Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Song inspiration for this chapter: I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You, composed by Victor Young in 1932, lyrics by Ned Washington and Bing Crosby. Over 55 notable artists have covered it...my favorite version is by Linda Ronstadt with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in 1983, on the album What's New. Other songs from that album will appear in later chapters.
GIFTS
Chapter 10: The Girl's Got Soul...
He pulled into THE BAR parking lot and noticed all the other vehicles were gone, but the neon sign still said OPEN. No music blared from within, and there were no signs of life. Odd, he thought. He opened the doors and entered. The tables were all bare and wiped clean. He stood glancing around, confused. He swore that sign had said OPEN. The overhead lights began to darken one at a time till the bar was bathed in only a dim glow. He figured that he'd better leave, or whoever was turning out those lights was bound to come out here sooner or later and he didn't want a gut full of buckshot when they did.
He heard humming from the back room, which turned into low singing...
I need your love so badly, I love you oh so madly
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you.
I thought at last I'd found you , but other loves surround you
And I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you.
If you'd surrender for a tender kiss or two
You might discover that I'm the lover meant for you
And I'll be true...
He stood rooted to the spot. It's her, it's Sissy! She was in the back and he could hear her singing.
She came into the bar area and nearly had a heart attack at the sight of the man standing there.
"Sissy, don't scream, don't be afraid, it's me Edward. I met you earlier, remember"?
Her hand fluttered over her chest. "Lord above Edward, you startled me. What are you doing here"?
He could barely speak to answer her. She was so lovely and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She had taken off that silly waitress apron and brushed out her long hair. Could she be any more natural and pretty?
"I didn't mean to scare you. The sign said open so I came in. I heard you singing again, Sissy. You sing like an angel".
She blushed, a beautiful pink stain spreading over her cheeks and forehead.
Sweet Jesus, I need a drink. "Sissy, do you think I could get a beer"?
"Oh! Oh my goodness, where are my manners? I'll get us both one".
They sat in a booth and sipped their longnecks.
"Edward, why did you come back"?
"I told you, I like your voice. I do a little singing myself, and I thought we could talk about music and maybe even sing together, that's all".
"Edward, do you really like old soul and R & B music"?
"Hell, yes. It's my favorite, why"?
"Want to see my collection"?
"What, you keep it here, at your job"?
"Just let me lock up, and then follow me," Sissy told him.
Authors Note: Wonder what she's got going on?
A ghost of a hint of citrus in the next chapter. I hope you're intrigued by this little story...