Page 198 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

smouldering ash. I try to ignore him but it’s not easy for me. I
don’t want to be rude and being a chronic people-pleaser does
not help. The whole thing just feels smarmy to me even though
no one else in this group knows our history. But I do. What
took place was fueled by alcohol and it was a mistake, plain and
simple. The Major is old enough to be my father! Maybe I was
still looking to replace mine?
Gord is different. He is a peer and a beautiful performer. I
love watching him from backstage, playing his heart out. One
night, on an isolated army base in Egypt, we perform in the
Sinai desert with the Red Sea as our backdrop. Talk about an
exotic setting! It is the hottest outdoor show I have ever done
in my life. Temperatures are still in the high 90s, even at show’s
end. The smoldering air blowing off the dry desert sands is
stifling just to breathe, much less perform in. Add the heat
from the stage lights and everyone is sweating profusely. I am
dying for any kind of relief so, after my solo segment I secretly
slip out into the audience to try and catch some sort of breeze.
My eyes are transfixed on Gord.
Dressed all in white, sun kissed from a day on the beach, he
and his bass move and groove to the music. His charisma and
passion are intoxicating. This man has hypnotized me.
After an enchanted concert under the stars, we’re ready to
board the UN bus. As we clamour on, most of us are happily
drunk. The military sure know how to throw a fun party! The
alcohol just never stops flowing. The men and women never
want us to leave and so our goodbyes always take a bit longer.
Just boarding the bus can take 30 minutes!
We usually continue the festivities with more drinking
and dancing in the aisles, but not tonight. We’ll be traveling
through the Gaza Strip, so we need to be mindful. And besides,
everyone is exhausted from the long day in the scorching heat.

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