Forty-Seven (Amy); Happiness is...
If I didn't know that Steve is very possibly the gayest bloke on this planet I would swear there's something going on between him and Heather. Not that that's all that strange, considering they used to date and all. But still, he's gay and she's not interested in him anyway. But - poor Tim... He occasionally gets an expression on his face that I think indicates a homicidal thought... Mostly though, he's okay.
I watch Heather leaping about the stage, her ponytail alternating between swinging madly, to slapping her (or whichever band member unfortunate enough to be near it) around the face (or in the case of the band members - in the chest. Heather certainly isn't tall enough to make any of them fear for their eyesight!). I bet that underneath the heavy stage makeup I know she's wearing, that Heather will be crimson from the heat and exertion. She's going to fucking kill herself if she keeps going like this! I know we used to say that Danny would work himself to nothingness when performing with Boingo, but this is ridiculous! She isn't Danny!
And the last time she pushed herself this hard she ended up collapsing and having to take a week out. I don't want that happening this time! Her voice is as strong as ever, and to someone who didn't know Heather it would sound fine, but I can hear this little grating on the notes that isn't usually there. It doesn't sound bad, but I know that it means she's trying too hard. What the fuck is she trying to prove?! This isn't just the love of performing, this is something else. Something she sees as slightly more important. I know her well enough to see she's pushing herself to the very edge of her abilities for a reason --and hey, isn't that what most people do?-- and it seems to me like she's trying to prove something. What and to whom is anyone's guess; we all know she's a great performer, and the audience are certainly enjoying themselves... So... Oh I give up, Heather's mind's a screwy place at the best of times!
I'm actually really surprised I'm enjoying myself as much as I am! I mean, I was very sceptical when I heard about the Boingo tribute... For a start I don't think anyone has the ability to be as good as Oingo Boingo -and Danny... Shut up Amy!- but these guys are actually incredibly good! I wasn't sure whether Heather would be able to do Danny's work justice... But she has. Weird.
"Thank you, goodnight and God Bless!" Heather gasps into the mic, smiling and looking happy.
"Do we go now?" someone asks behind me as Heather and the band take their bows and file offstage. I turn and give the stupid bint a scowl. Hasn't she ever been to a gig before?! Don't they know that the fist time a band says goodnight and leaves the stage they'll be back for at least one more song?
"No." I mutter, turning around. Stupid morons. I hate stupid people! I cast a sideways glance at Tim Roth, who's grinning. "Give it up for Fevered Sleep!" The very pretty and somewhat hyperactive host chirrups into his microphone. "Was that enough? D'you want more?" Unsure of whether this moronic audience will actually cheer, I do. Very, very loudly. So much so that both Tims sidestep quite considerably. I snigger slightly, then smile broadly as the rest of the audience, as if waiting for a leader, follows my example and cheer wildly. My smile grows as Tim Burton cheers as well, followed at a slightly more discreet volume by Tim Roth. I'm really glad they're both supporting Heather, I know she'll appreciate it.
"One more?" Her disembodied voice floats onstage, still husky. "Jeeze, you guys're gonna kill us!" she adds as her words bring another cheer from the audience. "No matter, cause we all know that no one lives forever!" another collective cheer as the band --minus Heather-- walks back onstage. Andy taps his drumsticks, and the band leaps into their last song. Oddly enough, No One Lives Forever. How ironic...
"You worry too much; you make yourself sad! You can't change fate, but don't feel so bad..." Heather doesn't really have the same 'sex voice' intonation that Danny does --did!-- but she still sounds pretty good... Very good, in fact! As the instrumental kicks in Heather leaps on stage. She still looks exhausted, and in the stage lights her eyes are feverishly bright. Not good... But she's not falling over, which is a definate bonus! I think she's okay... For now...
"Not bad, is she?" Tim Roth comments in my ear, half making me jump. I nod.
"She's good." I agree. And happy. She looks a lot happier than I've seen her in a long time. I think it's something to do with the fact she's performing again. I doubt she was ever happy away from it.
"No one lives forever!" Heather snarls into the mic with more force and bitterness than I would have expected from her, and the hall errupts into cheers once more. "That's really it from us! Thanks for your support everyone, especially my husband and best friends! You guys are out there, and you know who you are! Goodbye and God Bless!"
Chapter 46 ; Contents ; Chapter 48
