JC slammed his hand against the steering wheel and cursed under his breath. Overall, it had been a shit morning. As he pulled to the side of the road, the car slipped on the fresh snow and he scrambled to turn the wheel away from the mailbox he quickly approached. He took a deep breath as the passenger window missed the mailbox by inches.
 
For the life of him, he couldn't possibly imagine why anyone would want to live in this climate.
 
A week earlier, he received a call from the director of a movie he filmed eight months ago. The film should have been released already, but the studio kept insisting on changes. So here he was, back in Minneapolis to do a few voiceovers for the movie he just wanted to forget about. It wasn't good – he was smart enough to know that – but it was a favor for a friend that just wouldn't die.
 
To top it off, once his record company caught wind that he'd be in Minneapolis for a few days, they booked him as a guest on a morning radio show to discuss his upcoming record. He truly didn't mind doing the interview. He knew the DJ at KDWB from his NSYNC days and was happy to see him again, but he hated to put on an act and pretend to be excited for the release of an album that, much like the movie, kept getting pushed back. Acting hopeful and optimistic about the album's release was more difficult than the few scenes he shot for the movie. He should win a fucking Oscar for the acting he'd been doing in his own life.
 
But at the end of the day he truly cared about his album and the chance for others to hear what he'd poured himself into completely for the past two years. He agreed to stop at the station and give an interview before he headed to the recording studio to finish up the voiceovers for the movie.
 
The interview went smoothly, and thankfully they didn't ask too many questions about the album. They mostly just reminisced about the old days and asked questions about the movie. Now he was on his way to a recording studio in Chanhassen, Minn. His directions didn't really make sense and there were already three inches of snow on the ground. He didn't know much about snow, but the sky didn't look promising. It wasn't going to stop snowing anytime soon.
 
He took another deep breath and sighed as he eyed the nearby mailbox. He glanced up an noticed a tavern on the corner with its neon open sign already glowing. He'd have to stop in there and get directions. He didn't have time to waste driving around when it was already snowing so hard.
 
He braced himself as he stepped outside, his shoes already buried in the depth of snow. "Ugh, this sucks!" he growled.
 
The bells on the door jingled as he entered the bar and he heard a female voice shout from the back, "Welcome to Janssen's! I'll be right with you!" 
 
JC looked around as he took a seat on the barstool nearest the door. It seemed as if the owner couldn't decide what kind of bar this was supposed to be. Half was decorated with old newspaper clippings and family photos. There was even a large trophy case filled with hockey trophies. The other half looked like a modern piano lounge. The walls were painted a deep red, with local art for sale on the walls. Large black sofas created a seating area facing a wall-mounted television about the fireplace. Opposite the bar was a low stage with a beautiful piano. It was a strange mix, but JC liked it. It felt oddly cozy. If he lived in Minneapolis, he could picture himself a regular.
 
"I'm sorry sir, I was just unpacking a delivery. What can I do for you?" asked dark-haired woman, as she looked down while rounding the corner and drying her hands with an old towel.
 
JC smiled at the twenty-something bartender, surprised to see a young woman working here at such an early hour. For some reason he expected an old man. Maybe that was an unfair assumption.
 
"I, um, I'm lost. How in the heck does one get to Chanhassen from here?"
 
She looked up at him with a wide smile. "Good question. I've lived here my whole live and have never been able to remember. Sit still. I'll go print you some directions. Do you have the address?"
 
JC handed her a business card with all of the information.
 
"This snow is crazy. Is it going to stop soon? I almost hit your mailbox. I have no idea how to drive in this shit."
 
"You and half the state." She chuckled. "Are you from out of town?"
 
"Yeah, L.A., actually. I mean, don't get me wrong – the snow is pretty. But it certainly doesn't make my travels any easier. Especially when I don't even know where I'm going. Besides, its April. Why the hell is it snowing?"
 
"Its only April 1. That's still winter around these parts. Sometimes it snows more in spring than it does in winter." She winked.   "I'll be right back with your directions."
 
She turned and headed toward the back room. Before she turned the corner, JC saw her give him a quick once over.
 
JC wandered over to the window after the bartender left him alone. He rested his forehead on the chilly glass and blew a puff of air on the window. It steamed immediately and he drew a sloppy smiley face with his finger. The snow continued to fall fast and hard. He was only inside about five minutes and there already seemed to be a half an inch of snow covering the windshield of his rental car. 
 
He caught the movement of the bartender out of the corner of his eye. She was carrying a few papers and smiled at him when they made eye contact.
 
"So," she began, "its not everyday I get celebrities in my bar. The last was Emilio Estevez when he was filming the Mighty Ducks, and that was a good 15 years ago." She said while pointing to a framed photo on the wall. JC followed her motion. Sure enough – there was Emilio Estevez posing with a portly middle-aged man and a teenaged girl.
 
