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“Now that everyone’s talking and they turned on the speakers, of course it is,” I replied. “Come on, there are some tables over there close to the exit away from the crowd and the speakers. It won’t be as loud over there.”
I led the way through the crowd with Krissy right on my heels, doing her best to keep up with the drink in hand and the guitar on her back. It was difficult for her to make it through the tight spaces between people with the large instrument on her back, so I slowed and made a point of moving people out of the way for Krissy to make it through.
“Thanks,” she said when we got to the table. “I don’t want to be rude, but I wonder if people are just blind, or if they genuinely don’t realize that they are in the way of someone trying to get through.”
“A lot of people are so wrapped up in themselves, they don’t even think that they might be in the way of someone else. It’s annoying, but you can’t be afraid to speak up and tell them to get out of the way.”
“I know, it’s just that I’m still feeling a little timid after the show,” she said.
“I don’t know why you feel that way,” I told her. “You really are good up there. It’s like you’re right at home.”
“I feel at home with the music, but when I have to fill the time in between, I don’t know, that’s when I feel like I have nothing interesting to say or that people don’t want to hear me,” she confided.
“But why? From what I could see, everyone loved you up there,” I said.
“Sure, but there’s that voice in the back of my mind that says if I was that good, I would have a record deal by now, or I would have an easier time putting together a band. But here I am, moving to some small town that’s not exactly where you want to go if you want to become famous playing on a small stage in front of a small bar,” she sighed.
“But you were fantastic in this small bar,” I told her. “And you never know. You still have a chance of going out and becoming famous if that’s what you want. There are always people out there who are looking for new talent. Who is to say that you’re not just one person away from your big break?”
“That’s true,” she said. “But I don’t know. There’s also a part of me that likes it here. Minus what happened the other day, I love how quiet it is here and how nice the people are. It’s a lot different from what I’m used to back in the city.”
“I know how you feel,” I said. “I came here after I got out of the Navy SEALs, and I have no desire to go anywhere else.”
“God, and I think the city is bad. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through with your deployment and everything. Thank you for that, by the way,” she said.
I nodded. I was used to people thanking me for my service, but there was something about the way she said it that made me feel she was being sincere. Many people seemed to just say it out of habit, or because it was the right thing to say. It was different when someone said that to me out of genuine gratitude.
It wasn’t long before we were absorbed in deeper conversation, and I was blown away by how easy she was to talk to. I really had no idea what she was really like from my first impression, and I was glad I’d taken the time to have a drink with her.
Kim and Andrew stopped by our table to tell us they were heading out, and about fifteen minutes later, Krissy said the same.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m not one to shut down the bar,” she said. “And I’m not that big of a drinker either, so I’m good with what we’ve had. Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” I said. “Thank you for joining me. I wasn’t sure you would when I asked.”
“I wasn’t sure I would either,” she said with a laugh. “But why not? You live right next door, and after everything this past week, the least I can do is have a drink with you.”
“I only did what was right,” I said with a shrug.
“I’m glad you did,” she replied.
“Can I walk you home?” I asked. “I mean, we’re going to the same place, so if you say no, I’m going to have to either leave now before you, or you’re going to have to understand that I’m not following you intentionally.”
She laughed. “I’m tempted to say no just so you have to hang back while I head home.”
“You would,” I said.
“You can join me,” she replied. “But only because we’re going to the same place.”
“Pretty close to it, anyway.”
We both headed out of the bar, and in the cool air, I was hyperaware of how quiet the night was. There were some birds calling in the dark, and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach filled the gaps.
“I love how beautiful it is here,” Krissy said.
“I do, too,” I agreed. “I get tired of the same weather all the time sometimes, but it’s nothing to cry about in the grand scheme of things.”
“I get that,” she said. “I don’t hate it enough to deal with changing weather somewhere else.”
