Awakenings: The Greek, The Russian and Me

Chapter 20

We arrive at his apartment building and take the elevator to the fifth floor. The building is an old, typical New York City apartment building with small white floor tiles and black apartment doors that have several locks visible. We reach his apartment door, and I read #5D. My heart is pounding, and I fiddle with the straps of my tote. He unlocks the door and steps in, and I follow close behind. Shutting the door, he secures the three locks, smiles at me, and says, "Welcome to my humble home."

I'm shocked at what I see and just stand frozen by the front door. In front of me is a large room; the floors are parquet and obviously restored to their original beauty with a high shine. Straight ahead is a small kitchen lined up against the wall with solid wood cabinets stained in a rich maple color. Separating the kitchen from the living-room area is a small, dark-green granite-top island with four bar stools. The living room is furnished with a futon, an oversized bean bag in the corner with a low table and lamp, and a small maple-colored wall unit that houses a TV and sound system accompanied by shelves of books. Between the wall unit and the futon is a small, old wooden coffee table with a half-consumed candle. To the left, a small hall leads to three doors. "It's beautiful and has such a calm vibe," I say, dropping my tote on the floor and turning to smile at him.

"Let me show you the rest." He heads down the hall. "This is the bathroom." He points to a door, and I push it open. I can tell the bathroom has been updated but retains its old charm. It's the traditional small white tiles on the floor and the white and black subway tiles on the walls with a beautiful claw-foot tub. Next to the tub is a small table with another candle. The sink and toilet have been replaced in the modern style. "This is small closet, and this is the music room slash bedroom," he says as he opens the door to the room. We take a step up to enter it. I notice that it seems there is another door attached to the bedroom door we just opened. He laughs as he looks at me. "Remember I told you it was soundproof. So my family raised the floor and brought out the walls and door by adding soundproofing materials. It took a while to complete, but you can't hear anything on the other side of this door. The goal was that I could practice the piano at any time and not bother anyone," he says, smiling.

The room is like nothing I've ever seen before. The walls are painted a medium shade of gray, and the carpeting is plush, a lighter tone of gray with specks of dark- er gray. There is an upright black lacquered piano, and in the corner of that same wall, hanging from an anchor in the ceiling, there is some funky-looking swing with a perfect view of Astoria Park. On the other side of the room, there is a low full-size bed with a black leather cushion headboard and a striped gray comforter. Beside the bed there's a small black nightstand with a silver lamp that has a cream-colored shade. The room feels modern, but at the same time it's so cozy and welcoming. "Wow, your place is beautiful," I say, smiling at him.

"I'm glad you like it. Make yourself at home; you can leave your stuff in here, since you will be sleeping in the bed, and I'll have the futon."

"Are you sure? I can totally do the futon," I say sheepishly.

"Nonsense. You sleep here. So what do you want to do?"

I smile at him. "I would really love to hear you play something on the piano, if you are in the mood."

His face lights up. "Absolutely," he says as he closes the bedroom door and takes a seat on the piano bench, opening up the piano. I stand quietly, and he then pats the side of the bench and motions me to join him. Taking a deep breath, he turns to smile at me and begins to play what I immediately recognize as "Happy Birthday" as he sings to me. I can't help but laugh, and by the time he is finished, my mood is completely uplifted. "Now that is the smile I love to see," he says as he gives me a wink. "Now for something more serious. Is there any specific composer that you like?"