Perfect ending

The night was cold and wet.  Jess was trying to sleep, tucked away inside her huge coat which she stole from the local market. She bit her lip to stop it quivering. She had never being so cold in her life. A year ago, who would have thought that Jessica Keller, daughter of the famous jazz singer Marie Keller, would be sleeping on the streets, begging for a living? No one would believe it. Not a soul. 1

A drunk stumbled past.2

' Ey up love. What you doing out this time in the night?' He looked at his watch 'morning?' he corrected himself, leaning against the wall next to Jess. She said nothing and continued to look down avoiding his drunken gaze.3

'Come with me. I can warm you up.' He pulled her up and forced his hips to hers. He made his move, tilting his head he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She pulled back, wanting the money first.4

The next morning she treated herself to a Starbucks coffee, having made over £150 from the drunk. Serves him right, she thought to herself. If he hadn't been so slaughtered he might be able to remember where that money went. She laughed to herself and carried on drinking the coffee she had long awaited. Taking herself away from Starbucks she wandered around for a while, in and out of shops, lifting a few things on her travels.5

At lunch she took herself to mac Donald's and sat on the swings in the park, eating her big mac. There were a group of lads playing football, a mother and two toddlers and a young man busking. It was a quiet day, not like usual. An hour passed and Jess was still sat on the swings, listening to the young guy play old jazz songs on his saxophone. They were the songs her mother used to sing to her, so she knew them word for word. She couldn't help it, she had to get up and sing along. She had always wanted to follow in her mothers footsteps, but no one had so much as thrown a glance at her.6

' Summertime, and the living is easy.' She sang in perfect tune even when the saxophone stopped playing- she carried on. Something had taken over her and she couldn't stop it. But soon the saxophone picked up again and the duet soon had a rather large audience. Everything from coppers to £5 notes were thrown into the case that was on the floor in front of them.7

After 12 songs, the twosome stopped and received a huge round of applause from the crowd. Looking at the young man she realised just how handsome he was. Tall, dark haired and blue eyes. Her ideal man.8

When the audience eventually ebbed away Jess realised she may never see this guy again.9

' Thanks for letting me sing today, it was good.'10

'You were great! Do you know you remind me of someone. I know your face, but i can't put my finger on it.' He narrowed his eyes at her and she laughed knowing of whom he was reminded.11

'Jess. Jess Keller.' She held out her hand only to be met with a shocked expression.12

'Keller? I should have known. Your looks and voice, just like your mother. Nice to meet you.' Regaining his stance he shook her hand.13

' Still i don't know your name?'14

' Danny Freeman. You should come round to my place sometime, so we can jam. Maybe we could get something started. Your really good.' Jess swelled with pride. She wasn't being looked over. She had being noticed, for once.15

'Yeah, sure. I'd love to.'16

'Good, here' He pulled out a small notepad and jotted down his home address 'Come by whenever, I'm always in! If not sit with my room mate, Charlie. Hes nice.'17

She took the paper and looked at Danny. He smiled forcing Jess to smile back.18

'See ya around Doll.'19

*20

'Number 52' Jess muttered under her breath knocking on the small green door. It was two days since meeting Danny and she had decided to go to his house, to sort things out. She was also missing him, although she failed to see how this was possible. She didn't even know him. Heavy footsteps could be heard behind the door as well as chains rattling. The door opened and Jess stood there looking at the guy who was obviously Charlie.21

' C'min' He grunted and walked away, rattling as he moved. The guy was covered in chains, head to foot. He had a bleeding body on his sleeveless T-shirt and spikes which looked to be protruding out of his neck. Snakes, dragons and other monstrous looking creatures were plastered over his arms whilst large metal rings hung from his nose, ears, eyebrows and other places she dread to think of.22

Screaming echoed around the small house and seemed to be coming from a small stereo turned onto full blast. The room shook with the horrific noise.23

Charlie had retired to what looked like a usual resting place and was sprawled across the old sofa, playing on the PS2. Jess sat down in a worn armchair and watched for a while.24

' So, where's Danny?' She asked, hoping to be saved from this hell hole.25

' Dunno.' There was a large pause.26

' Do you know when he will be back?'27

' Dunno.' Another large pause.28

' Nice place you got.' This time she got no response, only a grunt. Continuing to try and make conversation was an exhausting task.29

' Where'd you get your piercings and tattoos then?' She asked trying to find a subject he was willing to talk about using more then one word.30

' Shop.' Jess sighed. There was no hope for this child.31

' Weren't you scared of something going wrong? Did you know the guy before you trusted him? Do you really need so many?' Three questions in a row she thought, he has to answer all of them at once, using more then one word.32

Charlie shrugged. Jess felt like slamming her head against a wall.33

'Whats the point in living if you don't get piercings or tattoos?' Jess nearly fainted. More then one word. In fact, a sentence. She smiled, satisfied. More then one word she thought. Then the door slammed and Danny came strolling in, saxophone in case slung over his shoulder.34

'Yo Jess. How ya been?'35

' Um' She stood up and headed towards the hallway where hopefully the din coming from the stereo would be quieter. 'Yeah I've been OK. You?'36

' Great, although i think i need your vocal talents to really get somewhere in the music industry.' He smiled at her and her heat jumped a beat.37

' Does Charlie ever speak more then one word?' Danny laughed38

' Occasionally. You have to catch him on a good day.'39

Four hours went by and the session was going great. They covered a lot of songs and decided they were going to busk around the streets of town everyday, to make a bit of cash.40

' So where you sleep?'41

' Um, you wouldn't know it. Not round here really.'42

' Tell me.' He urged. How could Jess tell him she slept in the doorway of an old factory? How could she say she tricked drunken men into giving her cash? How could she tell him anything about herself apart from who her mother was.43

' No really! You wouldn't know it. Leave it OK?'44

Danny shut up and never asked another question.45

*46

One year later Jess sat on the stool and sang her heart out to an audience of 50,000 people. Danny was right by her side, and the full band loomed behind them. They had taken the world by storm. No longer living on the street, Jess and Danny lived together in an apartment, planning their future. They were happy in life, love and work. Jess never did tell Danny where she lived, or how she used to live, but he never asked questions and loved her all the same. She reached her goal and was noticed, by someone. If on that day she hadn't have got up and sung along with Danny, she would probably still be on the street. 47

She finished off her song and applause engulfed her. She smiled and looked back at Danny. His smile was the widest of all. Standing up he walked up to Jess and in one swift movement was on his knee.48

' Jess, i love you and i want the world to know that. So here you are ladies and gentlemen... Jess, will you marry me?'49