Frequency of love

don't l

s of his office at WLNK reflecting off his rimless glasses. His tie, adorned with

showed. The station manager had emailed her the same data

lot," she pointed out, tapping the co

r chair. "Look at the trend line for the past six months.

ions remained the top-rated late-night program in Portland, their lead h

etting the paper down. "I thought authenticity

o rub the bridge of his nose. "It is.

e wh

ersonal insights. Your relationship advice resonates because it feels liv

lways maintained boundaries between my

not asking you to spill your deepest secrets. But the Darren situation... our listeners know about it. They'r

ing the paper. "His podcast last week? Half the segment was him spec

reakup into content," Nora said, he

hing. The station can't afford another quarter of declining

a conceded, standing to si

orporate is pushing for more cross-promotion between shows. T

ike a physical blow. "

start with social media cross-promotion instead. But even

the hallway, she paused to collect herself, leaning briefly against the wall beside a framed

erable. Nora straightened her spine and tried to

nt later that afternoon. She bit into an apple, continuing between crunches. "V

e'd been researching potential show top

ousin says he's actually normal despite the resume. Jus

ommented dryly. "Another hea

ect aim. "Not everyone is trying to psychoanalyze y

m b

't even as

closed her la

e knows your schedule, so he suggested meeting at that

s tomorrow. I need m

y. And it's not like you need to prepare con

countered. "And I have that segment

ds-on Nora's shoulders. " "The irony of you using your work on b

ra protested. "I'm just not a

en almos

ription. There's no r

give better advi

e conversation. "Now, want to hear my ideas for tomorrow's

nly trying to help, and Nora appreciated her for it. But she wasn't ready to be someone's

oose circle, some nodding along to the rhythm, others staring at the floor. Alex Reid watched them all carefully as hi

on and set the guitar aside. "So," he said, his voice

irl with purple hair tentatively raised her hand

agingly. "Good ear

fway through," offered a lanky boy holding drums

nic context." Alex leaned forward. "Music gives us a way to experience emotional tra

. "This is so dumb. How is playing

smiled. "It doesn't fix anything

he point?" the

e when words feel inadequate or false. You don't have to belie

Everyone contributes one element, no matter how small. Could be a single beat, a w

dy bass line on the electronic keyboard. By the time the hour ended,

packing up. Alex's niece leaned against the frame, her school

ed, earning a few laughs from the group. He caugh

room fully. "You seemed really into it today," sh

ied. "They're startin

hrough the window as he waited for hi

nd anger is usually just pain weari

od, you sound like a ther

rin. He checked his watch. "We should head ou

ongs?" Riley asked as they

esting the audi

in. "They're good, Uncle Alex. Re

ey represented the first real creative surge he'd experienced since before his sister got sick. But the tho

onight," he said, deliberately kee

rs but mercifully didn't push the issue. Instead, she he

reprieve. "I'd settle for fre

intimate, with exposed brick walls, mismatched furniture, and a small stage barely elevated from the floor. String

rsday night, despite the rain that continued to drizzle outside. He recognized several regular

hone. "I'm Alex Reid. I'll be playing some covers you mi

, reimagined with minor chords that gave it an entirely different emotional resonance. By the third son

itions. "This is called 'Frequency.' It's about how sometimes

e chorus, allowing himself to be fully present in the music. When he opened them again, he noti

ause, Alex made his way to the bar, where th

ed. "They actually shut up and li

king a sip of the IPA. "Ne

stool next to him. "Especially

hair and bright red lipstick studying him with

idnight Confessions'?" sh

ied. "Late night adv

s a lot about connection and communication. How we're all broadcasting but

tance to discuss the meaning behind his songs. "I've

supplied readily. "You should check it out. Given y

appeared at his elbow. "Uncle Ale

eady slipped away, disappearing into the crowd. Alex scanned the

Riley asked, fol

c," Alex replied, still searchin

o shows? How very twen

e. A random recommendation shouldn't feel significant, yet somehow it did. Perhaps it was

nt of his face as they walked to the car. "Food?

ng the thoughts asi

ey agreed wit

time: 9:45 PM. In fifteen minutes, a woman named Nora Evans would begin broadc

ne in. Just once,