Spring of Music

Clark's enthusiasm for music returned with vigour. Sophie observed that her eldest has been studying music on his own without having to be reminded. As she watched keenly from the kitchen, she admired the profile of the strapping young man, handsome just like his Dad. She couldn't help but congratulate herself for winning the genetic lottery with her children.

The little bub was asleep, a good time to catch up with her first born, "How is it going? She asked as she puttered in the kitchen, getting ready for dinner.

"Good."

"Good? That's it?"

"Uhum."

She put the sauce pan down, leaned on the kitchen counter. "Hello… I'm trying to have a conversation with you," she said. "Could you expound a little?"

Clarke looked at his Mum blankly, shrugged his shoulders, and continued to flip through the music sheets. He read the titles with his eyes and finally selected a score he liked. She rolled her eyes and wondered where her son has gone to in his head.

The music he selected was in her mind unorthodox; considered one of the modern classics, 'When I Fall in Love'. She thought, a 16-year-old in the 21st century… playing on the cello a love song written in 1952? I wasn't even born yet myself. While he played an arrangement that could only be described as haunting, she hummed the lyrics to herself, recalling how she slow danced with Edward Lane to Nat King Cole's interpretation at her High School Prom.

She wished he could have gone on playing so she could continue to reminisce but the cell phone that seemed to have become surgically attached to him blared out a tune. Her face brightened when she recognised the ring tone as another modern classic, Motown's 'Dancing in the Street'. She concluded someone was having a very good influence on her son's music taste.

He happily answered the call, saying in whispered tone, "Hold on, just gotta get up to my room."

Clark skipped over his case, and raced upstairs leaving score sheets scattered on the table. Sophie shook her head from side to side, there was no point asking him to sort his mess before taking off. She walked over to replace the expensive cello back into its case and gather the sheets of paper that were threatening to blow away.

It would be hours again before they see him, she decided she would have to put her foot down and insist on meeting the girl that has set her son's heart on fire.

Toni, on the other hand, has become scarce. She used to drop in often; if not to babysit little Izzy then to have a yarn and a laugh with Clarkie. Sophie looked out the window to see if she could catch a glimpse of the young lady. It appears there's no one home, she thought.

The young woman has been home nursing a sprained ankle acquired from soccer practice. She mulled her situation over as she messaged the offending body part. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that playing music no longer appealed. Perhaps I should try drama; it's a worthwhile artistic pursuit.

Music was pumping out her computer hard drive, an eclectic selection ranging from classical to reggae. She paused when Dionne Warwick's 'Walk on By' played. Hugging her knees close to her chest, she mouthed the lyrics along with the soul singer. "If you see me walking down the street and I start to cry each time we meet, walk on by, walk on by…" The lyrics hit so close to home it was painful. She hobbled over to her desk top and clicked the music player off. It was too much to bear.

Bored near tears, she turned on her television set and flicked through the channel, and as if there was a conspiracy against her the only film worth watching was the tear-jerker 'An Affair to Remember.' She switched it off and threw the remote control just as her mother was popping in to check on her.

"What are you doing?" she asked alarm.

"Sorry Mum, I was just bored. Can't go out, can't do anything."

"I'm sorry darling. Why don't you call your friends? They seem to get your moods up."

She looked up at her mother. She's always offering solutions, how annoying, she thought. "It's ok Mum, a little boredom is not going to kill me. Is there anything to eat?"

"I baked your favourite cheesecake, why don't you come out and join me for a bite."

She hopped out of bed, careful not to put too much weight on her sprained ankle. "I'm having half of it," she said as she followed her Mum down the stairs.

"You can eat all you want since you never seem to gain any weight."

In another part of town, Gracie has just said 'goodbye' to Clarke after a marathon three hours on the phone. "I'm surprised your ear's still attached to your head," joked her mother who spied her through the glass partition that separated the formal lounge room from the music room, where a grand piano took centre stage.

The stately home has seven bedrooms, a formal lounge room, a family living room, a formal dining room fit to seat 24 people, a dine-in kitchen for smaller occasion, music room, sun room, five bathrooms and an outdoor relaxing and play area to rival the best hotels.

An only child, Gracie was nevertheless unspoilt. A credit to the way she was brought up by her parents. She acquired the grace and beauty of her mother, a former model; and the out-going and calm nature of her father, a successful businessman.

"Hey, Mum," she said, "I didn't know you're home." She jumped up on her bare feet and raced to give her mother an affectionate hug.

"I was just telling Clark about my application to go to Juilliard's in New York."

"Really? And what did he say to that."

"He said if that's what makes me happy. I like that Mummy but I'd like it even better if he comes with me. I bet if he puts his mind to it, he'll pass selection."

"Darling, let me tell you something… a fact that might have escaped you. Assuming he does pass audition, do you know how much it costs to study at Juilliard? Not to mention the cost of living in New York? Honey, not everyone makes the money your Dad makes."

"I know but he could get a scholarship."

The beautiful Mrs Diane Stephenson just laughed, when her daughter makes up her mind, no one can change it for her.

Throughout Spring rehearsals Toni struggled with her commitment to Class Act but there was no backing out of it as the trio was expected to be the closing act of the festival. She persevered, releasing all her pent-up turmoil in the soccer field instead.

Clarke and Gracie played the loved-up pair. Constantly together. Always singing to each other. So there was no one happier than Toni when the day of the performance came. "Free at last", she said to herself, "Free."

Little did she know that the ever present heartache would remain with her for awhile yet. It's really hard growing up.