Jal was sitting backstage at a local pub. Her cigarette drawing near its end. Jal still is beautiful, but her face was drawn and tired from so many of these gigs. Every penny of the gigs goes into rent and maintaining her well-worn guitar.
The stagehand came up to her saying 5 minutes to go on stage. She took another breathe. The stage never intimidated Jal, she was on stage all her life. She reread the lyrics to make sure, she had them right.
Time flew by the stagehand told her, "You are up now. Break a leg."
She secretly hated when people told her to break a leg. It was like a bad omen to her.
She walked up to the stage. The heat of the lights, the darkness that lingered on the stage, the singular mic stand, all familiar to her.
"Hello. I'm Jal and I wrote a song about someone I used to love."
The stage was silent for a second when she put the guitar strap across her shoulders. The crowd was a mix of regulars and a random assortment of people. She knew in her mind that she would kill it.
She began to sing, her voice low yet smoky like a seasoned blues singer. Words flowed like a stream of her mouth.
After the performance, she was putting her guitar in a case and latching it up. A man in a nice looking suit came up to her and tapped her on the back.
"You are brilliant. I'm Edwin Moore of A & R records." He said with confident
"Oh, hi!" Jal said caught off guard.
"Your song inspired me so much and I can see you being a big star someday. Here's my card. Give me a call and we'll hash out the details with your manager."
"Thanks sir, but I have to go right now. I'll keep you in mind.
Before Jal left, she picked up her phone to call her friend, Michelle. Michelle was there for her no matter what. Her words always calmed her and got her through very difficult times.
"Chel."
"What is it Jal?"
"This fucking record person came up to me and wanted to sign me to a major label."
"Is that good, right?", Michelle said happy for Jal
"I have to speak to my father and my manager about it. I'm not sure if I want to make such a move yet. It's been two years since Chris' death. I miss him everyday." Jal said in tears.
"What did you sing about Jal?"
"I sang a song called, "To My Love So Dear.""
"What a pretty name for your song."
"It was lovely and I'm happy that the producer enjoyed it. But, I have to get going. Talk to you later."
"Bye Chel. I can't wait to see you soon."
Before Jal left, she picked up her phone to call her friend, Michelle. Michelle was there for her no matter what. Her words always calmed her and got her through very difficult times.
"Chel."
"What is it Jal?"
"This fucking record person came up to me and wanted to sign me to a major label."
"Is that good, right?", Michelle said happy for Jal
"I have to speak to my father and my manager about it. I'm not sure if I want to make such a move yet. It's been two years since Chris' death. I miss him everyday." Jal said in tears.
"What did you sing about Jal?"
"I sang a song called, "To My Love So Dear.""
"What a pretty name for your song."
"It was lovely and I'm happy that the producer enjoyed it. But, I have to get going. Talk to you later."
"Bye Chel. I can't wait to see you soon."