It was unbearably hot on the second floor of that old, historic building. Which, as it turns out, was the historical museum of the city and formerly the jail.
I probably wouldn’t have stayed if I weren’t at a charitable event and I didn’t hear that sound coming from the corner of the room.
I was about to open my first tattoo shop and was planning a pretty grand celebration to christen it. The space had been a speakeasy during prohibition so my business partner and I wanted to have a 1920’s themed bash to kick it off.
We had a lot of ideas for the event, but the sound I was hearing was undoubtedly something we needed to have for the party.
It was coming from a jazz trio (maybe a quartet, but I can’t remember for sure) and it was fronted by a pianist with the perfect flapper girl look for our shindig.
Her voice was smooth and vibrant and she played the piano exquisitely. Her bright blonde, ringed curls hung just above her ears and although I don’t recall what she was wearing that night, I know she was dressed to the nines and had amazing shoes.
During a break in her set I approached her and asked if she would be interested in playing for the grand opening of a tattoo shop. I figured it was a long shot because she was so classy and the stereo type of a tattoo shop probably didn’t fit her demographic. But, I asked anyway!
Surprisingly, she agreed and we made arrangements for the gig. It went off without a hitch and turned out to be a fantastic evening.
Alicia and I would become close friends after that event and we spent many late nights texting about relationships, work, and family stress. I’ve never asked her why, but she always came to me for advice when life got rough, and I was always happy to listen and help when I could.
Some years after that night at the museum she invited me to one of her shows. It was a small gig at a tiny venue and in lieu of going alone, I asked my friend Dennis to join me.
I met Dennis years early while working undercover. He was the friend of one of my colleagues and we needed an extra person to help with our cover at a local strip club. He was amazed by the situation and it led to all sorts of crazy conversations that evening.
Dennis and I would become long time friends after that night at the strip club. We had a lot in common and shared some overlapping circles of friends, so it was a natural fit.
He would be there for me when I was at my worst, and put me in my place when I didn’t realize it.
We would sometimes run together, we often drank together, and we definitely supported each other. He was my go to friend when I needed someone to join me for drinks and conversation.
I arrived at Alicia’s gig before Dennis, which is often the case when we meet up, and found us a table. I really just wanted some company because, Alicia would be busy playing and I didn’t want to sit alone watching her sing.
Dennis and I chatted for a bit after his arrival and then Alicia finished her set. She and her mom (the spunkiest, hippest, lady you could ever meet) joined us at our table to watch the other acts that would round off the night.
Alicia’s mom and I began talking (we knew each well at this point and she was enjoying a Margarita, so she was very talkative) and I lost track of Dennis altogether.
Eventually, the night came to an end so Dennis and I helped Alicia carry her equipment to her car (something Dennis would become very familiar with in the years that followed).
I didn’t think much of it at the time, and didn’t notice how well they had hit it off, but the next day I received messages from each of them as they inquired about the other.
As I tend to do sometimes, I gave it to them straight. She was a conservative, Christian, homeschooled, fashionista and he was a liberal, atheist, perpetual student and aspiring writer, with one change of clothes.
They couldn’t have been more opposite, but after fair warning I helped them exchange numbers and let them take it from there. That was about 4 years ago, I think.
This Saturday, Dennis and Alicia are getting married. Whatever differences separate them, their love for each other and genuine friendship bridges the gaps.
Wishing you two joy and peace on your wedding day and a lifetime of love, friendship, and shared experiences.
I love you both!
Freddy
