CHAPTER ONE (PART TWO)8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJVGqWMbpe 維尼

Winter Etude8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UfXXkO74n 維尼

The food court at the university was quiet. Violet supposed it was because it was a Friday evening. Most of the people who went to the university Violet’s mother taught at were already at their apartments or at home, celebrating another triumphant week of surviving college. Of course, she didn’t understand what college was all about or why students even went there in the first place. To her, college was just college and nothing more.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L8ihYYg3N 維尼

There weren’t very many options at the food court of the cafeteria, at least not for someone whose mother was extremely health conscious. There were several fast food restaurant chains offering express menus but there wasn’t much that Violet’s mother would let her eat. Save for one. A salad bar. Violet’s young stomach wanted something fattier, like the burger place, but her mother, of course, wouldn’t hear any of it.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBzogl5XfT 維尼

“You have to grow strong and healthy and not bog your stomach down with junk.” She shook her head. “You know how I feel about all of that.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuTDEGxx08 維尼

“Yeah I know.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Baovex4CK 維尼

“Then don’t ask.” She was laughing as she pat her daughter’s head.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn3RiQjEsz 維尼

The scent of French fries teased at Violet’s nose again. The smell was tantalizing, but ignoring the stomach rumbling, she walked to the salad bar with her mother. Unappetizing. Everything was atrocious. Grimacing, Violet’s shoulders slumped as she held on to her tray, digging into the romaine lettuce with the black prongs.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEjrLn88ry 維尼

“Delicious, delicious,” Violet’s mother sang. “Don’t you think that it would be great if you could put some olives on that?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPW9cryNKc 維尼

Violet shivered. Olives — nasty. Fries — good. “No. I want fries.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uT6Nj7WQc 維尼

“Fries aren’t healthy. We’ve been over this so many times.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAcaldPoR2 維尼

“I know,” Violet said, sighing. “But I want them.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZx90xXxpm 維尼

They were checking out now that Violet had put all of the toppings in her bowl. At the moment that Violet’s mother had paid for their food, the speakers began playing piano music. Like being transported into another world, the music danced before her. No longer were the flourescent lights of the food court beating down on her, but some kind of magical light. Her heart raced as the music increased in intensity. Violet ddn’t even realize that she was now sitting at the table in front of her mother, but to her chagrin, she was brought back to her reality when her mother waved her hand.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvrWvtU1xT 維尼

“What?” Violet asked, her eyes wide as she looked at her mother.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5p8UuDtr9 維尼

“You’re not paying attention. You remember we needed to continue our discussion about the book you’re supposed to be reading.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡieOqX0EwUe 維尼

“Oh…” Violet’s shoulders slumped.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy6PJMlWNh 維尼

Fifth grade sucks. I wish I was in college. Look at all these people. They look like grown ups. I really want to be one.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjxuQWPrmZ 維尼

The music was still playing over the speakers. Violet looked up and pretended that she too was a pianist. It was the only way she could imagine herself like that Alexander Kafka boy, who played better than anyone one else she had ever heard. The only talented person in her fifth grade music appreciation class was James — and all he could play was Simple Things.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SAjsT6a35 維尼

“Who was your favorite character?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgs9DPTjTB 維尼

Did I really read the book all that well? Violet thought, digging her fork into the salad bowl.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d9YMudUE7 維尼

“Um, Charles Wallace I suppose.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfVQE7ps6C 維尼

“Why Charles Wallace and not Meg?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXtjEcUIRT 維尼

Wait, who is Meg again? Isn’t she the main character… Yeah I should have mentioned her… Not Charles Wallace.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡawNxS3ELrP 維尼

Violet’s mind was still muddled by the music. The dulcet sound of the piano faded until it was nothing.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xC4ybNHed 維尼

“The music’s over,” Violet said, pouting.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrYniFPWLk 維尼

“You didn’t answer my question.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡBULmBInlkT 維尼

“I meant to say Meg. I’m sorry. I like her ‘cause she’s like me. I get her. I don’t get Charles Wallace. I dunno why I even mentioned his name.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRzuIAxId6 維尼

The conversation continued on the book, but Violet’s heart wasn’t in it and it wouldn’t be for the duration of their talk. She still couldn’t get her mind off of earlier that evening. The way the music sounded — it touched her soul. Even though she was ten years old, she felt that she was beginning to have some kind of understanding of music. As if she was meant to go in the auditorium.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡp81PyB1nxy 維尼

Though the conversation had stopped, Violet looked at her mother. There was something in her eyes she couldn’t read. Violet knew she was too young to understand why her mother was looking at her, her eyes narrow and almost curious.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yVHxB5hAt 維尼

“I’ll write the essay tonight while you’re teaching and I’ll finish it.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qF2zP8TIj 維尼

That way I can probably listen to piano music… But how? How can I?8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡC56JZ8lcXw 維尼

“Is there any way we can listen to music on the radio when we’re going back home?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4uY5wJnI2 維尼

“I’m not sure,” she said. “What kind of music did you want to listen to, Vi?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJm6ZYT9Tf 維尼

Mom will definitely laugh at me for saying this.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBNtoJLfOK 維尼

“Classical.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM5BZwaVkE 維尼

Violet was right. Her mother did laugh.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z4EVHAwGE 維尼

“Classical? But why? I didn’t think you would like that kind of music.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM8CugQSfV 維尼

Violet half-smiled, twiddling with the salad on her plate. “I don’t know… I guess I might want to listen to it on the way home.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rdw6I04q8 維尼

