but it's in the harmony of her that beauty lies.
Listen to the patter in my heart; listen to the drums within my soul,
see how she can make the chorus sing and see how she can make the symphony start.
Play, play this song of you.
Play for the oId and play it for the new
Play at the break of day and play in the twilight how-.
Play away the sadness and the sorrow.
Walk before the saddest eyes you see.
Walk and bring the music back to me.
.
He stopped and stared down at the piano keys. "That's all I have so far."
He looked up.
It had been a long time, a very long time since anyone or anything had brought tears to my eyes, tears I couldn't hold back, tears with a mind of their own that surged forward and out, streaking down my cheeks: glorious tears, unashamed, proud to reveal that my heart was bursting and I had been moved.
"Well?" he asked.
I walked around the piano and answered him by kissing his cheek. He was so surprised, his eyes nearly popped. I had to laugh and flick away the tears from my cheeks.
"Thank you. It was beautiful," I said. He beamed.
"It's not finished, like I said."I'll work on it every day. I'll have it perfect.
"How long is this rehearsal, as you call it, to go on?" we heard and looked at the stairway where his father stood midway down.
How long had he been there? Had he seen and heard Balwin singing the song to me? Did he see me kiss him?
"We're just finishing up. sir," Balwin said.
"Good."
He tamed and stomped back up and out, closing the door. "Sorry," Balwin said, "He gets that way sometimes." What's he afraid of? I wondered, looking after him.
"I've got to get home anyway. My father is coming home late and I have to get his supper. My mother's out with friends." I said.
"Okay. We'll meet again tomorrow night, if you want." Balwin saw my eves go to the upstairs doorway.
"It'll be okay," he added.
I nodded and started up the stairs. I was so quiet. Balwin's father didn't seem to mind silence. There was no sound of television, no music, just the heavy ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway.
"Good night," I told him at the door. "Thanks."
I stepped out quickly. The wind greeted me with a slap in the face and cold fingers in and under my unzipped jacket. I quickly did it up and hoisted my shoulders for the walk home. Just before I reached the corner. I heard a car slow down and turned to see two young men looking out at me, one with a ski cap and the driver with a cowboy hat. The one with the ski cap wore sunglasses even though it was night. I recognized them as former students at my school. I was surprised they knew me.
"How about a ride. Ice baby?" he asked. "It's warm enough in here to melt you."
"Real warm," the driver shouted.