Sing More

Short Story Day 58 of 365

Photo by geralt at Pixabay

“Sing more,” the 85-year-old lady with pink and blue hair yelled. “Sing more. Good song, good song.”

It was a bit unnerving to hear her say that after each song. Throughout the songs, she interacted with a man next to her. The smile on his white-bearded face seemed to be permanent as he nodded at her words.

The chorus sang a mixture of popular 50s 60, and 70s song to go along with the songs the audiences would recognize: songs from the 20s and 30s. The audience didn’t know all the verses but when they came to the choruses, the people sang at the right spots.

Pink and Blue was the exception. She was in her own world. She clapped silently but off beat and cheered the loudest when the chorus finished each number.

The chorus had been singing in Assisted Living facilities a dozen years or more, and in each there was always one similar to Pink and Blue.

Fortunately, the guys in the chorus lived to sing in those places. People appreciate them coming and the members really liked to show off what they’d been learning for the past few months. Essentially, they loved to put the smiles back on people’s faces.

When the 35-minute set finished, the members went into the audience to chat with residents to thank them for coming to hear them. Because the chorus came to their home, the audience was generally captive. Though not required to attend, many residents did. Most people were cordial and thankful the chorus showed up.

Normally, after a gig, the members unwind in a side room at a local pub. They then compare notes about the performance and reactions.

“Remember that guy in the back with the neatly trimmed white beard and hair, the one with the little puppy under the table?” Ron Jeffries asked.

“Was he with that lady who kept interrupting?” ‘Tank’ Williams asked.

“Yeah, that’s the one. He mentioned that his wife has had an extreme case of Alzheimer’s for the last few years. From the time we started singing until we finished, she was clear-minded and remembered all our songs. He’s never seen anything like it. He was our biggest fan tonight, and you could tell by the smile on his face.”

“Oh,” Tank said. “I didn’t know.”