Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 00:47:39 -0500 (EST) From: Sean R <seanr_13@yahoo.ca> Subject: The Missing Piece of a Piano - 18 The Missing Piece of a Piano By: Sean Roberts Author's note: We're almost at the end. Thank-you to everybody who has written. I hope you've been enjoying it, and the ending is coming soon! seanr_13@yahoo.ca Bar 18 Keith. Beside him Keith and beside her Keith again. Mr. Evans. Beside him Mrs. Evans and beside her Ashley. Beside Ashley sits Daniel's father and mother. Next, Faye's mother, father and brother. He sees them when he peeks out from behind the curtain. "Are there a lot of people?" Faye asks. "No. Not at all." He is used to a larger crowd of people during times at school where parents are invited to witness the various talents of their children. He reminds himself that he is no longer in the city. The concert begins without him. The first note of the Mozart sends the butterflies in his stomach into a frenzy, but as he watches Faye play, the feeling subsides. Mr. Klein announces to the audience that they will be switching players for the Bach. Faye stands and Daniel takes her seat. She allows her left hand to brush against his right arm as she walks by him to go back stage. Good luck. He has now practiced the piece so many times it is second nature. He does not pay attention. He thinks about the Chopin he will have to play later. Nocturne in E Minor. He will have to play it in front of Keith's parents and in front of Ashley; in front of his parents and in front of Mark; in front of Faye's parents and in front of Seth. Everybody's face travels through his mind, one after the other. He remembers Keith only when the announcement for the piece is made by Mr. Klein. As planned, Faye takes her seat at the piano. The rest of the band leaves the stage and Daniel steps up to the microphone. "Frédéryk Chopin wrote this piece only for the piano." Daniel is aware of the sweat coming out of his forehead. He has nothing with which to wipe it away. "B-but," he continues, "a very good friend of mine, K-K-K-Keith, Evans, umm, wrote--he wrote a part for the violin. An-And it's some of the most b- beautiful music I've ever heard." He looks at Ashley. She smiles reassuringly and he continues. "Keith passed away, a few years ago. This piece he wrote, he never got to hear what it sounded like in its entirety. So this is for him." Daniel has done a better job of holding back tears than he has sweat. He sits on the opposite end of the stage as the piano. He lifts the violin from the chair and places it under his chin. He can still smell the wood and the varnish. He glances at the music then closes his eyes. He sees Keith. There is no conducting. Over the past few months they have practiced with each other enough that they can keep the timings precise. He brings the bow down firmly. After a few notes Faye jumps in and Keith's image becomes stronger. Daniel consciously plays louder than he ever has, stretching the instrument to its maximum volume. And because he does this he can hear Faye keeping up. Keith is in his bedroom, sitting at his bed, the notebook on top of a hard cover in front of him. He pencils in the final note of the piece, reads back the last bar in his mind and smiles. Keith walks downstairs, opens the lid of the piano and hides it. He makes a phone call to tell Daniel where it is. I've hidden it because I don't want anybody to see it before you. They make plans to see each other the next day to play it and see how it sounds. Daniel is in his bed room. He puts down the phone and takes the violin from its blood red case. He runs his fingers over the curves. He stares at the instrument and smiles, knowing what he will finally be able to use it for the next day. The following morning Daniel is roused from his sleep by his father. Literally pulled out of the dream in which Chopin, Keith and himself are applauding each other for marvellous work. "There's been an accident." His father's voice has never sounded so horrible. He hears the sounds of clapping; there is a standing ovation. He glances over and when he sees her about to bow he stands and does it with her. Then he hurries off the stage and out of the building into the parking lot where he frantically searches his pockets for a box of cigarettes. Faye finds him as soon as he has lit one. "Daniel what happened?" She asks confidently, knowing that this time for sure she will get an answer. "He never got to hear it," Daniel says, discarding the cigarette and throwing himself on Faye's shoulder. "He heard it tonight," a voice says from behind Faye. Ashley has come outside. "It was beautiful Daniel, both the piece and your playing. And yours, Faye--just incredible. And plus you guys were the last to play, and nobody else got a standing ovation did they?" "Here you guys are! They need you inside, mom and dad sent me to look for you. Daniel what's the matter?" Mark asks. "We'll make something up. Why don't you two head home?" Ashley says. She goes back inside with Mark. Daniel gives Faye his keys and she drives the big black truck back to his house while he smokes.