Re: [Outside Secondhand Books & Cafe: Misha & Sadie]
She was tickled pink when he joined her and it shined through every note that would leave her instrument thereafter. She loved it best when she could get audience participation, when people would clap or sing or dance along with her. It just made everything feel...normal. Was normal even the word for it? Could normal be the word for it? It was as close as she got anyway, with each glide of bow to strings further putting distance between herself and that general sense of unease she seemed to bring to the world. Or maybe she was just imagining it all, who knew anymore. More importantly, as she played along with the duet, who cared?
Sure as heck not Sadie Lynn Marella, that's who. She felt good, she was having a good time playing music, and there was the promise of hot coffee at the end. That was what mattered.
Once the music was done, she'd quickly yet methodically scoop up what of her gains had come in during the last two pieces. Everyone would get 'Thank You so much's and soft little smiles. Some would even get a 'God Bless' if they offered it first. Most importantly though was the handling of the instrument itself. It was carefully wiped down, making sure no moisture remained to warp the wood, and her outer layer was peeled off and wrapped around the case once it was sealed to help acclimate to the indoor temperature more slowly. Then the whole thing would be carefully tucked up against her chest where she could more easily maneuver it and keep it from bumping into anyone while they made their way in.
She wouldn't argue about the coffee or who paid either, though she considered it for a split second. Ultimately, she presumed if he could afford to throw that much money into her case, he could afford the cup of coffee better than she could. Part of her would argue internally, to suggest trying to ply him with the drink if there was a chance this might turn her life toward something, but that just felt...icky.
It was better to take the kindness and see where it went from there. Better that than to get ahead of herself again and set herself up for disappointment.
Instead she'd offer a polite smile and "Thank you, Misha." All personalized even, for the door being held open for her. Small kindnesses like that still went a long way in her book. She tried her best not to look too excited when her earlier though seemed to find root among the word recruiting. It was a pitiful effort really, one that could have been seen through easier than tracing paper, but she'd keep quiet about it for now. Instead she just ticked away the details about the new person and filed it all away so she could be more focused and present.
"Not long. A couple days." She sounded uncertain in her answer, honestly having lost track. Towns, for as different and unique as they all were, had been blending together for awhile now. This one, Repose as she now knew to call it, certainly did seem a cut about many of the other small towns she rode through, but that too fell into the category of not wanting to get too excited for fear of what it would mean if (and when) it all fell apart. Sadie just figured, if she was lucky this time and she tried real hard, maybe she could stave that off longer than usual and call it a win.
Maybe this random interaction was the first step toward that even.
"I'm guessing you've been around awhile though?" The accent was pushed aside, sunken now that electricity from preforming had dwindled and her mind knew to be conscious about how she spoke again.
"And did you say your boyfriend owns a Carnival? Like, Tilt-a-Whirl, cotton candy, fried dough, the whole thing?" Clearly that kernel had her attention.