Page 70 of Naked Coffee Guy

“Love me,” I say.

“Forever.”

On stage, I look out at the crowd. Night has fallen, but the place is lit up by stringed lights like we’re at a country barn dance. Everything looks different now, and I realize this could be one of my last shows here on this tiny stage. Once I sign with Starboard Sounds, anything could happen. I could be in the recording studio instead of freezing my ass off playing for a local outdoor bar. I could be on tour, singing for tens of thousands instead of mere dozens.

But for now, I’m singing for my people. My family. For Sunset Bay.

“Growing up, all my heroes were female rock stars—Hayley Williams from Paramore, Shirley Manson from Garbage, Chrissie Hyde from The Pretenders, and Stevie Knicks from a little band called Fleetwood Mac. I’d like to start this next set with one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs, as it holds special meaning for me, especially tonight. If you know the song, I’d love if you sang along.

I launch into “Landslide,” looking at my father who is now sitting next to Mac as I sing about a daughter growing up and spreading her wings, preparing to leave her family.

I never got to experience a traditional way of leaving the nest. But like the song, time made me bolder, allowing me the strength I needed for each step of the mountain I was climbing.

My father mouths the words with me, tears forming tiny rivers down his cheeks. All the love I have for him, along with all the love I know we’ll recover, shines out as we sing together.

My father is my past, and now he’s my present. But then I look to Mac, who is my future—and as the song comes to a close, I know this man is my forever. My love, my burly man, my beautiful Naked Coffee Guy.

And no landslide could ever bring us down.