Hitting the Right Notes (18 page)

It made so much sense. They were so similar in many ways. She knew it from the very first day, but she needed a reminder of it. They had both failed and both had stood up with new passion and belief. Kiara was here to join her and that meant the world to Darya.

“Don’t worry, boss, I have working clothes with me, as well as some beers and chocolate mousse for our lunch break.”

The two women worked until late evening. They had a lot of fun, played some music, made jokes as they finished coloring the walls and floors of the space, which was a ‘dream come true’ work for both of them.

Later that evening as they sat down to finally enjoy the beer and chocolate delights, Darya explained her whole plan to Kiara in details.

“The idea is to combine both careers that I have tried. I’m starting my own music company, but it will not play by the industry rules and have only the successful glittering stars created by producers and the media. We’ll give a chance to talented people who have failed, who have broken wings, but still have music inside them.” She started telling more and it felt so natural that Kiara immediately caught the line of her thoughts and continued.

“So basically we create a safe environment for them protected from scandals and media provocations and give them a chance to discover their voice anew. That is a beautiful idea Darya.” Kiara gave her a warm sisterly hug and Darya could already hear already new melodies chanting in her mind. “And when are we releasing your new album?”

“Soon.” Darya promised. She was not afraid of this new start any longer. She wanted to become a success story to inspire others. She thought how excited she would’ve been if Eric were by her side as well and she could share the news with him. She quickly let the thought fly away. Somehow her anger had passed already. Darya knew she was still hurt, but not angered anymore, she could look at things from a new perspective and her previous reactions seemed too childish now. She would’ve wanted to have him back, but right now she had to concentrate of her own life. Maybe someday her music would find him again.
Someday,
she promised to herself.

It had been two months since Eric had seen Margo and Alison. He had pushed his friends away and out of the dark nonexistence that was currently his life. They had tried to call him several times, then, as Margo had stated, they decided to respect his decision of withdrawing into his world and promised to be there for him whenever he changed his mind. Whether they would still expect him to ever walk out of the prison he had voluntarily put himself into and whether they would still find it interesting to hang out with him was a totally different question. Eric had no answer to it and wasn’t even ready to attempt to make a guess or look for an answer.

To call his days monotonous would’ve been a major understatement. His days were dull, pointless and most of the time he felt himself like a tree – immovable and old, silently throwing his roots deeper and deeper into the soil with the risk of never being able to rise and move again looming over his head.

Yet, Eric did nothing to change his situation. His parents called once. They would usually check on him once or twice every few months and their conversations were quite short. They had been like that for years, since he had allowed his teenage depression and anxiety to cut him from his family. He had broken all the bridges with them as he hated the pity and compassion as they looked at him. He had made himself the weakest link in the family – the one who had no hope, who could not do much and was never expected to do anything at all. They were just glad he was not back into his depression or even if he was, he was sparing them the details of it. His parents were currently travelling in Europe and that had made Eric smile at the irony of how young and full of life they were versus to the tired old body he had turned himself into.

Darya had been in his thoughts every day – every moment that he had been awake. Her presence in his thoughts was the fresh spring air that filled his small apartment. He almost never opened the windows, so the imaginary freshness that was brought by the memories of the woman he loved was the only air that filled the otherwise heavy dull mood of the place.

Yes, he would use the word ‘
love
’ in his mind every time he allowed himself to think about Darya. He had denied it long enough, but eventually needed to confess it to himself. Eric was sure that feeling was what fueled him to open his eyes every day – even for only few hours.

After almost two months, though, his body had reminded him that it was on the verge of breaking and he knew if he continued like this he was not going to last too long. He could almost feel those imaginary roots every time he made himself stand up and walk from his bedroom to the kitchen or bathroom. He could feel their weight pulling him down, their desire to drag him down into the soil with them, curl around him and grow – trapping him in the labyrinth of their long earthy claws.

It was in the doomed darkness that could be one of the last days in his life Eric made a decision – he wanted to live. He knew this was not an easy thing to do as he had weakened his body to the point that his legs were shaking as he covered the few feet distance between the rooms, his hands trembled when he tried to bring a cup to his mouth to sip his tea. He was very close to crossing the final line and there he knew that if he wanted to be back to normal he would have to make big charges and start them
now
.

Calling Margo and Alison for help would’ve been the first step, but Eric had decided that he didn’t deserve it. He had been relying on their help for years and had never properly thanked them or did an equal favor for any of them. He had been the egocentric kid, who only wanted their help and care for himself, but never really gave back enough before asking for more.

Eric was to face this on his own and he was going to do it starting from smaller steps, such as going out to the grocery store or cleaning his apartment, and eventually looking for a steady job. Darya and his friends had spoiled him enough by helping him out and his family would also send him some financial support every now and then, but that would simply make him lazier and would not serve any good to his cause.

Eric needed to work – to get out of his apartment every day, to interact with people, to try to bring his life to what could be considered close to normal.

He didn’t have any solid professional background or resume with proper recommendations, so Eric knew he was to start with something really small and doable. He had some skills, which he would rely on, finding a job in a workshop, where he could do woodwork or repair furniture. It took weeks and facing dozens of rejections and vain promises to call back before he was given a chance to prove himself.

Working every day meant that he could not afford the luxury of letting himself go back to his isolated life, even for one day. Every moment out of his schedule threatened to undo everything he had tried to accomplish within the last few weeks.

