Same Old Song

by Brenda Dorantes

  "You're such an Alex sometimes," she complains. Judging by the tone of her voice, she's given up. "This better be quick, Callahan."

  I turn around with a stupid grin across my face. "I make no promises," I say as I shut the door behind me.

  * * *

  I frown, looking at myself in the mirror as I try to tie the stupid tie. Why is this so damn difficult? I’m about ready to choke myself with this thing. My mother walks in the room and chuckles at the sight of me fighting with the stupid tie. She's wearing a pink dress that reaches down below her knees and her hair is up in a perfect bun. She's always been a pro at knowing what to wear at the right occasion. I can see the emotion in her eyes when I turn to her.

  Oh, oh. I'm not ready for that quite yet. I'm still nervous about it and sentimental moments are not going to help out.

  "Let me fix this.” She taps my chin. I raise it up, giving her access to my neck. "Kathy is with Leila and Jessie," she said before I had the chance to ask.

  After our not so quick shower, Leila came here to drag Kathy out of the room to start getting her ready for tonight. I smile at my mom and nod. Her smile never disappears and her eyes well up with tears.

  “Mom.”

  “I’m sorry, I'm... I'm really proud of you son,” she said, her voice cracking at the end of the sentence as she tries to hold back a sob.

  "Thank you, Mom. Don't cry," I plead, wrapping my arms around her. She hugs me back, tightly. "I'm just glad you're all here."

  "Me too, baby. Kathy is very excited," she points out and pulls away. She's noticed how closer Kathy and I got. Well, she's not the only one, Alex doesn't stop making inappropriate jokes about our sex life. At least I got one and not him. "Now, time to go. They're waiting for you."

  "Wait, I need to see Kathy first.” I can't go up there without seeing her first.

  “Aidan, you just spent the entire day with her. Come on, we have to go. She'll be there, I promise.”

  I sigh. I really wanted to see her before the performance. Now what? My mom takes my hand and has to drag me out of my hotel room. Dad is already waiting by the car when we get to the parking garage and greets me with a tight hug and an I’m proud of you, son.

  Once we got there, I'm sent directly to the backstage where it's filled with nervous recent graduates that are practicing without a rest. I spot Mr. and Mrs. Garner at the other side of the room talking to the other teachers and Principal Clarke. Mrs. Garner is the only one to notice me walking in and gives me a barely noticeable nod before facing the other teachers. I greet some of my old classmates, we all wish each other good luck and go over the music list one last time.

  I walk to the piano. It's bigger than the one we had back in college. I wonder how the one out on the stage is... I trace my fingers along the keys and the top, mesmerized by its beauty. I spend the following twenty minutes practicing, concentrating on nothing other than the music. I think about what Kathy told me in the bathroom and how I should picture myself not playing for almost five hundred people, but to picture me playing for her in the rehearsal room. Just the two of us. How am I going to do that it’s not going to be just her watching me play? How am I going to ignore five hundred people?

  "Alright, I need everyone’s attention up here!" Mr. Garner stands up on a stool. "We're about to begin in five minutes. I want to take a moment and congratulate every single one of you. As your teacher and your friend, I can say I’ve never been more proud to work with such a talented group of individuals. So, whatever happens out there, it's because you made it possible. Good luck and it was a pleasure teaching you this year."

  "Can everyone please go ahead and take your places," Mrs. Garner said, pointing to where we enter the stage. "The people are taking their seats now."

  Here goes nothing… Deep breaths, deep breaths… I follow the crowd of people to the main stage. I don’t dare to look at the people who are now taking their seats. I walked straight to the other side where the perfect black piano waits for me. When I sit down, I see the sheets I wrote right in front of me and center all my focus on that.

  My heartbeat starts rising. My breathing came out in heavy pants.... Mr. Garner presented us, the cause of this and the numbers we're going to be playing… and just like that... It's time.

