Each month we hold a writing contest for our members, by our members. Writers are given parameters, such as a word count and/or a prompt. Entries are judged and discussed blindly. For February, writers had to compose a story which incorporated a romantic theme in a first-date situation.
A Song for Travis
by Chris Vannes
Halfway through open mic night; only two more slots before Laurel’s turn but Travis
isn’t here yet. It’s more crowded than usual. Kid in a Pokemon T-shirt wails a Lumineers
tune off-key. Nearby a divorcee Stevie Nicks wannabe in a flowered headscarf paces
nervously, waiting her turn; ten bucks says she’s gonna sing “Landslide.” The heartbreak
song cliche to rule them all, ugh.
Tonight’s other performers are clustered on the one good couch or around the
rickety table, nursing six-dollar lattes, either freaking out because they haven’t played
yet or sulking because they have.
Travis said he’d come. When she asked. Sure, he had kinda shrugged and shuffled his
feet. Because his friends were there. Gotta be cool. But he’d said it. “Yeah, okay.”
So Laurel wrote him a song. A good one, maybe her best, though it’s hard to be
objective about music even without two double cappuccinos and a healthy shot of
romantic tension. Practiced it all week. He’d better show up.
Visualize it: he’ll walk in the door just as she steps on stage. Freeze him in his tracks
with that perfect first line. He won’t be able to take his eyes off her. He’ll notice her.
Surprise—headscarf woman is butchering an Adele tune instead. God help us.
Suddenly it’s Laurel’s turn. The mic smells like burned coffee. Audience chattering,
oblivious. White noise blasts from the espresso machine.
Deep breath.
No Travis.
Dammit.
“Landslide” starts on a C chord, right?
