Winter Hearts

Candles

Leo was pleasantly surprised by how well-appointed the studio was, but he could see that it was unused, and he wondered why.

Mikhalis started turning on equipment as Leo wandered slowly around the room. He found awards, memorabilia and hard disks neatly arranged in locked glass cabinets. He could tell that Mr Mikhalis was successful in the music industry, but he wasn't a performer, perhaps not even a working musician. He surmised that he must be a producer who claimed accolades for his compositions or arrangements.

Leo knew that one day, if he ever lost his passion or ability for singing, this was what he would be doing too, if he could. He saw Mr Mikhalis with new respect.

When he finally stopped in the centre of the room, Mikhalis had booted up the main computer and had brought up a programme on the two monitors he had atop the desk.

Leo looked abashedly at him.

"I am not sure what to do with all this. I'm used to just using my keyboard and hard drive. Everything else is done by people more experienced than I am."

Mikhalis smiled. "There is always someone better, and more experienced than any of us. You can just use this for composition or you can play around with the software and see what you can make of it."

Leo looked at the equipment, a sombre expression on his face. He knew the company had rented the studio for Ravi and that he had full access to it, but he felt as if Mr Mikhalis was going out of his way to show him all this for some reason. After all, Ravi could have brought him here to show him around instead.

Mikhalis gestured for him to sit as he himself took a seat.

"It looks empty, doesn't it? Lifeless. I spent a lot of time in this studio and it served me very well. But it cost me my marriage, and I almost lost my baby girl as well. I got too busy thinking about the work."

Mikhalis smiled wistfully to himself. He imagined little baby Siana running around under the desk and crying because he wouldn't let her play under there.

"Now I have a small room in my home where I work all alone."

Leo knew this story. It was his too.

Mikhalis saw Leo's mood had fallen, and he reached over and slapped him on the knee.

"Nothing to be sad about. Because after work, I go outside and see my friends and family, and I enjoy the rest of my life. If I had done that sooner, my wife and daughter would still be here with me."

Mikhalis pulled back, watching Leo closely. Leo seemed to be searching for words to respond to him, but he continued.

"I don't know much about your group. But I can see you boys are committed to your work. And I know a bit about the pop culture going on there. It's brutal. It takes a lot to keep going, so I can presume that you all have the character to face whatever comes your way."

Leo sensed that Mikhalis was about to bring up Siana, and he wondered how much Mikhalis knew, or guessed, what was going on between them. He kept his eyes downcast repsectfully, bracing himself for a warning.

Mikhalis broke the intensity of his own gaze by looking around the room.

"You know, I recorded Ana here. But somewhere along the line, instead of bringing her with me on my journey, I shut her out." Mikhalis suddenly laughed to avoid crying. He blinked away tears, and was thankful Leo kept his eyes down. He took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully, gaining control of himself.

"Ana was young, and forgiving her father was easy for her. But her mother, well, she was alone in a strange world, and I can't forgive myself for abandoning her in her own home. If I could do it all again..."