I Want to be a Drummer, Too

After the show we sat at the bar; I was only drinking water and had returned to sobriety. He had over fifty years of experience playing on stages, making the drums thump, splash, and rumble. I was hoping to learn about getting started.

"I played the drums once with a neighboring band, 'Brown Eyed Girl'. I was twelve I think," I said.

Larry smiled. "Sure," he said.

"I want to learn, to get started, this is what I want to do with my life." I sounded a bit whiny in my ears.

He sipped from a warm beer. "Look, son, I really want to pass on my tricks, my knowledge, but I doubt you're it."

"How can you know?"

"No reason, just a feeling."

"What about a chance? A tryout?"

"Go play."

"Now?" I hesitated. "It must be four a.m."

He was silent, but his eyes said it all.