"That's fine with me, and thanks for everything that you've done for me today. You helped me out a lot."
We both smile and we start to walk home. As we were walking, I could see Donovan walking with a bit of a limp, and I'm quite curious as to why.
"Why do you walk with a limp? Did you get injured?"
He looks down to his left leg and seems to have had remembered something.
"Oh, this! Well, my doctor had told me that I have slightly contracted polio in this leg. But, it's nothin to be worried over. It doesn't hurt or anythin."
I nod at him and notice that we are back to the apartments. He walked me to mine and told me what time I should meet him downstairs, then I went inside. I sit my backpack on the floor and eat a quick snack. Afterwards, I decide to do some more unpacking. But, as I begin to unpack, I think about my day, how stressful it was, and how far away from home I really was. I feel uneasy and I start to cry. I stop everything that I'm doing and drop to the floor, crying uncontrollably. I don't know how to make the feeling of sadness go away. But, it must've been a while before I stopped because I hear a knock on my door and I quickly stand up.
"Oh no! I forgot to meet Donovan downstairs! Hold on, I'm coming!"
I try to wipe the tears away, but I know that they are still there. Shielding my face as much as possible, I run to the door and quickly open it.
"I'm so sorry, hold on, I'm almost ready. Have a seat."
He walks in and I dash to my room to really wipe the tears from my face, change my clothes, and redo my makeup. I put on a smile and quickly run out to the kitchen area. When I got back I couldn't help but stare at Donovan. He looks really nice. He is wearing a black hat which is trying to control his crazy black hair, a black shirt with a denim jacket, and jeans with beige clogs. And in his right hand, he is holding a guitar case. I'm not gonna say anything, but only because I don't know how to!
"I'm so sorry! I completely lost track of time and I normally don't!"
"It's alright, being me I completely understand! It happens a lot. Are ya ready to head out?"
"Yeah, let's go."
And with that, we head downstairs and out the door. We don't talk for about ten minutes, but he has a big smile on his face and I just really want to know where he is taking me.
"So, where are we headed to?"
He looked down at me with excitement on his face.
"Right here!"
I look to see where we are, and it's so beautiful. It is an empty field, no buildings in sight, with a few daisies here and there. But right in the middle, stands the biggest and shadiest tree in that field.
"C'mon, let's go!"
Donovan grabs my hand and he takes off running straight for the big tree. Very abruptly we both stop and he sits down, and so do I. He sits up against the tree and takes his guitar out. As he starts tuning his instrument, I look around to observe the breath-taking nature that is in front of me.
"Wow, Donovan. Everything here is so beautiful. It's almost like it's just-"
"Not real? Yeah, that's why I love to come here. Nature is a big part of who I am. Just to get away from everythin is the best feelin in the world."
I nod with surprise.
"You took the words right out of my mouth."
He nods silently as he finishes tuning his guitar. He motions me to sit by him, so I move closer. As I do, he starts to teach me how to play some chords on the guitar. He finally hands me the guitar.
"Ok, now you try. Give it a go!"
I wearily take the guitar and desperately try to mimic the positions that Donovan made. The only difference is that I still have no idea where the chords are, but I'd still try anyway! I position my fingers on the neck of the guitar, close my eyes, and strum the instrument. The guitar made a really funny noise that makes both me and Donovan laugh. When he caught his breath I gave him back the guitar.
"Why don't'we try this. Come, sit in my lap."
As I sit down, he positions the guitar in my lap.
"Here, now give me yer hands."
He gently takes my hands and places them on the guitar. He tells me the chords that I'm playing as he takes my right hand in his and fly across the strings. After teaching me the chords, he helped me play a song. As he is still holding my hands, which strum the guitar, he starts to sing.
"When you're feeling kind of lonesome in your mind, with a heartache following you so close behind. Call out to me as I ramble by, I'll sing a song for you. That's what I'm here to do, to sing for you. When the night has left you cold and feeling sad, I'll show you that it cannot be so bad. Forget the one who went and made you cry, I'll sing a song for you. That's what I'm here to do, to sing for you..."
I couldn't help but look up to him in awe. His voice was soft, yet the words that came out of his mouth are so powerful and soothing.
"Wha-? Did you write that?"
"Actually, I like to make up words as I go. I already knew the melody, I just made up the words."
"That's incredible! I had no idea that you're so talented!"
His cheeks turn a bright red as he looks away.
"Well, gee, thanks!"
He looks back to me with a questionable expression.
"Do ya know the song Yesterday by The Beatles?"
"Yes, I love The Beatles! Why do you-? Wait, okay, I'm not going to sing. I don't sing in front of anyone, remember?"
"Will you sing if I sing with ya?"
"Oh, I don't know..."
"Aw, c'mon. I really want to hear ya sing!"
I know that he's not gonna take no for an answer, so I guess I'll just have to go along with it.
"Alright, I'll sing with you."
He seems to be very happy by my response, so he grabs his guitar, and we start to sing. As we sing, I feel my face sting because I never want to sing in front of anyone. But, our voices blend so beautifully together that it sounds like one voice. When we finish the song, he puts his guitar aside and puts his hands on my shoulders.
"Why don't ya like to sing in front of people?"
"I don't know. I guess I just get really nervous. I know you said that people here won't judge you, but I still have a feeling that they do."
"That's just human nature. Everyone will silently judge everyone. But there's nothin you can do about it, that's why ya just brush it off and be who ya want to be because your voice is magnificent. You must share it with the world."
"What? You really think that?"
"I don't like lyin to people."
His smile grew bigger and he chuckles. I can't help but to blush. Now I want to share my voice with the world. I feel like I can do anything. Just as I help him up, it starts to rain. It keeps coming down harder and harder. A look of concern comes to his face.
"Looks like we should stay under here for a while."
I know that it's just rain, and I'm still feeling over-confident, so I slowly start to walk away from the tree and into the rain. I put my hand out to feel the cool raindrops on my skin. I look back to Donovan and smile. I'm getting soaked, but I start running through the rain. I guess he liked the idea because he's laughing really hard and takes off his hat and jacket. He joins me and we start jumping in puddles that start forming around us. We soon get tired, so we run back to the tree and sit down. I can't stop laughing, I feel really happy.
"Wow, I don't remember the last time I've had that much fun!"
"That'was a great idea! And thanks for sharing yer voice with me, I had such a good time."
"Well, thanks for teaching me how to play guitar and taking me here. I'm feeling so much better now."
"That's very good, I'm glad."
As we look up to the sky, I point out that there is a double rainbow, and it's so pretty. We both gaze at it and get up a while later. Donovan gives me his jacket as he stands up, picks up his guitar case, and we start to head home. We say goodnight to each other and head in for the night. I close the door behind me and quickly sit down on the floor. I can't help but think of how amazing the sights were and the great time that we had. I can safely say that I've never had that much fun in my life. And Donovan, just wow, he has such a beautiful voice and when he doesn't sing, his words are so poetic and pretty. I finally get up and decide to get ready for bed and call my parents. I tell them about everything that had happened and they sounded really happy for me. I don't want to tell them how long that I want to stay here, but today definitely changed everything. After my conversation was over, I climb into bed and fall asleep, fast. I'm happy, relaxed, and know that I'm in a good place.