I shook my head slowly. "Why does he want to play it?" I questioned out loud. Pete shrugged. "Ever since last night he's just been saying that he wants to." I sighed. "But why?"
There was a moment of silence between us before Pete told me that I should talk to Patrick. "Maybe he'll tell you." He told me. I looked down at my feet as I thought. "Why would he tell me? He barely knows me." I said as I raised my head back up. Pete was smiling at me. "He took a liking to you. Maybe he'll open up to you."He said quietly. I smiled softly back at him. "I don't know if he will or not but I suppose it's worth a try." He nodded in agreement.
Before I left he told me to go see Andy and Joe before Patrick. I agreed happily and then said goodbye to the bassist. I was welcomed by the two of them with smiles. We all chatted for a moment or two before I asked them if they knew why Patrick wanted to play the song. Joe shook his head. "I don't really know. He just kept saying that he wanted to give it another go." Andy agreed as he stretched out his arms. "Ever since last night we've all been hearing about it. He hadn't mentioned it in ages. But, if he wants to do it, we'll do it." I nodded.
I said goodbye to the two of them before I went over to see Patrick. He was standing over the piano with some papers, which I assumed was the sheet music for the song. I walked up behind him and poked him on the shoulder. He jumped a bit before turning around. When he saw me he started to smile as he pulled me in for a hug, which I was not expecting. When he pulled away he patted my shoulder and asked me how I was. I told him I was good and that he and the rest of the band were doing an incredible job. He laughed a bit before thanking me.
"Um, Patrick?" I started. He raised his eyebrows at me, telling me to go on. I took a deep breath to calm myself and when I decided I was good enough I asked him. "I was just wondering if-if you were okay." I spat out the words quickly. His face went blank. I studied it as I picked at the hem of my shirt, looking for any sign at all.
We stood there in silence for a moment, which felt like forever, but was probably 30 seconds. He then started to smile a little bit, but it seemed like a sadder smile than before. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?" He told me. I let out my breath that I realized I was holding. "Pete, Andy and Joe all said that you want to play "What A Catch, Donnie". And from my understanding, the last time you played it you got really upset, so I just was wondering if everything was good." I told him my worries. His face softened as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I promise I'm okay. If I wasn't I would have told someone. I just feel like it's about time we brought the song back, to give it another go. By now, I should be okay playing it live." He said quietly. I felt a small smile creep onto my face. "Okay, good."
"Well, I guess I'll let you guys get started." I said as I took a step back. Patrick's hand came off of my shoulder and he used it to fix his fedora. "Uh, do you want to stay here? You can sit on the bench with me, if you'd like." He offered. I smiled at the idea but I didn't want to get in his way. I shook my head no. "Um, it's okay. I'll just be right here." I said, pointing to an empty space near the front of the stage. He nodded. "Good luck." I told him. "Thanks." He waved to me as I started down the stairs.
My mind changed as I thought about his offer. Maybe I took it the wrong way. Maybe he wanted someone there with him. Maybe he was nervous. Who am I kidding, I'd be terrified in his situation.
I turned on my heel and headed back up the few stairs there were. Patrick was sitting on the piano bench now and when he saw me he smiled. When I was close enough I spoke. "Maybe I will stay." I told him with a laugh. He laughed too as he moved over on the bench to make room for me. I sat down next to him, folding my hands on my lap. He fiddled with some of the papers on the stand and then put his hands to the keys. I heard him take a deep breath and then start playing.
''I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, watch a catch. You'll never catch us so just let me be. Said I'll be fine till the hospital or American Embassy. Miss Flack said I still want you back, yeah, Miss Flack said I still want you back.'' He sang, his voice not wavering. I smiled as he started the chorus.
''I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, what a catch. And all I can think of is the way I'm the one who charmed, the one who gave up on you, who gave up on you.'' I watched his hands on the keys as he played like he had been playing it for years. You could never tell that it had been so long.
''They say the captain goes down with the ship. So, when the world ends will God go down with it? Miss Flack said I still want you back, yeah, Miss Flack said I still want you back.'' He continued confidently. ''I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, what a catch. And all I can think of is the way I'm the one who charmed, the one who gave up on you, who gave up on you.'' He turned to me and winked with a smile during the small pause. I laughed.
Soon, the song came to a close. ''I got troubled thoughts and the self-esteem to match. What a catch, what a catch.'' Patrick stopped playing and let his hands fall on his laps, his mouth turned up with a little smile. I turned to him, me wearing a smile as well. ''That was brilliant.''
