Blame it on the Music

One

“I want you to want me; I need you to need me; I’d love you to need me; I’m begging you to beg me,” she belted out as she finished curling her long honey blond tresses.  She hadn’t been to the music festival for the last two seasons and she was long overdue for some enjoyment.  It had been a hectic few months at work and she was mentally and physically drained.  It was time to unplug.  Cheap Trick, a group that was popular in her youth, was headlining and she was excited for the chance to hear some good music. She had some of their top hits playing while she was getting dressed for her evening out.

Her sing-a-long “Feeling all alone without a friend, you know you feel like d-“ was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. It was Kira.

“I’m almost ready,” she answered.  “I’ll be leaving in 5 minutes; are you ready?”

“That’s why I’m calling; I have to cancel,” Kira responded. “I’m still in Indy at the competition; we advanced to semi-finals.”

“Wow, that’s great news, congrats to you and the team.  You’ve worked really hard for this,” she enthused.

“Yes we did and I am excited, but bummed too,” Kira explained.  “I was looking forward to our girls’ night out. I’m sorry, but I promise we’ll make up for it next weekend. I gotta scoot; the next round starts in a bit.”

“Sure we will catch up next weekend and celebrate your victory too.  Good luck,” she wished as the call ended.  As she grabbed her small bag, keys and cell phone and headed out the door she mused; it may be fun to fly solo for the night. 

The crowd was already growing as she wandered toward the beer tent to grab a glass of wine.  She positioned herself at the farthest end of the beer tent closest to the stage.  She couldn’t help noticing the sunset filling the sky with strokes of rose, violet and coral.  The cool gentle breeze felt good against her warm skin.  Soon the band took the stage and started out with a rousing performance of Hello There to a roaring crowd.  She continued to sing along to the songs she remembered as did the audience members around her.  She smiled when the couple next to her commented how their generation was the last one with great rock bands.  She nodded and raised her glass to them. The first set concluded with Ain’t That a Shame when she wandered to the bar for another glass of wine.  Just as she took a sip, someone bumped her elbow and sent her glass plummeting toward the ground.  She lifted her leg at the knee to shake the red wine from her foot.  Teetering on one leg, she recoiled when a man grabbed her arm and muttered, “Careful there, so sorry – let me get you another glass. I’m really sorry.”

“That’s okay, it was an accident, no harm done.  My foot will dry,” she laughed and glanced up to acknowledge him.  She gasped her voice catching in her throat, “YOU, it’s YOU!”

Jolted by her response, he looked directly into her blue eyes as his mouth formed into a big smile, “Oh my god, how long as it been?”