Eric never knew he had so much courage and will inside him, but now, every morning as he opened his eyes, he honestly started to thank himself for doing it and for keeping going on. He also silently thanked Darya for revealing these traits in him. Not that he would hope to say those words to her in person ever again; not that he would ever deserve that chance. Yet, he allowed himself to be fueled by ‘
love’
, which he now cherished so dearly in his heart and which did not frighten him anymore. He kept on pushing further – day by day, little by little.

On Fridays Eric usually finished his work early in the afternoon. Most of the time he would return home immediately – not pushing himself too much, but this Friday was special. He walked in the streets until he found a florist’s booth and chose two bouquets of roses – one with light ivory and pink flowers, the other in dark velvet red with some orange strings on the edges of the petals. Was his whole body shaking with worry and anxiety? It was, but Eric had to face it sooner or later. And he had decided that this Friday was the very special one and he was going to do it.

Not delaying any further he directed his steps towards the building where Margo’s and Alison’s office was located. Eric could feel his palms get damp and droplets of sweat appear on his forehead. He started counting the stairs to distract himself from the worried thoughts and the desire to run away and hide. He counted all the way until he was standing at the entrance of the office. The whole office was built with glass walls. There was no escape, no retreat anymore. Only two blinks later he saw one and then two pairs of wide eyes find him and shine brightly.

By the time the two of them made it to him, their faces were wet with tears. Eric released the breath that he didn’t know he was holding as the two women launched themselves into his arms and gave him a bone crushing hug. They did love him after all – he smiled to the sudden realization of how foolish he had been to doubt that.

Margo stirred his hair as she kissed him and called an idiot. Alison smoothed the hair messed by Margo as she kissed his other cheek. What had he done to be blessed with such friendship?

“I… I need to… to, um, apologize to both of you…” He eventually made the words come out from his throat, which was so tight with overwhelming emotions.

Margo lightly slapped his butt. “Shut up, dummy, how could you let us worry so much? Alison was keeping me by force from coming to your place and slamming that stupid door and dragging you out.” She let out a nervous laughter and sigh. She was apparently finally relieved and could let all her worries out of her mind.

“I knew he would come back on his own,” said Ali in her ever peaceful voice that could calm any storm in anyone’s heart. “See, he never failed to fulfill our expectations.”

The three of them spent the whole evening together – first they had dinner, then Eric was forced to cuddle with them on the couch and watch some terrifying chick flicks, but most of the time they talked and of course there was one person, who was the center of their conversation all the time.

“You need to tell her how you feel, Eric,” Margo was again in tears. He had made her cry already twice today – Eric felt a glitter of shame, but also happiness that she cared that much for him. “You are not risking anything. You can’t lose her again, because you already have.”

“And who knows there might still be a chance that she would want to listen to you,” continued Alison. “You owe her at least an apology. And I might know a perfect moment to do that.”

It took more than half a year from the moment Darya and Kiara had painted the walls of their new office to the moment when they sat together in the office terrace to summarize the growth they had during this time. The company was growing and they had recruited a great enthusiastic team, build the recording facilities and even found their first musicians with broken wings, who were brave to try to come back.

Darya was surprised to hear so many incredible stories of people ready to rise after a failure. Most of them had claimed that they had started considering a new start only after they heard about her company and the “safe” environment that she was offering. Some of them had also stated that it was her own story that had pushed them to consider trying again.

Her new album called
Forgiveness in Two Parts
was also ready and premiering in a handful of days. They had chosen small venues for the first tour and had refused any media coverage – they believed that people would find their way to their music and no exaggerated rumors were needed to insure that.

Darya felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders – she had chosen the path to inspire people and had made the album with that goal in her mind. At the same time every person who had joined her during this half year journey had brought so much light and motivation to her life, that all she could feel was joy and gratefulness. And that was what she sang about.

Five more days, she thought, five more days to welcome the music back.

*

Anthony Stevenson had insisted that he would come by and pick up his invitation to the concert in person. Darya didn’t wonder why all these important business people never had time for the actual work and listening to tens of demo recordings their companies received every day. Of course, they would have no time, if they were spending their working hours traveling to pick up invitations or drink coffees with former fallen stars.

Darya couldn’t deny she felt truly happy and flattered that Tony was going to visit her office. She had bought the rights to the unfinished songs she had recorded with RnR a ridiculously high amount of money.

“I truly love you, Baby D, but business is business,” said Tony with his shark like smile. The dangerous glitter of his eyes had proved that any attempt to bargain the requested fee was going to make it higher instead of dropping it. Darya had simply reminded herself that she didn’t care much about the money and had signed the deal.

In addition, she had sent him the secure link to the newly finished album, as his opinion mattered a lot of her. They might not agree on their ways of doing business, but it went without saying that Tony had earned his place as one of the most knowledgeable producers in the industry and was living up to that reputation every day.

She dreaded the thought that he might simply dismiss the album calling it another ‘failure’ or ‘mediocre indie attempt’ or whatever other cruel words came to Darya’s mind. And if he were to do that, he would’ve chosen those very undeviating and straightforward words to do that.

“I would’ve thought this little woman could not surprise me anymore!” he shouted in an almost chanting voice as he climbed the stairs to Darya’s office. She was waiting for him in the corridor and gave him a quick hug.

“Surprise in good or bad way?” The doubt was gnawing at Darya’s heart and she could not stand any more of prolonging. She really needed to know Tony’s opinion right away – be that praising good or dooming bad.