Love in Line of Fire

First Loss

I've always enjoyed playing the piano for the saloon, I get to see friendly faces, like Florence, or Mason. But tonight, Roger, who's got connections with Milo, the town banker, seemed so depressed. I stole glances at him as I played, he was smoking his sorrows away. I had gotten up to check up on him, I could do this because I was playing on break.

"Roger, are you alright? You've been here a while with no drinks..." I put my hand on his shoulder, my hand against his dusty coat.

"It's difficult, losing Milo.... They weren't there a lot the time, but it's lonely sitting here now." A tear ran down his face, he put his cigar on the ash tray. "They're gone now, brutal I heard. Head bashed into the ol' typewriter...." Roger's voice trembled as he spoke that line. I looked down and had a seat with him. I put my hand on his, his burly hands shadowing mine.

"It's tough, I get it, happened with my mama. Just know, Milo will always be in your memory, remember that alright? I got to go, but come by my place if you need to talk more..." I left him at the table and went back to the piano, eventually it was closing time and I waved Sami, our bartender.

I got home to Rosa, my loving wife, she's the town's bakery owner, she made amazing pastries from over the world, I guess thats what you get from being around Europe. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat down on the couch.

"So darling, how's your day?" Rosa seemed excited to see me, I suppose it's because I'm out a lot of the time for the day. I sighed and fixed my posture.

"Well surprising news has happened... you know Roger right? Well his little friend Milo, they... they're no longer with us. I don't know much about their relationship, but Roger really like Milo..." I teared up slightly, I had no reason to cry, I hadn't been close to either Roger or Milo, but a death is a death. Rosa looked at me surprised, maybe they were a better friend of Rogers? I don't remember a lot of people's relations.

"That's... unfortunate, I ought to give Roger my condolences... something like that would send Roger out to leave, maybe to rid his mind of such a devastating thing." She looked away from me, down to her thighs covered by her dress. "I... I don't really want to talk about this sorta thing, a bit to frightening for my taste... maybe tomorrow we could discuss it..." quickly, Rosa left to the room, heading to bed. I thought about joining her, but I didn't feel tired, I thought maybe some light piano music could help make me process these events.

I entered my piano room, Rosa liked to try to play it, but she didn't have the small hands I own. I played the piano, quieter than normal, I felt... calmer already. Despite my calmness, I felt a sort of presence outside through the window, I continued playing  as I looked out, nothing? Peculiar, but I tried to cut my mind off it.

More time passed by and I eventually tired myself out and decided to go to bed with Rosa. I undressed and got in my nightgown, got in bed, and tried my best to rest. It was difficult to try and fall asleep, I thought about how Milo died.... A typewriter head bashing? Sounds... bloody. And messy. Sleep sounded like an impossible idea, but somehow, I got my slumber.