Drummed Up

Samantha laid snuggled in the down comforter of her king size bed Saturday morning trying to fashion a reason to get up. She had gotten used to being single since the divorce a few years ago, yet hadn’t adjusted to being an empty-nester. Since Victor went off to college, loneliness had moved-in in his place. Working from home didn’t help the situation any. The days were long and quiet, not affording any opportunities to form friendships. Past friendships had dried up over the years due to distance, the divorce, and everyone being busy with their own family’s lives. From what she read, this was a typical situation for many empty-nesters. Thankfully, in addition to Victor, she had her relationship with her sister Tara and nephew Hunter to keep her going.

               She decided getting up and doing her morning routine would be a better idea than lying in bed all day depressed. It was a rare, sunny, winter day that shouldn’t be wasted.

Late morning her phone rang and she saw it was her sister Tara calling. She braced herself for what favor she would be fulfilling this time. She had hoped Tara would be alert to her new lonesome situation and include her in some fun. Tara however wasn’t what you would call an intuitive person, she blissfully spent her time doing what she wanted to, when she wanted to do it, seemingly ignorant to the sufferings of the human race around her. Samantha was sure it was because Tara was the baby of the family. Big sisters, like Samantha, seemed to be the types who took care of everyone’s needs.

               “Hey, what’s up,” Tara said as more of a statement than a question.

               “Nothing. What’s up with you? Did you decide if you want to take that exercise class with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays? We sure don’t keep our shapely figures as easily as we did in our twenties. I think it’s a must-do for me.”

               “Eh, I don’t know. I’m not good at sticking with stuff like that. Oh, and I forgot to tell you! You know my friend Lauren…”

               “Uh no, not really, does she work with you?”

               “No. But anyways, she found this awesome Karaoke bar nearby us and they offer prizes and everything. It’s on Thursdays and…”

               “Ooh, that does sound better than exercising! I could get into that. You know I haven’t sung in like twenty years, since I had my band, but I think we could rock some nineties grunge.”

               “Well… Lauren I usually sing country music. We haven’t won any competitions but, it’s so much fun! So, I can’t do exercise class Thursdays. Lauren needs me because she never gets out of the house since her kids don’t go to school yet.”

               “Oh. Okay.” Samantha felt like kicking herself for actually thinking Tara was going to include her in something. She should’ve known better than to assume it was an invitation, even though Tara knew Samantha missed singing and drumming.

               “But hey, I’ve got a favor to ask…”

               Okay, here it was, Samantha thought.

               “Paul and I just got invited to a party at his friend’s house and there aren’t going to be any other kids there, so Hunter doesn’t want to go. Can he hang out with you today and maybe spend the night? ‘Cause I don’t know when we’ll be getting home? If you can’t, it’s no biggie. I’ll just take him with us. I don’t want him staying home alone that long. It’s too easy for him to get into trouble.”

               Samantha was already looking at her calendar in preparation for the favor. She noticed that tonight was the Shrub concert that she had so badly wanted to go to but couldn’t find anyone to go with her. Tara wasn’t into nineties grunge and so had told her no. Samantha didn’t understand how anyone could not love Shrub. They were only the best band ever. Well, mainly the lead singer was the best. She really didn’t know who else was in the band, but, then no one really did. The lead singer Tristan, wrote the most poetic lyrics. Their sound was brooding and yet rocked at an epic level. Shrub had been the first concert she had ever gone to and she was hooked for life after that. Now though, she needed to be there for Hunter. He didn’t need to be at an adult party watching Paul’s mindless friends drink all night. And God knows who else would be at that party. “Yeah, he can come over. We’ll find something to do.”

               “Could you also take him to the music store and get him some reeds for his saxophone. He’s out and he needs them for band class Monday and the music store will be closed tomorrow. I was going to do it yesterday, but I just didn’t have a chance. Since you don’t have anything to do today, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind.”

               Samantha was annoyed that Tara assumed she had nothing to do today. But it was true so she agreed. “Sure, we’ll go. Which music store is it?”

               “I don’t remember. I’ll text you the address. They’re holding them for us, so just give them Hunter’s name at the desk.”

               “Ok, will do.”

               “Oh, they close at three, so I might as well bring him now so you guys can get going, right?”

               “Yeah, that’s fine.”

               “K, see you in a bit.”

               They arrived at the music store at around two. Samantha was surprised to see so many people mulling around what she expected to be a sterile educationally focused establishment. This wasn’t just a place for school band instruments. Their stock catered to all genres of music, for people of all ages. The store had rooms set up for each instrumental group as well as a small stage equipped for a rock band. People dispersed in every corner were riffing on instruments and jumbled musical sounds filled the air.

               Samantha approached the desk to request the reeds. One of the employees turned around to greet her. She noticed his face lit up when he looked at her and she quickly glanced at his name tag and saw it read “Seth”. Could it be her old friend and fellow musician?

