Gerrys ISU chic 04- Yay! new reader! Kuddos to you! I'm glad that I am more important than your english paper, but like my father always told me, "Homework first play after all that shit!" Jk my dad would never say that... it was my mom!
Maska- Please leave my Jayden where he is, as he is needed to stalk Annie...
Beautiful Screams of Hearache- Don't you know that I can't make it as simple as it just being Jayden or Mr.Reyser?
Chapter 17- The Lullaby
Annie stared at the shape in mixed horror and fascination. The shadow walked slowly down the steps and down to the piano that sat near the flaps that covered the unopened orchestra pit. It sat on the bench and opened the cover to the keyboard.
Annie couldn't be sure, but she had a feeling that the personage knew that she was there, and was ignoring her… or possibly not. She stood, still shrouded in darkness, she knew she would not be seen, if she stayed in the shadows. She moved down, so that she could get a better look at the silhouetted person, but she could not seem to get a glimpse of the person's face.
The man cracked his knuckles and began sliding his fingers over the ivory keys, warming up his hands. After a few scales, the clinking of the piano's strings stopped for a moment, and then, to Annie's wonder and disbelief, the man started into a beautiful and familiar song.
She stepped into the light, were she knew that the figure could see her if he wished so. She let a few tears slip down her cheeks. Sitting atop the piano was her flute, newly polished and calling for her finger to play it. She walked to the baby grand and picked up her instrument, then saw the music which had been lying beneath it, the music the man was playing.
The red music was old, and worn in. On the jacket of the sheet music were printed the words, "Cherry Blossoms" in black hand script design. The creases in the cover of the music showed the many times that she had played the music, but it was still dusty, as it had not been played for years.
Her fingers found their way to the sheet, and she opened it very slowly, more tears pouring down her cheeks. She sobbed, listening to the twinkle of the piano. The man looked up at her, but she could still not see his face.
"Do not cry, child." He said. "I miss only one thing."
"Oh, daddy!" She screeched. "I missed you, too."
He stopped playing and rested his hands in his lap. His voice was warm and deep, just as she remembered it to have been. "The song is incomplete without you, my child."
Annie lifted the flute to her lips, and played a long open 'd flat'. The sound resonated in the room, and hung in the air when she ceased. She smile, at how well her instrument still played after being locked up in her closet all these years, and how her fingers still knew their way around the keys.
He played her the introduction, and she played, putting all of her emotion into her music. She could not hold back any longer.
Her fingers danced slowly, like a waltz over the silver keys, and the notes came out perfectly. Everyone of them in flawless tune with the piano. Everything that had flowed into her in the last few weeks, poured out of her. (For a recording of this song, go to cduniverse dot com and find the bamboo lullabies...)
When the last note stopped ringing in the great room, and Annie had caught her breath, she heard her father say in a mellow tone. "I am proud of you, my dear little ladybug."
Annie giggled at hearing her old nickname. Then she walked over to the piano, laying her hands on the back, she looked at him, her voice shaking as she asked, "What are you proud of, père?"
His hand reached up, and she felt that it was gloved as it rested upon her's. He breathed in. "I am proud of you and your voice." He answered. "Proud that you remember me everyday. Proud that you, an accomplished singer, dancer and musician where my favorite pupil."
Annie hung her head. "Pupil?" She asked. Then she looked up, and gasped in surprise.
The piano bench was empty. Her father had left already. "No, père. Don't leave me. I need you."
"I know." Said a booming voice from above her head.
She threw her head upwards, and spinning slowly in circles, her head still raised she called out, "Je vous aime!" to the ghost she hoped was listening. (For those of you who don't know "Je vous aime" means "I love you" in French.)
Annie walked sadly out to her car, and upon opening the locked door found an envelope sealed. On the front was written 'Annie' in large cursive writing. Annie picked it up, slowly wondering how it had gotten there.
Annie read slowly, being sure she caught every word of it:
Dear Annie,
I'm sorry to have left you in such a hurry, however you seem to have had trouble standing, and had I lingered, I may have found myself in a very compromising position, one which could have hurt you as well as myself. Please, I request that you join me at my house Saturday evening for another practice.
Your hopeful friend Jayden
PS. I heard as I was leaving that your friend, Josh has been released from the hospital.
So, please R&R, I seem to be having a slight wirters block, so sorry if it takes a while to update, plush my arms just hurts...