“Surprisingly, yes. In my short time in LA, my coworkers have mentioned going there a few times. It’s a big deal, right?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Are you feeling ready?”
“I will be.” Chase tucked his hands in his back pockets.
“Well I’m excited to watch you. I can’t wait for you to show everyone some more of your country roots.”
Chase summoned a grin. “Do you mind setting up the merch table?”
“Nope, not at all. I’ll get right on it boss.”
“Thanks Maggie, I appreciate it.” Chase needed some time to think through exactly what songs he should play. Plus, he needed to mentally prepare for the biggest show of his life.
Chapter 16
Maggie
AsMaggiesatatthe merch table waiting for the show to start, she pulled out her notebook. Earlier, she had added the latest events to her list.
My 10 New Things:
Like
Slow dancing with a stranger
Attending Chase’s show
Pizza!!!
Riding the Santa Monica Ferris wheel
Dislike
Not knowing how to help those in need
So far, Maggie had liked everything she’d tried the last few days. The only thing she disliked was feeling helpless as she encountered so many people who were in need or homeless. Her interaction with John lingered in her mind. Then, there was the guy in line at the drugstore that morning. Maggie remembered her their interaction vividly…
A man with dark skin and a disheveled, gray beard walked up to the counter at the same time as Maggie.
With a tip of his head he said, “You can go.”
Maggie replied, "No, it's okay. I'm not in a hurry" and then added with a smile, "as long as you're not buying a hundred things."
"Nope, just my girl there..." he said while nodding toward a twenty-four pack of Bud Light in his hand.
Maggie glimpsed his eyes and saw the empty tender pain of perhaps years of being beaten down.
He went on to say, "Gotta find a way to feel..." and then trailed off, seeming to remember a bruised past invisible to Maggie and all those around them. Noticing the moment and the weightiness of his own words, he quickly tried to lighten the mood by mentioning that a case lasts awhile when you drink it by yourself. He must have seen the sadness creep into Maggie’s eyes because he quickly added, "But with the guys it goes quick. Ya know, cuz they don't care that it's the cheap stuff..."
Maggie never found out the man’s name, but she knew she’d never forget him. That experience was yet another reason she wanted to look into volunteering or donating to homeless ministries in the area. As much as people needed physical items, she was beginning to see how much more they needed to feel listened to and cared about.
Looking down at the paper in front of her, she wondered,What else should I add to my list? I meet with Celeste in ten days, and I still have five things left. Maybe I could try a few new restaurants…Although it felt like a cop out, it would help her quickly finish her homework. But she was starting to become invested in the assignment and wanted to tackle things that were truly meaningful.
She was snapped out of her own thoughts by a woman on stage booming, “Welcome to The Onyx! Starting us off tonight is Chase Smith. Let’s hear it for Chase!” People were still filtering in, so the clapping was minimal. Maggie tried to compensate with extra enthusiastic cheering. Chase sent his signature closed-mouth grin her way and her heart skipped a beat.
As he began strumming the first song, Maggie recognized the tune as the Lumineers’ “Stubborn Love.” She was anxious to hear what country song he had chosen. Deep down she hoped it was “Sold,” but she didn’t want to be disappointed if he chose something else. Maggie exhaled. Chase had a soothing voice that made her smile. She tapped her foot to the beat impatiently.