JC sighed. "I thought I could go unnoticed today," he said quietly, while nervously scratching behind his ear.
 
"Don't worry JC. I won't tell. I won't even make you pose for a picture to put on the wall 'o celebrity. It will be our little secret." She paused. "I wouldn't even have noticed if I wouldn't have been reading this earlier." She reached behind the bar and pulled out an US Weekly. She quickly paged through a magazine until she found a photo of him and Justin Timberlake taking shots.
 
"This is from my birthday. This is almost a year old!" He exclaimed while flipping to the cover of the magazine.
 
"Well my aunt gives me all of her old magazines. I'm a little behind on my gossip."
 
"A little?"
 
She chuckled. "I guess it's only fair that since I know your name, you know mine. Hannah Janssen," she said while holding out her hand. "Welcome to my bar."
 
JC reached for her hand and displayed an expression of confusion. "This is your bar? Wow, you're really young! I mean, to own your own bar and everything."
 
"Well, first of all, thanks for the compliment but I'm not much younger than you. You're what," she grabbed the magazine. "Thirty?"
 
"Well almost 31 now."
 
"I'll be 30 in June. So, I'm really not too young to own my own bar. It's a family pub, really. My dad owned it. He passed away just about a year ago and left it to me and my brother."
 
 "Oh, Hannah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
 
"Don't worry about it JC. Anyway, technically I own it with my brother – Jens - but he's stationed in Iraq so, I've been holding down the fort myself."
 
"Jesus Christ. God, I'm sorry. I mean – I'm sorry. I'm not really sure how to react when someone tells you their father just died and their brother is in the war."
 
Hannah gave him a reassuring smile and touched her hand to his elbow. "Seriously, don't worry about it. I'm fine, it's fine. It's life you know, I'm used to it."
 
Hannah coughed and headed behind the bar. "So, what time do you need to be in Chanhassen? It takes about 30 minutes without the snow. But look at it out there. You'll have to drive 15 miles per hour."
 
"Um, not until 10:30. I think. I've got time."
 
"Well here are the directions. I rewrote the first two. They didn't make much sense. Sometimes Mapquest is goofy, you know."
 
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
 
"No problem. It's pretty dead this morning so I'm glad to have a customer, regardless of their purpose – drinking, directions, its all the same to me." She smiled. JC noticed she smiled a lot.
 
"Is it ever busy this time of day? It is 9:00 a.m."
 
"You'd be surprised how many third shifters stroll in at eig—" She was cut off by the sound of JC's phone ringing.
 
"I'm sorry, I've got to answer this." Hannah nodded and walked away to give JC some privacy.
 
JC spoke quietly for a few minutes before shoving his phone back in his pocket.
 
"Well, is it too early for a beer? My thing in Chanhassen is rescheduled for tomorrow because of the snow."
 
"You're in Minnesota, JC. You'll learn quickly that it's never too early for a beer." 
 
"Good. Its either have a beer or drive back to my hotel downtown, and that doesn't sound like something I want to do right now," he said, while throwing his head toward the window. He got up from the barstool and hung his coat on the coat rack by the door. "I hope you don't mind. Me sticking around that is. Feel free to kick me out whenever."
 
"Please JC. I couldn't do that to the good citizens of Minneapolis. Send an inexperienced winter driver from L.A. on the roads in the middle of a snow storm?" She giggled. "You're welcome to say here to sit out the storm. Just know that it might be awhile. Its supposed to snow all day. It may be late tonight or even tomorrow morning before the roads are plowed and safe to drive on."
 
JC had a growing feeling that he wouldn't mind being snowed in.

------------------------------------

The TV above the bar played quietly as JC drank his beer. Hannah sat behind the bar updating the accounting books. They both enjoyed sitting in the silence for a few minutes. When Hannah heard the familiar sound of an empty mug hitting the bar, she looked up.
 
"Can I interest you in another?"
 
"Oh, I don't know, it is only – what, 10 a.m.?" JC joked, while looking at his watch. "I think I'll sit this one out."
 
"Water, Coke, coffee, tea?"
 
"Seriously, Hannah, I'm not even a real customer. I'm just seeking shelter for a few hours. I don't need anything."
 
"Not a real customer? Everyone that passes through that door is a real customer, whether they're looking to get wasted, get directions, get to a toilet, or in your case, wait out a storm."
 
"I bet you get great business here with customer service like that."
 
"We do all right." She grinned.
 
JC sighed dramatically. "Well I guess you talked me into it. I'll have some hot tea if it's not too much hassle. I'm starting to get a sore throat."
 
