Chapter 3
"Ok class, I have an announcement to make. This Saturday, one of our very own Julliard graduates will be performing at a local café. I encourage all of you to attend. He has become a very well known and respected pianist on the west coast and you might not get another opportunity to view such talent again. I hope you will go and see what anyone of you can aspire to. If you are interested I can give you more information after class," Mr. Zeleski told his class.
Ephram had sat up in his chair when his professor had made the announcement. He always loved to view new pianists. He loved to critique and criticize their work.
When the class had been dismissed, he made his way to the front of the room. As he did so he saw Claire making her way to the front as well. Since their lunch together, he had seen her several times around campus. He hadn't noticed her in class before their run in, but he quickly picked her out after that.
"Hi Claire."
"Hey Ephram."
"How'd you know it was me?"
"How could I miss that voice," she answered with a laugh. "Are you going to the concert?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm up here for."
"Ditto,"
"Oh, hello, Miss Jones, Mr. Brown. There are flyers on my podium with directions. It's a few several blocks from campus."
"Thanks," Ephram grabbed two flyers from the podium. "Here Claire. I grabbed you one."
"Thanks."
Ephram glanced over the drawn out directions. "These look confusing." He still hadn't got acclimated to the new area.
"Great! Then I'm in even bigger trouble than you are." Claire said half joking but with a worried look taking control of her face.
"Maybe," Ephram began unsure, "um, maybe we could, um, go together?"
"I'd like that. Maybe if we put our heads together we can find the place."
"Cool. Um, I'll pick you up at your dorm at um, 6:30."
"Sounds awesome. I'm in dorm E."
"Ok," The two exited the classroom and went their separate ways. Ephram was still amazed at Claire's ability to make her way around such a large campus. He had found himself lost on several occasions. More than once, he had had to resort to asking for directions, which was not in the Brown blood.
He began to make his way back to his dorm room. His mind was on the coming Saturday. He hadn't been on a real date in awhile. All the confusion with Amy and Madison had consumed most of his time and he hadn't had time to go on a real date. He was a little nervous. And this wasn't any date. How was he to treat a blind girl on a date? Dealing with everyday normal girls was already complicated enough. This was so much more difficult. The rest of the week he contemplated this problem. What should he wear? Did it really matter? She had no idea what he was wearing after all. How was he supposed to act? His stomach began to twist. He began to regret his invitation. Why had he even asked her? Sure, she was a nice girl, but he wasn't good at this. She wasn't like most girls.
The week flew by. The dreaded day had made its appearance. Ephram woke early. He began to prep for the evening's activity. He spent the first several hours racking his brain trying to decide what to wear. She wouldn't see it, but others would. He had to look nice but not too nice. It was only a café. He finally settled on a pair of nice slacks and a blue sweater Amy had picked out for him once upon a time. He threw the outfit onto his unmade bed. He would put them on before he left.
He threw on a pair of old dirty jeans and a polo and made his way outside. He planned to take a trip to the café to make sure he knew the way. He couldn't think of anything worse than getting himself and a blind girl lost. He wanted to be positive that he would get Claire and himself successfully to the concert. As he walked down the busy New York street, he couldn't shake the nervousness. He had gone out to lunch with her, but it wasn't a date. And she was blind. What was it like to go on a date with a blind girl? Was anything expected of him? Ephram pulled the folded up sheet of paper from his pocket. He peered down at the directions Professor Zeleski had given him. He found the labeled street and continued his pursuit. His mind continued to wander as he followed the directions. He finally came to a little café. "This is the place." He told himself. He then turned back around and made his way back to the university dormitory.
He had wasted the rest of the day doing nothing of any importance. He had been too nervous to focus his concentration on the song his professor had given him. At around 6:15, he made his way out of his dorm and began the walk across campus to Claire's dorm. He walked slowly trying to build up his nerve. He made it to her dorm at 6:25. He stopped and took in a deep breath. He then knocked lightly on the dorm door. He heard giggles from the other side. He waited patiently as he heard girls run around. He then heard the familiar sound of Claire's cane as it hit the dorm door and it then opened.
"Hello," Claire said looking blankly in front of her. Ephram's jaw had dropped unintentionally. Claire looked amazing. She was wearing a short jean skirt, a blue halter-top with embroidered flowers, and black high heel sandals. Her hair was pinned back in a bun and long silver earrings dangled from her ears. "Ephram? Is that you?"
