Both Henry and Jay were startled by the knock. They both jumped off the bed. Henry pointed to Jay's clothes on the floor, and Jay ran there and picked his clothes up and ran into the bathroom. Henry tried to find his t-shirt and shorts. The sound of knocking kept up.
*Pong! Pong! Pong!*
"Anybody home?" A woman's voice asked.
"Coming!" Henry replied while putting on his shorts. However, he could not find his own t-shirt in a hurry, so he had no choice but to open the door with only his shorts on.
A man and a woman were standing outside the door. The woman was wearing a shiny dress, with a Louis Vuitton handbag in her hand. The man was in his business suit. The woman rushed into the apartment right after the door was opened, and looked around.
"Jay? Where are you?"
At the same time, Jay came out of the bathroom and saw the woman. His mouth fell open.
"Mom?"
Suddenly Henry realized. They were Jay's parents, coming to take Jay back right after talking with Mr. Hsu. He saw that Jay's mother rushed up to Jay and embraced Jay tightly.
"Jay... you... you silly boy, you almost scared me to death..."
Jay was embraced tightly and didn't know what to do. Henry didn't know what to do either. Jay's father walked in and reached his hand out to Henry.
"Mr. Li?"
Henry nodded and shook hands with Jay's father.
"I apologize for Jay's disturbing you like this. Thank you for taking care of Jay these last few days."
"Well, uhm... it's nothing..." stammered Henry.
Jay's mother released Jay and held Jay's hand. "Let's go home now."
Jay flung his mother's hand away. "No! Why are you here now? You aren't supposed to come here until tomorrow morning!"
"What are you talking about?" said Jay's mother. "Come home with me now. I'm so worried about you."
"No! I want to stay here!" shouted Jay.
"You..." Jay's mother seemed to be about to explode again. Jay stared at his mother with stubborn eyes. Jay's father sighed visibly, stood in between the two, and looked at Henry, appealing to Henry for help.
Henry knew what Jay's father meant. Though reluctantly, he still started to speak.
"Um... Mr. and Mrs. Feng, please leave here for now. Let me talk with Jay first."
Jay's father nodded, mouthed a voiceless thank you to Henry and pushed his wife out of the door. He closed the door behind him. Then Henry turned to Jay and squatted down in front of him.
"Jay, be good. Go home and take a rest. Prepare for your concert on Saturday diligently. Okay?"
Jay looked at Henry with watery eyes.
"I don't want to leave."
"I know; I don't want you to leave either. However sooner or later you have to go. You know it. I know it."
"Didn't you say that they will come to take me tomorrow morning?" Jay protested with tears. "You are all liars!"
"Believe me, I didn't expect your parents to come here now. Or..." Henry lowered his voice. "Or how could I dare to be with you on the bed like that just now? Right?"
Jay seemed to accept his explanation, so he didn't talk anymore, just sobbed. Henry hugged Jay.
"Go home with your parents, okay? Your mom hasn't seen you for days. She must be so worried about you. Don't argue with her anymore, okay? Promise me."
"Can I see you again?" Jay asked, still sobbing.
"Yes. I believe that we can meet again."
"Can I take a shower and sleep with you again like today?"
Henry looked at Jay's watery eyes. He knew that Jay was sincere to him. He nodded.
"Okay, it's a deal. I promise you. Though I don't know when we can be together to experience that wonderful feeling again, I believe that it will come someday. Pinky promise."
Henry gave Jay his little finger, and hooked it with Jay's little finger. Jay wiped his eyes with his hands, then embraced Henry tightly again.
After sending Jay back, Henry sat on his bed. Looking at the empty room, he had a very empty feeling.
The last three days were just like a dream. It seemed that he could still hear Jay's voice, shouting,
'What? No bathtub?'
Henry smiled when thinking about this.
He closed his eyes. However, he could still see Jay's eyes when they sang "It's Destined" together in the pub. And, he could also see Jay's shy smile when they were taking a shower together in the bathroom.
He opened his eyes again. Something grabbed his attention.
A teddy bear, sitting on the windowsill.
The teddy bear they won from the amusement arcade. He told Jay to keep it. However Jay was taken back unexpectedly. He didn't remember to take the teddy bear with him.
Henry got up and took the teddy bear. He could still feel Jay's temperature on it, and smell Jay's smell; the smell mixed with soap's fragrance and Jay's smell of sweat; the wonderful smell.
Henry looked at his small table. There was a ticket on it. It was for Jay's concert on Saturday, given to him by Jay's father.
'Thank you, Mr. Li. This ticket is for Jay's concert on Saturday. The seat position is not very good, but I could only get this one in a hurry. I hope that you can come to see Jay's performance. He will be very happy if you can come,' Jay's father told Henry.
Henry couldn't remember what he replied. However, he knew that he had to work on Saturday. He was not Bob, who could go to Jay's concert if he wanted to. Henry walked back to his bed and lay down. He held the teddy bear to his chest and closed his eyes.
