Settling Down

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A photo collects dust on the shelf of my parents’ house. It's me at 7 holding a sign that reads “I wanna be a famous singer when I grow up.”

My keyboard sits in the corner, untouched since I was 18. My guitar does the same, untouched since I was 19.

There was a time when music was my life.

I dreamed of being on stage, under a spotlight, with people staring at me. I dreamed of my days being spent in a studio.

My room was covered in posters of my biggest inspirations.

In between work and school, my days were spent practicing guitar and piano. I took any opportunity to play for others. I played in people’s garages, for birthdays, and in backyards.

The only thing I wanted was to be able to perform as a career. There was nothing like the rush of playing music. I just needed to find the people who wanted to listen.

It’s been years since I let that dream die.

I made it to the stage under the spotlight, but the audience did not.

Even empty, I found enjoyment from performing, but it wasn’t sustainable. Without anyone buying tickets, I couldn’t continue.

I decided to put a pause on my dream, go to school, and get a degree in something reliable, nursing. Nursing school took over my life with late nights and no time for my passion.

Before I knew it, my dream faded away.

I liked what I studied, but I’ve never felt the same rush as when I was under that spotlight.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction very loosely based on a real story.

Strike Out,

Written By: McKenna Fiorino

Edited By: Delaney Gunnell & Arsheeya Garg

This fiction piece was written for Strike Magazine Orlando’s Issue 12: The Search For Identity. Check out the rest of the magazine and Mckenna’s work, available online now!