Love in Transition part 1

            John Trect walked down Oak Street in the city of Dark City. Despite being named after a tree, Oak street had no trees anywhere near it. Dark City was actually built over a forest called the Dark Forest. So maybe the people who named the streets were trying to honor the forest that once stood tall in this land, or maybe the name was intended to mock the destroyed forest.

            John was wore dark gray dress pants, a dark gray vest buttoned up, a crisp white button up dress shirt and black dress shoes. His thick black hair was styled back in an attempt to control his unruly locks. John had a new job as a pianist at the Black Cat club. The Black Cat was a favorite club, bar and lounge in the downtown area.

            It was eight o’clock at night when John opened the heavy wooden door to the club. The door was made of dark gray and brown, sturdy wood with black iron overlay and a heavy deadbolt on the inside of the door. John wondered what kind of people would need a door like that but his thoughts quickly changed as the door slammed shut behind him from its own weight and the subtle slant in the floor.

            Inside the Black Cat club was elegant but dark, with a single corridor at the entrance that was only six feet wide and covered with dark purple wallpaper and black lace draped from the ceiling. The corridor went forward ten feet then opened into the large main room.  The main room had a bar area to the left, bathrooms and coat check counter to the right and straight ahead were rows of seats and in front of the seats was a stage.

            John walked over to the bar, the bar was made a polished wood with a deep auburn color. The bartender wasn’t there so John decided to wait. He wasn’t sure who to talk to before he set up for the night and hoped to get a drink as well. He leaned his weight against the bar as he drummed his knuckles across the counter top. The sound of his knuckles hitting against the wooden bar echoed in the empty club.

            A woman approached from the backstage and entered onto stage. Her walk was graceful but purposeful. Her face was beautiful and pale and her eyes were an emerald green and staring at John with an annoyed look. This breathtaking redheaded woman noticed John and her first impression of him was annoyance.

            “I hope your piano playing sounds better than your noisy first impression you were going for out here” Said the woman. John froze and nervously smiled. “how did you know I was the piano player? Maybe I am just a patron waiting to be served” John said, trying to regain his confidence. The redhead gave a sharp look before replying “All the patrons know we don’t open till midnight. So do you have a name?” Asked the woman.

            John stood up straight and gave a warm smile as if to make a second, first impression. “My name is John, a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?” John asked. The woman’s expression softened “Alyssa, nice to meet you”

            “Alyssa” That was the first time John had met her and her name would always ring in his mind, her voice carrying each syllable across his ears like a melody.

Transition

            John sat back in his wooden chair, the chair was sturdy, functional but also looked nice, with the smooth finish and rounded backing. John was wearing a button up white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a dark gray vest and matching pants and black dress shoes that had been scuffed. John pushed back a handful of thick black hair from his face as he stared awe struck by a beautiful woman singing a sad song. The woman had vibrant red hair, skin as pale as milk and a shimmering golden dress. Spotlights shined down on her and the shiny parts of the dress reflected light back out into the darkness of the crowd. She looked like an angel or an ascended being too pure for this world.

            John leaned back in his chair and let the music wash over him. John had a sad smile across his face as he enjoyed himself but couldn’t help but let the music effect his heart.

            Every note and word that escaped the songstress’ lips sounded like they came from the pain she felt deep in her soul. She sang with every once of her being and John felt it.

            The whole audience was struck silent by her powerful performance but it was John who was personally affected. He and the songstress were lovers and any pain she felt would echo in his heart as well. “Alyssa” John muttered as he leaned forward in his seat.

            The song played on, the band providing wings to let the songstress’ words soar The words and music touched the hearts of all who heard it and every night the club was packed with people who wanted to hear more.

            Then just as the song reached its high the songstress let loose with everything she had, she sang her heart and soul out and the crowd went wild. That moment cracked like lightning through the earth and then faded like a passing storm only the low rumblings of a distant thunder could be heard until it was over and sound gave way to silence.

            The audience was awed by the music and several seconds of silence lingered in the air before the people regained their senses and cheered like mad. The songstress bowed and gave a sweet smile. The curtains closed and everything stopped.

            John sat in his chair and tears began to trickle down his face. He slowly lifted his hand and gently placed it on the mouse on his computer desk. He moved the mouse over to the replay button and clicked it. The whole scene began to play again. John lifted his glass of whiskey and ice and took a long sip before setting it back down.

            The songstress, the club and the audience were all real and John was even there to experience it in person, but years had passed since that day and now the recording of that day was all John had left of his beautiful songstress Alyssa.

            The world moved on without the once beloved songstress but John still couldn’t. He listened to his love sing again and again as he played the video for the thousandth time. John sat back in his chair and let the music wash over him.