“Would you like to join us?” Eunice inquired.
“I was just enjoying this woman’s fantastic voice.” The woman blushed.
“Do you sing?” Eunice asked.
“In high school plays and in the shower. That’s about it.”
“That makes you more than qualified to join us.”
Adam sat between the woman and a thin man with smoker’s skin, a silver crew cut, and a fading tattoo on his forearm. “This is Buzz and Gloria. They both live around here and we sing most weeknights together.”
“I’d like a vodka,” Adam called out to the waitress. “Buzz, Gloria, can I get either of you a drink?”
“No thanks. Drinkin’ cost me my two barber shops and my family,” Buzz offered — maybe a little too openly.
“Gloria?” Adam noticed how painfully shy she was.
“No, thank you,” she whispered in a voice that was barely audible.
“Let’s cut the chit chat and get to some singing already!” Eunice ordered.
“Okay, Madame E, let’s do ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’,” Buzz announced. “Eat your heart out, Tony Bennett,” Buzz said, while Eunice played the introduction. With all the gusto he could muster, Buzz belted out each word of the song in a monotone, hoarse voice. At the end of the song, Buzz triumphantly lifted the arm that wasn’t holding the microphone. Eunice was the first to give him positive reinforcement. She smiled and mouthed, “You did great!” The few remaining patrons, none of whom listened to Buzz’s rendition, gave Buzz a brief round of courteous applause.
“It’s almost closing time, kiddo. I get the feeling you really want to sing.” Eunice prodded Adam as she flaunted the songbook in his face. “Here, sing this,” she said, pointing to “L-O-V-E.” “It’ll be good for you.”
Page 60
