Hurricane Irene meets Maggie May

I'm sitting around the living room with my much older roommate and his guests. Amongst this circle, there is a gay black jazz vocalist, a black artist, a British investment banker, a German bar owner and his girlfriend, and then me, a young Korean American consultant.

We're nothing alike, but we sit in the circle drinking wine and waiting for Hurricane Irene to pass. We talk about race, black history, my identity as an Asian American, multiracial relationships, drugs, sex, and rock n' roll. I can't relate to any of them, but I sit and listen because their stories are quite interesting and...well, there is nothing else to do. Every now and then, when there is a lull, we look out the window and go, "wow, look at the river forming outside."

By 2AM, we all develop respect for one another. I've heard about their life stories, their drug use, and the injustices that they faced due to their race. The conversation gets a little uncomfortable when they talk about the importance of drug use and having sex with tons of women. The artist tells me that I need to do the same and that life is about fun. I am a bit disgusted inside, but I listen with a smile, gently nodding, not in agreement, but in acceptance of him. The jazz vocalist senses my discomfort and the conversation turns to music...

Unlike me, they can talk all night about music. I realize that music from the old days has a lot more meaning and history behind it, because all of them listen to a song with intensity and nodd as if it resonates with their life. As we continue to converse, Rod Stewart's Maggie May comes on and the room falls silent.

"Now THIS is a lovely song. It is a good good song. Well written," says the Artist.
Everyone sings along...

"You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts..."

I think it sounds like any other song with typical lyrics, so I ask the artist about its meaning, hoping to feel what they feel.

"It's about a young guy who falls in love with an older woman. He's heartbroken because she's just using him. He finally realizes and plans on leaving her."

I look at him and smile blankly...
But the whole crowd is into the song, eyes closed, and reminiscing.

So I sit and close my eyes too.
I hear Irene pounding on the window, but soon enough, she becomes irrelevant.

Maggie May, you stole the night.