Notes From The Midnight Driver

At the second benefit concert, Alex feels very nervous, especially because in the audience are the judge, his parents, and Laurie. He tells Steve and Annette how he is feeling and they both encourage him, talking about how much more “sensitive” (247) he is to the music. The three reflect on Sol’s influence on the ways that Alex hears and plays music, as well as how Sol has changed Alex’s behavior. Alex feels positive about the interaction and Sol gets wheeled in, ready to play despite the oxygen mask strapped to his face.

The concert begins smoothly. When the fifth song is slated to begin, Sol announces to the crowd that this is a “special song” (253) because Alex will be playing most of the melody and dedicates their playing “to the lovely girls in the front row” (253). As they reach the end of the medley from Fiddler on the Roof, Sol sings the words to “Sunrise, Sunset.” As the song ends, Alex sees the judge walking over, “crying” (255). The judge greets Sol as “Dad” (255).