The Chairs Between Us

Meadow

 By the time I got to the park, Liam was already there playing with a group formed around him. He was playing Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint Saens and it was down an octave to match the tone of his viola.

 I stood out of his sight and listened to the beautiful song of his instrument. The crowd was amazed and he let sound ring on the last note. The crowd clapped then dispersed. Liam packed up his viola and came over to me, "I knew you were watching me. You should have joined in."

I shook my head.

He laughed, "I was just kidding... we should get going." 

He began to walk off towards the parking lot. I hesitated then caught up to him, "Where are we going? Aren't we going to practice?" 

He hit the button to unlock his car, "Don't worry about it, just get in the car. I got a surprise for you." 

His car was a old mat black Dodge Charger. 

I stood there, "I don't really like surprises."

He shook his head, "Do I have to kidnap you or are you going to get in already?"

I sighed.

He wins this round.

We both put our violas in the trunk and got in the car. We sped down the street and we were soon outside of town on the highway. I looked over at him, "So where are we going? I have to be home by eight."

He laughed, "You are a bad lair and you need to relax a bit. It's a surprise." 

He's right. Relax. You are just driving to an unknown location with the viola player that you have always looked up to. 

The thought of it made me even more nervous. 

Ugh, relaxing really isn't my thing.

We turned up a dirt road about fifteen minutes later. He threw the car into park, "We walk from here. Grab our instruments." 

I did as I was told and he was already half way up a mossy hill. I quickly caught up, "Am I your slave now?"

He laughed, "I will have to think about that one."

There were tall pine trees all around us and we found a grassy meadow. He turned to me, "This is the perfect place." 

He sat down and looked up at the orange and purple sky. He grabbed my arm causing me to fall to the ground beside him, "Surprise." 

He broke out in laughter. I sat up and brushed the mossy dirt off of my shirt, "So, why did you bring me out here?" 

He looked at me, eyes twinkling, "I believe every coach should get to know their player. I have to know your strengths and weaknesses before we make real music." 

"I am not very good about talking to people. Especially about my life."

"Well then I will go first... I come out here to get away from my parents. Sometimes my mom is overwhelming and I need to get away. And my dad is one of those who would rather have me play football than something as weak as orchestra... Your turn."

His smile pierced into me. 

I hate talking about my family. 

I could tell he wasn't going to take "no" for an answer. "Well my stepdad always tries to bond with me in all the wrong ways. And my mom..." 

I was arguing in my mind. 

Lie. Tell the truth. 

"She shut me out of her life. It's almost like I don't exist." 

Tears began to form in my eyes, "I am sorry I have never told someone that before." 

Liam grabbed my hand, "Don't be sorry for someone else's problem. Let's practice. What song do you want to play?" 

Pictures of my brother ran through my head, "I don't feel like practicing but, can you play Clair de Lune? I know it on piano but, not on viola." 

He smiled, "Of course I can." 

God, can he play everything.

He unpacked his viola and lifted his bow. 

It was a perfect picture. The setting sun. The sound of a viola. Clair de Lune some how sounds different when played by your idol. 

I laid back in the grass and closed my eyes. Letting the music clear my mind.

Why is he being so nice today?