Page 48 of The River in Spring
“We will be on the floor by the fourth singer! Let’s do every other song. Or third one,” the voice of reason says.
“You’re right, Aurora. Okay, every third song. Because once this gets going, we could be singing for hours.”
My woman has faith in her ideas. I reach for one of the tequila bottles on the coffee table and pour myself a shot of liquid courage. Dad lifts his and Mom’s glasses and I fill theirs too.
“To my family. Glad I landed in your world.”
There are toasts all around, and once again the two teenagers are bummed with their Cokes. My father rises and makes his way to the karaoke machine and microphone.
“Testing, one, two, three.”
“What are you going to sing, Grandpa?” Teddy asks.
“Teddy, my first selection…”
He’s interrupted by the rooms’ reactions. Laughter mostly.
“First? How many are you going to delight us with tonight?” Aargon says.
“As many as you request, son. I don’t really see the night ending early.”
The tequila is downed, and he clears his throat.
“As I was saying, my first choice is a song that has meant so much to me over the years. I think we should start with a love song. You will know it too and I encourage anyone who does to sing along. Don’t be embarrassed that I happen to be a better singer than any of you.”
He eyes Dove and rethinks his last comment. “With one exception that is.”
“Thank you, Gaston.”
“Hey, what about us?” Sam says loudly.
“Yeah! We both sing in our band.”
“Okay, okay. I’m the best singer with the exception of Dove, Sam, and Teddy. But that’s it.”
“Mom’s got a pretty voice,” Scarlett adds.
“Jesus, people! I guess you are all better than me. Just shut the hell up and enjoy the performance!”
We are laughing so hard and the singing hasn’t started yet. A nod from my dad signals Dove to play the chosen song. “Brick House” begins to the screams of laughter from the audience.
“Love song?” Sam says.
“Most definitely. I hear ya, Dad!” Van calls between the beat.
Watching my parents groove to their generation’s music is something great. I don’t know how they did it, but my father still sees my mother as that young woman he wanted to sleep with. And she sees him as the sexy bohemian artist with a cut body. For them, things have not changed.
We all know the words to the Commodores’ classic seventies song. Parish and Scarlett are dancing with their drums and Teddy and Sam accompany on guitar. Whether the woman in the song is mighty mighty or letting it all hang out, everyone here can identify with the image. Even the kids. I think back to when I was sixteen and wanting to lose my virginity.
As the tune ends, my mother rises and wraps her arms around the singer, who is happy to oblige.
“That was great, Gaston! Let’s give our first performer a big round of applause!” Dove says clapping.
“I’ll go next. I can’t be any worse than the last guy,” Van says.
“That’s gratitude for you. I taught you how to piss remember.”
Sam and Teddy find that very funny.
