My Bedroom The violin was on the floor. A classic song played on the radio on the floor next to my bed. I was lying on the bed facing the ceiling.
My eyes were wide open, but I wasn't physically there. My soul was traveling through the song that was playing on the radio.
My mother entered the room without knocking because the door was already open.
She stayed at the doorstep a moment before she approached me.
She bent down to turn the volume down and sat next to me on the bed.
"I heard you didn't win. I know how you feel. But remember, that doesn't mean you should give up for that," she said to me.
I looked at her without saying a word. After all, I didn't know what to say. She picked up the violin and handed it to me.
"Do you know what it takes to be the best? It takes practice, self-belief, and insistence. What do you think if you and I start practicing together? We'll start working twice as hard. I'll accompany you on the piano."
I sat up on the bed with strength.
"Ma-"
"You don't have to pay me," she said jokingly. She wanted to smile, but she hid it.
"What about your painting?"
"Don't worry about that. I am your mother. And you count first, and everything else comes after."
"Thanks, Mom." I hugged her.
Downstairs, we could hear that someone had just came home and said, "Honey, I am home." It was Giani.
"Oh gosh, here he comes," my mother said, hiding behind the door.
Blue Bar A rock song blasted. I stood quietly next to Patrick, watching Reggie and Jack shoot pool. As usual, we all had a beer bottle.
Patrick tried to tell me something, but the music was playing so loud that I couldn't hear what he was saying.
I didn't feel the rhythm and joy to be there that Friday night.
I decided to go with the guys because this was kind of a commitment we had and what we always did on Friday night after work. Went to Blue Bar, played billiards, and drank all night until we threw up all we got in our stomachs. We loved it!
Meanwhile Reggie made a great shot.
"Yeah! I'm so damn good," he yelled, teasing Jack. "Sucker."
I couldn't pretend anymore to be laid back just to please my friends. I didn't want to be there. I had to leave.
I left with anger without letting the guys know. I heard Jack said, "I thought he was over this shit."
