"How many portraits have you made today?" I asked my Dad as I took a bite of the slice of Spam sitting on my plate.
"Three." He desperately said. I nodded and stayed quiet. He seemed upset.
"I can help you tomorrow if you want to." I proposed to him. Hoping this idea would make him feel better.
"I already said it once, Will. We're not doing that."
"Dad, I can help."
"Will." He stared at me. "We're not starting that again."
"But—"
"Enough." He stood up and grabbed my empty plate. "We'll just go in a different area of the city tomorrow. It will get better."
I didn't bother to reply and headed to bed. I was frustrated. My Dad never let me do anything, I was good at drawing and he knew it, so why was he stopping me?
Hours passed and I stayed awake, rolling in my bed. My Dad was fast asleep next to me. We slept in the same bed since we couldn't afford another one, so, I was used to my Dad snoring directly into my ears.
My watch indicated 10pm which was pretty late for me, but my will to sleep couldn't be found tonight. I quietly got out of bed and grabbed my jacket, immediately heading outside. Maybe a walk could help me find sleep.
"Grab it! Grab all of them!" The voice of a boy said. Loud noises came from a small shop near the house. As I slowly got closer, a loud crunching sound could be heard, like I just stepped on glass. The main window of the store was shattered, making it obvious it was a robbery. I couldn't hear them talking anymore, making me lose track of them.
"Who's in there?" I exclaimed as I debated on whether I should get in or not.
"Don't move!" One of the kid came out of nowhere with a knife pointed at me. I gasped and took a step back.
"I'm not doing anything." I replied and raised my hands up.
"Who are you?" He asked. "What do you want?"
"N-Nothing." I panicked.
"He asked you a question. Answer!" Another kid joined him and grabbed me by the neck.
"Will. I-I'm Will." I responded. Almost out of breath. His grip was strong. "Let me go!"
His hand got looser around my neck. "He's useless. Let's just go before the Police finds us."
"No! Finish him off, he saw us! He's gonna tell the Police!" The boy said.
My breathing intensified when I realised what they wanted to do to me, the only thing my brain was telling me to do was run; which is exactly what I did. I heard them chasing me. I just ran so fast, not even looking back once. I turned left in a small street to catch my breath. In no way they'd find me here. I raised my head up as I saw them running in another direction, meaning I was safe from now on.
"I'll never be free from your smile so tender. The sweet surrender in your eyes..." A voice could be heard, definitely coming from a radio. I slowly started walking, following the sound of the music.
"How can I be free when I still remember
How you could thrill me with a sigh.." The song kept on playing. It took me in front of a Tv shop, where many Tv's were displayed, only one of them was turned on. The owner probably forgot to turn it off before closing.
Who I saw on Tv took my breath away.
"Mike." I breathed out. I had a hard time believing him this morning when he told me he was a singer, it seemed fake. I didn't believed him until now, until I saw him on the Tv with my own eyes, he was still wearing the same clothes he wore today and his voice sounded beautiful. I smiled to myself as I watched attentively his performance. He looked so professional, like he had been doing it for years. He really was talented.
"Oh, I'll never be free." I hummed as I made my way back home. I can say that I fell asleep the minute I got back into bed. The song playing on repeat in my head.
The sun was shining through the clouds in the busy streets of Manhattan. The area my Dad decided to go was very different from the one we were used to go to, he definitely had more people interested in his portraits than before, I was happy for him. I was even closer to the place I met Mike yesterday, meaning I could go see him whenever I wanted to since he was coming outside often, but I was way too shy to approach him, I feared he wouldn't remember me.
"Will?" I raised my head up. It was Mike. "How long before you actually decide to come and talk to me instead of staying there?" He giggled.
I stood up. Surprised he remembered my name, remembered me. "W—What do you mean?"
"Don't pretend like you haven't been spying on me all morning." He smiled. "I saw you."
"I—I didn't think you'd remember me." I stuttered.
"Will, how can I forget about you? Especially with that hat. You're unforgettable." He laughed and took if off my head.
