A Story Told in a Song Annabelle

This is my second part to CreativityTakesCourage's trigoly, A Story Told in a Song. One famous writer on this site ( I can't mention his name because I didn't get permission) when I started reading from this site, used song titles in his stories, which was my inspiration to try writing to begin with. To CTC, you write like a French Pastry, while I write like lumpy oatmeal, but still I try.

Consider this my challenge to all you experienced and wanna be writer, pick a song and write a 750 word story with it, it is quite fun. Now, on with the show.

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It had been a month since Phillip sang his set of songs, in essence ending his marriage to Annabelle. He'd moved on and was now living in a small flat, closer to his work. He hadn't seen or spoken to her since, but he had been seeing Melissa. She'd been sharing his bed every night after he'd moved in.

She was good in bed, but not what he'd been used to. How do you go from a Lamborghini to a Pontiac Fiero in less than a week?

Melissa conned him into coming back to karaoke night, with the promise that he didn't have to perform if he didn't want to. Their table was just inches from the stage, so one could say they had front row seats. At eight, Freddy the owner, who always started open mic with a few jokes, took the stage.

"I'm doing something a little different tonight; I'm not going to tell any jokes."

The crowd heckled him for a moment.

"Tonight, I'm starting off with a newcomer to the stage; let's give it up for ANNABELLE."

When she walked out on the stage, she looked different than she had a month ago. Gone was the puffy hairstyle, low-cut-at-the-top-short-at-the-bottom dress. Her normal four inch heels that made her calves and ass look like something out of a wet dream, replaced by flats. She wore a loose-fitting pant suit, her hair was down, and her contacts were replaced with the horned rim glasses she only wore at home to read.

She took the mic and began to speak. It was clear she was nervous. "Earlier this year, I made a bad decision, tonight I hope to try and rectify it."

Phillip started to get up, intending to leave but Melissa held his hand, keeping him in place.

"Phil, I've been having coffee with Annabelle for the last week. She knows we've been sleeping together, but she still loves you and wants to tell you, give her this one chance."

He eased back down into his seat as Annabelle began to sing.

There's got to be a morning after

If we can hold on through the night

We have a chance to find the sunshine

Let's keep on looking for the light

He knew the song; it was from that old disaster movie.

Oh, can't you see the morning after?

It's waiting right outside the storm

Why don't we cross the bridge together

And find a place that's safe and warm?

Phillip always knew Annabelle could sing, when ever they'd gone on rides they'd drop a CD in the player and sing together, she just couldn't perform in front of others.

It's not too late, we should be giving

Only with love can we climb

It's not too late, not while we're living

Let's put our hands out in time

Could he find forgiveness? After all, he had probably fucked Melissa more times than Rick had Annabelle.

There's got to be a morning after

We're moving closer to the shore

I know we'll be there by tomorrow

And we'll escape the darkness

We won't be searching anymore

Annabelle finished the song and bolted from the stage. Phillip sat there, a million thoughts going through his brain. Melissa excused herself and went to find her friend, leaving Phillip alone.

He stood up and walked to the stage as the crowd held their breath.

He gave Freddy the number and picked up the mic, "The song I'm going to sing tonight, I've changed a few words, if that upsets you, sorry."

The music started and he sang.

Every time I think of you

I always catch my breath

And I'm still standing here and you're miles away

And I'm wondering why I left

And there's a storm that's raging

Through my frozen heart tonight

I hear your name in certain circles

And it always makes me smile

I spend my time thinking about you

And it's almost driving me wild

And there's a heart that's breaking down this long-distance line tonight

I ain't missing you at all

Since you've been gone away.

I ain't missing you

No matter what I might say.

There's a message in the wire

And I'm sending you this signal tonight.

You don't know how desperate I've become

And it looks like I'm losing this fight.

Phillip put the mic down and returned to his table. Annabelle and Melissa both came out, and sat down with him, and they all looked at each other. What next.

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Morning After

Performed by -- Maureen McGovern

Released -- May 1973

Songwriters -- Joel Hirschhorn

Al Kasha

Missing you

Performed by -- John Waite

Released -- June 1984

Songwriters -- John Waite

Mark Leonard

Charles Sanford