As I sang word after word, our connection was charged. The crowd seemed to disappear, leaving only Maryellen, both of us spellbound. My performance was meant for her, and only her, while surrounded by strangers. The message went straight to her heart as I watched her eyes grow wet with each word I sang.
As the song came to a close, her hands twisted in her lap. She shifted her gaze first to Evie, then to Mitch, who both had smiles for her. They knew, too.
Once the last word came through the microphone, there was silence in the bar. Silence was never a good thing after singing a song. My forehead fell to the microphone, and my eyes closed, too afraid to scan the crowd.
It was probably only seconds, but to me it was an eternity.
The entire bar erupted in applause. Not just applause. Whistles, hoots, hollers, shouts of encouragement that I’d never heard before. When I lifted my head, I was shocked to see the entire place standing, moving toward me, up to the stage.
“That was amazing, man!”
“Not your usual, Chase, but I loved it!”
“You’re so talented.”
“You have a beautiful voice.”
“You’ve ruined the night for the rest of us!”
Person after person complimented me as I made my way down the couple steps from the microphone. I finally reached my table, my friends clearing the way.
“Holy shit, dude, what the hell was that?” Mitch asked. “Where did that come from?”
He slapped me on the back of my shoulder and handed me a beer. We clinked our bottles and took a sip.
The person I really needed to see was right behind me.
I felt her.
Turning around, we were almost chest to chest. The air around us felt electric, as if the entire room was holding its breath. I knew I was holding my breath.
Did she know it was for her?
The tear that slid down her cheek was my answer.
She let me wipe it away.
But too many people were paying attention to us. Many were still coming to offer compliments, and I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Moving away from her, I gave the few people still wanting to talk a couple minutes of my time.
The next song started on stage.
Instead of sitting, I grabbed Maryellen’s arm and pulled her with me. We snaked our way through the crowd. Some people continued to offer compliments or slaps on the shoulder for my performance. Maryellen would squeeze my hand every time someone did. Once we made it through the main part of the bar, I found a quiet spot by the kitchen that was void of people. Spinning her against the wall, I pinned her there with my arms framing her face.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi.” She chuckled but still glanced around with nervous eyes. My fingers pulled her gently back to center.
“There’s no one here we know other than who we came with, Mare.”
I could read the struggle in her eyes, on her face.
I could feel it in every muscle. Moving my body, I blocked the crowd from being able to see us. Complete privacy. She relaxed against the wall slightly.
“Did you like it?” I asked her.
Her hands played with the buttons on my shirt as she nodded. “I did.” She grew shy as she pushed her head against my chest. “You were amazing. Like, truly amazing. I knew you hadtalent, that you could sing, but that blew me away. What was the name of it?”
“The song is called ‘Hanging by a Moment,’ by a band called Lifehouse. Have you heard of them?”
