“Hi, everyone. I’m Gray. I’m going to sing you a few songs.”
Like every week, Josiah watched and listened as Gray in his silent, unassuming demeanor and incredible bass voice put a spell on the audience.
Towards the end of his set, Gray did what he always did; he glanced at the audience, taking in the faces. Josiah wasn’t sure why he did that, what his specific configuration of new and old faces was for them to hear one more song. For a moment, he thought Gray would end the set there, but then he smiled at the eager crowd.
“This is the last song of the night. If you know it, please sing along.”
Cheers rang from different parts of the bar that, for a while, turned into an old Irish pub as Gray started to sing ‘Parting Glass’. Those who’d seen him sing the song before joined in and knew to support his deep bass voice in the right parts. It was still unlike anything Josiah had ever experienced, even though he must’ve heard it twenty times by now.
It was easy to tell the newcomers once the last note drifted into nothingness. They always clapped and cheered, and then realized the wry smiles around them. There was something magical about Gray, and Josiah knew that Gray was the one who’d gotten away for Denny, professionally speaking.
Denny had spent the last couple of years offering Gray increasingly amazing record contracts, but every time, Gray had shaken his head and smiled. Then he’d say thank you, but he wasn’t interested.
Now, Gray jumped off the stage and accepted the back slaps from the regulars. He came to the bar, and Josiah handed him a non-alcoholic beer, which he drained in two long pulls.
“Thanks,” Gray said as he put the empty bottle on top of the bar. “I’ll see you next week.”
“Have a good night,” Josiah replied and watched as Gray put on his army jacket before leaving the bar as quietly as he’d arrived.
