Guitar!!

Dan got his guitar yesterday. We went downtown to a music shop on Queen St. “Steve’s Music Shop.” I’ve never seen so many musical instruments! I spoke with a salesman.

“Where are your used guitars?” I asked. “Acoustic.”

“Oh they come and go,” was his response.

“Have any come recently?”

“Oh yes.”

This was more difficult than I had anticipated, Ms J. I raised my eyebrows somewhat hopefully, and turned both palms upward.

“And are there any still here, perchance?”

“Used guitars? Naw, they’re gone. They come and go, eh.”

My eyebrows came down and moved toward each other in a show of solidarity. It felt like a frown.

“I see. So you have no used guitars at the moment. Is that correct.”

“Not right now, sir. But prob’ly next week. Late.”

Dan’s constant talk of guitars was wearing me down. Eroding my will, indeed my very sanity. I knew I could not hold out for another week. Besides, I had promised my boy a guitar today. I am not one who breaks promises. That job seems to have fallen to Kelly.

“OK, then,” I said. “Show us your new ones.”

He was happy to oblige. He rubbed his hands together expectantly and led us to a sacred space behind a wooden door. Dozens of guitars of every size and shape hung from the ceiling. Red guitars. Blue Guitars. Ones made of wood and others fashioned from metal. Shiny metal. Chrome, Ms J. Chrome guitars! I was impressed. I looked at Dan. He was unable to contain his glee.

“Holy crap! This place rocks, Dad!”

Yes. So I bought a guitar. A blue one. And an instructional booklet that came with a DVD. “Beginner’s Guitar.”

Guitar: $166.70

Instructional booklet: $20.65

Parking ticket: $30.

Total cost of trip downtown: $217.35

Look on Dan’s face, hug, “I love you Dad. Thanks.”: Priceless!

I’ll let him play around with it for a while on his own. I know he’s not ready for lessons yet. His mind is still too dull from drugs.