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It Could
Happen:
"This is wonderful," my teacher told me class after explaing the plot of the opera to our class, "You're going to love it." Of course I was the only one that believed her, and probably the only one that actually did enjoy La Boheme... and of course, what happened afterwards. Ms. Eleanor has always been one of my favorite music teachers.... we both had a similar way of connecting to and performing music. I've also always regarded Paul McCartney as one of my favorite teachers... both of these teachers conveyed all of their thoughts through the music. I knew what Ms. Eleanor was going to say before she said it: "You would make the perfect Mimi!" I kept that in mind as I sat through the show. Soon I did not need the above-stage screen translations to understand what was going on. I didn't notice or concern myself with the people surrounding me, the classmates, the teacher or the couple in front of me, until after the show. Ms. Eleanor came running back after she went to check to see if the bus had arrived. "The bus isn't here yet, we'll have to wait." The chorus groaned as we patiently watched the crowd filter through. So much for beating the crowds to the Hard Rock Cafe. Finally the row in front of us exited, with exception of one couple. They were both crying over the ending still, and so was I... even Ms. Eleanor had stopped crying. My chorus scattered throughout City Opera as we found out that the bus would be an hour late. I remembered how my kind of people had been sitting out by the water fountain earlier- some Julliard students that were pretty nice and extremely talented, they knew any classic rock song by request. Something told me not to. I made my way down to the stage and smiled at how close we'd been. I wanted to go behind the curtain and meet the amazing singers who were in the opera, but there would be no way of doing that... and I seldom acted upon such demanding impulses. I remained at the foot of the orchestra pit and turned to the empty audience. Empty with the exception of that same couple who were just close enough to recognize. The man stood up and offered the woman his hand, which she accepted. I could barely hear her: "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Paul," and they embraced. My heart started racing... Paul... Paul... THE Paul? My favorite Paul? "Paul McCartney!?" I said allowed. They turned toward me. There I stood, now pale enough to match my ivory dress... Paul and Linda started walking toward me. "We didn't think you were going to show up," Paul laughed. Then I realized: they thought I was someone else. If they got too close, they'd be able to see that I was nothing more than a young fan. They were close enough to see my reaction. I was so happy and nervous I was crying. Linda was wiping away tears as well, and Paul's eyes were red. "It was a very emotional story," Linda commented. I smiled nervously as I stood face to face with her. "Yes..." "The car's waiting outside if you'd like to go," Paul interjected, "You know how impatient James can be." "I do?" I asked. He laughed. "After spending the last two months with him, I should hope so!" "Sir, I don't think-" I began. "Please," Paul continued, offering his hand, "Call me Paul." I shook his hand. "Well, Paul, I think there's-" "We're late, dear," Linda looked at Paul's watch. Paul held the doorfor Linda and I. There had to have been some kind of mix up. Of course I knew who James was, but I hadn't spent two months with him... I was too speechless to interrupt their busy life. People took pictures of Paul and Linda as we exited, then I noticed some of them pointing... to ME! A few of them got my picture as I was hustled into the back and pushed next to another person. He was wearing headphones, he had his eyes closed, and he put his arm around me. I was going to speak up, but again my nerves got the better of me. So this was James... and James was very handsome.... he looked uncomfortable in his suit, but still very handsome. I had an urge to fix his tie, but... James removed his headphones and looked at me with a big smile... for a few seconds he was actually going to kiss me. Then he said, "Who the hell are you?" I stood frozen, stammering for an explanation. Meanwhile, I saw my tour bus pull up. Members of my chorus began to scurry onto it. "I'm with them!" I pointed to the bus. James shot a quizzical look toward his parents, who gave each other the same look. "I'm very sorry for this mix-up," Linda started, still just as confused, "James' girlfriend was supposed to meet us after the performance..." "Mum, does she look 25, tall, thin and Parisian? I'm hearing no French accent here, how could you have been so confused?" James was clearly angry. "I'm sorry..." I began, wishing this whole thing had never happened. I was also a bit hurt by what James was saying. "Look, it's alright, miss," Paul offered, "Driver, stop the car." Paul was about tothe door as the reporters caught up. Meanwhile, I could see my chorus peering out the window searching for me... Paul sat back again. "Look James, what's the difference? Last night you told me you didn't even care for this girl. None of this would have happened had you done what I instructed-" "What was I supposed to do? Call her and break it off over the phone?" "Better than inviting her to meet us first!" Paul retorted, "this should have waited until next week." "Right," James threw in sarcastically, "Because your little opera is more important than my life." I could hear Paul's voice ring at this moment, he was so loud: "You know that isn't true!" With the car stopped, Jamesd his door and attempted to ignore those outside. "Come on," he told me, "I'll take you back to your group." Completely shocked by the previous argument, I did as James said. He slipped his arm around my waist. "Please," he whispered, "Just look normal okay? Neither of us want these photos getting around if either of us appear in disarray." I nodded. "I'm sorry," he apologized, "We're just a normal family..." I couldn't do anything but nod again. We reached my bus. James gestured to the photographers. "Now you're the mystery woman." He winked, and with that, he left. I'm not quite sure if I was able to return to earth after that... once you get a wink from those eyes, you don't forget!:)
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