               “Sam! No way it’s you!” Seth said arms opened wide.

               “Seth! Oh my gosh! It’s been forever! How’s it going?” Samantha grinned widely delighted to see her former lead guitarist standing there. He had aged, as she had, but his clothes hadn’t changed. Even though modern trends dictated skinny jeans on men, Seth was decked out in true nineties style. He wore a flannel over an old concert t-shirt and his loose-fitting jeans hung on his thin frame. His hair was a shaggy, grunge style that wouldn’t fly in most workplaces.

               “I’m good! What’s up with you these days? Is this your kid?”

               “No, this is my nephew Hunter. My son is in college now. What about you? You got kids or a band? Are you still with Stacy?”

               “Yeah, me and Stace are still together and got a couple of kids. No band unfortunately. You and Rob still a thing?”

               “No, we’ve been divorced a few years now,” she looked down at the floor.

Seth paused in thought. “Hey, give me a minute and I’ll meet you over by the stage.” He walked away before Samantha had a chance to tell him she needed the reeds.

               “Hunter can you stay here in line and get the reeds while I go talk to Seth? Here’s some cash to cover it. Come find me when you’re done.”

               “Yeah” Hunter replied, standing a little taller now having some freedom.

               She headed over to the stage. Seeing the arrangement made her wistful. She missed the close group of friends she used to travel and perform with. Sitting down at the drums she tapped out a familiar rhythm. Relaxing, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the familiar sensation.

               “Sounds good as usual.” Seth said.

Startled, she opened her eyes to see him turning on some switches and strapping on a guitar.

“C’mon, let’s play your favorite Shrub song.”

“Aw, you remembered.” She said affectionately and tapped out a starting beat. “You sing though.”

He nodded and they fell in tune together like no time had passed since they last played. After the first verse, a customer in the store came on stage, grabbed the bass guitar, and joined in. All three members chimed in on the lyrics for the chorus. By the time the second chorus started an audience had formed and was singing along. When the song was over, they received a hearty applause. The three musicians gave thanks and the little crowd dispersed. Seth and Samantha thanked the bass player for joining them and he went back to his business.

“That was sweet!” Hunter yelled, even though he was standing three feet from them. “I didn’t know you could do that Aunt Sam!”

Samantha smiled at him.

“Hey Sam, listen to this,” Seth started in hush tones, “you know I’ve always collected guitars. Well, Stace got sick of them taking up the whole house so I started selling some online. So, one of the buyers messaged me that he wanted me to give him the rare, acoustic, guitar that he had purchased in person. He said he’d be in my town soon and we could do it then. So, you’ll never guess who the guy is!”

“I don’t know. Who?” Samantha had no idea where to start guessing.

“Tristan,” Seth said solemnly.

“The Tristan? Shrub’s Tristan?” Samantha said holding back excitement thinking it wasn’t possible.

“Yes! And get this, of course when I found out I told him my wife and I were huge fans, and he said I could bring my whole family to the concert tonight and meet him backstage before the show and give him the guitar. He sent me six backstage passes. I guess he didn’t know how big my family was. You and Hunter want to come with me and Stace and the kids?”

“Yes, yes, yes! Oh my gosh yes!” Samantha said bouncing like a child.

               “Cool, I gotta close this place up, so give me your address and phone and we’ll come pick you guys up at six.” Seth said handing Samantha paper and a pen.

               “Great, thank you so much!”

Samantha thought about not telling Tara that she was taking Hunter to a concert because she knew Tara wouldn’t mind; but then she thought it was the more responsible thing to do. So, she texted her.

“JUST FYI I’M TAKING HUNTER TO THE SHRUB CONCERT TONIGHT. THAT COOL?”

“SURE. I JUST FOUND OUT I’M GOING TOO! MAYBE C U 2 THERE.”

That was just like Tara to thoughtlessly go to the concert that Samantha had wanted to go to. Did she not care or remember that Samantha wanted to go? Either one was entirely possible. She decided to forget about that and have an amazing night anyway.

When Stacy and Samantha saw each other, they wondered why they had let time and distance come between them and pledged never to let it happen again. As they followed Seth, with kids and guitar in tow, through the hallways backstage at the Super Stadium, the feeling was surreal. They finally reached the small all-purpose meeting room where they were told to go to and sat waiting for what seemed like an eternity.

               Then it happened. Tristan came in the room with two body guards who stood as sentinels at the door. When Tristan approached, they all stood, as if a judge had entered the room. He smiled and pulled up a chair casually next to Seth.

