Marta and I made our way slowly up Florida's west coast, poking into quiet anchorages, and using the occasional marina when we needed to do laundry. Marta relaxed into the cruising life beautifully, and we had a wonderful time exploring the different cities and villages along the way. Tarpon Springs was a favorite, with wonderful Greek food and an 'old Florida' feel.
When we were heading north from there I got a call from Penny letting me know Johnny was playing shows in Florida before making his way west toward Texas. I called him and he was in Fort Lauderdale. He had a show in Orlando a week later, so Marta and I made our way to Crystal River where we left the boat for a couple days and rented a car.
We got a motel room in Orlando and found the little music club where we met Johnny and enjoyed a fantastic evening of music. Finally getting to see him perform on a real stage with an attentive audience was a wonderful experience.
Marta loved it too. She was a musician herself, having grown up singing traditional Cuban music in a small family band with her cousins. When she first got to Key West she sang in an acoustic rock band for a while, and she had been giving me guitar lessons on the old guitar Phil had given me. After the show we took Johnny to a restaurant for a late dinner and got caught up.
"What you did for Phil, that's some solid good shit man," Johnny said. "His mom died, but he got there in time and it meant a lot to him to be there with his family at the end."
"Well, he's a nice guy, I'm glad he made it," I said. "Did he tell you he gave me an old guitar? Marta's been giving me lessons."
"No shit!" he said. "She's beautiful and talented too? How come you get all the luck Steve?"
"Karma man. It's good shit," I said.
"Yeah it is," Johnny said. "So Marta, are we gonna play together?"
"I hope so," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Steve tells me the girls love your cock."
"OK!" he said. "That's not what I meant but I'm even happier with that answer!" he laughed.
We finished dinner and walked out into the warm evening air.
"Before we go play let's play a little," Johnny said.
He grabbed two guitar cases from his Volkswagen camper and we walked across the street to a park. We sat on the grass next to a pretty little pond and he and Marta started playing around with a few tunes to feel out what they could do together. Within moments the tentativeness merged into magical music — Marta strumming soft chords under Johnny's fingerpicking, and her voice melding with his in angelic harmony.
"Holy shit!" I said when they finished. There were huge smiles on both of their faces.
Another song, and more magic. And then another with Marta singing the lead and Johnny harmonizing under her. Her voice was pure and beautiful, and I had a sinking feeling I might be spending the rest of my winter alone.
