Rodney’s hands gripped the mic as my lyrics poured from his heart. It was the perfect song to start with, and a perfect one for Cali to hear.
What is in the past should stay there
An untrue statement in waiting
There are times when remembering is bliss
First kiss, first breath, first time
Don’t close your eyes to happiness once seen and banter along
An understanding should come
Bittersweet is the taste of a memory
Hold them in high regard, esteem them
It is your foundation, your core, your person
Where you became you
The blood that circulates beats from love
A never-ending cycle of making memories
The entire crowdwas swaying and singing along as the song ended. They exploded into cheers and hollers as I called out, “Just Breathe!”
Without missing a beat, the rest of the guys followed my lead as we dove into the second song for the night. I got lost in playing—the feeling of the strings under my callused fingertips, the euphoria of the music, the intoxication of passion. It swarmed into me, crashing into every cell in my body. The song was one I had written right after I met Cali for the first time all those years ago on the side of a mountain. I didn’t know it then, but it was perfect and fitting, another scribbled woe of sorrow that helped mend my brokenness before I truly knew how fucking broken I really was.
Standing there,
It all crumbles and unravels
Wrinkling and slipping
The voices screaming but the melody praying
Silently, I wish for none of this
Fame and fortune is eating me alive
An empty stage is calling
Where my heart can truly begin living
A river flowing from my fingers, vibrating the strings
Loving and knowing there is more to life
Close my eyes, let it be, and just breathe
As everything else crumbles around me
“Thank you,Mountain Breath. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be the band we are today! Don’t forget to tip your servers and bartenders well. Without their help, we wouldn’t sound nearly as good to your ears.” Rodney holstered the mic in its stand before saluting the crowd like he did after every gig.
We all took bows before hopping off the stage and making our way back to the table where Cali was waiting. My dad climbed up onto the small wooden platform, clapping and grinning from ear to ear.
“Nice little surprise, huh folks?” His raspy voice rang out through the bar. “I know they aren’t the easiest act to follow, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little biased, but give it up for four of the best sons a dad could ever ask for!”
The pride that boomed from my old man’s chest as everyone clapped and carried on was something I would never forget. As the next act took the stage, we finally were able to just relax with some of the best company around. I sat in awe of Cali as she smiled and laughed with my best friends. Her world was crumbling around her and instead of falling into the wreckage from the bomb she had set off only hours before, she chose to enjoy herself and revel in it all. She had made the hard choice for herself, but also for me. I wasn’t going to let that be in vain.
“So, Cali,” Dane began while clearing his throat. “To what do we owe this pleasant surprise?”
Cali’s eyes locked on mine as she answered my best friend. “I decided it was time to finally take my life back, and the first step was telling this tall asshole over here how I actually feel about him.”
I dramatically gripped my chest as the guys laughed. “Ouch. That stings a little.”
“Don’t go soft on me now, Steele.” She gave me a quick wink before slamming down the last few drops of her beverage.
