Note: This is a ‘short’ short story I developed from a creative writing exercise and was inspired by the beautiful song Whiskey Lullaby from Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss.
Whiskey Lullaby
‘Did you know that some butterflies only live for one day? But they have wings. They can fly and see everything.’ She told me, cigarette in one hand and a glass of dry gin in the other. I had expected to find her at her dressing table, putting on eye-shadow and lipstick, of whose matching patterns only women understood, but her lips where already cherry and her eyes misty with both alcohol and black kohl.
‘I’d take you everywhere, if only you’d let me love you.’
I didn’t know what else to say as I picked up her black gloves from the dresser and removed the vices from her hand. I kissed her bruised hands as I rolled the satin up to her elbows. I could feel her gaze down on me and I knew it was pity she felt.
‘Don’t be cheesy. And don’t tell me what to do. This,’ she said pointing to the glass, ‘takes me everywhere I want to go. I just close my eyes and imagine.’
‘I thought you wouldn’t drink anymore.’ We could hear the crowd roar. She grabbed the bottle of gin from the top of the pile of dresses. She half closed her eyes and encircled the bottle’s opening with her lips.
‘I need it. I need the courage, Frank. They’re merciless.’
‘I thought you weren’t afraid.’ I wasn’t fair but I wanted to hurt her. There was no defence against her but the aggressive offence. And I was aggressive in saving her from herself.
‘Fuck you, Frank. I’m not.’ She threw the bottle at me as she got up. ‘I’m going to be a legend, you’ll fucking see.’
I smiled. She had a beautiful voice, not only when she sang but when she spoke as well. In heavy steps she disappeared behind the curtains and to the wave of cheers that greeted her. I watched from the side of the stage.
‘Ladies and gentleman, I’ve prepared something a bit different for you tonight.’ The clamours met her declaration with such intensity and I knew that she could have offered them death and they would still cheer .She let the noise die before she went on.
‘It’s a song by two artists I really admire. Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. Whiskey Lullaby.’
With a note that said I’ll love her till I die
And when we buried him beneath the willow
The angels sang a whiskey lullaby.
‘Happy Birthday, Gabrielle!’
That night I got drunk and went to a brothel.
Extract from a local newspaper, 5 years after
Today is celebrated the fifth anniversary of the death of young soul legend, Gabrielle Snake. The 23 years old singer, known for her uniquely volatile voice died from a heroin overdose in the bathroom of the venue she was performing in, on the day of her birthday.
Extract from the official biography of Gabrielle Snake, by Cristina Stein
After the dramatic death of who some critics call the female Morrison of soul music, manager Frank. D. White refused to make any official statements. His retirement followed soon after and he is now the owner of a most exquisite butterfly collection, in the company of which he drinks his dry gin.
All goes to some eccentrics.
About the vile 