Danny Boy

She knew what song Andrew wanted. Danny Boy. His grandmother was Irish and used to sing it to him as a young boy. That song was one of the few things in the world that could move him to tears.

Rebecca's new friend Ed was engaging in a drunken one-sided conversation with her that she’d been tuning out. He apparently thought that her "outfit" was the latest fashion for hookers in the area and he couldn't have been more pleased about it. Rebecca felt Ed's hand on her back and she quickly gulped down her glass of wine. "Excuse me Ed, but I want to request a song from the piano man." She rose from her stool and all eyes were on her as she approached the piano. She waited self-consciously until he finished his song and then spoke briefly into his ear. He nodded and began to play. Rebecca looked around the bar nervously and began to sing:

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen, and down the mountain side

The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying

'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow

Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow

'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow

Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

Rebecca sang with a strong, clear voice. She loved to sing and, for the moment anyway, she forgot about her nudity. She was lost in the moment and the crowd listened with rapt attention to the beautiful song.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying

And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me

And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be

If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me

I simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

There was silence for a moment after she finished, then the crowd erupted in applause. Rebecca blushed then took a small bow. In the corner she could see Andrew clapping as well, a tear running down his cheek. A rush of adrenaline ran through her and she couldn't help but smile as she returned to the bar.