People are still asking me how I did it. Even today I still can't give a straight answer. I guess you can say that it happened by accident. How can a fat guy from a little town in South Carolina pull off the unthinkable? Well let's go back a little bit to get some background information.
I was just a freeloader. I graduated High School in 2005 and I went to college for a couple of semesters, but didn't find school worth it, so I dropped. Would sometimes go week after week without taking a shower because I didn't have any where to go. Went to church Sunday after Sunday and it was the same thing, after service would go to the van or car depends on what had the most gas, and listen to my mp3 player. All the other musicans talked to each other, shook hands, and all that. I'd just sit in the car and sing aloud. Had a little bit of a stuttering problem so I was scared to open up and talk sometimes. I was 20 years old and stayed in the youth class because I felt like I wasn't mature enough to go in the adult class for Sunday School. Then during the week, would just stay home and watch and/or listen to sports talk radio via the internet. Deep down inside I knew that I was going to arise from my ashes, but my head didn't ever want to believe it.
Growing up in the Bible belt, I always believed in God. My faith was something I never took for granted. Of course I wasn't ever the perfect Christian, but I always asked God for forgiveness of anything I did wrong.
Mentioned before that I was a musician. I play the drums. I was always interested in the drums, ever since I was little. That's how I learned how to play as a matter of fact, I remembered what I saw, and mimicked it. After a few Sundays of getting in trouble after church for playing to loud, and messing up all the time, I got polished enough to become the main drummer at the church I was going to at the time.
So anyway, I was doing the usual and just sitting on the couch messing around on my dad's lap top. I saw the one of my old friends was on and sent her message. I went to the kitchen and came back and she had sent a message back saying, "I'm going to an audition for a show, and it's happening down in your area. Want to meet up there?" I thought nothing of it, and I said that I'd be glad to. Some weeks later, I met her down where the auditions were happening. Turns out she was auditioning for a spot in in this national singing contest. This was my first time ever seeing her in person. I've only seen pictures. So when we met, my first reaction was that I want to go out with this girl.
Before her turn came up, Heather started practing her vocals. She asked me for my help, and I did my best to make sure she stayed in tune. I kept telling her not to make the mistake by singing out her throat, and that singing from her belly is the way to go. So as she went in her to her audtion, I was sitting in a room listening to my mp3 player singing softly along with the songs. I didn't know that a major producer was sitting beside me. Heather came out audition crying a little because she didn't make the cut. I gave her a hug and started leading her out. Before I got out the door, the producer stopped me.
"Young man. Young man! Stop for a second, I want to talk to you."
I turned around and looked. Heather was star struck because she knew this guy was. I had no idea.
"Sir?"
"Are you in this audition?"
"N-n-n, ahem, n-n-no sir I was just here with a friend."
"Well, I'm one of the guest producers on the show. Will you do me a favor and sing a little something for me?"
I looked around at all the faces that was being nosey and I shook my head.
"Ok. How 'bout this, ok? Put it on your favorite song on that mp3 player of yours, close your eyes, and act like you're home alone singing to yourself."
"I can try."
I put it on my favorite song and closed my eyes. Tears swelling up because I was scared, I started singing along. I opened my eyes after the chorus and got a round of applaudse. The producer then took me into the room with the judges. Heather stayed in the waiting room waiting.
"Excuse me, I know y'all in the middle of a audition, but I got an impromptu person for you right here," the producer said to the judges. "I never got your name son."
"B-b-b-rian Howard."
"Well Mr. Howard, if I could automatically put you on the show, I would, but sadly we got rules to follow. So what I'm going to do, I'm going to make you my assistant. With that, you will be the vocal trainer for the contestants for me. Are you willing to do that?"
My mom wouldn't have minded if I got paid picking up trash on the streets. She just wanted me to have a job doing something. So when she found out about job oppotunity, she told me to jump on it. I took the job. The pay was better than both of the jobs I got let go from combined. Since the actual show didn't start for a couple of more weeks, I had time to say goodbye to my friends and family.
After the audition stuff, Heather and I went out to lunch to celebrate my new job. During our conversation, she grew more and more attractive to me. So out the blue while we were eating I said something I'd thought would never ever come out my mouth.
"You know Heather, before we met, I always thought you were pretty. Now after meeting you, I think you're beautiful."
She looked a little surprised, and I looked down and continued eating.
"No need to be ashamed Brian. Brian, look at me. I love you."
I almost choked. This was to much for me to handle. Just got a job of the lifetime, then a beautiful girl said she loved me. After lunch, I took her back to her hotel. Before she got out the car, she invited me up. I quickly got reminded of that story in the Bible where Potiphar's wife didn't suceed in suducing Joseph. Then I remembered what I read in a study Bible where it said, "Remember that sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults. It is an act of disobedience to God."
"I'm sorry, I can't." I said.
"I understand. Well, I guess I'll see you when I see you then. My plane is leaving in the morning. Good luck on your new job. Just so you know, I wasn't going to try anything. I'm a Christian too, Brian." Heather winked as she got out the car.
"Heather!" I called after her. She turned around.
"Maybe when I get some free time, I can come visit you and we can hang out."
She kissed my cheek and walked off.
