Jessica looked forward to introducing her daughter, Emma, to her boyfriend, Alex. However, when Emma met Alex for the first time, she screamed in terror, believing her father’s warnings that Alex was a threat.
The memory of Emma’s terrified screams echoed in Jessica’s mind. She had planned this day for weeks, wanting it to be perfect. Jessica and Alex had met at a charity event, where his charm and kindness quickly drew her in. Their relationship grew stronger over the year, and Jessica knew it was time for Alex to meet her daughter, the most important person in her life.
However, the aftermath of her rough divorce from Tom, Emma’s father, weighed heavily on Jessica. Tom had been in charge of babysitting while she was out with Alex and had met him several times without issues, or so she thought.
Jessica made Emma’s favorite brunch, pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, and even dressed up for the occasion. Alex arrived with a gift and a warm smile, excited to meet Emma. But as soon as Emma saw Alex, she froze, her face draining of color.
She screamed for Jessica, convinced that Alex would take her away forever. Jessica was stunned, and Alex looked equally confused. Jessica knelt down to Emma’s level, trying to reassure her. Emma insisted that her father had warned her about Alex, showing her pictures and telling her to run if she ever saw him. Anger surged within Jessica; how could Tom do this? Alex knelt beside them, promising Emma that he only wanted to be her friend, but she remained scared and clung to Jessica tightly.
Jessica carried Emma to the living room and sat with her in her lap while Alex kept his distance to avoid frightening her further. She gently asked Emma what Tom had told her. Emma recounted how her father had scared her about Alex being a bad man who would take them away.
Jessica felt a mix of sadness and anger, knowing Tom was wrong. She tried to reassure Emma that Alex was kind and caring, but Emma’s fears lingered. After settling Emma in her room, Jessica called Tom, feeling both angry and hurt.
When Tom answered, he feigned ignorance about the situation. After Jessica confronted him about scaring Emma, Tom admitted he did it because he didn’t trust Alex. Jessica was shocked. She told him he had lost his babysitting privileges until he could behave appropriately.
Tom grew defensive, arguing that he was protecting Emma. Jessica insisted that he was projecting his insecurities onto their daughter and manipulating her. They argued, but eventually, Tom agreed to try to work together for Emma’s sake.
Jessica felt a mix of relief and frustration, knowing that this was just the beginning of a challenging process. After hanging up, she returned to the living room, where Alex awaited her with concern. Jessica explained the situation, feeling hopeful about taking things one step at a time.
With Alex’s support, she knew they could overcome the challenges ahead and help Emma feel safe. Although the road ahead was uncertain, they were ready to face it together, united for Emma’s sake.
During the live performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” in 1981, Steve Perry’s vocals were truly phenomenal
In 1981, Steve Perry of Journey delivered a live performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest singers in history. Earlier that year, the song had become a worldwide sensation. During a 1981 concert in Houston, Texas, the band showcased their exceptional talent on this now iconic track.
Perry’s vocal delivery on this song is strikingly smooth and almost ethereal, capturing the magnetic presence of a rock star that electrifies the audience. Observers often comment that Perry’s live performance surpasses his studio recordings in its raw intensity and finesse. For an even better experience, you can watch an HD remaster of Journey’s 1981 Houston performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” on their official YouTube channel.
With 274 million views, this live performance is one of Journey’s most popular videos, ranking third overall on their YouTube channel and number one among their live recordings. The footage comes from their Escape Tour, which supported their seventh studio album, Escape.
Journey played two shows in Houston on November 5 and 6, 1981, but it remains unclear which night “Don’t Stop Believin’” was recorded. The band was clearly in top form during the Escape tour, as evidenced by the popularity of “Who’s Crying Now”, which was also recorded in Houston and was the second most viewed live performance on their YouTube channel.
Fans praised the performance with comments like “No auto-tune, no backing tracks, just exceptional musicianship” and “Steve Perry sings like he’s effortlessly passing a test without studying”. The reaction underscores the awe and admiration for Journey’s live rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Houston.
The song reached top ten status both in the US and internationally, eventually becoming Journey’s most consistent hit, with 18 platinum awards in the US.
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