Blues

Blues

Drumsticks padded softly against leather like stardust sprinkling down upon the midnight earth. The violin echoed the gentle night breeze, and the piano could have lulled the moon to sleep.

But it was the voice that was truly amazing; it was the voice that people came to hear. The Silver Fox was filled to the brim with an audience anxious to see Jamie Fox's last performance. Tomorrow, she would put away her microphone and her sequined dresses.

As she gazed out into the audience, her ebony hair shone under the dim mood lighting, and her chocolate colored skin seemed ready to melt. Adrenaline raced through her veins, and yet she felt strangely tranquil.

She'd always loved the atmosphere of the huge brownstone on Ninth. There was just something about it that made her feel safe, peaceful, loved.

That was back when she still had money. She'd bargained with the owners of the building to sell it to her cheap. She reasoned that once the nightclub was under way, they'd always be welcome for drinks.

The keys of the piano chimed softly, echoing Jamie's every breath, under the fingertips of Theo Scott. Wistfully, he keyed the melody of My Heart Speaks to Your Soul," Jamie's big hit. They'd had some good times at the Silver Fox, he and Jamie.

Sure, it'd been hard to work together those first few nights after they'd been together, but they'd bounced right back.

And when she told him she was pregnant...

Stop that, he told himself. You just can't think about that anymore. She's gone, and she ain't comin' back. She's gone forever...

That night with Jamie had been the best night of his life. But now it had been reduced to a painful, lonely memory at best, after the baby...

Jamie caught him looking at her, with the same nostalgia she herself had been feeling. She stared at Theo for a long moment, then shook herself out of her reverie.

She winked at Theo, smiled at him, and turned back to the audience. The lights had begun to fade dangerously low in anticipation of her final verse. She couldn't even make out the people in the front row now. Life seemed a blur.

And the last I saw of you,

You took my heart with you.

My heart speaks to your soul,

The pieces of my broken heart

Make you once again whole.


The lights faded into darkness, and Jamie remained alone, peaceful, on stage, remembering a love lost and a life ended before it could start.

"Jamie," It was Theo. Jamie opened her eyes. "Show's over."
"Of course, Theo. I'll just get my things and then I'll go." Theo smiled kindly, his brown eyes alight.

The room suddenly filled with the noise of the last of the audience members still shuffling their way out the door.

Jamie didn't look back but stopped just once to pick up a book of matches with the words, "Silver Fox: One Three Six Ninth Street" printed on it. She closed the door behind her.

*This story was inspired by a painting called Enchanting Keys by Monica Stewart.