Lola immediately replies, ’Amazing grace’.
Nat smiles at her, “Great choice, hon.”
And then we sing.
***
The girls disappeared a little while ago. I get up and shush the guys. There is faint piano music in the background.
We all glance around confused. I walk over to the hallway and hear the girls singing to the piano.
I wave the guys over and we make our way to the doorway. We stand just outside looking in. They are finishing up Amazing grace. No one has played that piano since my dad died. It was his and I’m happy to hear it being played. It brings back some really good memories of my father.
Nat remarks, “That was awesome. I haven’t played in a while so sorry if it was a little off.”
Then we hear Mimi. “Can you do ‘Poker Face’?”
A confused Tina speaks, “Wait, I thought it was ‘Poke Her Face’. I thought it was a sexual innuendo.”
Total goofball.
Lola chuckles, “Like when you thought in ‘Can’t Fight The Moonlight’ the words were ‘Pardon Me The Starlight, Starlight’?”
Mimi is in hysterics, “Or when you thought ‘Hooked On A Feeling’ was ‘Hooked On The Ceiling’?”
Tina is holding her gut from silently laughing so hard. She giggles, “Yeah, I hate when I’m singing a song and the artist gets the words wrong.”
All the girls laugh at her. I’m glad she can laugh at herself.
A still chuckling Nat asks, “Any requests?”
The girls remain silent probably thinking of a choice. Then Tina speaks up.“Impossible.”
I can see a frown form on Nat’s face. She slowly shakes her head no.
Tina touches her arm and softens her voice, “Please?”
Nat doesn’t look any happier but nods. “Which version? Shontelle or James Arthur?”
Tina replies, “James Arthur.”
Nat nods and works the piano. The soft melody plays and Tina starts to sing.
I remember years ago,
Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love, I did…
Tina has a nice singing voice. She carries the song well.
And now when all is done there is nothing to say,#p#分页标题#e#
You have gone and so effortlessly,
You have won, You can go ahead, Tell them,
Tell them all I know now,
Shout it from the rooftops, Write in on the skyline,
All we had is gone now, Tell them I was happy
And my heart is broken, All my scars are open,
Tell them what I hoped would be impossible…
She sounds like she’s in pain. I want to go over and hold her but I want to hear her tell her story. She isn’t just singing the words. This is gospel. She feels the words.
Falling out of love is hard, Falling for betrayal is worse,
Broken trust and broken hearts, I know…
My chest tightens with anger.
Damn it, Tina’s been hurt. Badly.
And now when all is done there is nothing to say,
And if you’re done with embarrassing me,
On your own you can go ahead, Tell them,
Tell them all I know now, Shout it from the rooftops,
Write it on the skyline, All we had is gone now,
Tell them I was happy, And my heart is broken,
All my scars are open, Tell them what I hoped would be impossible...
Mimi discreetly wipes a tear away from her cheek. Lola has her hands covering her mouth and her shoulders shake with silent sobs. They’re feeling everything Tina is feeling. The thought of someone hurting Tina this badly makes my gut coil with rage.
I would do anything to make her better.
I remember years ago, Someone told me I should take
Caution when it comes to love, I did…
Tina’s voice is steady as she sings. Her eyes are closed. Natalie’s lips quiver as she plays the piano.
Impossible…
The song finishes and Tina lowers her head. Her shoulders shake and I know she’s crying. In a broken voice she says, “I hate him so fucking much.”
I want to kill the motherfucker that hurt her. I’ve never heard Tina swear like that. She’s been hurt bad and I don’t know what to do with this information. I guess I’ll just have to be patient and wait for her to tell me when she wants to. I motion to the guys to back away from the door. We walk back to the table and continue our Poker game.
Max plays with his cards, eyes lowered to the table. He mutters, “I don’t like it.”
Me either, brother.
Chapter Ten
Fairy Godmother
Poker night was a blast! Not that I played any Poker. Or did much of anything else, but the company was phenomenal and we got to know each other even better. Real friendships are staring to form.
Even Ghost tugged my hair when we said goodbye. Which I guess is his equivalent of a hug.