3/4/2018

I sat down on a cold bench beside the road and slipped my ukulele out of its case. I strummed the four strings, making sure it was still in tune, and proceeded to form some chords. I saw a young woman in a flowery skirt walking towards me; I decided to serenade her.

"I took a stroll down Broadway,
Oh, meaning not long for to stay.
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid,
Come a-traipsing along the highway."

She slowed, glancing at me. I smiled at her. She smiled back. This was good.

"She was both fair and handsome,
Her neck it was just like a swan's.
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band."

She tilted her head at me curiously. I wondered why for a moment before realising that her dark hair was, indeed, pulled back into a bun with a black band. I grinned. Of course she wouldn't know that I was performing an old folk song. She beamed at me, probably thinking I was improvising the song.

"Her eyes, they shone like diamonds,
I thought her the queen of the land.
And her hair, it hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band."

She giggled. I loved it when they giggled. "You're pretty good," she said.

"I'm okay, I guess," I shrugged sheepishly.

"Well, I think you're good."

I couldn't stop the smile from spreading across my face. Of course, I couldn't keep playing the song. She didn't know the next few verses like I did. But I didn't want to stop playing, either. I decided to hum the melody, and she stood there, soaking in what little musical talent I possessed.

"Would you like to come sit with me?" I asked her hopefully.

"Oh, I should probably be going," she said quickly, glancing at a watch on her wrist. "Thank you for the song, though. It was beautiful."

"So are—"

My mouth clapped shut. I could swear I saw her heart-shaped face turn red. She never stopped grinning as she waved and turned away, continuing on her path.

I let out a long sigh. She reminded me a great deal of someone I'd once sang that song to a long time ago. I'd all but forgotten about her, but now the memories came flooding back. I strummed a final chord.

"...Betrayed by the black velvet band."