Samantha thought he looked amazing. Age had treated him well. His salt and pepper hair complimented his strong jaw line giving him a dignified appearance, but his warm eyes softened his face. He wore a fitted t-shirt that showed his masculine shape. He had on light-washed jeans that complimented his athletic waistline, but were still loose enough to speak to the grunge style he represented. In Samantha’s mind he was the sexiest man she had ever seen. She tried not to blush when she realized she was ogling him.

               “You must be Seth. Is that my guitar?” Tristan said soberly looking at the instrument. He reached for it and Seth handed it over. “It looks just like my dad’s. It’s great.” He looked at it with more severity and a tear fell from his eye. “My dad’s gone and this means…” Tristan trailed off with a shaky voice.

He got up and walked to a window looking out at what Samantha imagined was a time far away. She could identify with his feelings and wanted to console him. She walked to him.

“I lost my dad too. How long’s it been?” Samantha said quietly.

“Almost 30 years. His loss is what motivated me to start writing music. It helped me cope like nothing else could. Cathartic.” Tristan said still looking into the distance.

“I know what you mean.” Samantha looked out in the distance too, recalling her own experience. “I started playing music for the same reason. Honestly, your music helped me get through it. I could identify with your lyrics. I appreciated your poetic style, not saying exactly what is, but still expressing it somehow. I could just feel things through listening to your music that I couldn’t feel any other way. It was like it caressed my soul and soothed me.” Samantha turned toward Tristan and realized he was looking at her. Coming back to reality she was mortified thinking about who she was just pouring her heart out to. “I’m sure that sounds ridiculous to you coming from a complete stranger. I’m so sorry to intrude.” She started to turn away and Tristan placed his hand on her arm. She tingled with shock.

“No. Everyone treats me like a god or something. They don’t talk to me like that. Like I’m a regular person with normal feelings. Thank you. It makes me happy to hear someone else feels the way I do about my music. What’s your name?”

What was her name? She was too starstruck to think. “Samantha or Sam, either way… or I mean one, either one is fine. That’s my nephew Hunter over there. I’m babysitting.” She kicked herself mentally for sounding like a complete idiot by telling the man that her date is her nephew.

“I take it you’re unattached then? Other than Hunter of course.” Tristan said with a coy smile.

“Yes.” She figured the fewer the words she said the better.

“Wait for me after the show,” he gestured toward the guards “I’ll tell the guys to be expecting you. Maybe we could grab a bite.”

“I’d like that.” Samantha said twirling her hair around her finger.

Tristan smiled at her and then walked over to the group. She followed.

“C’mon. You guys can watch the show from the wings.” Tristan said to the group, gesturing them to follow him and strapping the guitar on his back.

After much preparation, the headliners finally took stage and the audience rose to their feet in a loud uniformity. A few songs in, Tristan sat down on a stool and the spotlight shone solely on him. He started to speak about his father and a somber tone set in as she listened intently. Then Samantha saw Tristan point at them and didn’t hear another word. They were quickly ushered out on stage with the guitar. Seth handed Tristan the guitar and Tristan started relating the story of getting the guitar from Seth. Samantha didn’t really know what was being said. She stood frozen at the thought of thousands of people staring at her in that moment.

Shortly thereafter, they were directed back off the stage and Tristan began a solo, acoustic version of her favorite song. She didn’t notice anyone else in the world as she listened to Tristan caressing her heart through his song. When he finished, he stood to exchange guitars and for a second he looked directly at her and smiled. At that moment Samantha knew if nothing good ever happened to her again, she would be okay for the rest of her life.

She was alerted by her phone vibrating. She saw three texts had come in, all from her sister. Tara was demanding answers as to why she wasn’t told that her sister knew Tristan and begging for entrance backstage for her and her friends. Samantha thought this was typical behavior from Tara and for once was going to give her the treatment she deserved.

Samantha sent a reply. “MEET ME AT THE STAGE-LEFT DOOR NOW.” Then she gestured for Hunter to follow her. They both made their way to the door leading out to the audience seating on the left side of the stage.

“You’re going to join your mom now, okay buddy?” Samantha said leaning in so he could hear her.

Hunter smiled, “Okay, thanks, this was awesome! I can’t wait until we hang out again!”

“Me neither.” Samantha said. She gestured to the guard by the door that Hunter would be going out. The guard seemed to understand and opened the door while guarding anyone who didn’t have a backstage pass from entering.

Tara and her entourage approached ready to enter. She grabbed her son with a side hug and kissed him on the head. Hunter squirmed with embarrassment which Tara didn’t notice.

“Thanks for taking Hunter. I can’t watch him tonight after all, because I’ve got a date with Tristan,” Samantha said nonchalantly.

“Wait, what? Tristan! No way. I gotta see this,” Tara said stepping into the doorway. The guard stopped her. Tara’s mouth flew open in disgust.

“See you later.” Samantha slid backward through the door as she waved at a stupefied Tara.

This would definitely be a night Samantha would never forget.