Chapter 23 Gwen
GWEN
Once we were through the gates, we stopped at my cabin. I fed Honey her dinner, clipped on her leash, and the three of us walked to the rec center. Honey pranced through the snow off to the side of the gravel path, her tongue lolling out of her mouth.
Lizzie continued chattering about anything and everything. How fascinating it was that the pine trees didn’t lose their greenery in the winter. The bluish moonlight reflecting against the snow. How much she enjoyed walking after dark, even though it was cold, because of how quiet everything got.
Lizzie always talked a lot, but tonight, more than usual. Was it because Sebastian and I were progressing? Was I stepping into a new role for her?
At the rec center, Honey cozied up on the carpet beneath the stage.
For the most part, I sat in one of the auditorium chairs next to her.
But when Lizzie had a question, or needed help with nailing a particular finger placement, I hopped up beside her.
My thighs sure did get a workout as I hopped on and off that stage for the next two hours.
Around 7:30, Sebastian texted that he was on his way.
When I relayed that to Lizzie, she asked if I wouldn’t mind going through the song Ocean Eyes with her a couple more times. I agreed.
On the third try, she hit every note with perfection. It sounded identical to the studio recording. Then she added her flares again that, dare I say, leveled it up from the original. When she hit that last note, a smile tilted the edges of my lips.
I started a slow clap that gradually progressed. When I ended a clap or two with a, “Woo!” Lizzie laughed with blushing cheeks.
“It’s almost perfect,” she said, pushing a blonde tendril behind her ear. “I think my tempo was a little off. Like I was half a second too fast.”
“Your tempo was perfect. Every note, every cord, was perfect, Lizzie.” I propped my hands on my hips. “Keep practicing at home, but I really don’t think we have much more work to do on this one. I think you’re ready for your recital.”
“Can you help me learn something new then?” She spoke quickly, eyes wide, nervous.
“I mean, I’m supposed to perform at least one song.
But I can do more. Up to three, I think.
And some of the classical ballads, they’re really hard.
Pop is so much easier. But I want to get better.
I want to get into intricate, fast-paced, expert level piano. ”
“You might need an expert to teach you expert level. But we can work on whatever you want to, whenever you want to.”
Her shoulders softened. “Cool. I’ll brainstorm the next song I want to learn.”
“And I’ll find the sheet music once you do.”
“Awesome.” A big smile, followed by a tilt of her head. “But why did you say it like that?”
“Say what like what?”
“Something about how you’re not an expert. That’s crazy. You play better than any of my teachers ever have.”
Doubtful. I played music she liked. “It wasn’t meant to be self-deprecating. Just a fact. I’ve never been really into classical music. That’s not my area of expertise.”
“Maybe not classical music, but you can play any sheet music that’s in front of you,” she said.
“I guess. But that’s generally how it goes for most experienced pianists.
Even you. You’ve been practicing this song for a couple weeks, and you’re flawless at it now.
We can add our own artistic flares, but if we know the basics, we can all play just about anything. That doesn’t make me an expert.”
“Fine, fine.” She waved me off. “But you are really good. There’s something about the way you play. It’s like you’ve been doing it since you were in the womb.”
“Hardly.” Laughing, I shook my head. “My mom couldn’t hold a tune if her life depended on it.”
“She didn’t teach you how to play?”
“Nope. Couldn’t play any instruments. Could barely hum a melody.” Honey’s gaze met mine from the floor, so I squatted to scratch her ears. “She loved music though.”
“So did my mom.” Lizzie tossed one of her legs over the bench so she could face me better. “That’s what everyone tells me, anyway. When I was little, I used to fall asleep to videos of her playing. That’s why I wanted to learn.”
My eyes burned, but I didn’t let any tears gather. “That’s the most beautiful thing about music. It has a way of bringing people together.”
“That’s how I see it. Every time I play, it makes me think of her. I don’t remember her, but I think she’d have liked to see me on stage.”
My chest tightened.
Lizzie didn’t want me to teach her because I was an expert. Not even because she needed help with her recital.
