Alien Murmuration - Chapter 3 (1988)

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Dad got angry with me! I don’t really blame him. My brain exploded. The lights, the music and all of the records. All those insane covers, so much information. How on earth can anyone make a decision about what to get? Dad didn’t say why he was so grumpy but he kept asking me why I hadn’t asked anyone at school about what I should get. I tried to explain that I didn’t know who to ask and I didn’t really know why I needed to ask. Then, when I walked into that shop and saw all those records it all made sense. There is just too much music . . .  as dad said, all with just 7 notes.

I sat in the corner of the shop.

Dad walked off.

I took some deep breaths.

I tried not to cry and covered my eyes with my hands and my hair.

I waited.

I wondered what I had done.

I waited.

I wondered where dad had gone.

I cried a bit but it away with my hand.

I waited.

After what felt like an eternity but seemed like an instant dad came back and sat next to me. He was holding some magazines and a record by a band called The House of Love.

“The girl said there is a song called The Beatles and The Stones on this album” he smiled weakly “She is going to put it on for us to have a listen. She says she loves it and they are going to be huge.”

I tried my best to smile back and replied “Sorry dad I just……”

“I know son” he smiled nodding his head “But it should be me apologising, I shouldn’t have lost my rag with you. Sometimes I forget how hard this stuff is for you”

I didn’t even know he had bought a rag, perhaps it is for cleaning the records. I feel better now I know that he isn’t cross with me.

“The girl said you should read these, maybe they will help you choose what you might like”

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‘The Beatles and The Stones made it good to be alone’ These words shot straight to my soul. I knew that dad loved them both but I never realised someone else understood. Someone knew how soothing it was to drift away and lose yourself in Revolver or Let it Bleed.

It was 2am when mum came in and told me I should be asleep. I listened to the House of Love record over and over. Hannah shimmers and shines right through you. So calming and interesting it just takes me away. While listening I read Q cover to cover twice and Melody Maker and NME three times each. I felt like I had opened a door on a magical world full of people who might just understand what it is like in my head.

“Honestly you and your father and those bloody records. You’ll be wanting a guitar next. And that will probably get played as much as your dad’s does.” Mum sounded cross but was smiling so I knew that she was joking… sort of.

Chapter 4