We formed a system where I would pick a peach and drop it into Darren’s hands, Darren would throw it to Keith, Keith would toss it to Tonya, and Tonya would put it in the case.
As we got into a tempo, I unconsciously began singing.“Pitiful Peaches are what I am to you.We can swim at the beaches.But my love is still true.”
Darren’s eyes shot up toward me.
Keith held the peach in his hand, bringing the line to a standstill.“What song are you singing?”
“Um...”
“It’s a song I wrote from old sheet music I found in the library,” Darren said.
“Can we hear the rest?”Tonya asked.
“Sure.Penny can sing it.She’s a better singer.”
“Are you sure?”I asked him.
He nodded and almost knocked me down.I caressed his hair as I gulped.I did not know how to sing particular notes or chords.I sang in the choir in elementary school.Still, other than a sprinkling of Christmas concerts, I needed more professional experience.There was no way out of singing.If I didn’t sing, I would leave Darren hanging, and if I did sing, they would realize I didn’t have vocal talent.My voice was juvenile and faint as I sang Darren’s lyrics, “Pitiful Peaches keep me alive.I would bleed for you.Baby, we must survive.”By the end of the verse, my voice cracked, and embarrassment washed over me.Every member of the Matches gawked at the lyrics I sang.
“That is something else,” Mason said.
“It’s a catchy little snippet.I would love to add some bass to the tune.It definitely has potential,” Tonya said.
Keith started dancing around and singing the lyrics at the top of his lungs.Each band member yelled the tune with him.Darren’s body radiated optimism and promise.Hearing so many people connecting reminded me why I loved James so much.James introduced me to the world of rock.People with no sense of direction could feel like they belonged.Music had the power to baptize people’s souls.
Mason had a hold of Fawn, making her dance with his hands.Her tiny paws swung back and forth to the Matches’ voices.Tonya was lying in the dirt pretending to play a guitar as we enjoyed the moment.
I swayed with the trees, our voices, and the breeze.I closed my eyes, letting my mind soak up the full experience.I didn’t want to forget a single second.When my eyelids opened, I saw two things.The first was red and blue flashing lights.The second was Fawn escaping Mason’s clutches and running away.
Chapter Fourteen
Speed and Greed
Song: Sweet Emotion—Aerosmith
10:30 PM
