There we are, under two blue pop-up shelters that are usually seen around the fields at youth sporting events. It is a dark and chilly night. We were sharing stories with Kevin and Donna’s family when rain began to fall in sheets. Water was pouring off the edges of the pop-up shelters and splashing the backs of people seated in their camp chairs. People stood and scooted their chairs towards the center to escape the range of the splashing cold rain. Then, all the lights went out in the campground. Kevin turned on his generator, which turned on the outdoor lights strung under the canopy of his two pop-up shelters. The camping area immediately around us was pitch black. The only lights were the lights under the shelter we were in.
There are about 8 of us under the two shelters. We were engaged in stories, resulting in smiles and laughs as we shared some drinks. Kevin and Donna shared some unique and awesome experiences raising a family abroad. All their children are now adults and have impressive accomplishments. Brad and I were telling stories from our Nowhere Rides.
As the rain began to fall in sheets, a man and woman came running from the darkness. The man had a banjo on his back. The woman had dreadlocked hair that hung to her waist. Their energy screamed minimalist, carefree nomads. They asked if they could seek shelter from the rain under the canopy. The couple stated they were on their way back to their tent when the heavy rain hit. Brad offered the man with the banjo a can of beer. The man gladly accepted the beer. Instead of opening the beer, the man immediately placed the beer in his back pocket. Yes, he hurriedly slid the beer can in his back pocket! I saw the man’s eyes light up when he spotted the bottle of bourbon on the table. He asked if he could have a shot of bourbon. I grabbed the bottle and a disposable shot glass and poured a shot for him. He took the cup from my hand and poured the shot down his throat in one quick, fluid motion. He obviously had experience with this motion of drinking shots. Without voicing any words, the guy smiled and then showed me the empty cup. It was as if he was silently asking for another second shot. After the second shot was gone, he silently held the empty cup to me. He was asking for another. Three shots of good bourbon in a row! I usually sip and enjoy good bourbon.
After the third shot of bourbon, the man started playing his banjo. The group under the canopy gave attention to the first couple of songs. Then we returned to their conversations, which were previously interrupted by these two carefree nomads. I spoke with the banjo player’s girlfriend. I learned that the man plays with one of the bands playing on stage at the rally. As conversations continued, I heard the banjo player singing a chorus over and over. The tuned words chanted something like this: “Would you pour me some more bourbon, please? I know you want to. I want you to. Pour me a little more bourbon, please.” He sang these words a few times as I saw his girlfriend smiling ear to ear at my discovery of the chorus. I obliged and poured a shot. I extending the shot to the banjo player. One fluid motion, and it was gone, the cup returned and extended towards me for another. I poured another. He extended the empty cup to me again. I grimaced. He spoke this time. He told me this one was for his girlfriend. Well, okay, I poured another shot, acknowledging this girlfriend on the opposite side of the shelter. The banjo man quickly drank it and formed a big smile. Moments later, he thanked us for the hospitality. He and his girlfriend departed the shelter, running into the rain and darkness. Brad snapped this picture of us. He said I reluctantly poured the bourbon. The rain-soaked banjo bourbon drinker will be forever known to us as the Aqua Banjo Man. This banjo-strapped stranger appeared from the dark rain. Pocketed our beer. Drank our bourbon. Shared some songs. Drank more bourbon. Disappeared into the dark rain shower. Cheers to you, Aqua Banjo Man, and your girlfriend.
