Chapter 13

We joined together for our next to last song, “Happy”...

MICHAEL
It might seem crazy
what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here,
you can take away
I’m a hot air balloon,
I could go to space
With the air, like
I don’t care baby
by the way
Because I’m happy

EVERYBODY
Clap along if you
feel like a room
without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like happiness
is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
know what happiness
is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like that’s
what you wanna do

MICHAEL
Here come bad news
talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got,
don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably
warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you
don’t waste your time
Here’s why

EVERYBODY
Clap along if you
feel like a room
without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like happiness
is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
know what happiness
is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s
what you wanna do

MIKE & THE REST
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like a room
without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like happiness
is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
know what happiness
is to you

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like
that’s what you wanna do
Happy, bring me down
Can’t nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy
to bring me down
Can’t nothing, bring me down
I said bring me down
Can’t nothing, bring me down
Love is too happy
to bring me down
Can’t nothing, bring me down
I said

(The entire crowd was singing with is to the end)

Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like a room
without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like happiness
is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what
happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like that’s what
you wanna do
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like a room
without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like happiness
is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
know what happiness
is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you
feel like that’s what
you wanna do

It ended, and everyone bowed, except for Sarah and Nevina.

“Thank you all very much. That’s it, two hours ... Good night to you all!”

Running towards us was Phyllis, the birthday girl’s Mom, asking, “Can you please go on for another hour?”

“Our contract was for two hours, Ms. Jefferson. We could go on at $300 per hour, but we need to be paid for our contract first?”

“So, this is all about money, young man?” she was quick to remark with her hands on her hips.

“No, Ma’am! This is business and I have nine people to pay. Your husband works for a paycheck, so you can hire people to play music for your daughter’s birthday.”

“You make a valid point, young man, I’m sorry.”

She handed me our check $1,500 for our two hours and handed me $400 cash for one additional hour, all twenties!

Mom took the cash and Nevina took the check and stuck it between her bosom and caught me watching.

I went back to my keyboard, “You have us for one more hour ... April, it’s your turn, Doll”...

APRIL NICHOLAS
I’ll be your
candle on the water
My love for you
will always burn
I know you’re
lost and drifting
But the clouds are lifting
Don’t give up, you
have somewhere to turn

I’ll be your
candle on the water
‘Till every wave is
warm and bright
My soul is
there beside you
Let this candle guide you
Soon you’ll see a
golden stream of light

A cold and friendless
tide has found you
Don’t let the stormy
darkness pull you down
I’ll paint a ray of
hope around you
Circling in the air,
lighted by a prayer

I’ll be your
candle on the water
This flame inside
of me will grow
Keep holding on,
you’ll make it
Here’s my hand,
so take it
Look for me
reaching out to show

As sure as rivers flow
I’ll never let you go
I’ll never let you go
I’ll never let you go

They love her as much as I did...