  I take in a deep breath, telling myself that everything is going to be fine and that this will work out. I look over at the crowd and right there in the front row with my family, is Kathy. She sees me too and all in the world is right again. The instant I see her, everything else is sent away. I look down at the piano and smile.

  "I got this," I said to myself. I take in a deep breath and close my eyes as I let my old classmates begin their part.

  I'm sucked into the memories as I slowly begin to play. I'm sitting with my mom by the piano on a summer afternoon, listening to her play. She's smiling and enjoying the music. She's happy... I'm happy. Dad is teaching Alex how to play football outside, but I'm happy here with my mom, listening to the magic her fingers play every time she closes her eyes.

  The teacher is showing me the different notes. The black ones sound deeper than the white ones, and when you combine them the right way they make music. The teacher is helping me combine Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, but I want to play one of the songs mom plays. My teacher says that when I'm more advanced I’ll be able to play everything I set my mind to. She says I have talented hands and that they will take me to some great places if I choose the music path. I want to play music for the rest of my life because music has brought me a sense of completeness I’ve never felt.

  The Christmas recital. Mom is very excited about this because it’s my first recital. I thought dad would be disappointed that I wasn't into sports like my twin, but he said he loved it when I played. Alex isn't ashamed of calling me his brother, but I still won't sit with him and his friends during lunch. I can see them in the crowd, looking at me as I play Santa Claus Is Comin To Town and my classmates sing along. Once we finished people stand up, and they’re clapping and calling out names. I hear my name being called. Called with joy. My family is happy, happy for me... I'm happy. There's no doubt that music can give happiness because it gives it to me.

  Kathy is sitting on the floor across the room. Her legs are spread out, her left foot on top of the right one. She's holding a book in her hand, Pride and Prejudice. A classic. There's a sweet smile on her face, the one she reserves for me. She puts the book down and looks at me from her spot as I play. She does this all the time, she sits back and watches me as I practice. She leaves the book on the floor beside her and takes a seat next to me, placing her head on my shoulder. She tells me the music is beautiful. I tell her that she's beautiful. She smiles and says I'm lying. I smile. Kathy is happy, and with her being happy makes me happy. End of.

  Clapping. The clapping takes me out of my daydream. I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand and take in my surroundings. I'm still in the stadium. The people in the crowd are standing, clapping and calling numerous names. I barely noticed I just finished my solo. When did all this happen? I take in a deep breath, trying to control my shaking body and the rapid beats of my heart. I look at my family. My mom has tears in her eyes, my dad is looking proud and so does Alex. Then, there's Kathy. Something about the expression on her face… it said everything. She was proud of me, she was happy for me… she was here for me and that’s more than enough for me. It was everything.

  I stand up alongside the rest of the class and bow. I'm greeted with congratulating hugs and 'good jobs' left and right when I walk backstage. I try to reciprocate the best I can, but my mind is still having a hard time trying to process what just happened. It's all just a blur for me as I walk through the multitude of people.

  "Aidan." Mrs. Garner walks in the backstage room with a man trailing behind her. Judging by the looks of him, this man is nothing but business. "Aidan, this is Mikael Harper. Mr. Harper, this is Aidan Callahan, the composer of the demo I sent you a while back."

  T
he man - Mr. Harper - smiled knowingly. As if I wasn’t already having a hard time process what is going on around me, the fact that she just said she sent my demo to this man leaves me dumbfounded.

  "N-n-nice to meet you, Mr. Harper,” I stammered, shaking his hand for far too long.

  "Please, call me Mikael." He takes his hand back and says, "you're a very talented young man. I was really impressed with your demo and this performance… you know that. Universal Music Productions will love to work with someone as promising as you." He takes a card from his wallet and hands it to me. "Give me a call if you're interested."

  "Congratulations, Aidan," Mrs. Garner said before walking away.

  Hold up! Mr. Harper starts walking away, but I stop him. "Mr. Harper." He looks at me. "What exactly does this entitle?"

