Chapter 9

Pearl looked at the book Frank held out to her. It was the Bukowski book Rhys had been looking though. She smiled and placed it in the bag with the other books and thanked Frank. She headed to her car, still smiling from the interaction and how amazing her day was turning out to be. She continued with her errands, grabbing a quick late lunch and stopping for a few things she needed.

She made it to John's house at around 5 and he and the guys were already getting set up for practice. His basement wasn't the most glamorous but it worked perfectly for their rehearsal space. His wife Janie was incredibly understanding and supportive. She had met them both in college when Janie and John started dating and was so happy to see them still going strong. "Hey woman! Having a good day?" John asked. He and Janie had been her biggest supporters recently during her divorce and she was so grateful. "I'm good actually. Today is a good day so far and that's all I can ask for, one good day at a time, right?" Pearl replied, grabbing a beer from the basement fridge. John was their rhythm guitar player and also her acoustic partner. He was setting up his amp and their drummer, Blake flashed her a thumbs up as he finished setting up his drums. Blake was awesome. Tattooed from head to toe, He was young compared to the rest of the band at 21, but he was a ball of energy and enthusiasm and she really appreciated what he brought to it. Antonio, preferably Tony, their bass player, was sitting on the couch, scrolling his phone. He was also great, very laid back. He was 100% Italian from New York and looked the part with his dark hair and accent. Pearl was always calling him "boss" and quoting the Godfather to him. They had a great comedic camaraderie that she enjoyed. Their lead guitar player, Dylan, was a different story. He wasn't there yet, he had a habit of being late. He was stoic and quiet. Not like the usual lead guitar players she was used to. He gave her the impression he preferred male lead singers and was always short with her. He suggested a lot of male sung cover songs and really didn't say much when she would give them her lyrics she was working on or making suggestions. He seemed to almost avoid her as much as possible. They were a rock band, by most standards, but she liked to throw in slower songs, more lyrically in-depth and diverse sounding than just the basic rock genre. She wanted to reach people. People like her that have been or are currently in bad places. In pain. Hopeless. She loved the thought of being able to relate to them and make them feel that someone else understands. That's what music and poetry has always been to her. An outlet for the pain. A lifeline to hope. And the other guys seemed to dig her ideas but Dylan seemed indifferent most of the time or even bothered by her.

After they all got set up, still waiting on Dylan, they chatted a little about their upcoming gig. Pearl was thrilled and they started to get their song lineup put together. Finally Dylan arrived and rehearsal went off without a hitch. It felt good to sing and belt out words and energy with the guys. They picked up their stuff and Pearl went to the bathroom to get ready for her and John's acoustic gig that night at the local brewery. As she was walking out, she practically ran Dylan over making his way out of the basement. "Sorry, Dylan, I didn't see you there." Pearl said, obviously embarrassed. "All good" Dylan replied moving quickly away. He was also younger than her. She still wasn't sure his exact age but he hinted at his late 20s. He reminded her of a young Ethan Hawke. Tall and a little awkward. Medium length, straight dirty blonde/brown hair and a goatee. He was sexy in a sarcastic, quiet way. Unassuming. A bit of a drifter. John had met him one night while out with a few buddies having a beer after work and Pearl had an awkward evening with him once. They hadn't talked much since.

She was thankful for Dylan, he had worked it so John and Pearl could do acoustic sets sometimes at his brewery and it's where they were going to be tonight. It allowed her some extra cash here and there which every little bit helped. She and John and Janie packed up and headed out to the Fifth Street Brewpub in the city. It was a half hour drive and the food was amazing. Dylan worked as a brewer and bartender there. It was a great place for acoustic music. Pearl loved to sing stripped down versions of Heart and Fleetwood Mac as well as other artists that moved her. Tonight she was adding some others as well as some originals. She felt so alive when she was up singing. Not the shy, weird, pushed down woman she had been. No. On stage was when she could be free of all that.

After the first set, she went to the bar to get some water. Dylan was behind the bar and handed her a glass and told her she was sounding good tonight. "Ok" Pearl thought out loud. "That's a nice compliment coming from Mr. Moody Pants". She smiled and thanked him and headed to the table where John and Janie were seated. Tony said he and his girlfriend might come by later, too. Just then Blake and his buddy from another band he was in showed up. "Can't stay Pearly Pearl but I wanted to stop in and say hi and show some love before we have to meet some people. Plus we're starving" Blake said and sat down giving Janie a rambunctious hug. John and Pearl started the next set and Pearl was just beginning Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" when she looked at the door and saw him. The beautiful man from the bookstore, Rhys, walking in. His hair was tucked behind his ear and he glanced at the stage. "Just before our love got lost you said..."I am as constant as a northern star" and I said "constantly in the darkness? Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar....." Pearl sang as her heart raced. He slowly walked along the edge of the bar stools, his eyes never leaving Pearl while she sang. "Oh I could drink a case of you darlin, and I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet...." she felt him watching her. Did he recognize her? No. It was a brief meeting. No way should could forget him though, he was and still was quite literally the most beautiful man ever created. They played three more cover songs and then an original Pearl wrote during her marriage. It was about being lonely when you weren't alone. "Loneliness isn't always about being alone. I've been alone surrounded by seas of eyes and oceans of tears...." she began. He still watched her, intently. And he seemed saddened by the song. Affected. She never stopped watching him, either. They finished the set and as she approached the side of the bar and asked Dylan for another water, she turned and he was right beside her. "Hello, Pearl with the beautiful eyes. Not only a poetry lover, but also a poet I see." Rhys was close enough for her to smell the beer on his breath. "Indeed."

Pearl said. "I spent my entire life wanting to be the muse, but it didn't work out that way. So I became the poet instead." She looked directly in his eyes when she said it. Screw it, she thought. What did she have to lose. Why be shy and afraid? Why not be herself for once? Who cares what anyone thought anymore anyway.