A Fractured Echo

Chapter 26

Jackson's surprise was the reason I floated around in a bliss filled bubble for almost a week. Despite my overwhelming happiness, I'd remained silent over what had occurred that afternoon, wanting to hold on to the moment for myself just a little while longer. The joy he'd given in such a deeply personal way was beyond anything I could describe, and something to be treasured. One simple moment had returned so much more of myself than I ever thought possible. The tiny shards of the girl I'd perhaps once been, slowly woven back together in the most fulfilling of ways. No matter how much I tried to brush it off as just a nice thing for someone to do, I found myself unavoidably caught up in the unintentional romance of it all. Maybe it was what the gesture meant to me on a personal level, but much deeper, it felt intrinsically linked to my ever-growing feelings for the man who'd given me the world in the most unwitting of ways.

From the wings to the right, Jackson appeared, cloaked in shadow, but there was no mistaking his nerves as one hand began to rub furiously at his scalp, tentatively awaiting my reaction. My urge to move forward conflicted with the fact my feet were still firmly rooted to the spot, shocked by what I was looking at. My fingers flexed instinctively, as an almost itch like desire coursed through my veins, compelling me to reach out and touch the glossy black surface before me. As the need to close the distance won out, my feet finally began to move forwards until I reached the set of wooden boxes forming the staircase up to the stage. I had a vague recollection of Ash Macey strutting down them, guitar in hand, to peacock for his adoring audience the night I was there with Jodie. Finally, on the same level as Jackson, he joined me as I continued to stare in abject awe at the familiar object which was now within touching distance.

"Say something." Jackson urged, apprehension evident in the timbre of his voice. My continued mute state was no doubt fuelling his uncertainty, when, he'd simply rendered me speechless with such an incredible gesture.

Struggling to find a suitable response, I stuttered. "How...why?"

"Because it was the only thing I could think of, to show you how truly thankful I am to have you in my life Holly. It's not a permanent fixture, but if it brings some familiar joy, then I'll find a way to give you this on a more permanent level." He offered earnestly, a look of fixed determination in his eyes. "Now go sit down, and get reacquainted with an old friend."

At his bidding, I took a seat, finally running my fingertips over the dark lid concealing eighty-eight of my closest allies before they'd been so cruelly ripped away from me by my mother. I knew enough to recall I'd not wished to go near a piano from that moment, despite repeated coaxing from my music teacher. Now with one being presented to me on a proverbial platter, the desire to play was overwhelming to the point I might combust. Lifting the wooden lid tentatively, pearly white keys seemed to twinkle under the glare of the spotlight, as if providing warm encouragement to make contact. Flexing my digits, in readiness, my hands positioned themselves instinctively, gently pressing until a soothing F major rang out. It was all so familiar, yet panic coursed through me at the thought of playing an entire melody after such a long time. Rusty didn't quite begin to cover it.

"I don't know if I can." The bitter edges of my trepidation prickled in my mouth. My audience of one was forgotten, until Jackson's tall frame sank down beside me on the corner of the velvet cushioned bench. His strong hand covered mine, mirroring my finger placement as I hesitated, tempted to play the same chord again.

"I shouldn't have sprung this on you, it's too much. Do you want me to take you home?" The defeat in his voice pierced through my doubt. Hearing him convinced this wonderful gesture had overwhelmed me to the point I was crippled by fear, was enough to bolster my doubts.