"Um, yeah," he found himself at a loss for words. "Um, you look, you look beautiful."
Her face lit up with her familiar smile. "Thank you sir. And you look very nice yourself."
"But you can't…"
"It was a joke, stupid," she interrupted with a broad smile.
"Oh, I'm a smart one," Ephram responded with a laugh. He couldn't stop smiling. Her happiness was contagious. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah. Bye people, I'm leaving. See you all later."
"No one else from your dorm is going?"
"Just one other girl, but she already left with her boyfriend. Most of the girls in dorm E are dancers."
They walked down the long New York street. He was still nervous about the coming evening, but she made him feel relaxed. Maybe it wasn't going to be as bad as he thought.
"Ok, we're going to cross here."
"Ok," she responded as she aligned herself with the cross-walk.
"You always amaze me when you do that."
"Thanks," she giggled. "And when you cross the street all by yourself like a big boy you impress me too." He laughed at her joke. He guess she heard things like that all the time. It probably got annoying after awhile.
As they made it to the other side, Claire spoke up, "Well, like last time, I am now lost. Do you think I could hold on again?"
"Sure, of course." Ephram touched her slender arm and she latched on. "Gee, all the guys are staring. They must be jealous of my lovely date," Ephram said with a smile. All his nerves were leaving. There was something about Claire that made a person feel comfortable even in somewhat of a weird circumstance.
"Oh, yeah," she laughed, "I'm sure that's it." Her white cane dangled beside her.
They made their way to the café and found a seat up front. "Are you sure you want to sit this close?" Ephram asked Claire. He never sat that close. It wasn't him.
"Of course!" Claire answered angelically. Claire was what most would call a social butterfly. She wanted to be with others and in with everyone else. Ephram was not like that. He was content to be by himself.
"Hey Claire!" A voice came from behind the two. They both turned around to face the on coming person. "It's Lisa." A redhead had approached Claire and Ephram.
"Hi Lisa, Ephram this is Lisa. She's in my dorm. Lisa, Ephram." The two exchanged normal greetings. "Would you and Daniel like to sit with us?"
"Sure, of course." A guy had come to stand beside Lisa. "Ephram, this is Daniel, my boyfriend. This is Ephram, Claire's date for the evening."
"Nice to meet you."
The four sat down and ordered coffee. They found themselves engaged in conversation when the pianist made his way to the front of the room. Ephram was surprised to find himself having such a good time. Daniel and he had several similarities. This was not common for Ephram. He was used to being somewhat of an outcast at school. But he felt comfortable with other Julliard students. Maybe it would be the right place for him after high school.
"Tonight we will be featuring a real Julliard graduate…" the café owner began to introduce the pianist. The pianist sat himself down at the piano and began to play. Ephram immediately found himself getting lost in the music. He loved to hear others who played the piano. He loved to just listen to the piano. It was his true love and passion The performer made his way through several pieces. Some were familiar to Ephram while others had been written by the artist himself.
"Um, the next piece most of you are probably familiar with," the pianist began, "I'll be playing Summer Time. Um, it's a beautiful piece but not quite the same without vocals. Is there anyone in our audience who might do the honors?"
"Claire," Lisa urged Claire, "you have an amazing voice. Get up there."
"Yeah," another girl from behind pushed. Several joined in the task of convincing Claire.
"I think we have someone here in the front row. What's your name, young lady?"
"Her name is Claire Jones," Lisa volunteered.
"Well, then come on up Claire Jones. Everyone, this is Miss Claire Jones." Claire struggled originally but gave up. She was not going to win this battle. She was led to the front of the café by Ephram. Ephram felt all the eyes on Claire and him as they approached the front. Ephram then stepped to the side leaving Claire in front of the microphone. The two musicians quickly decided what key the song would be played in and then the music began. Claire began to sing, "Summer Time," and Ephram was immediately entranced in the beautiful melodic sound. He knew she could play the piano, but she had never told him she could sing. Her soprano voice rang out. The entire café was transfixed, looking at the teenage girl. "And the livin's easy," she continued. Ephram couldn't believe what he was hearing. He closed his eyes and swayed to the hypnotic notes. As she finished the song the entire room burst into applause. Ephram stood looking at her with a gaze of wonder and amazement.
Well, that's all for now. Please review and please, if you have any ideas on what you want to see happen next, let me know in your review.
Muchos gracias
Psalm57
