Chapter 2
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The email exchanges with Katherine had become incredibly important to Sam. She hadn't been able to go visit Martin so Katherine was her touchstone to him. Beyond getting the details on his health, the two women began to exchange stories about Martin after Sam mentioned how much she enjoyed hearing the story about Martin's attempt at rescuing the cat. Katherine responded that she would love to hear some tales Sam had about Martin as well.
Katherine's stories were mainly about Martin's crazy stunts as a kid. Like the time he and his friends built a ramp so they could jump their bikes over the pool like Evel Knievel. Unfortunately, the first attempt was made by their friend, Kyle, who broke his collarbone while trying to land. So the parents put a moratorium on bike stunts. That's when the boys concocted a plan involving the balcony, a trampoline and a pool filled with jello. There were so many stories of fearless boys, insane ideas and bodily injuries, Katherine said she often thought it was a miracle that Martin survived his childhood.
Sam shared stories about cases, like when they had to interview the members of the "Clear Skies Society" who, when they were leaving, referred to them as "the real Mulder and Scully." After that, the nicknames became a private joke between the two of them.
But the storytelling served more than laughs, it turned out their memories were connected in ways they never could have imagined.
Katherine had written to Sam about how difficult it was to get Martin to sit still for his piano lessons – he would much rather have been outside playing football with his friends. He would try just about every tactic to try and get out of having to practice everyday. He would feign illness or complain that forcing him to play was a form of child abuse. She said she sometimes wondered if he still hated her for it.
Sam responded by sharing a recollection of an incident that occurred while they were on a business trip to Palm Springs:
Martin and Sam were waiting in the sitting room while the housekeeper had left to go fetch the couple that filed the complaint against Whitney Ridder aka Kat Fontaine.
Sam was on the sofa reviewing her notes while Martin wandered around the room looking at the knick-knacks and photos. He stopped at the grand piano, staring at the keys, when suddenly he sat down on the bench and began to play. Sam looked at him in disbelief but it was as if he had completely forgotten she was in the room.
It was a classical piece that she couldn't identify. So she just sat there listening as the ethereal tune wafted around the room like a morning mist.
And as abruptly as he began, he stopped – seemingly jolted back to where he was and why he was here. He looked up at Sam and blushed at his momentarily lapse.
"Sorry, I was just wondering if I remembered how to play." He commented lamely.
"I think it's a safe bet to say you do. That was beautiful, what was it?"
"Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' in D Minor."
"You're really good. How long have you been playing?" It was like Sam was seeing him for the first time.
Martin gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged. "I had to take lessons twice a week most of my childhood. I hated it. My mom made me practice everyday but I just wanted to play sports. She said I needed to have some culture in my life, too." Martin looked like he was lost in the memory. He smiled and added, "Now that I'm older I'm glad she made me stick with it."
