by Marianne Farley, North Wales, PA

I had been in a time of social hibernation, probably for too long. Then I received my first set of free tickets to an XPN Members Only event. Unfortunately, the date didn’t work for any of my friends, so, if I was going, it would be solo. I vacillated. Maybe I’d go next time. Finally, my mom and my son pushed me out the door. GO!

I told myself that if I didn’t find a parking spot on my first time around the block, I could go home. Found a spot right out front on the first try -– damn. I walked in to WCL downstairs and planted myself at an empty space at the end of the bar. I said hello to the nice couple seated next to me and listened to the voice inside my head, coaching me -– “You’re here, you’re fine, smile” -– then the music started and I was home.

Birdie Busch sang songs about her grandparents and the beach, and I thought about summers at the beach with my grandparents, and I relaxed. Mutlu sang like an angel and then Amos Lee came out and blew the crowd away. How had I stayed away from this for so long?? Sharing music with the makers and the lovers of it -– that always feels like home. Since that night, no one needs to push me out the door anymore.