Hello all trustworthy and patient fans waves at readers
Now let's get the answers to reviews and then we can carry on with the story.
This is a nice long chapter for all of you.
Tai-Writer: which one, which quote did you like. I will have loads of fun writing it but I think you'll have more fun reading and I'll have fun reading your reviews.
Imari: That's a secret but I'll give you a hint...Listeners.
SchoolBordem: What a lovely simple review
Galy: O.O you're too good at guessing if I gave you some more hints you'd have worked out the plot in no time.
TNTiggris: the second quote is my fav too, my whole class burst out laughing when they heard it even the guys.
Forfirith-on-a-sugar: Will Ray break or will he find the strength to carry on?? Who knows?
To All Reviewers: thank you for the encouraging words and I'll do my best.
Tears of Pain
Ray stared at number.
What to do, he needed the money, he needed to help his friend, but should he do it?
Looking up from his position he noticed his mother sleeping on her bed, half dressed in pajamas and clothes, one shoe on and one sock, her hair a mess.
Her normally make up face was now all plain, her pillows stained with tears.
Ray looked at her and smiled, "such a delicate flower", that's what his father called her, a perfect rose.
Ray sat up, and put a blanket over her still body, looking at her soft weak face, her expression to mixed to read.
He sat down on the end of the bed looking at the phone number Johnny had given him.
He had eight days left, not even two weeks left, should he phone.
He played with the paper in his fingers, twirling it around, the phone rang.
Getting up and moving towards it he picked it up and answered.
With Kai
He sat there at the piano.
He held the receiver end of the phone, moving it away from his face, and hung up.
He knew there was something wrong but he felt Ray would tell him in his own time, he just wished it was not too late.
He placed his hand on the keys, played three notes...and burst out crying.
Ray
Ray frowned, a prank call?
He put the receiver down and found his eyes moving towards the photos of him and his family.
In the middle was a big framed photo of him, his dad and mom, smiling as one.
Taking the picture down, he found himself crying onto the glass, his tears hitting the glass in one beat.
And realization of the whole thing had struck him there and then.
His dad was gone, gone forever, with no body lost at sea, with the gnawing awareness that he'll never see him again.
He fell to his knees gripping the frame to his chest to his heart.
With Mrs Clot
Maria Clot couldn't understand it.
She looked at Kai from the door frame, wondering what was so wrong, but knew better then to ask.
Kai was unstable when like this, who knew what he was capable of; he may never speak to her.
She folded her arms and shook her head; the boy was confused, about everything around him.
With Tyson
Tyson threw the baseball into the air once more.
He hadn't heard from Ray since yesterday, no one had, he threw it again, frowning.
Ray usually wasn't like this, he wasn't at school, and he didn't call, what was going on??
The door of his room opened and his dad's head popped in, "Tyson can I ask you something"
This took Tyson by surprise and he forgot to catch the ball which landed on his head, "Yes" hissed Tyson, clutching his head.
"You know this Kai right"
Tyson nodded
"Is he really that good?"
Tyson nodded again
"Tyson, you know my piano student Johnny McGregor"
Another nod
Mr Granger cleared his throat and carried on, "Johnny wants to duel Kai"
Tyson's eyes almost popped out, Mr Granger nodded and said, "Its true, he feels that Kai is a threat and I was wondering if you could well, talk him out of it".
"Why", asked Tyson, he didn't fancy talking to the students especially Johnny McGregor.
"Well, he won't listen to me and is a very stubborn person, and I was wondering whether you could help".
Tyson thought about this for a moment before nodding saying, "I'll talk to him after track".
Mr Granger nodded and shut the door.
Tyson stared at the door held his head and said gruffly, "No one asks if I'm doing anything first".
He was planning and going round to Ray's to see what was up, but now he couldn't.
With Johnny, Oliver, Enrique and Robert
"Check mate" Robert smirked at Johnny's face of disgust.
He was practically fuming at the ears (AN: Like a true Scots man, short tempered -no offence to anyone).
"How?" he asked, his voice chocked, Robert's smirk grew as he explained, "I play with skill, and I play with a strategy, not a head-on attack".
"Well I should have one", Johnny folded his arms and made a sulking face.
Robert shook his head at his childish behavior and looked over at where Oliver and Enrique were engrossed with a game of cards.
"Has Mr Granger agreed on the duel", asked Robert changing the subject.
Johnny's face lightened up a fraction and nodded saying, "yes he did in fact and I know just what I'm going to play".
Robert moved his glance from Johnny to the nervous look of Enrique, "and what would that be".
Johnny laughed softly and said, "You know that one that Oliver's been going on about for the past five days"
Robert nodded, "But isn't that for Oliver's Violin and not the piano?"
"Oh yes, but I've asked Oliver to rewrite it in piano music", Robert nodded and watched as Oliver had a huge smile on his face and Enrique was sad, he was such a sore looser.
"Good, good, I'm glad that's sorted out", Robert stood up left the room, at the door Robert turned to Johnny and said, "Just watch out for Sudden Death"
Johnny looked at the chess board and swiped Robert's king from the board, and pocketed it.
'I always win, no matter what' he thought as a merciless cry came from Enrique as Oliver won their game of cards.
Next Day
Ray dialed the number, the phone rang suddenly there was an answer.
"Hey this is Ray Kon, you called two days ago".
"Yes I remember, and do we have an agreement"
Ray paused before answering.
"You'll pay $2000 if Kai wins"
"I'm a man of my word of course I'll pay"
Ray did the maths in his head: They had 2060 and needed 22940 added by Johnny's money equals...4060 that was to little still they would still need...18880.
Damn!
"Yes, we'll do it" and he hung up.
He placed his head in his hands, he needs help.
And he knows exactly where to get it too.
Beautiful Tears
A drop of salt does slide
From heart to eye
Its flavor kisses my lip
A liquid release I cry.
Weak from weeping
My eyes have flood
A clear glass lake
Form reduced to mud.
Face to sky
Float upon wanton wave
Each ripple like lightening
By mid step ahead I save.
From above come to me
Rip what is left to take
That which does miss
I permit you make.
Reform me solid
Pierce to my eye
Give back the salt
Each future drop I cry.
My finish to start
The circle goes round
Footprints made before
My path is bound.
Not new to the old
Repeat what is done
Wipe them clear
Left forgotten none.
Emotions recycled
Now comes from past years
Form again yet so soon
My beautiful tears.
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