Jay was sitting in front of his own desk, with his guitar. On the desk was his notebook. He thought about what Henry told him.
'We never gave up playing music, because we all love to sing. Singing, playing instruments and music are very important to us and make us happy. As long as we can be together, we are either singing or playing music. Think about it: When you sang and wrote songs for the first time, did it make you happy? When you were younger, before you started to record your albums, did you sing just because you liked to sing?
'I think, your problem may be that, you forgot the happiness singing and playing music could bring to you. So now, going to classes, singing and facing your fans becomes very painful for you. Right?
'No matter how painful you feel, don't forget your love of music. Don't forget the happiness music brings to you. Don't forget that you have such great talent and opportunities to touch people's hearts. So, even if I can't meet you anymore, I'll be very happy to listen to your songs, to see you on TV. Okay?'
Jay realized that the most important thing he gained from Henry was that he finally understood what it meant to "sing from the heart". He finally recalled why he felt happy and touched when he sang, played piano and wrote songs. That was simply because he liked to do them. He loved to do all these wonderful things.
He recalled the happy and joyful feeling that music brought to him when he was younger. He recalled the touching feeling when he sang "It's Destined" with Henry. He plucked the guitar, and started to write something in his notebook.
Working for a while, Jay thought of Henry's eyes; the tender eyes that looked at him in the van; the talking eyes when they sang "It's Destined" together; the loving eyes when Henry came out to him, and in the bathroom.
Jay smiled. He really missed Henry very much. After thinking for a while, he went on with his work. At that moment, he was especially looking forward to his concert.
At last Henry applied for a day off on Saturday and got it. He took the bus to another city, where Jay was performing his second concert. Henry went into the stadium crowded with people and found his own seat. Though Jay's father said that the seat position was not very good, Henry felt that it was good enough. He could see the stage clearly. Besides, there were several big screens beside the stage.
Henry noticed that the auditorium was almost full. It should be by the time the concert starts. When would the concert start? Henry really wanted to see Jay again. However he didn't know if he could afford the pain, not knowing when he could see Jay the next time. Was Jay annoyed with his mom anymore these days? Did he still cry during his practices?
The general stage director patted Jay on his shoulder.
"Are you ready? It's about time."
Jay smiled and nodded.
The general stage director beamed. "That's it! Keep the smile. It's the best smile I've ever seen on your face in these past few months! Keep the status, and use your smile to fascinate them! Go!"
Jay was still smiling. He was really happy, because he saw Henry through the program director's screen.
So many thoughts were running through Henry's mind. At the same time, Henry heard an air horn from a steam train.
Choo~ Choo~
A props train went across the stage and Henry saw Jay jumping off the train. He knew that Jay started his concert with his adapted version of "Happy Train". All the audience started to applaud and cheer excitedly.
Happy train is running fast,
Through the high mountains,
Across the small rivers,
Running for hundreds of miles.
(Choo~ Choo~)
Happy train is running fast,
Through the big cities,
Across the big bridges,
Running for hundreds of miles...
The ambiance was so hot. Dancers on the stage were dancing back and forth. However, Henry paid attention only to Jay's smile.
'Even if I was just reproved one minute before, I still had to sing when the show started. When I saw the fans I also needed to force myself to smile. I'm so tired.'
Henry recalled that Jay used to tell him so. Was Jay singing happily this time?
Henry focused on Jay's smile.
He felt that Jay's smile seemed to be even brighter than when they were playing in the amusement arcade and singing in the pub. Henry smiled too. He believed that Jay's performance must be even better than the last one.
After singing three old songs, Jay went off the stage and another singer came up to hold some activities for transition. Then Jay came out again, having changed into a new suit, and started to present his new songs.
Jay sang six new songs, including 'Forgive Me' which would kill Bob. Jay used to play this song with Henry's guitar in his apartment. Listening to this song at Jay's concert again, Henry still felt that this song was not at all bad like Bob said. Though the lyrics used some adult-like thoughts, Henry felt that Jay represented very well the conflicts that a kid has, trying to become an adult. Henry smiled and swore that he must have a debate with Bob about this song.
Jay went off the stage again. When he came out, he had changed into another suit and brought his guitar with him. He took a look to the direction where Henry was sitting, then he found Henry. He smiled and started to talk.
"My dear friends," Jay said. "About the next section, I'll have to say, it was not in our original plan, and nobody arranged for it. I arranged it myself because I have something to tell all of you."
Suddenly the whole stadium became silent. Jay turned his head and saw that the general stage director and his agent looked very surprised. Then he turned his head back to his fans and their anticipation. He saw that Henry was surprised too. He smiled again.
"There is a rumor these days, saying that I was missing after my last concert. Wayne, my agent, told everyone that it was not true. I just caught a cold and rested at home. Now, I have to confess to all of you. The rumor about my missing ... is true."
Henry heard a low gasp. He was really surprised, because he didn't expect that Jay would admit all these things to the public, and in his concert!