She wanted a feminine figure to share her passions with, the way she would’ve with her mom. We both knew I would never, could never, be that. But maybe I was the closest she’d ever get to one.
“I’m sure she would,” I said. “You know, I’m really enjoying these lessons together.”
Lizzie’s smile came back, eyes a little wide. For a girl so blatant, so headstrong, she looked all too sweet and timid now. “Really?”
“Hell yeah. I get a free concert every other Friday.” She laughed, and I returned the smile. “And I love our talks.”
Cheeks rosy, her eyes glassed. “So do I.”
“We could do that more often.” Standing, I stretched my arms out at my sides, then my neck left and right. “Just talk. On the phone, or out in the world. I’ve been in the market for some new clothes. Maybe we could go shopping. The post-holiday sales are gonna be crazy in a couple weeks.”
“I need some stuff too, and Seabass sucks to shop with.” She stood too, eyes aglow with excitement. “I’d love that.”
“We’ll have to set a date then.”
The auditorium door clicked open.
Sebastian walked through it. Honey erupted in barks. When she realized it was him, she ran at full speed and jumped all over his legs.
As he squatted to greet her, Lizzie stood and said, “I’m gonna go grab my bag. Thanks again for the lesson.”
My chest warmed. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”
As she disappeared behind the stage’s curtain, Sebastian moved closer to me. “Where’s she going?”
“Getting her stuff in the back.” Now that he was only a foot or two away, I softened my voice. “How was your surgery?”
His expression reminded me of a wilted flower field after heavy rainfall.
“Hard. Hard as hell. But he’s okay. I have a vet tech staying with them twenty-four seven this weekend, which means I’m on call, but I really think he’s gonna pull through.
It was dicey there in the beginning, but the little guy has a lot of life left in him. ”
Chest warm with hope, I had to fight the tears that burned my eyes. “That’s amazing. You’re amazing.”
“I’m just relieved.” Smiling, he leaned in and touched his lips to mine. When he tugged back, that gentle glee still twinkled in his eyes. “How was the lesson?”
“Fine,” Lizzie said, returning onto the stage behind me.
“Gwen says that I’ve nailed the song and need to start working on a new one.
So that’s the plan for next week. But it’s the weekend, and I got all my homework done in my free period this afternoon, so is it okay if I stay at Aubrey’s tonight?
Her mom’s going to take us snow tubing on the ridge tomorrow. ”
“Well, hello to you too.” Sebastian leaned against the stage beside me, facing her. “As long as that’s okay with her mom, sure.”
Grinning ear to ear, Lizzie raced down the stairs of the stage. “You’re the best!”
“But I want her to call me!” Sebastian called after her as she galloped toward the exit doors. “I’ll find you if I don’t hear from her within the hour!”
“You will, calm down,” Lizzie yelled back, waving at him over her shoulder.
Turning back to me, he narrowed his eyes, but a half smile tilted the corners of his lips. “Looks like I just got a free night. What’re your plans?”
“Is that your way of asking me out?” I returned the half smile. “Because you could’ve just asked. You already did yesterday, if memory serves.”
His eyes creased, then widened. Confirming that he’d forgotten we did, in fact, have plans. “Is that a yes then?”
“It’s a probably not, actually.” I gripped the edge of the stage and hopped down. “I also forgot I already had plans tonight.”
He crossed his arms against his chest, scanning me over. “What does that mean?”
“That you’re on-call, so I doubt you’ll want to sit at a dive bar all evening.” The watch on my wrist read 8:36. “I have a show at The Pour House at 10:30. If I want to make it on time, I need to go get ready, like, five minutes ago.”
“I can enjoy sitting at a bar and watching you perform without drinking.” Still scanning me for my true meaning, he uncrossed his arms. “Unless you don’t want me to watch you perform.”
“I’m perfectly fine with you watching me perform.” Gently, I grasped hold of his shirt and craned onto my tiptoes for another kiss. “But if you make fun of my costume, I will never play in front of you again.”
“Guess I’ll have to resist the urge.”
Scoffing, I playfully smacked his chest. “You owe me a ride back to my cabin for that.”
A chuckle, followed by, “A request I’m happy to oblige.”