On The Court

We go back in the metro station and have a usual evening. We're just getting ready to go to sleep. I lay on the bench, beside Clara and close my eyes. Tomorrow would be a great day. I was obviously stressed about my business proposition, because the man I saw last time didn't look very sure about my talent. I didn't tell Clara exactly why I was absent for so long two weeks ago. I had to sleep near the guitar shop and talent recruiter. Four nights after, I was chosen. Tomorrow would be the day while which I would now if I'd have to stay on the streets for long. After the agent recruited you, it didn't seem long before you got a job. I went to sleep.

***

I woke Clara up before going to the appointment. It wasn't far away from our usual spot. I walked in direction of the building I could see, now. I tried to calm myself down, but how is it possible to calm down when your possibility of good life is a stake? It's practically impossible. I pulled the door and came in. I didn't have the money to buy a guitar, obviously, but the man let me borrow his last time. A tall blond-haired woman came in an called my name.

"You can follow me." she said, looking at the couple people in the waiting room.

We entered a room full of guitars and the man got me one.

"You probably remember Nick. The manager and agent of the store." the woman asked.

We smiled at each other and shook hands. He gave me his guitar and asked me to do some basic accords on the guitar. I learned how to make them when I was seven years old. Then he asked me to sing too. I loved singing. My parents, before they died, always said I had it in my blood. The man seemed impressed by my capacities. He made me a sign to stop me.

"I'm not going to lie, Andy. How you sing and play is amazing. It looks so easy to do both at the same time. Some great musicians take years to get it right, but you did it just now. So here's what I'm going to make you do. I'm going to give you a partition and I want you to learn it by heart with the guitar in three weeks. Then I'll see you here at seven in the morning for an appointment. Okay?" he asked

"But, I don't have a guitar. I don't have money for it." I said.

I told him about my economic precarious conditions. I thought I made it clear.

"Yes, you have a guitar." he said, with a convinced voice.

"But, no... I can't afford it, I live on the street, don't you know it?" I asked him.

"You do have a guitar, I know you can't afford it, but it's in your hands right now." he told me.

"What? That's your guitar. I can't accept it." I gave him the guitar back.

"I insist. You know, all those guitars are mine." he said pointing all around the store.

"Are you sure? I don't want to..." I asked.

"Yes I'm sure. Take it and tell Catherine I gave it to you." he said.

"Okay then. Thank you so much. See you in three weeks." I smiled and left.

I went back in the waiting room and told Catherine.

"Nick told me to tell you he gave me his guitar." I looked at her.

"So you must be Andy?" she asked.

"Yes..." I said hesitantly.

"Then take this. Nick told me it'd be nice from us to help you. Get in the building next door and turn two times to your right. There're showers there." she smiled at me and gave me a little card.

"But... That's a gym card?" I asked.

She made an agreeing sign with her head.

"Thank you for having confidence in me. It's so nice from you." I told her before going.

I opened the door but turned back and asked her:

"Are Nick and you..." I started.

"Yes, of course. He's my husband since twelve years now." she smiled and laughed a little.

I went out, walked a little and pulled the gym door. I asked the receptionist for shampoo and soap and told me it was five bucks. I had enough. She gave it to me and I did the walk Catherine told me to do. Two time to the right. I found the showers and took a long one. It had been so long I couldn't take one. I washed my hair and smelled good for the first time in years.