After a long time of bedroom discussion, the three of us reunite with Ross, this time with my guitar, box drum, and songbook. Cana and I step on the stage while Mist carries the book.
“Cana’s playing with?” Ross asks.
“Yes,” Mist cuts in. “She insisted while Jyra was teaching.”
I chuckle, “you can sing or dance if you want to.”
“I’d rather watch Ross stare at his notebook than do that.”
“Ow,” Ross jokes. “Right in the don’t care bone. Will it just be you two on stage?”
“Nah,” Fareed answers. “Some of the waitresses will be up there as back-up singers n’ dancing.”
“Wow, won’t you need wait staff? Some are dancing and the whole nose-dive in business would leave you with less willing workers.”
“If you’re not onstage you could be a waiter for the night,” I offer.
“I could, I’d just be a really bad one,” Ross chirps back.
“C’mon, all you need to do is put on the customer service smile,” I laugh. “Fareed and Elena can show you the ropes of the wait staff subtle flirt.”
He gives me a blank stare, “flirting is the worst thing I could do.”
Fareed startles Ross by sliding a shot of cider right to his hand, “think of it more like acting.”
Elena, who was setting up tables, flicks a menu on the final table, “it’s a simple skill to learn really.”
Ross looks at me, I shrug with a smile. Whelp, I hope he learns some Extrovert 101.
“Mist, lemme see the book real quick,” I hold my hand out towards the cat-girl.
She hands me the songbook, I read the song swiftly before nodding for Cana to sit on the box drum.
“Okay, I want you to hit the drum to the song this first time then we’ll go from there .”
“Okie, the top is snare right?”
“If you hit the top edge it is a snare, yes.”
“Okay, continue.”
I play the song lightly and without lyrics, only breathlessly humming them. I finish, critique Cana, and repeat until the blonde is drumming almost mindlessly.
I look about for a minute, setting my guitar back on its stand. Sooner or later, old patrons and one-time customers start filing in, not as much as during Eldric’s reign, but still some. I nod to the girls, Cana nods back while Mist slides out of view.
I turn my attention away as I hear the elderly voice of one of my favorite patrons. “Jyra, back from your trip I see.”
“That indeed, Mama Lonnie,” I smile. “I hope you’re ready for my newest masterpiece.”
The old woman laughs, “even after I retired you still call me that. Who’re those young ladies? I don’t believe I’ve seen them before.”
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“I met them on my trip back, and no, I don’t think of them like that.”
Lonnie laughs again, “you know me too well.”
“That I do, how’s your sisters?” I ask, causing her to rant about the past few weeks until her son and other relatives arrive. I take their order and head to the back, where Fareed just finished up with Ross. I give him the order and walk out again, after a while of taking orders, it finally comes time for the music.
I stall in the back of the bar with Cana until I sense a stillness. We walk out, Cana to her drum and myself to my guitar. I clear my throat and play our classic inn theme, Cana playing the beat with a spin of her own. I draw out a small guitar solo before finishing it off.
“If you’ve been here recently, you should know that our old innkeeper, Eldric, died last week. I, as his claimed son, am his heir as innkeeper. But besides the point, it’s only natural to play a song for his passing.” I announce and glance at Cana, she takes the signal and I start strumming.
“Weak with exhaustion I pray,
Why did He take part of me away?
Energy has gone, fatigue is here to stay.
Until I see your light,
Weariness takes flight.
As I realize,
Your love for me was right.
You’re here for me,
Now I can see.
You’re here for me,
But from four to three
We’ll never be again.
Blood nor bone
May share your home,
But you’ll never be alone.
‘Cause life’s to large,
Not to see your heart
Longing for another in your arms.
You’re here for me,
Now I can see.
You’re here for me,
But from four to three
We’ll never be again.
Maybe I’d gone too far,
Beyond my callings.
But before too long, I’ll see your face again.
I hope you find my song,
Along upon the stars.
Until we meet again.”
Silence falls as I exhale the last words, I chant internally, don’t cry, don't cry, don't cry as I look up. Mama Lonnie and every old patron was left astonished, weeping, or close to it. I wallow in the silence for a moment, Lonnie starts slowly clapping, followed by the rest of the patrons before everyone in the inn was clapping. I feel my chest throb and eyes well up, in a quick motion I lower my head, wipe my tears, and raise a weak smile.
“Any requests?”
I finish off the last chord of Dirt Man and bow offstage with Cana on my heels. I tell her to be in the back for the meantime and signal Fareed and Elena to an out-of-the-way corner.
“That song was beautiful, it’s okay if you need to rest,” Elena starts.
“I’m fine, I just think I should move myself into Eld’s old space. Since I assume his death n’ all makes me the new innkeep.”
“Do you want me to help you move in?” Fareed asks.
“Nah. I’ll do it in the morning. Could you two man the place and tell the others they’re okay to head to bed? I’ll just be in my room.” The two nod and return to their posts.
I start walking and end running to my room. I pause just before I spring onto my bed, cautiously, I observe the white envelope with “JYRASCK YOLIHO” in stiff ink letters. I pick it up, turning it around in my hands, the other side reads in smaller letters “YOLIHO INN”.
Is this the letter they were talking about when we first came back? My lip quivers slightly as I rub my finger across the stamp, contemplating whether or not to open it.
I hold it out in front of me, where did it even come from? I sigh, placid git down on my nightstand. Maybe later.