Interlude

“One Night Only” The outside banner displayed

There were no Bouncers at the door

No fees to be paid

Just an open access

I thought, of course, there was no need for these things

Being as ramshackle as this building was

Upon entry

The smell of incense quickly caught my attention

Then noticed the many patrons sat about their tables

The lights were faded and the jazz band had only begun their first set.

The atmosphere was a far cry from its exterior

Everyone wore a smile

Everyone in tuned with the other

Feeding off an endless vibe

I felt like an outsider

Intruding on a natural selection of minds

Occupying a space in this world reserved for them only

Yet still, I took a seat at a corner table

Ensuring I am able to grasp the many happenings around me

“A Drink Sir?” the waitress asked

I was not aware of her approaching or how long she stood there

“Nothing for now. Thank you” I responded

She nodded, smiled and walked away

To my left another visitor takes his seat

Orders a glass of whiskey and proceeds to inhale on his cigar

The smoke lazily drifts to the band and their mellow mood

Who continued to entertain

There was an interlude

The ambiance slowly dimmed until the only light was cast on the stage

Subtly in the background a piano begins to play

The pianist was not in sight

Chords of their own accord

The clutter of chatter fades

A soft female voice comes through the microphone

The ballad was of her life

The night is electrified

My companion no longer puffed away at his cigar

As he too was lost in wonder

Her tale seemed a story waiting to be told

With her heartfelt lyrics and alliterated verses

“No matter the mountains or valleys I would cross them to save you.

Through the darkest shades of grey I would be there to guide you…”

As she stood there

I hung on ever lyric; lost within her words

Listening keenly to her tale of a love found ultimately to be lost

But her undying belief that one day she would be happy once more

Her attention turned to my direction and that brief moment our eyes connected

I felt for her and understood her pain

That brief moment our eyes connected

I wanted to protect her; I wanted to be her shelter

Until I was yanked back to reality with claps and a finger snaps

Unaware that I had tuned out

As the jazz band commenced once more

While with a smile to her admirers she made her way off stage

Yet I patiently sat in my corner waiting on another interlude.