gatherings she would take the floor and start singing and dancing. Being the first girl
in the family, she was adored. And she adored being adored. She began learning the
piano at the age of seven, on her best friend's upright. All she ever wanted to do was
play the piano and sing. She fell asleep at night with her transistor radio on under her
pillow. With the music bouncing around in her head, she dreamed of being a singer.
Life, however, had different plans for her, though she never quite gave up the dream of
being center stage. Born the eldest of five children to an alcoholic father and a mother
who had to work to earn the best for her family, she became the substitute parent.
The one whose shoulders the rest of the world fell on. Luckily, she had strong
shoulders. Early in life she developed patience, an open mind, a sympathetic heart, a
quick wit and a buoyant sense of humor that kept her going through the hardest times.
Now, they're all grown up, with kids of their own. Except there are no children for
Marie. Maybe that's for the better. The man she married seven years ago didn't turn
out to be the knight in shining armor that she believed. In fact, he was just another
child looking for a parent, a role Marie plays all too well.
She filed for divorce last month.
»»»»»«««««»»»»»«««««»»»»»«««««
"Well now, Sis," Tommy says putting his arm around Marie, "What are your plans
now?"
The two of them are sitting on Tommy's porch steps. The family is celebrating his
35th birthday. Sounds of laughter come from inside and from the children playing in
the back yard.
"Plans? Me?" Marie says in surprise.
"Yeah, you! You know, like, what are you going to do now? What's next?"
"I don't know yet. I'm taking it one day at a time."
"I know I haven't told you I'm sorry it didn't work out with Richard and you. But I'm
worried about you. You've been so quiet. And distant."
Marie looks at him, mildly shocked, "What is this? Role reversal? In thirty-eight years,
I don't think anyone's ever been worried about me. You come to me when you're down
or in trouble. I don't go to you."
"Well then, maybe it's time you did. You know, I'm not a child anymore. I'm thirty-five
with kids of my own. Maybe it's time for me to be a brother to my big sister. So, spill
your guts, Sis. I'm listening and I really do care."
Marie pats his knee, "I know you do. But really, I don't know what I'm going to do now.
Richard seems to have sucked all the life out of me. It was always give, give, give and I
never got anything in return. When I think of what I gave up. My band. My dream. It
was just starting to fall into place. The pieces were finally going to fit. And I let it go
because his career was more important. How did I put up with him for so long?" She
takes a deep breath and tries fighting back the tears.
"Hey, what's this?" Tommy turns her face to his shoulder. "I don't think I've ever seen
you cry," he says into her ear. "It's all right. Give it time. Everything will work out in
the end."
"Hey, that's my line," Marie says, drying her eyes.
"Well then, I'll tell you another of your lines. Don't give up on your dream. Make it
happen. You said that to me four years ago when I was thinking of starting my own
business. Well, you were right. Make it happen."
"You make it sound so simple. You don't know how hard it is to get a band together
and make it work."
"Marie, Tommy, we're putting out cake and coffee," someone calls from inside. "Kids,
let's go. Inside, now! Tommy! Marie!"
"We'd better go, that cake's not going to last too long," Tommy says, wiping the
last tears from Marie's face, "It won't do for everyone to see these tears. They'll think
I was beating up on you or something." He groans as he stands, "I must be getting
old. These knees aren't what they used to be."
"You're not getting older, you're getting wiser," Marie says, giving Tommy a final
hug. She adds, "And it's about time, too," playfully hitting him on his chest.
They both laugh as Tommy opens the door.
"Listen," Tommy says in the hall, "Mom says she'll baby-sit for a while later. We're all
going down to The Haunt for Karaoke. Wanna come? You can laugh at your brothers
and sisters who can't sing for beans."
"Karaoke?"
"They have "These Boots Are Made For Walking". You can dedicate it to Richard."
"Sure, sounds like fun."
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The first strains of Gloria Gaynor's, "I Will Survive", fills the air. Marie closes her eyes
trying to remember where she comes in. She misses the intro and has to catch up on
the words. It only takes a few seconds before she gets it right. Before the first
chorus, she's dancing. By the musical break, she's on fire. At the end, she's believing
every word she's singing, "I got all my life to live, I got all my love to give, I will survive.
I will survive. I will survive." The applause crescendos and dies. She stands in
silence. Then raising the mike to her lips, she glances around the room and says, "I
will survive." The crowd goes crazy once more.
Marie joins her family at their table. "OK, who's next?" she says, sitting.
They sit and listen to a few numbers and order another round of drinks. Marie's mind
wanders while the KJ sets up another song. "Yoo-hoo, Earth to Marie," Tommy says,
waving his hand in front of her eyes to get her attention. "Are you with us?"
"Huh? Sorry, I was just thinking about what you said earlier. Do you have a pen?"
Tommy gives her the little pencil they pass around for Karaoke requests. She grabs a
napkin and starts writing. Tommy looks over her shoulder and smiles.
"Marie Anderson, lead vocalist and keyboard player, formerly of Mirror Image, forming
a new band. Needed - lead and bass guitar, drums, saxophone, back-up and additional
lead vocals. Professionals only. Please call … "
© 1996 Bobbie Ann Pimm
Book 1 Book 2 Book 3 Book 4 Book 5