“This Is Your Colorado Idol”

   About a month or two after Amanda started working at the bank she told us that they were having a “Colorado Idol” contest at a nearby mall. When American Idol came out she was the biggest fan and now this competition would allow the winner to automatically try out for American Idol.

   She was really excited about trying out but couldn’t find anyone to go with her.  I didn’t know her really well, but I was excited for her. I volunteered to keep her company while she waited on line to try out as long as I could leave for an hour or so in between for a work related thing. She agreed. Amanda was thrilled.

  Lori was less so. She didn’t understand why I would do this. I must ‘like’ her to put myself out like that. It was times like this when I really wondered if she really knew me. I always go out of my way for others it’s what I do.

  I picked her up bright and early that Saturday morning and drove down to the mall. By the time we got there the line was already close to the full length of the mall. We set up our little camp, sat and waited. By the time I had to leave, we hadn’t even moved yet. When I got back the line was at least moving. I bought her some tea while I was off line as a surprise. We snacked on some food and slowly snaked our way up to our turn. The waiting was boring as hell, but at least I really got to know Amanda very well.

  When it was finally her turn, I could just about see her through the rafters of the temporary stage rigging. She wasn’t far away, but I couldn’t hear her at all and I don’t think the judges did either. They were local celebrities in Colorado, Radio D-Jays or something… They just said thank you, no other comments really… She just got up there stage fright took over and she was too nervous. I was proud of her that she made the attempt, but honestly, getting any farther in the competition may have killed her.

  Afterwards we walked around the mall for a little bit so her heart rate could go back down to that of a normal person. I gave her words of support and fibbed a little when I told her she sounded good. (She probably did, I just couldn’t hear her.) We walked past a jewelry store and she was checking out rings. She asked if I thought about marrying Lori, and I told her it crossed my mind, but I was in no position to think about it seriously. I was too young and poor I told her. She was younger and probably poorer, but marriage was on her mind. If only her boyfriend Nate would ask her. I told her to give it time.

  When I got home, Lori gave me a cold shoulder and begrudgingly asked how things went. I told her and she seemed to relish in that it seemed like a waste of my time. First, that she hardly sang to make it worth it, and secondly, that she was in a relationship. I knew all along about her boyfriend and didn’t expect her to win it all. I wanted to tell her that, but decided to let her believe what she wanted. I just remember thinking that relationships shouldn’t be this way.