Better Love by Daisy Prescott

Author:Daisy Prescott [Prescott, Daisy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Better Love
Publisher: Daisy Prescott
Published: 2016-10-14T22:00:00+00:00

“Do you only see old people in concert?” We sat in our center orchestra seats about ten rows back from the stage. The opening band had finished and the roadies scurried around on stage setting up for the main act.

“I think the word you’re looking for is legends.” I lifted my cup of beer. “Cultural phenomenon works, too.”

She tipped her head toward the stage. “I think eighty-three counts as geriatric in every culture.”

I covered her mouth with my hand. “Shh. Don’t insult Willie Nelson.”

She peeled my hand away and spoke in a normal voice. “Trust me, he can’t hear a word I’m saying backstage.”

“He’s like a braided hippie version of Santa. He’ll know.” I almost said something about enjoying the legality of marijuana in our fair state of Washington, but didn’t need to voice the obvious. Several concert T-shirts on sale in the lobby had pot leaves emblazoned on them.

Roslyn gave me a half-laugh for my joke. “In the car, I didn’t think anything when you invited me to see Yo Yo Ma at Benaroya Hall in January, but it’s all making sense now.”

“Mr. Ma isn’t old. Barely sixty.”

She blinked slowly at me.

“Don’t say sixty is old. It’s not. I’m closer to sixty than I am to twenty.”

Her blinking sped up. “No, you’re not.”

I waited as she did the math in her head.

“Oh, shit. You are!” The slap to my arm barely registered. “Holy shit.”

“Thanks.” I shifted away from her as far as I could in my seat. “You’re closer to fifty than you are to eighteen.”

Her jaw dropped open. “Dammit. How did that happen?”

“It’s called life. It’s what happens when we’re busy doing other things.”

“Is that the story behind all of these concerts? See them before they die?”

I shrugged. “In a way.”

She rolled her hand for me to continue.

“I’m making up for lost time. In my thirties, I was too focused on making money and being seen as successful. I worked too much to enjoy anything meaningful. Yeah, I went to events, sitting in the best seats and suites because I was expected to show up and make an appearance, or I was trying to impress someone, usually a woman. Did I do what I wanted? What meant something to me on a deeper level? Rarely. I’d rather watch a football game sitting around in a friend’s living room instead of crowded in a stadium with thousands of strangers. I’d rather be here with you listening to Willie Nelson jam on guitar and ramble than have front row tickets to this year’s one hit wonder no one will remember in ten years.”

After finishing my rant, I stared at her. Her eyebrows were raised and her lips parted. I couldn’t tell if I’d shocked her or if she thought I was crazy. Probably both.

“Wow, you feel strongly about this.”

“I missed a chunk of my life chasing money and feeding my ego.”

“But not anymore?”

With a wry smile, I shook my head. “Not if I can help it.”

“Hence the recluse on an island lifestyle?” A slim edge of snark darkened her tone.

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