The airstream’s door swung open.“If you are going to play my song, then you need someone to sing the lyrics,” Jesse said.
Fawn’s head jolted up at the sound of Jesse’s voice.
“You need to see that I am right in front of you.It’s always been me.We are like fire when we ignite, baby together, we are bright,” he harmonized the chorus.
He sang the rest of the song clearly as he took the lead.His gritty voice made the song go from gushy to rock.I thought the instruments made the song, but after hearing it live like that, I learned it was Jesse’s voice.When the song came to an end, I rose onto my tippy toes to give Darren a kiss.His kisses were gentle and left me always wanting more.
Keith stopped playing and yelled, “Hey!You said you could play the drums.Why don’t you come and play with the one and only Jesse Young and the Matches?”
“I don’t know...I am not a professional like you guys,” Darren said, timid.
Darren was being modest.He’d learned so much over the years, even though he wasn’t a professional.If his dad had let him practice more, he could be something.He knew how to read music and could replicate a song’s beat after one single listen.He had a talent, and most people would want to use that aptitude for money and fame.Darren, on the other hand, desired to use it to teach.I understood his need to inform others.I wanted to use my voice to critique music and reveal the truth.Whatever the truth really was.
“Darren, you may not be a rockstar yet, but you should play.Go learn how to become one,” I said as I pushed Darren toward the band.He deserved to feel validated for his work.
“Fine.No promises it won’t sound awful.”
Darren sat on Keith’s throne.It took him a minute to get comfortable.Using someone else’s drums was like getting used to a different car.Drums had universal controls for the most part, along with small details that you had to use to pick up on.
“Hey, Jesse, this kid was singing a song he made from library sheet music.It’s excellent.You should play it,” he said, holding Darren’s shoulder.
Darren inhaled and raised the sticks into the starry night.His hands began to fall until they suddenly stopped mid-air above his head.“Penny, you need to sing it for this to work.You are the one who made me go to the library.You already sang it once.It is only right.”
Chapter Sixteen
Rocking Revolt
Song: A Song For You—DonnyHathaway
April 4th, 1966
Jesse studied me.“You can sing?”
“I can sing, but it’s nothing special,” I said.
Jesse stroked his mustache while he was thinking.“We should sing it together.”
