I've Never Been to Spain

But, I Live in Madrid (Fiction) (Based on a Prompt)

This story is based on a prompt from MJ Polk’s wonderful publication, Stories from the Jukebox. This week’s prompt is, Dream On, the 1973 song by Aerosmith. Thanks to MJ for the opportunity and the cool platform. (Lyrics in italics)

Dream On

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I could not believe my luck.

I was behind the wheel of my brand new 76-foot Monte Carlo yacht ripping down the coast of Spain headed toward the Balearic Islands. The sleek, blue, boat was almost too much for me to handle.

My girlfriend was lounging up front while the private chef was whipping up a light lunch down below. The weather was almost perfect and the water, unusually calm.

I’ll be 49 years old on Saturday, and riding high after winning the lottery the very first time I had ever bought a ticket.

My old Chevy Tahoe had broken down near Bonifay, Florida, one afternoon, and while waiting at a convenience store for help to arrive, I grabbed a ticket on a lark. Winning four million dollars never crossed my mind. I was only worried about getting my vehicle repaired.

But, there I was, eight months later, living life like a king, in the one place I had always wanted to visit.

“Hey dad, wake up! I’m going to be late for my soccer game!”

“What, huh… wait… I was…”

“Dad, seriously, I’m supposed to be there by ten o’clock remember, we have a championship game today. This is a big deal.”

“Okay, okay, I was right in the middle of a whale of a dream. I was on the coast of Spain in my brand new boat.”

“Whatever Dad, please hurry. Oh, and happy birthday, buddy!

And, that was the abrupt end of my world-class dream.

Everything I had ever wanted, snuffed out in a manner of seconds by my 14 year old daughter. That dream had felt so real. I wanted to turn over and fall back asleep just to see if I could find my way back to Ibiza.

But, we had a game to get to. The Madrid Reds Under-Fifteen Football Team was in the final game of the area tournament, and the right back was about to get all over my back.

While standing there getting dressed in front of the mirror, the lyrics of a song I loved as a kid, seeped into my subconscious.

Every time that I look in the mirror

All these lines on my face getting clearer

And then, the dagger -

The past is gone

Oh, it went by like dusk to dawn

That line hit hard.

I sat down on the bed for a minute to think about that song. I tried to shake it off before putting on my shoes, grabbing a coffee and heading to the soccer complex.

Lina was right, this tournament was a big deal. We live in the tiny town of Madrid, Alabama, only a few miles north of the Florida-Alabama border, and our team had undergone a woeful two years under my leadership.

But, now, under a new coach, the team was on a tear with a record of 12 wins, 2 losses and 3 ties. A win in the area tournament would send them to the state tournament for the very first time.

When we arrived at the complex, I wished Lina good luck, gave her a high-five and sent her on her way. After grabbing my lawn chair, I headed toward the field and promptly stepped directly into a massive pile of dog poo.

A ten minute shoe cleanup then led to an entire bottle of water being spilled down the front of my shirt. I couldn’t seem to get out of my own way and I hadn’t even left the car.

I also could not keep my mind from wandering back to that dream… and that song.

Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, oh, oh, oh

I know nobody knows

Where it comes and where it goes

I know it’s everybody’s sin

You got to lose to know how to win

I work as a manager at a local auto parts store. Lina’s mother Tina, divorced me when Lina was only three years old. She met someone who made a lot more money than me and hitched her wagon to that star. She hardly ever finds the time to visit Lina or rarely even calls. Lina has come to terms with it all but I still struggle mightily with her actions.

Tina gave my confidence a gut punch that I never recovered from. That dream had given me a glimmer of hope, that maybe, there was a future somewhere out there for Lina and I.

By the time I made it over to the correct field, the game had already started. The game was close and remained tied at zero until we finally broke through with a late goal. All we had to do was hold on to win the championship.

With minutes remaining, the opposing team’s best player broke free at midfield with only Lina and the goalkeeper between her and the tying score.

I watched breathlessly as the young lady moved the ball toward the sideline and then used a wicked spin move to head back toward the box with Lina trailing closely behind.

I rose to my feet as she broke into the clear and ripped a shot from about eighteen yards out. Thinking the worst and hoping for the best, I watched as Lina slid feet first in front of the shot and got just enough of her toe on the ball to make it ricochet wide right.

There was bedlam on our sideline as Lina was mobbed by her teammates.

Within what seemed like only seconds, the referee blew the final whistle and Lina and the girls were headed to their first ever state tournament.

The trophy presentation ceremony was a sight to behold. Fifteen girls, who were given no chance when the season began, standing tall after riding a wave of emotions all the way to a win at the end.

Lina’s face, as the girls hoisted her up onto their shoulders and carried her around the field will never leave my memory.

I was enjoying the celebration when my cell phone buzzed with a call from my girlfriend.

“Hey Annie, guess what? We won the game!”

“That’s awesome!”

“Lina saved the day. They carried her around the field on their shoulders.”

“Wow! But, you don’t sound too happy”

“Just a bit of a rough day, I guess.”

“You gonna be okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

‘I could tell you’ve been struggling. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’ll be fine, see you in a bit.”

“Just remember Landry, this is a big thing to Lina. She plays because you love the sport.”

Half my life’s in books’ written pages

Storing facts learned from fools and from sages

Annie belongs in the sage category.

When Lina arrived back at our car, we had our own little celebration. I put her up on my shoulders and we pranced around the parking lot while she sang, We are the Champions, at the top of her lungs.

After a couple of laps, she wanted a duet.

“Sing with me, dad!”

Sing with me, sing for a year

Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear

Sing with me, if it’s just for today

I didn’t really feel like singing.

But, Lina wasn’t having it.

“C’mon Landry, lets sing this ish!”

Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

So, I decided to give it my best effort. After half-heartedly singing along for a verse or two, we headed back toward the car.

“Lina, that was an amazing stop at the end. I could see the determination in your eyes.”

“You know dad, you’ve been looking a little down lately and I was really hoping the game would cheer you up.”

“Well, it did. That was a blast.”

“Dad, I know you’ve always dreamed about going to Spain. Maybe one day, we will.”

“Lina, that’s just a silly dream.”

“Hey, what time does Annie get off work?”

“She should be getting to the house any minute now. Maybe we can watch the Liverpool game on television.”

“Yep, and we’re making tacos for you.”

Back home, Lina went to take a shower, while I grabbed a birthday beer and walked out to the patio.

I looked down to see a text from Lina on my phone.

-you know dad, you said your dream was silly. you’ve always told me that no dream is silly. you tell me to dream big. as big as i want. so i’m giving you some advice. a little birthday tonic for your soul from your only daughter. i love you! and keep dreamin’ that dream landry thompson! dream on! dream until your dreams come true!

My little girl was right… and Steven Tyler apparently knew what he was talking about.

Mr. Tyler wrote the lyrics to Dream On, when he was only fourteen years old, and now, my own fourteen-year-old was giving me the advice I used to give to her.

You know it’s true

All the things come back to you