"Well in that case, I'll add some honey. We need to keep those vocal chords in tip-top shape."

Hannah worked on his drink while JC got up and headed toward the trophy case. He carefully studied the dozens of awards.

“These are mostly all yours. That’s pretty impressive.”

“From pee-wee to the Olympics!” She boasted.

“You were on the U.S. Women’s Hockey team?”

She walked over to him and handed him the warm, soothing drink.

“Almost.” She pointed to the trophy in the center. “I was a finalist. I would have made it, too, but I broke my knee during practice. It didn’t heal on time. That was the end of my hockey career.”

“Wow, that’s a horrible story. You’re full of depressing stories.”

She reached out a hand and set it on his shoulder. She leaned close and whispered in his ear. “Can I tell you a secret? I’m glad it happened. I don’t miss it, and I’m much happier without it.”

“Really? But how? I mean you had a chance to go to the Olympics. Who doesn’t dream about winning a gold medal?”

“Well, I have to admit that part sucked.” She let out a hearty laugh. “But really it was more my father’s dream than mine. One of those, you know. Anyway, after I got hurt I took up the piano. It’s a much safer way to take out my aggressions, I think.” She paused. “And just so you know. Those trophies aren’t all mine. Some belong to my dad and my brother Jens. The sport runs in the family.”

JC turned to look at the piano on a tiny stage across from the bar. “So that piano is your’s then?”

“Yeah, I bought it as a treat to myself when I was laid up for a few months. I started taking lessons at 25! Took me awhile to catch on. But I’m pretty good now, not to brag or anything. I play here at night sometimes, if I can’t book anyone else.”

“Really, what kind of stuff do you play?”

“Some classical stuff, covers, and if you’re really lucky you’ll catch a Hannah original.” She looked at JC and smiled for a few seconds and the direct eye contact made him uncomfortable. “I played “Bye, Bye, Bye” once.”

He groaned.

“What?” She asked innocently. “It was very well received. Kind of sounds like crap on a piano though.”

“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s talk about these Hannah originals. Just music, or do you write lyrics?”

“I’ve written a few songs, complete with lyrics. I only play them on dead nights. I don’t like singing in front of people. I could play for hours, but singing…it makes me nervous. I get so proud of myself when I actually do it.”

JC took a long swig of his tea. “I want you to play something for me,” he said quietly.

She looked at him with surprise. She thought he was kidding, but he looked nothing but sincere.

“Oh, um, ahh,” she was completely caught off guard. “I don’t know that I could. I’d be too nervous. I’m not that good anyway…” she trailed off.

“You just said you were pretty good. Please?”

“We’ll see.” She said, looking uncomfortable and quickly changing the subject. “Look, I have some more stuff to take care of in the back room. Will you be OK out here for an hour or so? You can shoot some pool, relax on the couches – whatever you want.”

“Absolutely. Don’t let me ruin your day.”

“You couldn’t.” She smiled, and he could tell she was comfortable once again. “Help yourself to drinks, and please come get me if you need anything.”

Hannah headed to the back room, and JC set down his tea and collapsed on a couch. He couldn’t think of anywhere in the world he would rather be than stranded in Janssen’s bar in the midst of a Minnesota snowstorm.

------------------------------------

When JC awoke, he realized that Hannah had covered him with a blanket. She was sleeping soundly on the sofa to his left. “Ellen” hummed softly on the television hanging above the dwindling fire. JC was pretty sure there wasn’t a fire burning before he fell asleep. He sat up slowly and looked at his watch. 2:30. “Holy shit,” he mumbled. He’d been out for a good three hours.

He walked over to the front window and gasped in surprise. He’d never seen anything like it before. Snow drifted against the windows at least thigh-high, and in some areas the snow was as high as his chest. Flakes continued to fall from the sky, but they fell horizontally, as gusts of bitter wind blew a mixture of new snow and fallen snow around in a tizzy. The visibility was so bad he couldn’t even see his car parked less than fifteen feet away.

“Well its official.”

He heard a groggy voice behind him.

“This bar is closed. Clearly nobody else will be coming in here today.”

JC looked alarmed.

Hannah chuckled. “Don’t look so scared. I’m not kicking you out. I live upstairs. I guess we’re having a sleepover. And before you argue, you have no choice in the matter. You are not going out in that. They’d probably charge me with murder if you did.”

“Hannah I’m really sorry. I should have just left this morning  before…”

“Nonsense,” she interrupted. “Besides, then I wouldn’t have had a napping buddy.”

“Yeah, about that. You really shouldn’t fall asleep with a stranger in your bar. I could have robbed you.”

