Chapter 27

DORIS

I found myself standing in a rehearsal studio. The bandmates I hadn't seen in years came in, one after another. The reunion was surreal and emotional. We were all out of practice, but ready to make music once more.

I looked at Arthur, who I knew had to leave in a few minutes. I still had one last second where I couldn’t believe he had worked so hard to contact my old bandmates and rent this nice music studio.

I looked at Arthur. My heart was full of gratitude. "You did all this?" I asked again. "For me?"

A playful smile tugged at his lips. "For us, Doris. I want to see you shine, to witness the joy on your face as you reclaim your passion."

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to overflow. It was as if Arthur had unearthed a part of me that I had buried deep within, the part that craved the stage, the lights, and the music that had once defined me.

Overwhelmed with emotions, I embraced Arthur tightly, whispering against his chest, "Thank you. Thank you for bringing my dreams back to life."

For the next two weeks, rehearsals occupied a lot of my time. I still had three jobs to juggle and Noah to visit.

I began to feel like I was burning the candle at both ends.

I drank a lot of coffee.

The evening of the outdoor concert arrived. It was a little before sunset.

Our band would look wonderful against the backdrop of the changing colors in the sky and the New York City skyline.

The venue pulsed with anticipation.

We started with “Jessie’s Girl” but I changed the lyrics to “Mia’s Girl”.

It was an amazing experience getting the band back together and playing the perfect concert.

As the sun continued to set, I could see Mia’s excited face.

I saw Arthur’s proud expression.

He did this for me, to bring my dreams back.

The music flowed through me, igniting a fire that had smoldered for far too long.

With each note, I poured my heart into the lyrics, relishing the freedom that the music offered. The audience danced, and their cheers blended harmoniously with the melodies we created.

Arthur had brought back my dreams. A few news crews and YouTube and Tik Tok vloggers covered the show.

Basking in the resounding applause, I realized the Arthur had not only brought my dreams to life but had reminded me of who I truly was.

In the little backstage after the show, the band was high from the energy and emotional that the show was over.

“I want to be a professional singer just like Mommy,” Mia yelled.

I looked at Arthur, worried he wouldn’t like that idea.

"My wife is a professional singing voice lesson teacher," the guitarist said. "For kids under ten, she comes to their house so they don't have to travel. Not only does she teach how to sing but how to learn early how to be in a safe environment when they are ready to perform.”

Arthur looked relieved. “That sounds like a great idea.”

The limo took us straight back to the penthouse. We let Mia run around the penthouse to burn off her extra energy.

Arthur ordered a fancy meal from one of the best restaurants in New York City to be delivered to the penthouse, and we ate while Mia did most of the talking, hopefully not too much with her mouth full.

When we tucked Mia into bed that night, she seemed extra sweet when she kissed the framed photo.

She kissed my cheek.

“Thank you, Mommy.”

“You should thank your dad, too.”

Mia yawned. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“No problem. Anything for you, pumpkin.”

DORIS

"Doris, I want to drive you home myself," Arthur said.

“Uh…okay. That’s unusual.”

“It will be nice.”

“Okay.”

We rode the elevator all the way down to the large underground parking lot. I expected Arthur would take me in the fancy Rolls Royce, but instead, he directed me to a vintage Porsche. I was surprised.

“This is yours?”

He looked sheepish. "I bought it with the proceeds from my first big deal. A sign of my success maybe. I haven't driven it in a long time."

Arthur held the door for me, and I slid into the butter-soft, fine leather seats.

The engine roared to life, its sound enveloping us like a symphony of power and possibility. I fastened my seatbelt and glanced at Arthur, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Ever ridden in a Porsche?”

“No.”

“Ready for a little adventure?" he asked, a playful smirk on his face.

I chuckled, unable to resist his infectious enthusiasm. "Yes. Lead the way, Arthur."

He drove me to my apartment. I was about to get out when he said.

“How about we go for a nice drive? I don’t want this night to end. I know of a beautiful scenic road. It’s Sunday night, and there won’t be much traffic.”

He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Let’s head upstate,” Arthur said.

“Okay.”

The scenic ride unfolded before us, a tapestry of, I could barely see them in the dark, colored leaves, and subtly winding roads. Light raindrops danced on the windshield, but it looked like a bigger summer storm was coming.

The mist turned rain created a hypnotic rhythmic melody. It added to the surreal beauty and romance of the moment.

We talked about light topics and occasionally laughed, basking in the simplicity of the present.

I felt calm and relaxed, and a little exhausted after the outdoor concert. I leaned my chair back and closed my eyes.

I felt safe and warm, insulated from the slightly increasing storm.

The car screeched, going into a slight skid. I jolted awake, surprised, and screamed.

The Porsche's engine sputtered like a dying heartbeat. Arthur skillfully maneuvered the car to the side of the road, and it slid slightly even further to the side, into a grassy bank.

“Damn it.”

Arthur tried to get the car to sputter back to life, but his efforts were in vain.

The remote road became our temporary prison. Suddenly the rain turned to a heavy downpour, like God was taunting us.

“What happened?” I asked. “I mean, do you know what’s wrong with the car?” I asked.

Arthur shook his head. "I've spent the last few years focusing on business. I haven't learned about cars." He looked apologetic. "I probably should have taken more care of this car. Old Porsches are known to have problems sometimes."

I took out my phone. I didn’t have any receptions. “Figures,” I said.

"Let me try. I have an expensive company with a satellite relay for when I travel, and I usually have exceptional service."

Arthur reached for his phone. "I have service," he said, looking at me.

He made a call. "Uh-huh," he said into the phone. "Uh-huh. Uh-huh, yes. I understand," he said, frustration evident in his voice.

Arthur looked at me. "No tow trucks available until tomorrow morning," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.

“It’s Sunday night and we’re far away from any towns,” Arthur said. “There’s a big accident on the highway down state, and that nixes any chance of a tow, even in a few hours.

I sighed, looking out at the desolate landscape. "Looks like we're stuck here for the night."

There was an awkward moment.

“Doris, I’m sorry. I wanted this to be a romantic drive.”

I laughed. "It was, at least until I fell asleep."

“And I crashed the car.”

I laughed. "You didn't crash the car. You skillfully maneuvered it to the side of the road."

Arthur raised one eyebrow, saucily suggesting that perhaps the romance of the night wasn't ruined after all.

His teeth gleamed in the moonlight with his smile.