The Barefoot Violinist

Control

Bennett walked Blue home, who stayed a few blocks away from him. After Cory had left they didn't say much to each other, but he could see that Blue was ready to tackle the subject.

"You're going to do it, aren't you?" she said quietly looking up at him while they walked.

"I don't know..." He sighed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. His shoulders slumped forward as if bricks had been piled on top of them. "I know I shouldn't, but I really want to as well. I'm also so scared because I'll be the one taking all the risks - I'll be the one sticking his neck out so that a bully can tie a rope around it - but I really, really want to have just a moment of happiness, even if it may cost me more than I can give." His eyes begging her to help make sense of his madness. Did he stay on the edge, or did he jump into the lake?

"If he makes you happy for now, then maybe for now is good enough." she started slowly. "Just be careful. Like you said, you are taking all the risks." She frowned at him with concern written across her face. "But you know your own heart Ben, do what feels right even it goes against the grain. My dad always said to trust your heart, it will lead the way and your gut, will tell you if it's right." She suddenly stopped to hug him, "You'll be alright. I've got your back remember?" 

Returning her hug, he said tersely: "Thank you. That really means a lot to me. You really mean a lot to me." Taking a deep breath he continued, "I know what I want to do." Blue gave him a happy, watery smile, nodding up at him.

Then he looked at her with a frown. "Isn't your dad in prison because he trusted his gut?" a smile playing on his lips.

"Piss off!" she replied smiling.

On Wednesday, Bennett was given the day off school for the recital. There was always the hope to be scouted at one of these events and with scholarships in Arts being scarce, there was some tough competition out there, even if people called him a prodigy. He snorted at the word, it was useless to him. He had bigger dreams, which will take a lot of work, but then he had never shied away from work, no matter what. 

He was up early, following his usual routine before any major concert. A breakfast of one slice of toast with peanut butter and herbal tea. He noticed that his mother already had turned off all the electronic devices in the house. He checked to make sure his phone is turned of before throwing it in the drawer. He won't need it until the next morning. The house was completely silent, almost as if time had stopped. He then took a seat on the couch to complete the Times crossword puzzle. For lunch he had water with a buttered bagel. After lunch he wandered upstairs for a hot shower before getting dressed. Moving over to his violin case to make sure everything was the way he'd left it. Picking it up, he did a final check in the mirror before putting on his noise cancelling headphones and stepping out to the waiting cab.

Getting into the cab, they drove off without a word being spoken. His mother had called the cab company earlier with very specific instructions, to be followed to the letter. He slipped past all the other musicians, removing his headphones and storing them along with his coat and violin case in the cubby assigned to him. 

Moving toward the stage he nodded to the other musicians also starting to take their places. Most of them knew him and they knew of his quirks before a major recital. Once the audience was seated, the conductor tapped his baton on his music stand. There was complete silence, suddenly the orchestra comes to life filling the hall with rich tones. 

Bennett was never nervous, he shut out any other distractions to concentrate on the goal at hand. To play the best solo that they have ever heard and become the star of the show. Tonight was a bit different though, Cory would be in the audience. 

He played the first piece perfectly getting a standing ovation after his solo. From the front row he could hear the catcalls and whistles that could only come from boisterous teenagers. Once the audience had settled down, he lifted his bow, but as the first notes sound, his eyes are drawn to a pair dark opals, Cory. He sat in rapture listening to the music coming from Bennett's skilled fingers. Smiling at Cory and giving him a quick wink, he closed his eyes and then it was only him and Cory in the room. He poured all his heartache, sadness, regrets, love, happiness and hopes into his playing. Hoping that he will never have to play another sad song in his life again.