Short Stories & Poetry Go Back

“Just think, in two days this park will be buzzing with people all here to listen to you perform,” Brady said with a glance at the traditional, hexagonal park bandstand beneath the trees on the wide lawns. “I can’t do it,” Cassidy took a deep shaky breath and turned away from the performing place. She gathered her curls of auburn hair over her right shoulder and began to walk away. “Why? I’m so excited to watch you perform. I want to feel the pride as everybody cheers for the musical princess I love.” Brady stopped her leaving by interlinking his fingers in hers and gently turning her to face him. “I’m scared, Brady. I’ve never performed in front of anyone like that before.” “That’s a natural feeling. You’re such a wonderful performer your musical soul is indigenous to that stage. I know once you begin you’ll relax and love every second of your performance.” Cassidy shook her head, “I’m sorry, I won’t be coming.” Brady looked from her fearful eyes to the trees surrounding the park. He knew how she was feeling but felt strongly that she could do it. Somehow, he had to help you find a way to conquer those nerves. “Wait here, okay?” Cassidy nodded. “Thank you.” Brady graced her lips with a kiss and jogged away to the sheltered housing estate for the elderly bordering the park. Cassidy’s grandmother lived there. She had something Brady required. Within ten minutes, he was jogging back toward Cassidy. She’d taken to sitting on the lawn. Wearing her little khaki shorts and lacy camo-vest, she looked a little like a scared elf. “Brady, why do you have my guitar?” she asked. “I asked your grandmother to let me borrow it,” he held out a hand. “Come on.” “No, what are you doing?” “I’m asking you to trust me,” Brady smiled. “Please.” “Okay,” Cassidy sighed and accepted his hand to regain her feet. Brady led her to the red-brick and green railed bandstand. He could feel her shrinking away as they ascended the steps. “It’s okay,” he told her with a cheery wink. “What are you doing?” Cassidy said as she scanned the park for people as if they were lions and she was a vulnerable baby gazelle. “I’m making sure you don’t lose what is a magical opportunity,” Brady held out her guitar. “This is yours. Play a little something for me.” Cassidy took her acoustic guitar and slipped the strap over her head. “Please don’t make me do this.” “I have to. You’re too special to be caged by fear. You have to do this and let the people hear your beautiful voice and music,” Brady took a deep breath and nodded. Two tears dropped onto Cassidy’s cheeks and flowed off her chin. “Hey, don’t cry, it’s okay.” Brady stepped right in front of her. “Do you see my eyes?” Cassidy nodded. “Good, what colour are they?” “Brown.” “Yes, can you feel the energy coming from them?” Brady smiled as he felt her eyes connecting with his. “I feel like you adore me and that I’ll let you down if I don’t do this.” Cassidy broke the gaze and looked at the guitar in her arms. “I love everything about you and you’ll never disappoint me. Now, look at me. Look at my ugly face and feel my love hugging you and …” Cassidy giggled, “You’re so silly, and not a bit ugly.” “Thank you,” Brady grinned. He’d hoped the description would break her melancholy. “Now, as you feel my love holding your hands, allow the bandstand to melt away as you begin to play for me.” Cassidy took a breath and focused on his eyes as her fingers began to strum the strings of her guitar. Brady began to nod to the rhythm. He could feel her nerves and the hummingbird-like thrum of her heart but he urged her on with a confident nod. “Yes, my wonderful, Cassidy. You can do this!” Cassidy allowed her fingers to change the notes and then she began to sing with a shiver of nervousness edging her soulful voice. “Flowers in the fields That's you and I We shine with love that never yields We’ll never fade and never die.” Brady beamed. Her beautiful song washed over him like that of a sirens call. How he longed to hold and kiss her as he watched on full of desire and adoration. He applauded as Cassidy finished her song. Someone else joined in from beyond the bandstand. “That was beautiful! I hope you’re performing that on Saturday night,” he called. “I’m n —” Cassidy began. “She’ll be here,” Brady said as he held her trembling hands. “Awesome, see you Saturday.” The man waved and walked away with his dog. “Brady, please. I still won’t be able to perform in a park full of people on Saturday. I have to be on stage alone and I can’t do that. Please, don’t make me do this.” Cassidy freed herself and walked for the steps. “If you promise to walk onto the stage on Saturday. I promise you will never be alone.” Brady led