"First of all, I want to apologize to Wayne, because he was trying to protect me by telling you a little white lie. Then, I want to apologize to my parents and all the friends who care about me. My silliness made all of you worry about me."
Jay stepped back a bit and made a 90 degree bow. Henry heard a big applause.
"During the days I was missing," Jay started to speak again, and the stadium became silent again. "I hid in a place. I was very lucky to meet one person. Though we had never met each other before, he took very good care of me those days. And the most important thing was that he made me understand how to sing songs from my heart, and made me recall the happiness and joy that music brought to me."
Henry heard these words and felt tears start to fill his eyes.
"Henry, I know you are here, because I can see you now. Thank you for taking care of me, and all these things you brought back into my life.
"These last few days, when I was not in practice, I always hid in my room, preparing for this special moment. Now, I want to sing a song. I just finished the song yesterday. No one has ever heard it before tonight. It will not be in my new album either... well, maybe. It is not very good, and I didn't have much time to practice. However, I'd still like to dedicate it to Henry, and to all the friends who haven't given up their dreams, just like Henry. Now, my friends, 'The Original Joy.'"
Another big applause, then the assistant took a chair out and put it on the stage. Jay thanked him, sat down, and started his prelude. He sang:
My little teddy bear brings me to the hill,
It's full of flowers and colorful as if in heaven.
I lie down under the sun, between the flowers,
And enter into my precious dreamland.
When I wake up, it starts to rain,
My little teddy bear has disappeared.
I call him loudly, but I get no response.
I begin to doubt. I want to call out.
I start to hesitate,
I even start to worry,
I don't know where I am,
I don't know where to go.
I start to be afraid,
I even start to cry,
I don't know where I am,
I don't know where to go.
Then, I hear a tender voice.
which calms my uneasy mind.
It tells me, keep my faith and never doubt it.
My little teddy bear is always in my heart.
As long as I remember my most important feeling,
The feeling of my original happiness and joy,
Then I can easily summon my little teddy bear,
From the deepest place of my heart.
Suddenly I realize,
I start to recall the original joy that comes from my heart.
That's the joy which brings me to this heaven,
That's the joy which brings me out of the dark.
As long as I remember my most important feeling,
The feeling of my original happiness and joy,
Then I can easily summon my little teddy bear,
From the deepest place of my heart.
Suddenly I realize,
I start to recall the original joy that comes from my heart.
That's the joy which brings me to this heaven,
That's the joy which brings me out of the dark.
So I simply tell myself,
Always remember the original joy.
My most important feeling,
My most precious original joy...
When the song faded out, Jay sat there quietly, looking into the crowded auditorium with tears in his eyes. The crowd, too, was silent for a few seconds, then...
Everyone stood up, cheered and applauded loudly. Except Henry, because he couldn't see and hear anything. He just knew that his face was full of tears too.
Henry walked into the pub with an excited and uneasy feeling. Mr. Hsu wanted Henry to meet him in his office. Did it mean that he would have more chances to perform in the pub?
"Hi, Henry," the bartender Ben said, greeting Henry with a mysterious smile. "Mr. Hsu wants you to go to his office right now."
"Okay, thanks, Ben." Henry nodded to Ben. "Hey, why did you smile like that? Do you have anything to tell me?"
"Well, just go in and you'll know everything," said Ben, still with a mysterious smile.
Henry walked into Mr. Hsu's office. To his surprise, in the office there was another man. The man was in his early 30s.
"Hi, Mr. Hsu," Henry said, greeting his mentor.
"Hi, Henry, have a seat."
Henry sat down in another chair.
"Let me introduce you. This is Wayne Liu," said Mr. Hsu.
Wayne Liu? Wasn't he...?
Wayne Liu reached his hand out to Henry. "Hi, Henry. I'm Wayne, Jay Feng's agent."
Henry felt that his chin started to drop down. He shook hands with Wayne.
"Thanks for taking care of Jay last time."
"Well, it's nothing..." stammered Henry. He didn't know what to say. He just felt his heart beating crazily.
"Mr. Hsu strongly recommended you to me, saying that you can work with Jay very well. He hopes that you two can form a group. So I'm here to discuss this with you."
No doubt, Henry's chin really dropped to his chest this time. "You mean..."
"Henry!" a voice suddenly shouted.
"Jay?" Henry turned his head and saw Jay running into the office, right at him! Before he had time to think, the boy jumped onto his arms, almost knocking both of them over.
"Wayne said that I can form a group with you. That's so great!"
Henry was in total shock. The news, the chance came too soon. He couldn't comprehend what was happening.
"Well, you both need some more training," said Mr. Hsu, casually. "However I believe that you can work with each other very well, as long as you remember the feeling from last time."
Henry recalled the feeling when he sang "It's Destined" with Jay. He blushed again.
Jay hugged Henry and whispered into Henry's ear.
"Henry, my mom promised me that I can spend the night at your place again, as long as I'm good and obedient. Don't forget what you promised me last time!"
Looking at Jay's smile, Henry smiled too.
"I will never forget it," whispered Henry.
- THE END -