“I suppose going in that music hall did you a favor then, huh? I tried listening to classical music when I was pregnant with you, but it just bored me to tears… It doesn’t bore you?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuxLKbt0l8 維尼

How can it? What I saw today from Alexander Kafka’s playing? I want that. I want to go back to my magical world.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzYtRrZQmP 維尼

“I guess not.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFBmvR7Dz 維尼

Violet’s mother found the classical station while they were on their way back home. She didn’t know what it was, or even what the featured instruments were, but Violet felt her eyelids slowly droop until they were completely shut. Was she in her world again?8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL9tqYPcSD 維尼

She opened her eyes to her standing in a field, the sunlight shining down on her pale skin. She was dancing as the trees whispered and rustled with the rhythm of the wind. There was a small barn in the distance. Another boy running toward the same direction. The sun was brighter as the music in her soul increased in intensity. The grass was becoming more and more green.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡltvWZAIYdf 維尼

“Wait for me!” she said.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5v61xvV6G 維尼

The boy who was running turned around and narrowed his eyes, but after a moment, he smiled and extended his hand. She took her hand in his and they both began running.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZXZCJLk08 維尼

Her eyelids were heavy as she felt a hand touch her shoulder.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmDxhycaJB 維尼

“Violet, we’re home.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkHzlLYXWb 維尼

She opened her eyes. “Home?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TZsLlyNYw 維尼

“Yeah, you fell asleep. Go put your Pj’s on and go to sleep. You have a long day tomorow.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQKKFvHGjD 維尼

Stumbling out of the car, she held on to her mother for support. What did she just dream about? Everything seemed so real, so vivid. So true. Wishing that she could see the images just one more time, she closed her eyes, but there was nothing. She found herself wondering when it would happen again.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIHd3HeVao 維尼

And she wanted nothing more than for it to happen again.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8hNX6Pn6P 維尼

A few months later8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuz4nRS6YO 維尼

The music store. Violet had been persuading her mother to take her to Barenheim’s for what felt like months on end. Now it was Violet’s turn to finally play on a piano. As soon as they walked in, the smell of music danced in the room.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡILnWA7vcJT 維尼

“Look at this one, Mommy!” she said, tugging her mother towards the glossy black grand piano. “It’s so beautiful. It reminds me of the one he was playing…”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L3EnP43Aq 維尼

“Who’s he?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8srjGNWEc 維尼

“Oh you know,” Violet said, gliding her small hands across the white keys. “The one who played in the auditorium a few months ago… Alexander Kafka. I dunno who he is, but he was the one I heard playing that night.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcoWF4DDOB 維尼

“Ah,” she said, nodding her head. “I see who you’re talking about now. You’ve only been talking about him for months.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡPno5OGR9ju 維尼

Violet was no longer paying attention to a word her mother was saying. She was sitting at the piano bench, and fiddling around with the white keys, occasionally reaching for a black key. She didn’t know what she was playing, or even if it sounded good at all. Not being able to deny the intense rush that was coursing through her veins, the young girl continued to play and allowed herself to get completely lost in the music. In her mind, she was another Alexander Kafka on the stage, in front of a crowd of thousands that were eagerly waiting for her to play the next notes and continue on making magic that enchanted them to their very cores.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Pzh9S2mF 維尼

“Violet,” her mother whispered. “You’re disturbing other people. Stop banging on those keys.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuj6VA0PUh 維尼

“What?” she asked, looking up, momentarily confused. Why did her mother stop her from playing?8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SOYPg0LdU 維尼

“You sound terrible. Everyone’s looking at you.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD3rxKolE6 維尼

She frowned. Sometimes her mother was harsher.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjepZSnGyk 維尼

“Gee, thanks.” She got up from the bench and walked away, folding her arms across her chest and walking away from her mother.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMSGTxtsx0 維尼

“Vi, I’m sorry. You know I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7jC8dhOGB 維尼

A tear escaped Violet’s eyes and trickled down her cheek.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡou20Kkp3Dn 維尼

“Is everything okay?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plcCZCKrI 維尼

It was the man who was tending to the front desk. He looked at Violet with soft eyes and a smile.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbtuzGIq2S 維尼

Violet looked up at him, sniffled and said, “Yes, sir. Everything is fine.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyFELhbth8 維尼

“I heard you playing piano. You were having fun, weren’t you?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOTgfqEP1B 維尼

Violet giggled as she smiled. “Yes, sir. I was.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13PDpak0uF 維尼

“Let me know if you need anything, okay?” He said. Shortly after he walked away.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVsxX14MJg 維尼

Fast piano music ensued shortly after their conversation. It wasn’t like the music she had heard a few months previous, but it was almost just as good. The music made Violet frown and look at the person playing with narrowed eyes. She had enough of all of this.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡbroSftO2tr 維尼

“Mom,” she said, walking up to her and tugging her shirt.8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡNROtZ819eu 維尼

“What?”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAEG4TCWko 維尼

“I’ve had enough of this. I want to be as good as the playing piano over there. I want to take piano lessons.”8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0cHfbNN0u 維尼

Her mother arched an eyebrow and shook her head, "I don't think that's a good idea... Violet, I'm not sure if you really have the potential to play piano like that guy over there..."8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡnndjUSRbbN 維尼

Piano lessons were what Violet wanted more than anything she had ever wanted before in her life. She was determined to be just as good, if not better, than Alexander Kafka. 8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡAurlq9Okdc 維尼

"I don't care what you think. I'm going to do it. Please sign me up for lessons!"8964 copyright protection640ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbdZCtJzKR 維尼

644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyHCcpULt5
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