davey recoils at the act of kindness, freckled cheeks flushing with a redness that ( almost ) assumes vulnerability. he pauses for a moment, green eyes blinking slowly; such a schmaltzy display should have made him nauseous.
‘ thanks, i guess. ‘
Carlos smiled at the child – he was obviously so surprised at
getting the little goodie bag. Angela and Carlos had put them together for all
the kids she knew and went to camp with. Unfortunately, Angela was with her
mother so Carlos was delivering this one to the little boy.
“You’re welcome, Davey,” he said. “Angela said that you
always made camp fun and she wanted to do something nice for everyone.”
‘ i simply can’t wait !! she’ll be delighted to see you. and we’ll have S’MORES! ‘
as if that was the qualifying factor.
“Ooh – now I’ll have
to come!” Carlos said with a grin. “I’ll bring some Starbursts too as an
offering – I’ve got to go into town anyway. Do kids still roast Starbursts?”
‘ DO I know it ! heck , i could play it for you right now !! ‘
his voice wavers with utter enthusiasm as he reaches for his guitar—–an action that’s muscle memory at this point.
‘ now , i don’t have a band to back me , but i’m sure i can make due with my trusty ol’ guitar—–and someone to sing harmony ! ‘
yes , carlos , he’s implying exactly what you think he is.
Carlos laughed. “I
was serious, David – I do have some work. Got some rock samples to analyze. But
hey – I’ll see if I can pop in on the fireside tonight so I can make a fool of
myself in front of my kid, Angie. Sound alright?”
Carlos chuckled. “Thanks, David. But I’ve got some work to do – I’ll sit in on fireside
some other time.” He thought a moment. “Hey… you know El Dorado by George Alexander? It’s a great song – written after
Edgar Allen Poe’s poem of the same name. Always gets me in a good mood when I
hear it.”
he falters momentarily ,reluctant to espouse the truth over his own ideal (and comforting) illusions. green eyes blink and refocus.
‘ happiness is nature’s most effective medicine , carlos !! i’m beginning to think YOU could do with a song today. ‘
Carlos chuckled. “Thanks, David. But I’ve got some work to do – I’ll sit in on fireside
some other time.” He thought a moment. “Hey… you know El Dorado by George Alexander? It’s a great song – written after
Edgar Allen Poe’s poem of the same name. Always gets me in a good mood when I
hear it.”
he wags his finger incredulously , reminiscing on a past chalk-full of injuries soothed by a guitar and a campfire.
‘ especially with a good song ! ‘
“No, David, you don’t understand – playing a guitar to a
cancer patient literally won’t heal them,” Carlos tried to explain. “Songs are
nice, but all they’ll do is just put someone in a good mood. Maybe help take the pain away, or make it more bearable I guess. But of course, that’s not to say you shouldn’t play songs for people who are hurt – go for it and help improve their mood.”
‘ AS A MATTER OF fact , i do think music can cure all ailments. ‘
“That is… son, that’s scientifically impossible. Music certainly helps put a person in a good mood, and a good mood can help make the recovery process smoother. But music alone isn’t a good medicine.”
The Perfect Scientist 