Freddie

FREDDIE

It's my third Friday in a row here at Foggy Goggles. I'm surprised I was invited back after my last run in. I thought for sure Journey would go to Butch and have him cut us from the schedule.

Journey has become so much more than just a girl I met in the bar. She's also not just a waitress. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on her. There was something about her. Her showmanship is evident in how she carries herself, as if she was trained for the stage. Better yet, born to be in front of an audience.

But I can clearly see something happened that took her confidence down a few notches, making her closed off. I heard that voice, and I knew it had to be her, but she became very angry when I questioned her.

Oh, the songs I could write for her, and us , if she'd only give me that chance. So how do I go about breaking her out of this? I need to know more about her. I need to know why she won't share her voice anymore. I need to know why she's stuck in this little bar that glorifies and promotes all of these other stars, when she should be the shiniest, biggest star of them all. But I need to tread lightly.

I also need to understand my own infatuation with her. Is it just because she's a fellow musician and she's beautiful? Or is there something more?

Walking in, I see the same girl who was here last week is sitting at the bar again. And I'm guessing this is the sister she was talking about. They look alike, beautiful and full of life.

I wander closer to the bar where her sister is sitting, keeping an eye on Journey as she moves around the floor, taking orders.

"Hey. , is it?"

I look her way. "Yeh. And ya are?"

"I'm Faith Honey."

I put my hand out. "Nice to meet ya, Ms. Honey."

"Listen, I'm not a groupie. I'm her older sister," she nods to Journey, "and I have some questions."

I look up as I hear Butch chuckle, and my shocked expression must give me away because he quickly settles his face, and grabs a bottle from under the bar. I watch as he pours Faith a full glass of wine, and I smile.

"Is that Sauvignon Blanc, by chance?"

Faith narrows her eyes, then raises a brow. "It is. You drink wine?"

"I do. It's what I ordered my first night here but was told this place ain't no winery." That same chuckle emerges from Butch and this time I join him in the laugh. "I'd love a glass if you have one to spare."

Butch doesn't say a word, just grabs a wine glass and slides it in front of me, popping the cork and filling it. "Savvy B, on the house."

I raise the glass in acknowledgment to Butch, then tap it with Faiths. "So what would y'all like to know, Faith?"

"What are your intentions?" She's quick to fire out questions. I'm guessing she's the older sister here.

I laugh at her question. "This feels like something Butch should be askin'."

"Do you see me laughing, ?" I clear my throat, taking a bigger sip of the wine and shake my head as she continues. "No, I'm asking what your intentions with this bar are. With your music. Your future. I'm not asking anything about my sister. Yet. "

I swallow hard. "That's a difficult question."

"It shouldn't be."

"But it is, all the same." I can feel Butch's eyes burning into the side of my head. I won't look his way. I need to hold my own with Faith right now. "My intention is to bring as much attention to my band as possible. My intention is to get them noticed, get me noticed and maybe become part of the one percent of the bands that come through this bar to make it further than just this city."

She watches me without saying a word so I continue.

"I'm also very much aware that one percent of one million is a tiny number and I shouldn't overlook other parts of my life that may be showing priority."

"What parts would those be?"

I shrug. "It could be anything. It could be meeting someone that offers me a musical job. Maybe a teacher. Maybe a songwriter behind the scenes. Maybe it's just meetin' a bar owner that looks to have a standing gig on weekends." I swirl my drink on the bar before taking another gulp. "Or maybe it's meeting someone who changes everything I imagined for myself."

Faith whistles. "You're awfully young to have such an old soul."

"Ain't that what music does to us? Ages us, gives us wisdom. Exposes us, givin' us words to feelings we don't know how to express?"

Her smile slowly spreads across her face and her eyes dance between Butch and myself.

"Don't ya have a band to manage, Fred?" Butch grumps out.

I hold my eyes with Faith and finish my wine in one gulp. "I won't disappoint, boss." Her lips twitch but I don't stick around to hear the remaining conversation.