"Can't forget you either, especially with those clothes." I chuckled, referring to the brown slacks and striped shirt he was wearing.
"They're custom made. What's wrong with them?" He pouted.
"Nothing. They're just very unique." I replied.
"I could say the same for you."
I smiled and stared at the ground. "I saw you on Tv yesterday."
"You did?"
I nodded. "You have a great voice."
"Thank you. I'm glad you think so." A big smile formed on his face.
"What was the song?" I asked. "The one you sang I-I mean."
"I'll never be free. I can't remember the singer though—But if I ever end up knowing, I'll let you know." He paused and bit his lip. "Wait, do you tend to have some free time?"
"I do." I replied.
I was currently experiencing something really amazing, I had a friend and I felt like we were getting along so well.
We both jumped on a marchandise train, heading to Mike's house. I never done something this reckless in my whole entire life before and I knew my Dad would be so mad if he ended up knowing but, I was genuinely happy and it's all that mattered.
"If we get busted I'm putting this on you." I giggled.
"Really, You'd sold me out like that?"
I nodded, obviously joking. He raised his eyebrows and pushed me in the shoulder.
"I'm gonna push you off this train." He said, we both laughed uncontrollably the whole ride, joking each other here and there. It felt great have a little laugh.
The minute we entered his house he ran to his living room, looking for something. In the meantime, I looked around. His house was huge, a never ending corridor was in front of me, covered with this ruby red carpet. Big paintings were also found on every wall in the house, it was breathtaking.
"Mike?" I looked up at the ceiling.
"What?" I heard his footsteps coming near me.
I pointed to where I was staring. "What—What is that?"
"That?" He chuckled. "It's a chandelier."
"It's beautiful." I glanced at him and then back at the chandelier.
"First time seeing one?" He looked back at me.
"First time seeing one." I replied. "What is it for though?"
"It lits up. Just like a regular light—It just looks fancier and cost way more money. That's what my Dad said."
I frowned. "Well if it does the same as a regular light, why spending all the money in the world for it?"
He scoffed. "Sometimes people like to show what they have in order to feel appreciated, or valued. Especially my Father."
"Well, Thanks to God you're not like him."
He looked at me and smiled. "You know—You're the first person to ever tell me something like that."
"It's the truth." I looked at him as well. "I may not know your Dad or—even you that much, but as far as I know, you were the first person to approach me without discriminating me—ever."
"Why would I discriminate you?" He quietly asked.
I shrugged. "I'm different than you or the people you surround yourself with probably. You're out on this big stage on Tv, cameras shoved to your face with these crazy clothes no one can actually afford—"
"It doesn't represent who I am, Will." He stared at me. "I know what you are—I don't care about your social status. None of this matters." I looked at him as he spoke. "I'm not what I seem to be, what I get pressured to do is not who I am."
"Pressured?" I frowned. "You don't enjoy singing?"
"I used to. Until my Dad took it too far and made money off my back."
"I don't understand."
"He put me on this Tv show when I was seven years old. it was a dream at first. Then, I grew up and it got worse. I wanted it to end but my Father kept on signing contracts over and over without asking me, so—I'm stuck being controlled by a selfish bitch."
"And your Dad." I added.
"Exactly." He looked at me. "My Dad's the one that slapped me on the face yesterday, just so you know."
"Oh, I know. I figured it out."
A slight smile appeared on his face. "I want to show you something, follow me." He said, immediately changing the subject.
"What is it?" I followed him.
"Here's the song. I'll never be free." He handed me a vinyl. "By Kay Starr."
"Y—You found it." I smiled and looked at the picture on the cover.
"I just did. I knew my Mother would have the song. Everything sounds so good on a vinyl."
"That's very kind of you. T—Thank you."
"You can keep it." He looked at me and smiled. "A gift, from me to you."
I kept quiet and smiled as well, I finally owned my very first vinyl ever and even though I didn't had a record player at home, I still felt happy to own one. I handed the record to Mike and looked at him right in the eyes.
"Play the damn song." I said.
