Until We're Together Again
Disclaimer: Clock Tower is not mine…yet.
Chapter One: The Most Precious Thing
1 July
I'm so excited! I finally decided the piece I want to play in the Piano Concours this year! Even though it is still so far away, I've been trying to think of the perfect melody for quite some time. Then, last night, I overheard Daddy listening to that tune that his pocket watch plays when you open it, and remembered him telling me once that the watch had been a gift from Mummy when they got married. She died of an illness quite some time ago, and we both miss her very much. It would be nice if I could play that melody in the Concours as a special present for Daddy. I hummed it for my teacher, and he told me it was "Fantasy Impromptu" by Chopin. He said it was very hard to play, even for an accomplished pianist, but I begged until he agreed to try and teach it to me. Daddy will be so happy!
May Norton hummed a cheerful little tune as she skipped home from the days piano lesson. People on the street smiled at her and bid her 'good day', which she quickly returned.
She had a mature, but loving air about her for a girl of only twelve years. Her green eyes sparkled brightly, and her blonde hair was tied up in twin ponytails with pale blue ribbons. The ribbons matched her springtime dress with its white sailor collar and puffy sleeves. On her feet, she wore white socks and black maryjanes.
Within a short time, she had reached the front door of Norton's The Tailor, the shop where she lived with her father. She ran the rest of the way, remembering to open the door quietly, just in case her father was with a customer.
William Norton looked up from his work mending a navy-colored jacket as she entered. With a smile, the brown-haired man set aside his stuff and stood up to embrace the little girl as she ran into his arms.
"Welcome home, darling." He chuckled. "Did your lessons go well?"
"They went splendidly, Daddy! Mr. Phillips says I'm really coming along quickly. Pretty soon, he thinks I'll even pass up the older people he teaches!"
"That's wonderful, May!"
"My next lesson, we're going to start practicing for the Piano Concours." The twelve-year-old's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"The Piano Concours?" he repeated. "But aren't those later this year, May?"
She nodded. "They're on Christmas Eve."
He chuckled. "Getting a head start this year?"
"You can never be too prepared, Daddy. Isn't that what Mummy always used to say?"
"Yes…You know, there are times when you remind me so much of her."
"Really? Like when?" May had been very young when her mother died, and could not remember much about her. She had always wanted to ask if she was like her at all, but never did for fear of making her father sad.
"Well…" William sat down and started working again. "Like, when you get so excited about things…or when you smile. Your mother was exactly the same way, and she had the most beautiful smile." There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"You miss her a lot…don't you, Daddy?"
"Yes, I do. She meant the world to me…" He smiled suddenly. "Just as you mean the world to me, May."
"Oh, Daddy!" She grinned.
"It's true. You are the most precious thing in my life, darling."
May wrapped her arms around him. "And you, are the most precious thing in mine, Daddy."