ali's Corner. [A Song For Dani]

Tonight was my last time going
to Majors.
The place i've frequented for so many weeks.
I've met different people
Learned to do the cupid shuffle
and sang by myself for the first time
in front of everyone.

My last song was in.
The only song I've ever sang by myself
"Bubbly" by Colbie Colliat.
it starts in my toes...
makes me wrinkle my nose...

But the youngest girl in the room
had already placed that song in before me.

She got up to sing.
Not more than 4 feet tall.
A hot pink turtle neck
and her hands shaking on the mic.

Her voice came out crisp and clear.
With the innocence of a little girl.
It was beautiful.

After the first verse she lost her place
she looked around nervous as
her brain tried to think
but the song was going too fast.
all eyes staring at her.
she panicked and dropped the mic.
she said "I can't do it."
and raced out of the room.

Her grandfather was after her.
She headed toward the bathrooms.
He couldn't go in the women's restroom.

It was then that I heard Him.
"Go." He said.
I jumped up and was headed to the restrooms
before I even realized my legs were moving.

What was I going to say?
I've never even met this little girl.
She's not supposed to talk to strangers, right?

I opened the door slowly and heard
her little cries in the handicap stall.

"Danielle?" I said half expecting no response.
I'd learned her name by asking her Grandfather as
he walked away hopelessly after the bathroom door
was shut in his face.

"Go away" She replied, sniffing.
Her voice sounded curious by the sudden
concerned stranger.

"Hey, listen, my name's Ali. And I was wondering
if you'd sing that song again. With Me."

"I can't." She began to cry again.

"You know what, though? You started out GREAT.
I really liked it. And I'd really like to sing with you."
I stared hopeful at the closed stall door in front of me.

"But I get too nervous and forget the words".
She sounded more accepting of me now.

"You know what? I do too. I actually put in that exact same song to
sing tonight. So maybe, since I get nervous you could
sing with me and help me when I get stuck."

The door slowly started to open.
Her red, puffy eyes peaked out at me.
Her cheek rested on the back of her hand
against the latch.
The bottom of her eyelashes were
matted together because of her tears.

"Okay..." She flashed a small smile.

"How old are you anyways?" I asked
as I handed her a towel to wipe her eyes with.

"I'm nine."

"Wow! You know, when I was nine, I couldn't even sing.
You're awesome."

We walked out of the restroom, her clinging to my side.
When we got up to sing she was shy at first.
But I backed off the mic so the whole restaurant
could hear her.

She was good. No, she was great.
This little nine year old girl.
What confidence she had
to face what had once eaten her alive.

I dont even remember singing the song.
My voice might have cracked 8 times
I could have been off key the entire song.
But it really didn't matter.
No one noticed.

I just watched her face the entire song.
She was...happy.
It was incredible.
She was so proud of herself after that.

This is who I want to be.
For the rest of my life.
God, tell me what to do.
And I'll jump out of my seat
every time.