The Singer

Janet bustled off, and a few minutes later came back to my table with a tray of drinks and sandwiches.


"She’s drinking a club soda, so that’ll be two-seventy-five."


I gave her a five, and said, "you won’t forget to tell her I think she’s great, will you?"


"Nope. Here’s your change."


"You keep it for doing me this favor."


Janet grinned, picked up her tray and hurried off. I saw her say something to Jesse as she put the glass of club soda on the table. Jesse turned in the direction Janet was pointing and smiled when she saw me. I could not believe my eyes when she picked up the glass and started for my table, but before I could blink twice, there she was, standing in front of me. Even her voice was sensuous.


"Aren’t you going to ask me to sit down?"


"Oh…sorry, I’m just surprised that you came over. Yes, please, would you join me?"


"I will if you tell me who I’m joining."


"Oh…yeah. I’m Jeff…Jeff Wayne."


"Well, Jeff, I’m Jesse Fitzgerald. Thank you for the drink."


Her smile was intoxicating, and I couldn’t look away. Then the smile disappeared.


"Am I that bad close up?"


"No, I…I just…well, you sing so well, and up close, you’re a very beautiful woman."


She smiled again. "It sounds like you’re trying to pick me up…not that I’d mind that. Doesn’t happen very often anymore."


"I wasn’t trying to -"


"You don’t have to come up with some explanation I’m not gonna believe anyway. I got over being upset at men picking up younger girls after I turned forty."


"Well, I bought you the drink because of your voice. You have to have a CD or two out, don’t you? A woman with a voice like yours must be recorded by somebody."


Jesse laughed. "Where were you twenty-five years ago? I could have used a fan or two then. Yes, I came to Nashville to get rich and famous. What I got was broke and nowhere in the first year. I ended up getting a job just like ninety-nine percent of the other starry-eyed singers who come here. I do sing a little on the side, but I’ve never cut a record or a CD."


"Well, you should. You’re as good as I’ve ever heard."


"I could sit here all night and listen to that kind of talk, but right now, I have to go sing again. This is our last set. Will you be here when I get done?"


"Sure."


It would have been easy to stay there for hours just listening to Jesse. Her voice had that quality, that richness, that purity that only comes along once in a while. I couldn’t figure out why she was singing with a bunch of old jazz musicians, but I didn’t care as long as I could listen to her.


The set ended, and Jesse walked back to my table. By now, I was over my initial infatuation and I could watch her. Her movement was so smooth it was almost as if she floated over the floor, except the motion of her hips left no doubt that under all that black satin was the body of a real woman. She slid into her chair just as the waitress brought another club soda to our table.


"Why, thank you again, Jeff. I could get used to this, not buying my own drinks I mean."

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