. Deaky hopped after Freddie.

Roger took my hand. "Honey, how warm you are!" I said. Roger yawned.  "Yes, it is quite hard work to play hard drums." He said. I nodded, "Are you tired or something?" I asked. Roger nodded and threw his arms in the air.  "Yes, I have muscle pain." Roger said.

"Don't you want to lie down?" I asked.  "Oh yes, are we going home then?"  Roger asked. I nodded, "Of course, we're going home in an hour." I said.  Roger got up and walked to the dressing room. "Are you comfortable on the couch?" I asked Roger.

Roger nodded and smiled.  I threw a blanket over Roger. "Try to get some sleep, I'll come and get you, and then we'll go home!" I said. I kissed Roger and left the locker room.

I went to the toilet on the other side of the building. Brian walked with a guitar in front of me and turned around. "Oh hey Antonia, you here?"  Brian asked. I nodded, "Yes, I have to go to the toilet." I said with a smile. "I need Roger for a moment, we will have a meeting later." Brian said.