Shadows of the night

Anyone who knows me, knows music has always been my second passion. I've been feeling out of place lately, so to try to get my mind settled I set up a gig at a bar in Brisbane,with my band Spirit wheel. Kind of nervous, I look out at the crowd, knowing they don't know what to expect. The microphone hisses feed back a bit as I step up to it with my guitar and speak.

"This song was made popular by Pat Benatar, but it's a bad ass song, and I think a guy can sing it without losing any of the meaning so here goes."

I begin to play "Shadows of the night", and sing out in a clear voice.

"We're running with the Shadows Of The Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end
You said - oh girl, it's a cold world
When you keep it all to yourself
I said you can't hide on the inside
All the pain you've ever felt
Ransom my heart, but baby don't look back
Cause we got nobody else

We're running with the Shadows of the Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end

You know that sometimes, it feels like
It's all moving way too fast
Use every alibi and words you deny
That love ain't meant to last
You can cry tough baby, it's all right
You can let me down easy, but not tonight

We're running with the Shadows of the Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end

We're running with the Shadows of the Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end

And now the hands of time are standin' still
Midnight angel, won't you say you will

We're running with the Shadows of the Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end"

I take a bow as the crowd cheers.

"Thank you. Now we're gonna take a pause for the cause."


I step off the stage and sit down at a table, signalling a waitress to bring me a bottle of Jameson. Another good thing about playing these gigs is I don't have to pay for the alcohol. Always a plus.


TBC: Lani

Leilani is sitting at the bar, taking in the performance. His voice just as mesmerizing as always. She watches as the patrons get into the music. A few moments later, she makes her way over to him.


Good show. I see you still got it.


She kisses him sweetly as her arms wrap around him.

I kiss her back gently and sit her on my lap.

"Thank you. It feels good to pick up the guitar and play star again."

I stroke her cheek with my finger tips.

"everything Okay?"

I reach over for the bottle of Jameson twist the cap off and throw it over my shoulder taking a long swig.

You're welcome. Just being honest. I can see how much you enjoy music. It shows on your face.


I shiver as he gently touches my face. It's been a long time since I've had someone touch me in that way. The question catches me off guard as I try to forget the past few days.


Everything is alright. Nothing to worry about.

I look into her green eyes with a penetrating stare from my own gray ones.

"Lani, I've known you long enough to know better than that."

I run my fingers through her hair and speak softly.

"Tell me what's wrong."

Don't look at me that way. You remind of Dad when he reads my mind. That creeps me out. You know how I hate that.


I try to look away from that penetrating gaze. I really do hate it when he does that. It seriously makes me think of my father. I hated it when he gave me that exact same look as a kid. I really don't want to talk about it. Talking about it doesn't solve anything...at least not for me.


Raven, I am fine. Why must you seek out a problem that's not there? If you continue looking for something to be wrong, you will eventually get what you are seeking. Let's just enjoy the night while it lasts.


I so hope he drops it. Just thinking about it is giving me a migraine. I just want to forget and move forward. Why discuss anything when it will only remain the same?

I shrug and shoot that famous grin, before kissing her again.

"You should know by now you have nothing to worry about with me. I'd never hurt you intentionally. The ring is on your finger."

I take another drink of Jameson.

"I hope you'll realize that soon."

I hold up her hand with the ring on her finger.

"Together forever, until death do we part, forsaking all others, baby."

I show that famous a grin again.

"So when did you become so insecure? The Lani I always knew was so far from it."

I am not insecure. I rather not deal with the bullshit. You can do whatever you so please. Whether you want to screw the blue haired shrew or anyone else, that's on you. To be quite honest, I really could care less. Whatever floats your boat.

I look deeply into his eyes, showing that I mean every word I said. I'm past it and moving on from it. It no longer bothers me. I just no longer give a fuck about it. For me it is a dead issue that I'd like to keep that way.

I am just fine.

