Solo

Regardless of Phil Collins actually watching someone drown, In the Air Tonight, was special. Frank had used it as a test of love. Jeanne passed.

He played his Face Value CD in the car on the third date. As the second verse started, he said:

Drum solo’s coming up. Need to keep my hands on the wheel, though.

Got’cha, Jeanne winked and, on cue, pounded the drum fill on the dashboard.

After a brief marriage, she died. Drowned, without irony, one night while a few drunken lakesiders watched.

Tonight, Frank sits, white-knuckled at the steering wheel, overlooking Lake Arrowhead. He listens to Phil Collins on Spotify and mourns silly little Jeanne, hating her some for leaving him behind.

There’s ozone… in the air tonight. A storm approaches. It feels like she’s watching down. As Phil reminds that pain is no stranger to you and me, lightning cracks. Thunder answers—

Ba-DA-ba-DUM-ba-DOM-ba-DOM-BOOM-BOOM!