She sighed. “JC, please. You are not a stranger.” She glanced at the clock. “I’ve known you what, just shy of six hours? That’s longer than I know most dates.” She grinned and gave him a quick wink. He couldn’t help but burst out with a giggle. “Seriously though, how many one night stands have spent the night at your house?”

He looked guilty, and hesitant to answer.

“See, that’s what I mean. All of those hussies could have stolen something. In fact, I’m sure they did.” Her jovial tone vanished. “Besides, I can just tell that you’re a decent human being,” she said softly.

“Well as long as you don’t mind me staying.”

“Of course not. Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to stack the chairs on the tables and bar, I am going to run a broom over the floors. Then we’ll go upstairs, and I’ll make a frozen pizza. I’m starving. After that, I’ll kick your butt in Wii and we’ll watch movies or something.”

It sure sounded like a good night to him.

“Before we go upstairs you’re going to do something for me,” he teased gently.

“I think I’m doing enough for you. Don’t you think?”

“No, one more thing. I want you to play a song for me.” Before she could protest, he continued. “You don’t have to sing. I just want you to hear you play.”

“I can’t play in front of a celebrity, are you kidding?”

“Um, you can talk with ease around me, nap on the couch next to me and invite me to spend the night, but you can’t play the piano for me?”

She stared at him, defeated. “All good points.”

“Besides, I don’t want you thinking of me as a celebrity. Just pretend I’m Josh, the guy down the street – a customer like any other.”

She looked confused. “Josh?”

“That’s what the J stands for.”

“Oh, you want me to call you Josh?”

“No, I just meant,” he sighed. “I just meant that you should think of me as any other person that would walk in that door.”

“I do. But when it comes to playing, I mean. You’re a real musician. You’ll hear every mistake I make.”

JC couldn’t help but feel a pang of joy when she referred to him as a real musician. That didn’t happen too often. “I won’t. I won’t judge you, I promise. I know it’s just a hobby for you. And I just like to hear other people play. I’ll play something for you too, if you want.”

Finally he seemed to get through to her. “I do want. OK, let’s get this place cleaned up and then I’ll submit you to the torture. But you have to play for me, too. And sing something. That’s how you can repay me for my kindness.” Once again, she grinned at him. She really needed to stop doing that. “Deal?”

JC smiled back. “Deal.”

It only took 20 minutes to finish cleaning since there hadn’t been anyone in the bar except the Budweiser delivery man and JC.

As Hannah locked the front door and switched off the neon light, JC took a seat at the piano and played a few notes. Hannah stuffed the keys in her pocket and headed in his direction.

“I can’t explain why I’m so nervous. I just am, so cut me some slack.”

“Do you want me to go first?”

“No, then I’ll be way too intimidated. Just go sit on the couch OK? And pretend like you’re not paying attention.” JC nodded and walked toward the couch. “And, you have to let me take a picture of you at the piano for the wall ‘o celebrity. You’re going right next to Emilio. It’s the only way.”

“Agreed.”

Hannah took a deep breath as she sat at the keys. She closed her eyes. It took her a few seconds before she began, but once she started, JC couldn’t believe his ears. This girl was amazing. He watched her carefully, and he noticed that she never opened her eyes once. He knew the feeling. He was fairly certain that it wasn’t nerves keeping her from looking at him, but rather she was just being swept up in the music and the feeling she got playing the piano. When she stopped, she looked up at him shyly.

“That was fucking fantastic! What song was that? It was beautiful!” He exclaimed.

“It doesn’t really have a name. I’ve been working on it for awhile. There are still some things I want to change though.”

“You wrote that?” He was shocked. He was never able to write anything that beautiful.

Hannah sensed his genuine disbelief and smiled at him. She felt so proud that she had impressed him.

“You’ve got me into it now. Do you want to hear another song?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m feeling brave. I’m going to sing something for you. But I really don’t have much of a voice, so I’m just warning you.”

“I’m warned.”

“OK, so I wrote this song about this really cute guy that was in here one night.” She adjusted her position and started to play. This song was already more upbeat than the last, JC though. Then he heard a sweet, if somewhat weak, voice.

(Talk to Me - Written by Keri Noble)

She stopped, and JC got up immediately and rushed to the piano. “That was amazing. You’re fucking amazing!”

“But I told you my voice isn’t…”

“You hit the notes. But I’m not talking about your voice. The lyrics, the music...It was just so great. So conversational. It was perfect. That song is a hit.”

Hannah blushed. “Well thank you JC. That is very kind of you.”

He wanted to gush further, but could tell she just wanted him to shut up. Just then his stomach let out a huge growl and Hannah cracked up.

“OK, mister. You’re getting out of it for now. It’s 3:30 already. Let’s go have lunch.”