  He smiles. "Making a name for yourself, Aidan. Start from the bottom and with the talent that you have, in the matter of no time you will be rising. People will know who you are. Just give me-"

  "I'll take it!" I exclaim, taking a step closer to him. "I'll take it."

  He gives Mrs. Garner an amused look and turns back at me. "Great. We’re located in Seattle so meet me by the office on Monday. The address is written on the card." With that said, he walks away.

  Mrs. Garner gives me a curt nod and goes to join her husband. I want to stop her and thank her, say something at least, but the woman is gone before I have the chance to think about something to say. I jump in excitement and rush out of the backstage. It takes me a while to find my family between the multitude of people that gathered outside the backstage room, but when I do find them, I immediately spot Kathy. I’m a man on a mission. I grab her face between my hands and kiss her without saying anything.

  She looks at me weird when I pull away.

  "Do you want to help me make a name for myself?

  "Is that a necessary question?"

  I smile. "No. Not at all."

  Because I just peaked…

  Chapter Thirteen

  Aidan

  Four Years Later...

  Everything is perfect. I have what every man in this world wants. After The Annual Orchestra Foundation everything went the exact way I dreamed. That Monday I went to a meeting with Mr. Harper, talked to other producers and in the matter of months I was playing in small studios, creating musical scores, melodies, etc. It was only a matter of a year that people started to actually notice me. It took time, practice and lots of patience and I’m still growing.

  It wasn't until a year ago when major singers and musicians wanted me to write the instrumental for their songs. I've worked with various producers to create the score for a movie and it was in fact the biggest achievement of my life. Now I have new deals coming in left and right. Ever since I can remember I have pictured myself in these scenarios, wondering what it would be like if I actually made it and now that I live with them, it's beyond any expectations.

  Kathy has been with me this entire time. We've spent months in Italy and London, all around North America and the South for my tours and business trips. The only place we haven't visited is France, but that's going to be very, very soon.

  Katherine decided to work on her own since it became impossible for her to find a steady job at a publishing company. She's a published author now, her first novel became a worldwide bestseller, New York Times sensation. She translated it to many languages from different cultures and she even sealed a movie deal. I cannot express how proud I am of her, even when I go to her signings and interviews, watching her do what she loves most in the world. The sight of her up late at night with a computer on her lap, a pout on her lips and her entire focus on what she’s creating is a sight I live for. She’s got her own office with her agent and a small trademark.

  We've grown stronger since we graduated. I've never loved anyone as much as I love her. I can't see myself living without her, it's impossible to even think about it. She's my reason to breathe, my life and now she's going to be my wife.

  In about twenty more minutes to be exact.

  We've been engaged for two years, but with all our work and busy schedules we've been holding it back until now. We're back in Seattle with our family which includes Mom, Dad, Alex and his now wife Leila. Matthew and Jessie are also married and are now the proud parents of a newborn baby boy, Matt. Kathy and I did not want an over the top wedding, just a family gathering, but it seems like my mother did not get the memo as I stare at a backyard crowded with guests, most of which I have not seen in years.

  Mom walks in my old bedroom, wearing the same dress she wore to my graduation four years ago. Wow… has it really been four years? Her eyes water when she sees me - as always - struggling with the damn tie. She walks up to me, motioning me to raise my chin to give her access to my neck.

  She ties it without a word, keeping her eyes on the tie. When she's finished, she fixes my shirt and helps me get my jacket on.

  "There, you're all set," she said, stepping back. "You look very handsome."

  "Thank you, Ma."

  The emotion overwhelms her. She wraps her arms around me and pulls me in a tight hug. "My boy, I love you so much," she sobs silently. "I'm so proud of you."

  I stroke her hair. "I love you, too, Ma." I kiss her head and pull away. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

  "I'm proud of the man you've become. You made your dreams come true, met the girl of your dreams and soon began a family of your own." She takes her handkerchief and wipes her tears away. "I’m sorry, it's probably the day, it overwhelms me. All these emotions..."

