Page 67 of The Challenge

“It started as a dare,” Freddy explained. “We were here one night with our wives years ago…” He pointed his head toward Evan. “Well, back when this one was married.” He continued, “My wife, Clarissa, dared us to go up and perform since we’d been jamming in Owen’s basement for quite some time. And that was how it began.”

“We used to play more local venues,” Owen added. “But in recent years, we mainly grace audiences with our presence here at The Lodge once a month.”

“I like this place because even though they serve alcohol, they let me bring Effie, so I don’t have to worry about a sitter,” Evan explained. “And she loves coming.”

“That makes total sense.” I took another sip, feeling the tequila take the edge off.

A folk band was the first to perform. Between their songs, the guys explained that The Lodge provided all of the instruments, keeping a set of drums permanently on the stage and storing everything else in a back room for open mic nights.

After about an hour, they called Evan and the guys up on stage, which was just a makeshift wooden platform.

Evan played the guitar and sang while Freddy was on drums and Owen on the keyboard. I’d never heard Evan perform like this. His singing voice was different from his speaking voice—still deep, but smoother. He sounded great. I was pleasantly surprised and so proud of him.

Their first few songs were covers of existing tunes. But then they played one I didn’t recognize. I assumed it was still another cover until Effie leaned over toward me.

“Daddy writes songs,” she said.

“He does? He never mentioned that.”

“He wrote this one.”

“What’s it called?”

“‘Stray Dog’.” She giggled.

Once I knew Evan had written it, I listened closely to try to make sense of the lyrics. It was something about a guy who lets people feed him, then deserts them. One of the lines was, He never belongs to anyone.

Hmm… I looked forward to picking his brain about those lyrics later.

When the guys finished, Effie and I stood. We clapped and cheered as loudly as we could.

“You sounded amazing.” I rubbed Evan’s arm when he returned to the table. “Who knew you could sing like that?”

“Well, it’s a talent that seems to improve the more my life goes into the toilet.”

“A coping mechanism?”

He shrugged. “Maybe, yeah.”

“Well, it’s working for you. And Effie certainly loves listening to her dad perform.”

“Yeah, pretty sure she’s my biggest fan.” Evan grinned.

We watched one more band, and then Effie yawned.

“I’m tired,” she announced.

I pretended to yawn as well. “I’m tired, too, Effie.”

“The girls are tired, Daddy.” Effie tugged on his shirt. “Take us home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Evan stood. He clasped hands with his friends while Effie and I also said goodbye.

I put my arm around Effie as the three of us walked out toward the parking lot.

Within a few minutes of driving off in Evan’s truck, Effie was out like a light in the backseat.

Evan glanced back at her while he drove. “She always falls asleep on this ride home. It’s pretty funny.”