Here is my submission to for this week’s Stories from the Jukebox prompt, Vienna by Billy Joel, selected by Michelle Buck Books.
“Vienna.”
Grace held her breath for half a second after she sent the text.
Then she sent the link.
She placed her phone face down, determined not to check it every two minutes.
Her phone buzzed three minutes later.
Craig.
“Did you mean to send this to me?”
“Yep.”
“Vienna?”
“Vienna.”
“Ok?”
“I’m stepping out of myself this year. And I want you to come along.
You’re the most adventurous person I know.
You know how to get an Uber in…German.”
Her heart was pounding. She’d planned for that:
She breathed in. Held it. Exhaled.
Slowly.
“Really. But… Vienna?
We’ve never traveled together.”
“Details.”
Grace had no idea how they would actually do this. Or if they even could.
But she knew the asking mattered.
“We haven’t hung out in… years.”
“No bigs.”
She shrugged, alone in her kitchen. Years just meant there were things left to say.
“I don’t like The Lumineers.”
“Ok. Slightly more important to the story. But—
there are other bands playing.
Plus.
It’s Vienna.”
“You hate even leaving the house in July.”
“Sunscreen.”
It was only January, but it was already in her Amazon cart.
“Who are you, and what have you done with Gray?”
“Grace. : )”
“Grace.
.…
Really?”
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Pink sweater. Pink cheeks.
Maybe she’d take the Magnolia Pearl hoodie dress if this actually happened.
“Yes. Really. I’m even wearing pink again.”
A pause.
“Welcome back…”
“Thanks 💖”
“Is the pink hat coming out of retirement for this?”
She smiled.
“See? You know me.”
Another pause.
This was happening.
Grace could feel it.
“So.
We’re going?”
“Let’s meet for coffee.
STAT.”
Here’s the mixtape.
Vienna — Billy Joel
BRIGHTSIDE Reprise — The Lumineers
All Your Favorite Bands — Dawes
Sympathy — Goo Goo Dolls
Don’t Stop Me Now — Queen
