Chapter 11
Melissa:
Durbbie
and I went in the back entrance so we wouldn't disturb anybody. The place was
already buzzing with news of us.
"Oh my G-d, I'm so glad you're OK," Betsy, the owner of the shop,
said as she wrapped me in a huge hug. "I was so scared. Are you two holding
up OK?"
"As well as we can."
She looked me over once. "Where are you two staying tonight?" I looked
away, too embarrassed to tell her. "Oh you poor things. You're staying
with me for tonight and we'll see what we can do to get you back on your feet.
Let me make you a cup of hot cocoa."
I smiled for the first time in what felt like days. Maybe things would start
to turn around from now on.
AJ:
I
sat in my usual corner of the coffee shop as I waited for the next performer
to come on stage. I was surrounded by people who only cared about Durbbie, and
for once it was great to be part of a crowd.
The lights went down, the crowd hushed, and a spotlight was aimed at the stage.
A still swollen Durbbie stepped out hesitantly. The entire place started to
buzz.
"I know all of you have probably heard what's going on." She gazed
around at all of us. "But we're fine. Thanks."
And with that, the music started and everybody got quiet again.
"You
were once my one companion
You were all that mattered
You were once a friend and father,
Then my world was shattered…
Wishing
you were somehow here again
Wishing you were somehow here
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed
Somehow you would be here
Wishing I could hear your voice again…"
At that, Durbbie's eyes got watery.
"Knowing
that I never would
Dreaming of you won't help me to do
All that you dreamed I could
Passing
bells and sculpted angels
Cold and monumental
Seemed for you the wrong companions…"
In that one moment, Durbbie and I made eye contact.
"You were worm and gentle"
There was a very slight, 2 measure musical interlude in which Melissa came and sat down next to me. Durbbie looked over at the two of us. Without saying a word, Durbbie made it perfectly clear that she was singing only for Melissa and me.
"Too
many years fighting back tears
Why can't the past just die…
Wishing
you were somehow here again
Knowing we must say goodbye
Try to forgive
Teach me to live
Give me the strength to try
No
more memories
No more silent tears
No more gazing across those wasted years…"
Durbbie looked me right in the eye.
"Help me say goodbye…"
She took a tearful pause.
"Help me say goodbye."
With that the audience rose to its feet and tears rose in my eyes as the lights on the stage faded to black.
THE END
Deb's Note: The song that's written out for you above is called "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and it's from the Broadway show entitled "Phantom Of The Opera." The song itself is yet another Andrew Lloyd Webber creation and is truly beautiful. If you ever have the chance to download or even listen to it, cough*Napster*Cough*, please do. You won't be disappointed. One more thing, I haven't received a lot of feedback on this story and I finished it not knowing what y'all thought. Please let me know. It really means a lot to me. There's nothing like opening your mailbox to see feedback sitting there. That's part of the reason why I write. Anyway, any responses would be highly appreciated. Thanks a bunch.
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