Singing on a Beach

The ocean breeze felt good to Kirk Duncan, storm clouds off in the distance from the Florida coast lines were slowly threatening his jamming. Picking away at his five string banjo, he played cripple creek.

"Going up cripple creek going in a run, going up cripple to have some fun"

He then heard someone clap behind him. Taking his eyes off the ocean, and turning around he spotted his friend.

"Hi Hugh"

"That was great"

Joining him on the sand, Kirk started up another one.

"Some glad morning, when this life is over I'll fly away"

Hugh joined in and Kirk just let him sing.

"Just a few more weary days and then I'll be on God's celestial shore. I'll fly away. Hallelujah, then I'll fly away"

"You know just skipped half the song right.

"I don't know all of the words to it"

Laughing, Kirk continued playing but stopped again.

"You have a good voice Hugh"

"Thank yeah"

"You know cripple creek?"

"Not really"

Kirk quickly switched to it, and stopped playing the chords.

"What do you know?"

Thinking hard began to sing my old Kentucky home. When he finished; was amazed.

"You should pick up singing Hugh"

"No thanks"

"Why not?"

"I don't have that great of voice"

"Oh you mean those songs you sang really wasn't your voice?"

"Listen Kirk, I don't like singing a whole-

Kirk burst out laugh.

"I think there must be someone behind us then, because I don't think that singing was you. I thought you sang for the high school talent show last year?"

Hugh shot him a glare.

"Well, you just told me you don't like to sing, but I heard just you sing really well!"

Standing up "I gotta go Kirk"

"Now look Hugh. Just cause I made a comment like that, doesn't mean you have to go-

"I'm sorry Kirk"

Some people were walking past, so Kirk the idea.

"Say folks"

The older gentleman who was walking next to his wife looked up at him.

"Yes?"

"Could we entertain you for a song?"

"Huh?"

"Just a song-

Hugh tried leaving but Kirk grabbed his pant sleeve.

"Kirk"

"Sure."

"Come on Hugh; don't make me look like an idiot"

"What song you have in mind?"

"Thanks a lot Kirk"

“You’re welcome”

“I’ll get you for this”

“What song can you sing?”

“Have you heard of My old Kentucky Home?”

“No, not really”

The group stopped, and joined them.

“Sing it Hugh”

Sighing, with a glare at Kirk he started.

“Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home 'Tis summer, The old folks are gay; well, the corn top's ripe And the meadow's in the bloom While the birds make music, all the day”

When the song came to an end the group applauded them.

“That was great singing” The older man said, his wife agreed.

“Can you sing us another one?”

“Well, uh Hugh?” Kirk looked up at him, and saw that he was embarrassed.

“Hugh?”

Hugh just glared at him.

“I think that’s all we know for right now folks”

“Oh, that’s a shame”

“Well what do you say Hugh”

“I’ll get you for this”

“I’m just trying to show you that you have a great voice”

Letting out a sigh, he consented.

“Alright, fine; you win”

“I’ll fly away?”

Hugh protested.

“I hardly know that song!”

“That’s alright folks” The older man interjected.

“I can sing along”

“You know it?”

“Sure I do. I sing in our church choir”

“Okay Hugh. Want to kick off”

“Fine” Here it goes he thought.

“Just a few more weary days and then I'll be on God's celestial shore. I'll fly away. Hallelujah, then I'll fly away.

The older man joined in. It was an enjoyable moment. Kirk was able to hear his friend sing with someone else. He noticed his embarrassment was gone, and he began to gain confidence.

“I'll fly away; fly away, oh glory I'll fly away, in the morning when I die, Hallelujah by and by

I'll fly away. I'll fly away”

Everyone applauded Hugh.

“See Hugh, you do have a fine voice!” Kirk exclaimed getting up and hitting his shoulder.

“You’re right Kirk”

“I can provide singing lessons”

The two looked at the older man with gleam.

“Really?”

“Sure”

“What do you say Kirk?”

“Why not?”

“Here’s my phone card lad” Tipping his ball cap “I’ll be going now, so long now”

The two bid him a farewell.

After the group was in the distance as Kirk began to play Fireball Mail by his favorite bluegrass player Earl Scruggs.

“You see Hugh, you do have a good voice”

Letting out a sigh he replied “You’re right Kirk”

“Want to sing I’ll fly away one more time?”

“No thanks”

“Okay; but next time you come, will ya be singing like a pro?”

“Yeah, as if-

“Look” Snapped Kirk “I’m only pulling your leg”

“Okay, whatever”

Kirk began to play I’ll fly away again.

Hugh joined in. He was glad he pushed his friend into singing. Staring out at the ocean, he felt as if good things were coming his way.

Later at his house, sitting at his kitchen table overlooking the ocean. He could see the rain now coming towards him. Distinctively he heard singing outside. Walking outside side, he didn’t need to go three houses down. Standing at the edge of his driveway he could hear Hugh singing I’ll fly away. His vocal sounded great. Shaking his head, as rain drops started hitting the ground. He went inside, the cabin.

Picking up his banjo, he started playing the same song he heard Hugh singing. He knew he didn’t have a great voice but, played the song anyway.

“I’ll fly away O' Lordy I’ll fly away” Dang. Just that one time he pushed his friend into singing. Where will this take him. His phone chirped with a text.

“Thanks buddy”

Putting the phone down on the table, with a cup of iced tea, Kirk really played it.

“Hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away!”