Page 80 of Tracing Holland

Oh it’s over now

Oh oh it’s over

You say you see me, but it’s just my shadow

I’m not waiting, just fading past the time you remember

I’m Forgotten Man, Nowhere Man

Light a candle before I’m gone.

I’ll run this race, it’s still my anthem

Past the shame, the pain is where I fight now

I’m a blaze, a fire, a final hour

Oh it’s not over

Oh oh it’s not

It’s never over”

Tyler glances up with a shy look as he finishes, and I lean back with an approving smile.

“Nice!That was great, man.You write a lot?”

He beams as he hands the guitar back to me.“Yeah.I mean, just for myself mostly.I fool around a little bit with some guys in the area, but we haven’t done anything other than play a couple bars.And honestly, they like to do covers more than originals for the most part anyway.”He laughs.“We actually cover one of yours all the time.”

I grin and cross my arms.“Really.Which song?”

“‘Suture.’”

My eyes widen as I stare at him in disbelief.“‘Suture?’No kidding.”

“Do I even know that one?”Holland chimes in, and I smirk.

“Probably not.That was from our first album.We didn’t even put it on the re-release.”

“You should have, man!That song is epic.”

“Yes.That’s what I said.But the Label was not having it.They already said we were too heavy for the mainstream when we signed, so that was it.”

“No way!That’s what I love about you guys!No bullshit.”

I grin and glance at Holland.“Hear that?No bullshit.”

She rolls her eyes.“Please.”

“What do you play in your band?”I ask, returning to Tyler.

“I lead, for the most part.Jack takes a couple of the songs, but I do the rest.”

I nod.“You in school or anything?”

He shakes his head.“No, well, not really.I’ve taken a couple classes at the community college, but my mom really needs me around.She hasn’t been doing well the last couple years.I’m trying to work as much as I can.”

He’s about to continue when the door opens and a stern man shadows the gap.We know he’s the manager from his tie and unfiltered glare.

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