Buried with other things in the garage, parts of my drum set. Haven’t seen it for a long time.
There it is, beckoning me for a revival of some sort. Play me. Hey, why not? I wasn’t too bad on these a few years back. In an avant-garde sort of way. I was a musician on my way, and I thought it best to be somewhat outside the box. Different.
Self assurances not only reminded me of my ability to play drums but, carry a tune, and sing as well. Why didn’t I pursue a career? I still remember the smiles I provoked as far back as high school. I’d be done, look up, across a sea of smiles.
I’m always breaking in to a song on the two way, at work. It feels good to sing, and it felt good to move the sticks across the drums.
As I began to get used to the sticks, again, I added some volume, and really let loose. This was fun! Maybe I’ll be a late bloomer in show-biz, ready to solo, anywhere! The energy was gaining on me.
Bet the family was in to it. Surprised but, in to it! More vibrant energy, and I was really moving! Yes, I could! I could become a sho-biz drummer, singer, actor….anything, I wanted! The energy would be eclipsed by, nothing. There wasn’t anyone or, anything that could eclipse this monumental energy!
The energy, and enthusiasm was mounting, ready for higher levels,and then…….
Click! Click? Yes, click! Remember that energy that could never be eclipsed? It was. I couldn’t move. With one click. My wife had attached handcuffs, linking my hands to the chair posts. How did she do that so quick? Where? Wait a second…..
Hand cuffs? Would you believe, from a toy set dating back quite a few years. Really, yes, kid’s toys.
My wife hand-friggin’-cuffed me? With a toy? Why? I wasn’t so bad at this. I was mystified. Why? She leaves, telling me to calm down, and further verbally accosting my talent as well as my life as I might know, and appreciate having it.
I know I once provoked an audience of smiles, and I needed some consolation. I knew where I could get some consolation. Called a friend of mine who would remember those great days when I rocked! He could be mystified with me as I told him of this incident. I also told him of some complaints about my singing on the two-way, at work.
‘Do you remember looking down a lot as you were doing whatever it is you did?’ Sure I remembered as my friend re-capped those times, and the smiles. I told him via the long distance phone chat that, I did remember the smiles. He said, ‘Your concentration was great!’ Of course it was. I was so focused on the music. He did remember.
‘Dave……….you have to understand.’ Understand, what? Go ahead, I understand. I was ready to receive the admiration, the back-up support I was so severely needing. Go for it, I’m with you. ‘Dave, you really have to try to understand, your drumming was not avant-garde….you were really just, off beat..’ There was more. ‘Your singing? We were laughing. You were, and have always been tone deaf!. We thought you were seriously pursuing a comedy routine.’ That’s why, you saw smiles when you finally looked up.
The puncture was deep. Just to verify, in case something was wrong, and this was not a conspiracy between my wife, and friend, I asked for his last name. It was him.
One phone call, verified, and my show business career was void, and otherwise nullified.
Since this incident, we have donated a garage full of items to a charity.
Drums gone, marriage has been repaired, and in tact. Only the very best of friends will tell you the truth, and remain your best friend.
I guess, if you love something, as I do music, you have to know when it’s best to leave it, alone, and not give it a bad name.
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