  I chuckle. "It's okay, Ma. I'm just happy you're here with me in the most important day of my life."

  She nods, caressing my cheek. "Okay, now let's head downstairs. You don't want to make your bride wait, now do you?"

  Oh, we definitely don’t want that. I was already late this morning and that was followed by a long lecture from Leila, even when it was her husband that made me late.

  I offer my mother my arm. "Shall we?"

  She locks her arm with mine. We walk out of my room and meet my dad at the other end of the hall, where he waits for Katherine to finish getting ready. He kisses my mother on both cheeks and gives me a firm handshake.

  "Your bride will be down any minute. Go and wait for her," he said.

  The wedding is being held at my childhood home since the idea was to have something small and for family only. Her mother came with her husband. I'm not that happy that she brought him, not after what Kathy told me what he tries to do to her, but it was important for Katherine to rebuild her relationship with her mom, even if that meant dealing with that asshole.

  The entire backyard has been split into two parts. One is where the ceremony is being held and the other is where we're going to have the reception. The guests are taking their seats when I walk out with my mother by my side. Mr. Manuel is the first person that catches my eye. He's wearing a dark blue suit and his hair is well brushed to the side. He's here with Helen, his sister in law. I spot some friends from college as well as people I know from work.

  I kiss my mother on the cheek before letting her take her seat in the front row with Kathy's mom, leaving a spot open for Dad. I stand next to judge Warner and Alex, my best man and next to him is Matthew. On the other side of the altar are Jessie and Leila, all smiling and Leila is even tearing up. Nothing surprising about that. She cried the same day Jessie and Matthew got married.

  The song Kathy picked begins and everyone kept silent as the doors of the backyard reopen, revealing my dad with Katherine at his arm.

  The breath is taken away from me the moment I see her. Her white dress is slim, covered in lace, the thick straps hug her shoulders and the chest is formed in a heart. Her hair is braided down her shoulder with a few loose hairs falling on the side of her face. Her makeup is natural, just how I love it. Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red when she notices she is the center of everyone’s attention, aside from mine.

  The march is painfully long. All I want to do is wal
k up to her, take her in my arms and carry her here to the altar to get this over with and finally be able to call her my wife, but I don't. Not only would Mom and the girls kill me, but it wouldn’t be fair for Kathy. This is her special day.

  When they reach the altar, Dad takes her hand and gently places it over mine. He gives me one more pat on the shoulder and kisses Katherine on the cheek before taking a seat next to Mom.

  I pull Kathy next to me and kiss her on the cheek.

  "You look beautiful," I whisper to her.

  "Well, you don't look bad yourself," she replies, sending me a short air kiss and a wink.

  We take our places at the altar as the judge begins his ser- mon.

  "Rumor has it you were late this morning," Kathy mutters under her breath, only loud enough for me to hear.

  I hold back a frustrated groan. Of course, Jessie told her that I came back home at seven with Alex and Matthew after my bachelor party. It’s not my fault that Alex was so drunk we had to wait for him to calm down before making an appearance back home.

  "I'm here now, that's all that counts," I reply. "Plus, it's not like I'm rushing my way up here like those guys in The Hangover."

  Kathy rolls her eyes. "Still, when I asked you yesterday you said there was nothing planned."

  "It was a last-minute thing," I said a bit too loud. The judge stops talking and looks at me. "Sorry, continue."

  He cleared his throat and continued with his speech.

  I look over at Kathy and say, "can we not discuss this over our wedding ceremony. I don't want to start our marriage with you mad at me." I held her hand tighter and added, "I also can't think of any other way of defending myself if all I can think is how incredibly beautiful you look right now."

  Kathy tries to fight off her smile but fails miserably.

  "Okay."

  * * *

  The reception is beautiful. Karina, our wedding planner made sure to give it the touch of nature with white flowers. It's amazing how peaceful it looks.