The Art Class

8. Left hand II - felt

"No, of course I won't drop it. I promise."

"Okay."

Eddy trusted Brett. He had already proven to Eddy how caring and considerate he was with Eddy's hand.

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Brett carefully picked up Eddy's left hand with both hands.

"Hey, I need to see your left hand too."

"Oh yeah. Sorry Eddy, here you go."

Brett gently placed Eddy's hand onto the bench, then reached out his own left hand towards Eddy so that Eddy could sketch it. Eddy started sketching the outline of Brett's hand. While he was sketching, Eddy inadvertently blurted out;

"...You've got small hands for a violinist."

Brett blushed and scoffed.

"Oh gimme a break, I'm only 14."

Eddy shook his head as he kept his eyes busy shifting between his sketchbook and Brett's hand. He then paused.

"..I'm sorry Brett. That was really insensitive of me. You're right. They'll probably get bigger in a few years"

Brett started his sketch, too. He sighed.

"I see what you mean. I'm taller than you but your hands are already bigger than mine."

Brett compared his hand with Eddy's by placing his close to the larger hand. He sighed again. Eddy stammered;

"L, look Brett, I.. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to say something so mean.."

Brett managed to smile.

"Don't worry about it Eddy. It's true. But yeah maybe you could keep your fingers crossed for me that I'd get bigger hands in a few years."

Eddy bit his lower lip. He didn't like the person he was becoming. Saying mean things about someone like that.

Eddy finished sketching the back of Brett's hand so he put down his pencil and waited for Brett to finish.

Brett seemed to have noticed Eddy was waiting for him and quickly finished off what he was doing as well, declaring that he was ready to draw the palm side of the hand. Brett asked Eddy if he could turn over Eddy's hand. Eddy nodded. Brett put down his pencil and using both hands, he carefully turned over Eddy's hand. Eddy then suddenly realised he could've just used his own right hand to turn over his left hand and blushed. Brett seemed oblivious of Eddy's thoughts and put down his left hand onto the desk, showing his palm. One glance at Brett's palm and Eddy's eyes widened.

"What? What is it, Eddy?"

"Your hand.. "

"What about it?"

"The calluses on your fingertips.."

"Oh."

"Is it okay if I touch your fingertips?"

"What? Yeah, of course you can."

Eddy gingerly touched Brett's fingertips with his right hand and felt the calluses formed on each of them, something only acquired by regular practice over an extended period of time.

"This is admirable."

Brett gave a shy smile.

"Thanks Eddy."

Brett looked at the palm side of Eddy's left hand.

"I.. I can tell you used to practice a lot, too Eddy."

Eddy replied sadly.

"I wonder if I would eventually lose all my calluses and end up having smooth fingertips like my right hand.. y'know, like someone who doesn't play a strings instrument..."

Brett seemed to struggle to think of what to say.

"I... guess that is a possibility Eddy.. But.."

"But what?"

"Guessing the amount of effort you've put in till now, when you get back into it, I am certain you'll get your calluses back in no time."

"You mean if I ever get back into it.."

"No Eddy, I meant it when I said when."

Eddy peeled his eyes away from his hand and looked up at Brett's face. Brett was looking at Eddy sternly.

"It's when it happens Eddy. I wasn't kidding when I said I'd do anything to help you make it happen. You are getting movement back. It will happen. I believe it and you have to, too."

Eddy blinked away his tears as he stammered.

"It just seems so far away though.. I.. I can't even feel anything yet.."

"I.. I..oh geez, I'm sorry Eddy.. I was about to say I know, when I have absolutely no idea.. I just wish I knew what I could do."

Eddy thought that was the most sincere thing anyone ever said to him.

They both went back to their sketching.

A few moments later this time Brett muttered;

"Eddy, your.. fingernails are so long for a violinist."

This time Eddy sighed then let out a wry smile as he continued to sketch.

"Yeah... I've never seen them this long ever. Especially my left hand. I mean, ever since we started playing the violin, we would've trimmed our nails so that we could never see our fingernails from the palm of your hand, right? It's just that it's a bit scary to cut them by myself when I can't feel my fingertips and of course I can't cut my right hand nails either.. so I've just let them grow. Maybe I should ask my sister for a manicure."

Brett let out a chuckle. He put down his pencil and with his thumb and index finger, he gently picked up the tip of Eddy's index finger, rubbing his thumb along Eddy's fingernail.

"Geez Eddy, they are long. Y'know what, you could even go to those manicure salons and get a really cool pattern done by a professional, maybe something with a musical theme..."

"..Just what exactly are you doing, Brett?"

Brett looked up from Eddy's hand and saw Eddy's stern look. Alarmed, Brett quickly pulled back his right hand.

"I.. I'm sorry, Eddy, I didn't mean to..."

Eddy bit his lower lip. He looked upset. He looked as if he was holding back tears. Brett stammered;

"Eddy, Eddy, look, I'm sorry, I should've asked before I.. I'm so stupid...."

Eddy shook his head. He looked sternly at Brett and leaned in towards him as he hissed.

"You don't understand Brett."

"Eddy? I.."

Eddy's voice was shaking. He closed his eyes and a tear fell along his cheek. Brett's eyes widened in fear for upsetting his friend so much.

"Brett.. tell me what you did to me just then..!"

"Eddy.. I.. I was just.. I didn't mean to offend you or hurt your feelings.."

Eddy raised his voice.

"No! It's not that Brett!"

Brett was alarmed by Eddy's panic struck voice.

"Eddy..I'm sorry. Please tell me, how did I upset you so much?"

Eddy opened his eyes and Brett thought he was glaring at him. Eddy leaned in and hissed again.

".. Brett... I.. I FELT THAT. Now please, please tell me what you were doing...!!"

Brett's eyes shot open in surprise.

"Eddy...!!"