I take another long drink of Jameson and hand her the bottle, still showing the grin.

"That's the thing. I don't want to screw anyone but you."

I stick my tongue out at her.

"You're my only one. No one else comes close."

I take the bottle and toss it back. After taking it to the head a few times, I give it back. Needed that.

Good to know. Now what's next on this tour?


I take a few more swigs from the bottle. I turn my attention back to him as I await a response.

I kiss her shoulder and rub her neck.

"After Australia, I think is Ireland. I'm not sure. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

I take another drink from the bottle finishing it and signaling the waitress for another.

"Hopefully Ireland isn't as dull as Australia. I haven't seen one damn drop bear."

Plenty of bars and alcohol from what I've read. Pretty sure Tim would know more.


I kiss him again. He infuriates me sometimes but I love him more than life itself.

The corner of my mouth turns up in a smirk, as I twist the cap off the other bottle of Jameson and take a long swig.

"It should be interesting to say the least. Wouldn't surprise me at all if a riot broke out. Wouldn't that be fun?"

I kiss her temple.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm ready for this world tour to be over, and be back on home turf though. I feel like a stranger in a strange land so far from my home."

Bar plus plenty of alcohol plus drunk angry men. There's bound to be a few riots eventually. I doubt you will be disappointed.


I lay my head upon his shoulder. I feel free, at peace...even if it is for a brief moment.

I smile as I kiss the top of her head.

"This is nice isn't it? Even in this crowded room I feel like we're the only two people here. I can't wait to spend forever with you."

I run my hand through her hair.

"I never want to lose you again, my sweet Cherokee Rose."

I love it when you do that....


Delicious shivers run up and down my spine. He knows just what does to me. Such a bad boy.

I kiss her one more time before I put her in the chair next to me, before walking over and grabbing my guitar. I sit back down in front of her and look deep into her eyes as I begin to play an old Bryan Adams song.

"Look into my eyes, you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you

Look into your heart, you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am, take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you
Oh yeah

There's no love, like your love
And no other, could give more love
There's nowhere, unless you're there
All the time, all the way, yeah

Look into your heart, baby

Oh, you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more
Yeah, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you, yeah I'd die for you

You know it's true
Everything I do, oh, I do it for you

Everything I do, darling
And we'll see it through
Oh we'll see it through
Oh yeah

Yeah!

Look into your heart
You can't tell me it ain't worth dying for
Oh yeah

I'll be there, yeah
I'll walk the wire
Oh, yeah"


I finish playing and set the guitar down, not taking my eyes off her. I pull her back on my lap, gently kiss her and whisper.

"I love you. We were always meant to be."

I sit and listen as he sings to me the one love song that I will actually listen to. His gray eyes gazing deeply into my emerald greens. It touches me to my very heart and soul. After he finishes, we share a sweet loving kiss as he places me back on his lap.


Raven...I love you too.

I grin and drum my fingers down her spine.

"You know we haven't made any wedding plans yet. Maybe we should get on that."

I take another long drink from the bottle of Jameson and pass it to her.

With our schedules, we'll be lucky if we can find a place to have it.

I chuckle as I look into his eyes again.


But I guess we should start planning as soon as we're able.

I show her that famous grin.

"I don't even know where to start, do you? I mean I don't know who will be my best man or anything."

I think the alcohol has affected his memory. I've never been married.

Not a clue. I don't even know how to start. As you can see, I don't have any friends.

I nod solemnly.

"Well maybe you should get some, it might help."

I chuckle and kiss her gently.

And who would want to be friends with an insecure jealous wreck like me, Raven? I'm not exactly the type of person who easily endears themselves in the eyes of others, you know.

I know he is only trying to help. Lets just face facts here: I'm not well liked in any circle. I've always been a loner for the exception of Raven, my brother Joaquin and my parents.

I nod solemnly as I think of my sister and niece.

"It's too bad I have no idea where my family is..."