Six - Your Way

Mark had left to meet to meet up with his brother and another world tour leaving Jimmy and Robert alone on the last night. There was an emptiness already hanging in the air. Jimmy was very somber knowing the inevitable ending the night would bring.

"Jimmy, have a seat, Kid. I am going to play you one more song. It is a fitting song for you. I want you to attack the world like you with the same zest for life you have shown me in the last six weeks." The Jester settled on Forever Young for the kid who seemed to grow by leaps and bounds.

As he played the guitar, Robert spoke to the young man trying to give him the final push from unconscious teen to man in the real world. It is not that a young man necessarily wants advice nearly as much as it is needed.

Many parents thrust their children into the world without enough worldly advice on how to be flexible with the world outside. The many challenges, pitfalls and successes all require the proper response.

Sure, it is easy to say the young adults should learn these things on their own, there is no dispute in that. But a clear understanding of the differences are a parent's responsibility. Since Jimmy did not have the luxury of a father, Robert took it upon himself to remind the kid from nowhere of what was ahead for him.

"Jimmy, there are many things you need to discover in this world and you can not do it from here or that town from nowhere. I do not know your dreams for your future. It is not likely you'll become a stone carver like your father or a musician like me.

Maybe that big left hand will lead you to places you've never been? Maybe you will fall in love, have children and help them on their way? Then again you may find a cause that pulls you in so far there is no escaping.

There will be people who need help but are not helpless. The ones that appear to have it all together are likely the ones hiding their weaknesses. That is okay, but sometimes pride and ego will hurt more than a smack on the head. So try not to be a pretender.

Remember that life is meant to be a challenge. If you're not good enough one day, change it. Learn what it takes to be the person you need to be. Yes, need to be. Sometimes wanting to be something will not serve you nearly as well as truly knowing what you need to be.

I need to be a musician. I need to tell people my take on the world around me. I hate prejudice and intolerance. People need to be more flexible and understand we can not all be the same.

This world got all screwed up years before we came here but that doesn't mean we have to accept it. Oh no! Do not conform to others just to be part of something. Be apart of something because it is right, just and moves us forward as humans. There is room for everyone.

So spread your wings, Kid!

Kid? What a derogatory word for someone who is now a man. Yeah, a man. Don't let that go to your head though, it just means you need to make responsible decisions from here on out. The fun's not over, it has just begun my friend, who is now a man.

I always wondered why my manager booked this little, out of the way studio. It has its charm, for sure. But it was your presence that took me back to my early years. I believe I captured the younger Robert quite nicely here.
I think I will head out to California. I know I don't need to tell you where I'm going but George has something he wants me to be part of, and damn, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

Kid...Jimmy, you don't know how lucky you are. Look ahead and embrace the future like it won't be there tomorrow because, for some, tomorrow never comes. Today is the best day to do something because you already have it! It truly is a gift to be able to open your eyes and know it is possible you are gonna do something great today!

Visit your mother, Jimmy make peace and find your way. She has found a nice guy. You are going to like him. Right? I know you will. He is going to marry your mother so be supportive, loving and most of all be kind. Harsh words can really hurt but when there is kindness and understanding the world is that much better for having you in it.

The Jester played his last song for Jimmy. He winked at the kid from nowhere as he removed his guitar strap and placed his Gibson Les Paul into its custom made case.

He tossed the same harmonica back to Jimmy. "Keep it, it seems to like the way you play your blues!"

There were no words Jimmy had to express his gratitude for having time with someone who showed him a path forward. There was a shadow of sadness but that was tempered by the gifts of knowledge. It felt as if it was his time to fly.

Jimmy closed his eyes and began to play a form of blues that seemed to feel uplifting. Robert could feel the loss of his father in the low warbles of the blues harmonica but as the kid traveled along the length to the high notes, hope was found.

The musician took a final look at the kid lost in his feelings, seemingly unaffected by his leaving. He smiled as he pushed through the back door to the sound of his harmonica believing the kid was okay.

What Robert could not see was the intangibles he instilled in the kid from nowhere. The incredible, remarkable transformation about to take place over the next twenty years would not have been possible without the six weeks of foundations laid.

Robert awoke a man of passion.