~Aiden~
The following morning, I found myself in a daze, my mind replaying the brief post-interview encounter with Eden Joiner on an endless loop. The warmth of Her gentle touch and the genuine concern in her eyes lingered like the fading echo of her footsteps in the vast stadium - a stark contrast to the mountain of mundane tasks that lay before me. The memory of our conversation was a comforting embrace in my otherwise trying existence, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was just a fleeting moment of connection between two acquaintances, or the start of something more profound.
Staring at my computer screen, the words of my article on Eden’s concert swam together as I recalled the way she'd leaned in to listen, her finger as delicate as a feather on my shoulder. It was as if, in that brief encounter, she had managed to shrink from a staggering 13 stories to an average 5’5” - a normal human being who understood the weight of my burdens.
My thoughts drifted back to Eden‘s closing number before her encore, “Everybody’s Got A Story”. It was a cover of a relatively unknown R&B single from decades ago that she’d repackaged for a modern day audience. While her cover version sounded vastly different from the original, the underlying message of the lyrics remained unchanged - a poignant reminder that we all face our own struggles, no matter how large or small we may appear in the grand scheme of things.
Suddenly, the weight of my own troubles felt minuscule as I considered the monumental hurdles that Eden faced daily. Every step she took was a delecate dance of precision and power as she navigated a world designed for those a fraction of her size. Her life was a perpetual performance, not just on stage but in every facet of her existence. Despite this, she remained as down-to-earth as anybody I‘d met. The Idea that such a person had taken a genuine interest in my relatively humdrum life left me both humbled and confused.
I was jolted out of my reverie by the ringing of my phone.
I quickly answered to find Brad, my childhood friend, on the line. His voice boomed in my ear, the same jovial greeting that had been a staple of our friendship since we were kids. Like Eden, Brad was a giant, towering over the world with a gentle demeanor that belied his massive frame. Despite his move to the city years ago to pursue a career in construction, we remained as close as ever.
"Hey, Brad," I greeted, my voice a mix of tiredness and anticipation of the good-natured banter that always seemed to accompany our calls. “What’s up?”
“You know. Work's been the same ol' grind," Brad replied, his voice filled with the same weariness that always accompanied complaints about his job. "I'm jealous - You get to rub shoulders with the stars, and all I get to do is lift heavy shit and make sure it don't fall on people.”
“don't forget, I work with a lot of divas,” I reminded him. “You've got the better end of the deal, trust me."
Brad's laugh rumbled through the line, the sound of his mirth resonating in the quiet of my office.
"I guess you're right," he conceded. “Said your next article was on Eden Joyner, huh? Must’ve been fun dealing with the biggest diva of them all.“
"Honestly, she's one of the most down-to-earth celebrities I've met," I said, recalling her genuine concern for my daughter. "We've actually built a bit of a rapport over our last few interviews. She’s been pretty eager to chat off the record with me.“
“You should totally ask her out."
I chuckled at my friend’s ribbing, but his words hit a nerve.
"Come on, Brad, seriously?"
"Why not?" he pressed, his voice growing earnest. "You guys seem to get along, and you're both single. Plus, she's obviously into you if she's showing that kind of interest."
"Brad, she's Eden fucking Joiner, and I'm just... some guy. What would she see in me?"
He was quiet for a moment, the weight of my words hanging between us.
"Aiden," he said firmly, "you're a great dad and a good dude. That's more than a lot of people can say for themselves. If you like her, go for it."
I sighed, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands.
"I don't know, man. It's just-"
"Look, I know you're scared," Brad cut in. “But sometimes you’ve gotta take a chance. If not for you, then for your daughter. Now Irina’s gone, Lily could use a positive female influence in her life, you know?"
His words lingered, striking a chord deep within me. While my wife’s sudden passing had hit us both hard, my daughter seemed far more affected by Irina’s absence. As absurd as it sounded, the idea of Eden being a part of our lives, of her towering over us in a protective embrace, felt surprisingly right. But was I willing to risk the budding friendship we had... to risk my career... all because of a mere feeling?
"I'll think about it," I conceded, the conversation leaving me more conflicted than ever.
"Good," Brad said, his tone lightening. "Now go ask her out and make me proud, or I'll come over and drop something heavy on you."
We shared a laugh before Brad hung up, leaving me to contemplate the unimaginable - a date with Eden Joiner.