The Meeting

To Be Expected

"Hey." I tried to keep my tone positive.
"Hi Al, eh - Alex. Thought you might need a shoulder."
"Nothing anyone can do, just wait for it to die down really." I sighed.
"What happened?"
"I just didn't want to sing, I don't have any songs."
"You have many songs." She chuckled.
"None of them feel honest anymore."
"They were honest at the time, that's what counts."
"They still -"
"Theo! Get down off the bench!" Leah interrupted, making me chuckle but ruining the moment I was trying to create.

Leah let me speak to the kids, knowing they were what I needed right now but not realising that she was too. Just the sound of her voice in the background was bringing me a comfort that no other person could bring, almost making me feel like I was back home with them, together. As bedtime approached, I had to hang up the phone, one of the things that had become my most hated moments, the other two being waving them goodbye when they left for their stay with Leah, and watching as Leah gave me that little smile as she got into the car along with them. Just the sheer sound of Leah's voice was enough to make me call Lydia, to fix this mess that had been created.

"Tell them I'll do it, tell them I'll sing. I have the song, tell the band I'll send them the music." I said bluntly.
"You're sure, Al? You have nothing to prove to these people." Lydia said comfortingly.
"I know. I have everything to prove to my family though, Lyds. Everything."

Just two days later, I was introduced to the stage, watching as the lights dimmed from the interview spot, lighting up the stage in a a red and white haze that I had selected to send a message to the person I knew would be watching from home with tears in her eyes.

I fell by the wayside like everyone else
I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, but I was just kidding myself
Our every moment, I start to replace
'Cause now that they're gone, all I hear are the words that I needed to say
When you hurt under the surface
Like troubled water running cold
Well, time can heal, but this won't
So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go
Was never the right time, whenever you called
Went little by little by little until there was nothing at all
Our every moment, I start to replay
But all I can think about is seeing that look on your face
When you hurt under the surface
Like troubled water running cold
Well, time can heal, but this won't
So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go
Would we be better off by now
If I'd have let my walls come down?
Maybe, I guess we'll never know
You know, you know
Before you go, was there something I could've said to make your heart beat better?
If only I'd have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go, was there something I could've said to make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go

I nodded my head gently, a smile escaping my lips as the crowd began to cheer and echo around the room. Jonathan called me over to the sofas, congratulating me on another incredible performance. Production had already been prepped that I had selected questions I wouldn't answer, which mostly consisted of questions about my parents, and about Leah. Instead, for his final question he opted to ask a simple one.

"That new song, what inspired you to write it?"
"The belief that sometimes you can become so wrapped up in your own hurt, frustration and anger that you don't realise someone else is simply hurting too."
"Congratulations, Alex. Another unbelievable tune."