Chapter 3

“Since I have you here, it’s time for you to sing again,” Brad mentioned after accepting Abby’s kiss and embrace. “I’m sure you’d sooner hear from Abby, who definitely sings and looks prettier than me,” he announced, and several laughed.

Brad handed her the extra mic, and they briefly discussed the songs she’d sing.

‘You and I’ sung by Celine Dion. Words and music by Aldo Nova and Jacques Duval.

Brad began the song’s intro with the keyboard simulating an acoustic guitar. Abby nervously looked at the gathered crowd, unaccustomed to performing in front of so many people.

High above the mountains, far across the sea

I can hear your voice calling out to me

Brighter than the sun and darker than the night

I can see your love shining like a light

(Brad joins with soft background harmony)

And on and on this earth spins like a carousel

If I could travel across the world

The secrets I would tell

(The clear, crisp sound of Abby’s voice attracted everyone within hearing distance.)

You and I were meant to fly higher than the clouds

We’ll sail across the sky, so come with me

And you will feel that we’re soaring

That we’re floating up so high

‘Cause you and I were meant to fly

Sailing like a bird high on the wings of love

Take me higher than all the stars above (Brad joined in again with soft harmony.)

I’m burning, yearning gently turning round and round

I’m always rising up I never want to come back down

You and I were meant to fly higher than the clouds

We’ll sail across the sky, so come with me

And you will feel that we’re soaring

That we’re floating up so high

‘Cause you and I were meant to fly, fly

(Brad’s skin tingled as Abby hit the highest notes of the song.)

You and I were meant to fly higher than the clouds

We’ll sail across the sky, so come with me

And you will feel that you and I were meant to fly

You and I, were meant, to fly

The song ended with the loudest and longest applause of the afternoon. Abby felt embarrassed, yet incredibly turned on by her performance. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

Brad loved the special effects of his keyboard’s ability to reproduce virtually every instrument. He looked to Abby, nodded, and began the quick-tempo song by Shania Twain, ‘Rock This Country.’ Words and music by Robert Lange and Shania Twain.

I woke up this morning with a buzz rollin’ ‘round in my brain

I haven’t been drinkin’ but it feels pretty good just the same

It must be contagious, looks like it’s goin’ around

It’s cool once you catch it, you can’t keep your feet on the ground

(The lively beat of the song relaxed Abby, and she began moving around on the stage. Brad added background harmony when required.)

C’mon, c’mon let’s get something started

C’mon, c’mon let’s start something now

We’re gonna rock this country

We’re gonna rock this country

Every brown eyed boy every blue eyed girl

Gotta really go psycho give it a whirl

We’re gonna rock this country

Right out of this world

Ah oo na na na

From Utah to Texas, Minnesota, Mississippi too

Or Nevada, no matter where you live-this buzz is for you

C’mon, c’mon let’s get something started

C’mon, c’mon let’s start something now

We’re gonna rock this country

We’re gonna rock this country

Every brown eyed boy every blue eyed girl

Gotta really go psycho-give it a whirl

We’re gonna rock this country

Right out of this world

Ah oo na na na

Ah oo na na na

We’re pluggin’ in the power

Crankin’ up the sound

It’s comin’ your direction

It’s headin’ to your town

We’re kickin’ up dust

Blowin’ off steam

Let’s get nuts now

Everybody scream

We’re gonna rock this country

We’re gonna rock this country

Every brown eyed boy every blue eyed girl

Gotta really go psycho-give it a whirl

We’re gonna rock this country

Right out of this world

Ah oo na na na, ah oo na na na, ah oo na na na

The larger crowd erupted in thunderous applause for this excellent singer. She handed the mic to Brad. “Sing more! Sing more!” Several chanted, and she shyly accepted.

“You’ll likely guess from this next song that Shania Twain is one of my favourite singers. This next song is a duet, and luckily I have my wonderful boyfriend, Brad, to help sing it with me.”

‘Party for Two.’ Words and music by Robert Lange and Shania Twain.

Brad began the song with the distinctive twang of the guitar on his keyboard, then the drums kicked into the lively beat. Abby began to sway on the stage, her tight jeans accenting her sensual moves to the beat of the song.

Whoa!

Huh! Huh!

(Aww, baby)

I’m having me a party

(I don’t think I can come)

Uh, uh, this ain’t just any kind of party

(Nah, I think I’ll stay at home)

Uh, oh, no (Abby shook her head and wagged her finger, no at him.)

It’s gonna be really, really hot

(Startin’ to sound good)

I’m gonna put you on the spot

(Baby, maybe I should)

Yeah, there’ll be lots of one on one

(Guess I could be there)

Come on and join the fun

(What should I wear?)

I’ll tell you that it

It doesn’t matter what you wear

‘Cause it’s only gonna be

You and me there (Whoa!) (Brad began swaying his upper body on the chair to the beat of the song.)

I’m having a party

A party for two

Invitin’ nobody

Nobody but you

You’ll be sexy in your socks

(We can polish the floors)

In case that anybody knocks

(Let’s lock all the doors)

Yeah, all the things I’m gonna do

(I’m gonna do with you)

I want to try something new

(I want to try it, too)

I tell you that it

It doesn’t matter

What I wear

‘Cause it’s only gonna be

You and me there

I’m having a party

A party for two, yeah

Invitin’ nobody

Nobody but you

(I’m here) You’re there

(That’s all) we really need