I strum a few chords, checking to make sure the guitar is in tune, and think of what song to play. “Okay, I got it. Let’s see if you recognize this one.”
I play a few chords, then start singing, “It’s all right to tell me what you think about me.”
It’s a punk rock song by Blink-182, but I’ve slowed it down and created my own version. I’ve been working on playing with songs like that to show people how much just the pace of the song can change the entire vibe.
I get lost in the words and the chords I’m playing, keeping my eyes shut and feeling every line deep in my soul.
When I get to the end of the song, I really slow down when I sing, “Well, I guess this is growing up.”
Once I’m done, I take a deep breath and look up at him for the first time since I started.
“Wow …” He claps slowly. “Just wow. What song was that?”
A grin grows on my face. “You didn’t recognize it?”
“It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I’ve definitely never heard a version like that.”
“I’ve been playing with popular songs that have really powerful words, but since they are played at such a fast beat, people lose the meaning of what they’re singing.”
“I’ve never thought about that.”
“Yeah. Who would have thought a Blink-182 song could be that meaningful?”
“That was Blink-182?”
“Yep, that was their song ‘Dammit.’”
“You’re shitting me.” He reaches for his phone—I’m assuming to play it through one of his music apps.
The familiar punk rock guitar starts off the song as he watches the video on YouTube intently. I put the guitar down and go to sit next to him.
When they begin to sing the words, he pops his head up, recognizing what I just sang, then turns his attention back to the small screen, where three guys are jumping around, acting like fools at a movie theater.
The way they play it makes it sound so fun and active, yet the true meaning of the song is anything but.
When it’s over, he turns to face me. “I never would have thought a punk rock song had such deep meaning.”
A big smile spreads across my face. “Every song has meaning, good or bad. You just have to pay attention to the words. The faster the beat, the less you feel. All you have to do is slow it down, and the entire feelings change.”
“That it does.” He sits back and thinks. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever look at any song the same.”
This makes me smile even bigger. “That’s the point. Songs can be very meaningful. They can make you feel things you might not have thought of. They are therapy for sure.”
He nods his head very slowly. “For sure.” Then, he sits up just enough to crawl on his knees to me. “You know what else is therapy?”
I follow his lead and lie down on my back, allowing him to climb on top of me. “No.” I play dumb. “Will you show me?”
“Oh, I’ll show you all right.”
He kisses me, and all of my senses disappear. I focus only on him and the power he has over my body, healing every ounce of me with one kiss.
15
Kara
The past weekand a half have been an absolute whirlwind. It’s a good thing he works twenty-four-hour shifts, and I watch the girls, or I don’t think we would have ever left his bed. I’ve been dying to know where he’s taking us on this trip he’s planned, but he has been so completely lip-locked that it’s not even funny. Now, I’m packed and ready to go, sitting at my place for him to pick me up. The only thing I knew to wear was comfortable shoes.
He pulls up, and I walk outside to greet him, not wanting to wait one more minute to find out where we’re going.
