Pete
Just to my left, I noticed a disgruntled man with long blond hair sitting forward uncomfortably in an overstuffed recliner. He appeared to wince in pain.
“Where are my meds?” he yelled gruffly to the staff across the room at the nurses station. “It’s 1:30!”
“It’s 1:25,” she yelled back. “You’ve got a few minutes to wait!”
I became uneasy as the shouting back and forth continued. Would I only upset this man further by bursting into song in his living room? I set aside my fears and cautiously turned on the digital piano, situated not two feet from where he sat.
When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right…
He scowled as the staff person brought his medication and a cup of water. I sang on:
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night…
Across the room, a few folks seated on a faded blue couch joined in:
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running…
Carole King always lightens the mood. I even got away with a few selections from ‘The Sound of Music’. Then I asked if anyone had any requests.
“Elvis!” barked the man in the overstuffed recliner. “Coming right up!” I said as I launched into ‘Love Me Tender.’
His whole demeanor softened; his warm, baritone voice joined me in delivering the lyrics. All of them!
“Hey, what’s your name, sir?” I asked as the song ended. “Would you like to sing a solo?”
“No!” “And the name's Pete.”
His housemates coaxed him on - “Oh, come on, Pete! I didn’t know you could sing! Yeah, Pete! You can do it!”
“Fine,” he grumbled. And before he changed his mind, I dove right into ‘Love me Tender’ again.
Steadying himself with his walker, Pete slowly stood up and confidently belted the lyrics like he wrote the song!
His unsuspecting friends applauded loudly as Pete returned to his recliner. What a gift to be a part of THIS moment, I thought.
With a smug half-smile, Pete looked at me and said, “Next time play Buddy Holly.”
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