~*~Carlie Black~*~
Chapter 2: Promise me you'll listen.
I was soooooooooo nervous. This was going to be my first piano recital, (which was the coolest thing that had happened in my 7 year old life). I had practiced for hours on end, trying to be perfect. I wouldn't let anyone hear what I was going to play, except, of course, Uncle Eddie (I'm the only one who gets to call him that!) who was my teacher.
I was going to play a rather complex piece called Fur Elise by Beethoven. I was so excited to show my family that I was already inheriting their wonderful traits. I had my mom's beauty (My hair was my favorite feature, it was brown at first sight but when the sunlight hit it, it looked almost bright reddish auburn) I had my dad's stubborn nature (which wasn't a truly "wonderful" trait, but it was what I got from my dad!) I got my musicality from my Uncle Eddie, and my hatred of presents from Aunt Bella (I looked a lot like Aunt Bella for some reason… it was strange.)
I was practicing in the warm up room before the big show. I was playing flawlessly. Everything was perfect and everyone I loved was out there waiting to hear me. As nervous as I was, I was also very excited.
I was about finished with practicing when Uncle Eddie walked in.
"Hi my little Mozart," He greeted with his usual nickname, but there was some slight anxiety in his voice. I shrugged it off as nerves.
"Hi Uncle Eddie," I replied without stopping the endless flow of notes. "I'm almost ready."
"That's fantastic, Carlie, really," He began but soon trailed off.
"Uncle Eddie," I began, snapping him out of his reverie, "Can we get this little 'you'll do great' speech over so I can go on?" I was a little snarky for a 7 year old… I must have gotten that form Aunt Rosalie.
"Kid, I'm not here to give you a motivational speech. I have to tell you something that you won't like."
"Let me guess…" the notes still ringing out in the air as I talked. "Uncle Jasper can't handle all the fresh blood in the crowded Auditorium so he can't stay, and since he can't stay, Aunt Alice won't stay, am I right?" I looked up and smiled at my Uncle. He looked back down at me sheepishly. I knew that I was right. I had already thought of this as a possibility and had gotten over it.
"No, all the Cullens are out in their seats, waiting to cheer you on," he said with a little more force than necessary.
"Then what is it?" I was starting to get annoyed. I was going to go on in my first performance of my life and Uncle Eddie couldn't get to the point.
"Some business came up and, well… Your father wont be here today," he explained it slow enough but I still was shocked. I hit a wrong note and stopped playing. "I'm sorry Carlie." Uncle Eddie started to walk to embrace me, but a shook him off.
"I have to go on. Thanks for the information Uncle Edward." I forced a smile onto my face and walked through the doors. My Uncle could tell that I was feeling terrible (I NEVER called him Edward) but knew better then to come after me. I felt numb inside. My father was missing the single most important day in my life so far and he didn't even tell me himself.
I walked on stage, bowed to the crowd, sat down on the bench and began to play. The piece lacked any passion or emotion, but I played it flawlessly. I never missed a single note but it was bittersweet. I felt cold on the inside and didn't even think about the music. When I had finished I looked in to the crowd. Everyone was on their feet, applauding and smiling, but my mom. She knew that I was heartbroken. I didn't speak for the rest of the day. I smiled and nodded, but not another word left my little 7 year old lips.
~*~TLA~*~
My dad came home around 8:00. I was watching TV, in the living room. He came in and sat down next to me.
"Hi Carles," he greeted tentatively. I didn't say anything. "Carlie, I'm really sorry, but something just came up and I-"
I didn't let him finish that thought. I walked out of the room. At the door I said one thing.
"Uncle Eddie said that you had business, but I don't remember you having a job," I said in a cold monotone as I left the room. My dad sat there frozen to the spot by my cold words.
