Her fingers glided over the ivory keys as she played Fur Elise; her heart and soul went into the performance, but this was no ordinary practice or recital. No, she was playing for someone special, someone she wasn't able to show what she had learned before. She played all in hopes that he, her Grandpa, would hear.
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Grandpa . . .
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She began a new tune. The song was one she had written for a story she had made. It started out uppity when the big sister and little brother were having fun. It stopped when he left the room.
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It began again in a low key. This time the sister was conversing with those who wished her wrong, and then anger came through the sister's tone from the confrontation. The tone became harder and more rapid. She screamed. Then she was gone. Taken. Sent away for her crimes. Never to return. The music stopped. All was silent.
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The brother heard her cry of terror. The music started again, softly and higher pitched this time as he searched for his only family. "Sister?" he whispered. Then panic showed through the notes, "SISTER!" he screamed.
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"She's gone, little one. She left by her own wrong choices. You will be fine with us." the voice lied,"Don't be sad. You were too gentle to be with one such as her."
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There was a pause, "No," then he got angry, "NOOOOO!" Her fingers quickly pounded all of the octaves down till she reached the right octave. He hated his sister for "leaving" him. "I'll show you!" he shouted. He became twisted by his rage into something completely unrecognizable, a monster. He hurt those close to him and those he didn't know. Gently she plinked the last few notes as the faces of the prince's friends faded because he had pushed them away. He was alone again.
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Because he believed a lie . . .
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She still loved him . . .
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And always would . . .
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She hit a wrong key. Her vision was fuzzy, clouded by tears. Not because of the story behind the song, but because of the pain it expressed. The pain that she had trouble feeling herself and was now letting out.
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Her hands slid off the piano. She sat up and briskly walked across the empty banquet room of the nursing home, towards the paper towel dispenser. She pumped a bit out and blew her nose on the rough paper.
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But it helped her none. The tears were streaming down her face now. She let out a gasp and sucked in a trembling breath. She choked and sputtered, her throat becoming sore.
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It happened less than twenty minutes ago, and she had watched the whole thing. It was her first time, seeing someone she knew die, her Grandpa nonetheless, and at her young age too.
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She had whispered in his ear,"I love you, Grandpa . . ." Her mom and sister had been there as well to express their love. Every time they said,"I love you," he took another breath, as if he was trying to stay with them, just one more minute. They sang "Jesus Loves Me" when he took his last breath. The nurses had commented on how he must have been a good man.
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She sobbed again, the tears stinging her eyes, and her throat burning. A nurse walked through the room and out the opposite door, as if she couldn't see or hear her, but she didn't want anyone to ask her how she was doing anyway, she wanted to let it all out now when only God and those in heaven could see.1104Please respect copyright.PENANAAmpeG6BYZM
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To be honest, she wished she had known him better. She was little when he first developed Alzheimer's, he was never the same afterwards.
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God, I know he's in heaven with you, but it still hurts.1104Please respect copyright.PENANAjKpBn3sWgW
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A long time passed. With every tear, every sob, every thought given to God, she felt a burden being lifted. All her tears dried up. It felt like God had wiped them away and told her of his unending love towards her and her Grandpa.
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In loving memory . . .
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