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.It seems they had a snarling match to see who would get the couch, and there was a tie." She laughed."Okay, give him a treat from me," I answered quietly.I felt a little homesick as I hung up.I just wanted my old life back.To sleep in my own bed, walk my dog, get yelled at by my crazy neighbor.I couldn't wait to be back in Annapolis."It'll be over soon," Mark whispered, pulling me closer."I just want to go home," I said into his shoulder.* * *The next morning was bright with just a hint of approaching fall in the air.Mark had meetings planned for most of the day, so I'd decided to have breakfast in bed and spend some quality time with my guitar.The "Catch Yourself" song, as I had started calling it, was coming along nicely.A few more verses and some tweaking with the timing, and it would be ready for prime time.By noon, I'd had enough alone time.I toyed with the idea of finding a little pub and doing an impromptu gig.I was all alone in the city, and nobody but Mark knew I was here.I felt safe for the first time in days.I changed into a flowing print maxi dress and gold sandals.I arranged my long hair on top of my head and swiped on a little makeup.I wore dark sunglasses for disguise.If I couldn't find a suitable pub to play in, I might just try playing outside on one of the many open spaces around the museums and monuments.I thought briefly of calling Mark but decided against it.He was sure to buzzkill the idea.I slung my guitar over my back and started walking.I peered into little restaurants and taverns, not quite finding what I was looking for.I was starting to get hungry when the smell of barbecue lured me to an outdoor cafe.I decided to eat and then head for the big grassy knoll near the hotel."You play?" the waiter asked, as he jotted down my request for an iced tea and pulled pork sandwich."Sure do," I replied with a smile."I was looking for a little bar or restaurant to do a practice gig.Know any place?"The waiter lit up."Sure! We've got an outdoor bar around the corner." He pointed to an iron gate."It opens at two.""Do you mind checking with the manager to see if it's okay if I play a set?"He waved a hand."My mom owns the place.Have at it."I thanked him and wolfed down my sandwich.I spent some time tuning my guitar.Going from air conditioning to outside wreaked havoc with the strings.At two, my waiter, Steve, led me through the iron gate and into the courtyard.A four-person bamboo bar lit with strings of white lights and surrounded by wrought iron tables stood against the brick wall.A well-preserved bleach blonde gave me a wave from behind the bar."Hey, there!""Hi, thanks so much for letting me play a few.""Well, I can't promise much of an audience, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it." She had sparkling white teeth and tan skin that looked a little too tight.I took a seat at the end of the bar and pulled out my guitar.I started off with some Jack Johnson.I stayed away from originals, especially "The Rum Song," as a precaution.Not that I really expected to be recognized sans pirate costume.A group of college students came in, ordered a pitcher of cheap beer, and asked if I knew any rock.I did a couple of my softer rock songs.Some Eagles and some more recent songs, more pop than rock."Oh, I know.I know!" cried one girl."How about 'The Rum Song?'"Her boyfriend scoffed."That's the one by that goofy pirate, right?""Yeah, Carlos.He's yummy," she purred.I rolled my eyes."Wasn't it the blonde girl who wrote the song? What was her name?" one of the other guys asked and then tapped at his smartphone."Yeah! It was!" The girl waved to me."Do you know the song?""I'll give it a try." I launched into a laid back version of the song.I was starting to feel a niggling of apprehension.The four continued to tap away at their phones, pointing out things of interest to each other.When I'd finished, they clapped loudly."That was great.What's your name?" asked the guy who had started all the Googling."Ashley.I'm from Delaware.My boyfriend's here on business." I felt like a total fraud, but they didn't seem to notice.I sang a couple of James Taylor songs; the bartender seemed to love those."You do look familiar to me," she said suddenly."Have you played around here before?"I shook my head.I heard some whispering from the table of college students.Maybe it was time to make my exit.I took the strap from around my neck and lowered my guitar into its case."You're not going yet, are you?" the girl gushed."Our friends are on their way.We told them all about you!" She gave me a big wink."I need to get going.My boyfriend will be back from his meeting soon."She surprised me by putting her arm around me and snapping a selfie with her phone."Hey!""This is going on Instagram.Nobody's going to believe it!"Uh-oh.A group of twenty or more college kids arrived.Some high-fived the ones at the table in front of me.Others snapped pictures of me.The bartender leaned over."You drink martinis, don't you?"I glanced over at her."How'd you know that?""I Googled it, Diana." She held up her phone.I made my escape with the help of my waiter.I took a bathroom break after a couple of songs and he met me inside with my guitar."Before you go, can I have your autograph?"I scribbled a quick note on a napkin."What's it like working with a bunch of pirates?" he asked when I handed it to him."Not as much fun as you'd think."I couldn't help looking over my shoulder as I tore off down the street.My phone rang.It was Carol."Diana, aren't you on a boat with Mark right now?" She was using the same tone of voice that she used to interrogate temps."Why do you ask?" I deflected."Because Tabitha got a tweet of you playing outside at a bar in D.C.What's going on? Did you and Mark have a fight?"I sighed."I can't get into the details right now.We were supposed to be laying low for a few days.""So why'd you go out performing in a bar?"Oh, man, did I screw this up."I was bored.I didn't think anyone would recognize me out of my costume.""Guess you were wrong about that one.Does Mark know yet?""No," I replied."And I'd like to keep it that way.""Good luck with that [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]