her down from the bandstand. “Will you promise?” Cassidy nodded, “I promise to try.” “That’s all I ask,” Brady hugged her. “At least I don’t have to drag you on stage by your little toes now.” “Huh, that would earn you a slap!” Cassidy giggled as they walked from the park hand in hand. Saturday night came warm and sultry beneath the starry sky. The bank holiday music festival was attended by a sea of more than five thousand people surrounding the bandstand. Its railings and roof had been adorned by swathes of glittering lights. “This is it, ten minutes and one beautiful song and you’ll be home free,” Brady whispered in Cassidy’s ear as he danced with her to the beat of a rock ‘n’ roll band’s song. “That’s if I don’t die of fright first!” Cassidy replied as the song ended. “You do need to stop trembling; you’re shaking me to bits.” Brady grinned and poked her nose fondly to elicit a giggle. “Hey! I do appreciate you doing this for me. I just hope I can —” “Ladies and gentlemen give it up for the Slated Eighties!” said the evening’s compere. The gentleman was dressed in a bright red suit. The audience applauded, cheered, and whistled as the band bowed and left the bandstand. “Up next, we have a new and young singing sensation. A talented singer and guitarist from right here in our wonderful city. Please give it up for Cassidy Newman!” “Go and enchant them, Sweetheart!” Brady kissed her as he led the way to the steps holding her hand. She looked back as her fingers slipped from his as she climbed to the stage. “You promised!” she said through teary eyes as the crowds cheered for her. “I did.” Brady winked back. “I love you, go on!” Cassidy smoothed her indigo evening dress and gulped as she picked up her guitar and approached the microphone. “I er — good evening, everyone!” “Ready?” whispered the DJ preparing to start her soundtrack. Cassidy could hear her teeth chattering through her skull. She’d come over so hot she was sure she’d collapse. Taking a sip of water from a bottle she’d left with her guitar, she nodded, “Okay.” With her feet screaming for her to run she tried to compose herself. Turning to face her audience, she gasped. They’d all engage their phone lights creating the feeling of being on the biggest stage. One light was closer than the others. Brady was sitting cross-legged on the bandstand with his back against the railings. “Feel my love holding your hands, allow the bandstand to melt away and sing,” he urged. Cassidy beamed through teary eyes. She took a deep breath and nodded to him as she began to play with the music. “Flowers in the fields That's you and I We shine with love that never yields We’ll never fade and never die.” The audience gave a collective gasp as Cassidy made it through the first chorus. As one they began waving their lights creating a truly romantic scene. Know I’m here for you Whatever darkness grows Together we’ll see it through Love stronger than a blooming rose Brady punched the air in delight. “You got this, beautiful!” Flowers in the fields That's you and I We shine with love that never yields We’ll never fade and never die. Cassidy felt her nerves melting away as she sang with all her heart, Two hearts spliced together Petals shining through the gloom Our love growing forever In a field of eternal bloom Cassidy was one chorus away now. As she began the opening line the audience began to sing it with her. Flowers in the fields That's you and I We shine with love that never yields We’ll never fade and never die.” Cassidy sang the last word and dropped the stage into an eerie silence. For a moment she felt as if the audience were shocked by how bad she’d been. Then they erupted with cheers and applause “Yeah!” Brady yelled with the audience. He bounded his feet and threw his arms around her. “You were incredible!” “That was amazing! Thank you so much, Brady.” Cassidy kissed him before taking a bow before her new fans. “Did you get them to put their lights on?” “Amazing what a request in the show program can do, isn’t it?” Brady said with modesty. “You’re amazing, that was so special,” Cassidy said holding him with all her heart. “Ladies and gentlemen, the amazing Cassidy Newman!” announced the compere returning to the bandstand. Cassidy took another bow. “Thank you, have a good evening, everyone!” she said into the microphone with a wave. Brady led her down the steps, “Whatever darkness grows, together we’ll see it through.” “Yes, I think we will!” Cassidy agreed. “So, can you sing on stage in front of a large audience now?” “As long as you’re with me, I know I can,” Cassidy replied with a smile at her proud grandmother. She knew then Brady had given her a start at a wonderful musical life. The End