A Record For The Ages

It was a first!

Prompt by: https://www.writersdigest.com/voice-of-the-past

Prompt: Write about an unexpected recording on a vinyl record.

500 words

Photo by Eric Krull on Unsplash

14 year old Sammy carefully lifted the mail from the mailbox, paying close attention to the square cardboard package that had his name on it.

“It’s here!” he stated in quiet disbelief as he walked into the house where his siblings were watching The Archie Show on their black and white tv. The Archies’ number one hit song was playing.

“What’s here hon?” inquired his mother as she prepared food for her children.

“My song,” he said slowly with growing excitement.

“Your song?”

“Yes. The one I sent away the lyrics for. They wrote the music. The company has sent me back a 45 with my song on it.” Sammy finished opening the package and lifted the disc into his hands. “How Can I Love You?” he read from the white label. “Words by Sammy Cain. Music by Robert Ludlow.” He turned it over and over in his hands with a growing feeling of amazement, and accomplishment overtaking him.

“Put it on the turntable,” his mother urged.

Sammy walked over to the ancient Hi Fi as excitement wracked his body. “My record,” he thought to himself. “This is my record. I wrote it.”

Soon the music began. Sammy focused as the song played. His words being sung with gusto made him smile.

As the last notes caused the arm to lift and return to its resting spot Sammy turned and looked at his mother. “It’s a little more schmaltzy than I would like, but overall it is quite good,” he admitted.

“It’s the first of many I am sure,” said his mother as she gave him a hug.

Sammy smiled as he picked up his pencil and notebook. “This one will be better,” he said emphatically, pausing to think. “I need to find someone local to work with.” He thought about the ad he had answered in the back of Music Magazine. “Those days are gone.”