Things We Lost In the Fire

Tell Me Who You Really Are

"Is that so Spud?"

"Yep, a melody formed in my mind the moment I saw you but it's no where near complete. You see knowing a person is like music, what attracts us to them is their melody, and as we get to know who they are we learn their lyrics."

"That was...deep," I was almost left speechless,"So basically, the more you learn about a person the more meaningful the lyrics are?"

"Exactly, so in the meantime what would you like to hear?"

"Hmm, will you play The Ladder for me?". In response he began playing and singing it for me. I couldn't help but feel moved by his live rendition of one of my favorites. As the song came to a close he glanced at me and took notice of that. As I applauded him he asked, "Was it that bad?"

I was confused by what he meant until i felt a faint wetness on my cheek. I hadn't even realized. As he wiped the single tear away with his index finger I reassured him, "Oh no, it was beautiful. I'm sorry I didn't mean to get so into it."

"You have nothing to apologize for. Is that your favorite of mine?"

"Top five," i said with a light chuckle, "I don't know that song just always does something to me, I can't describe it."

"Are you religious?", coming from him that question didn't really catch me off guard.

"Define religious. I mean I believe in God, occasionally read the bible, and I pray every night, but by some peoples standards I don't think I am considered religious." I nervously laughed.

"Well by my standards you're considered religious."

"Thats good to know. Trust me you're one of the few. Hell, according to several people in my family and people at my Grandfather's church I'm just one big sinner. Thats why I haven't been to church in foreverrrr." The look on his face told me he wanted me to elaborate but I remained quiet.

"We're all sinners, but the most important thing is that you ask for forgiveness."

"Which I've done already. But these last couple of years have definitely tried my faith. At times I've found myself questioning the man above. Asking him why would he allow certain things to happen. But after all that, I still believe."

"What happened?"

"Thats such a long story."

"Well that's a story I'd be interested in reading." I couldn't help but smile at his persistence.

"Another time. But I'm ready to continue on with the tour, this conversation has gotten a little too deep for me." As he rose up from the piano bench he grabbed my hand and led me out of the studio.

As we leisurely strolled down the hall, we both took turns exchanging jokes and stories. "....so as the pitbull sprinted our way, I was so shocked that I just stood there while my cousins and siblings took off and jumped the fence leaving me to get slaughtered by the dog!".

"But did you die?"

"No! the dog ran right past me after them, but i still could've got hurt! Man my grandpa was so pissed he tore their butts up with his belt for leaving me behind!"

"Aww poor baby." As we tried to recover from our uncontrollable laughing, I thought of another childhood memory to tell him.

"Oh! You're going to love the story about the time I—", interrupting my train of thought was the screeching sound of the intercom coming on. "BOSS, MAYTE IS ON LINE ONE FOR YOU. MAYTE IS ON LINE ONE."

His facial expression morphed into a genuine apologetic look, 'I'm sorry I have to go take that really quick. Come on, I'll take you back upstairs."