Copyright – Björn Rudberg
It was summer money, but mostly punishment. I had been miserable and showed it. Bussing tables at my aunt’s eatery was humiliating.
It wasn’t uncommon for people to pick one of the house instruments for an impromptu performance. It was uncommon for two strangers to seamlessly synchronize without a word. The new graduate student introduced himself through his talent that night. I was mesmerized, eyes closed to the notes.
When they finished playing, he excused himself: “Carpe diem – thank you – I’m late.” He played most nights that summer. I worked every night the rest of that summer, dancing to daydreams.
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100 words. Feedback appreciated. I’m prone to daydreams, and I’m especially apt to take an adventure in the presence of the music I imagine would come from these two instruments.
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What story comes to mind when you see that picture? Join in! Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog link-up based on a photo prompt. The Challenge – write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle, and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.) The Key – make every word count.
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*Featured and Post Image Copyright – Björn Rudberg
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This Is My Corn 
Dancing to daydreams. Lovely. This man made the nights so much better! Good read.
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Thank you! I just figured there had to be someone off-picture engrossed in music-induced dreaming.
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Sometimes you just need a nice warming story.
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I agree! And sometimes when a warming story isn’t around, daydreams can fill in.
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Dancing to daydreams. lovely phrase. I wonder if she had the nerve to ask him out?
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Thank you Liz. I didn’t imagine she ever did speak to him, but that’s the beauty of fiction – it’s open to personal interpretation. Who knows? Perhaps she did and just didn’t share that part of her story with me.
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I like the phrase “dancing to daydreams.” I worked in a number of restaurants but never had anyone come in and carry me away through music, more’s the pity.
janet
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Thank you sustainabilitea!
I worked as a server and a bartender, and there were some pretty stellar musicians that would come through the places I worked, but nothing that induced such folly. Too bad. It sounds like she had fun in her imagination that summer. 🙂
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Good story. It looks like that musician made her summer a good deal more enjoyable. 🙂 Lovely ending. 🙂
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Thank you!
Yes, I think her tune changed that night and played a little more upbeat after that.
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Dear Melanie,
A nicely imagined piece. Dancing to daydreams is a great turn of a phrase.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. I’m pleased to hear “dancing to daydreams” gave a good feeling to so many.
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I imagine some pretty nice tunes coming out of these guitars, too. Now that wouldn’t be such a bad job getting to listen to music like that. Great story, Melanie!
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Thanks Amy! I am such a sucker for musicians that I wouldn’t mind cleaning tables to the tune of their music.
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