Seeing Me, Seeing You [COMPLETED]

~Chapter 3~

The next day, I awoke to the noisy sound of thunder. I peeked outside and it was not yet raining. It was only cloudy out.

I grabbed my umbrella just in case it started to rain and I flew out the door. I arrived at the shop extra early so that I could be there before Trevor arrived to work. I did some quick organizing of the store and made sure everything was in its perfect place. Since I had complete control over the store, I put on my own 80's alternative playlist. Joy Division crooned out of the speakers, downing out the rain, which was falling down hard by the time I had gotten there.

I heard the bells on the front door ring as Trevor and an attractive dark-skinned woman entered the shop.

Of course, he has a girlfriend! I should have figured that he did. They always do. I wasn't surprised.

"You made it! I was afraid that maybe you didn't have a ride here," I said, walking towards him.

"I have plenty of people that can give me a lift if I need it. Lavender is always happy to drive me. She's my foster sister," He not only spoke, but spelled out what he was saying in sign language. I was, once again, marveled by yet another one of his talents. I was also relieved that Lavender was not his girlfriend.

He held out his hands. She spelled out signs into his hands so he could feel them in order to interpret, "Nice... to... meet... you... Keri." He translated. She gave me a friendly smile.

I smiled back. "Nice to meet you, too." She gave me a nod, acknowledging that she understood what I said.

I could tell their bond was close. She seemed very protective of him. I let them say their goodbyes. She gave me a wave and drove away.

"Time for the tour of the place?" He asked me.

"Sure!" He grabbed my arm.

I lead him around the store showing him where all of the various musical instruments were at in the shop. He ran his fingers along the guitar wall as we approached the corridor where music lessons were held.

"And this is where you will be giving piano lessons," I led him into a small room with a beautiful baby grand piano inside.

He put away his white cane, felt around for the seat in front of the piano, and sat down. He played a chord and it resonated throughout the room.

"When was the last time you had this baby tuned by a professional?" He asked me.

"My papa tried tuning it. My papa thinks that he can do everything himself... Sorry if it's a little out of tune."

"You probably can't even hear the imperfections, but I can. The one thing that I do know is that you can't teach kids how to play properly on a piano that is out of tune. If you want, I can tune this up sometime next week after work. It might take me a while, but I'm sure I can get this piano sounding perfect again."

"I... I guess you can take a look at it," I said nervously. I knew that piano was my father's baby. If he messed anything up with it, I knew that I would be in huge trouble when he got back.

"Cool deal! Can you sing?" He asked me, while pounding out a melody on the keys.

I chuckled. "Didn't I tell you yesterday that I have no musical ability?"

"Well I call bullshit!" He smirked, "Sing along," he encouraged me as he played away.

I hesitated.

"Uh, no! You are not getting me to sing. Sorry, Trev."

He stopped playing.

"What did you just call me?"

"Um, I don't know what I said.... 'Trevor?'" I asked.

"'Trev'... you called me 'Trev'. Please don't call me that name. It makes me cringe. Brings up bad memories."

"Fine, I won't. But please don't ever ask me to sing."

It seemed like a fair trade-off.

"Can't promise that!" He laughed, "Something tells me that maybe your actually good at it. Well, if you won't sing for me, then tell me something else that you are good at. There's gotta be something."

I thought about it for a moment.

"I guess maybe I'm good at painting."

He grinned. "I used to paint all the time."

Used to. Those words shook me to the core. This meant that maybe Trevor used to be able to see.

"What do you like to paint?" He asked me.

"People. Scenery. Basically, anything that gives me inspiration. It's actually what I went to college for. I graduated from Columbia a couple of years ago, but obviously, it didn't get me out of the family business... sooo here I am!"

"So? That's a cool talent. You should be proud that you can paint. I'm sure you are a good painter. I can tell by how passionate you are about it."

"Well, my parents think I'm a waste because I'm not a musical prodigy like my sister or an expert sound engineer like my brother."

"I know all about parents that think of their kids as wastes. How do you think I ended up in the foster care system? But let me tell you, Keri, if your parents trusted you enough to run this place by yourself, then they don't think you are a waste."

I felt terrible for ranting. Trevor must have gone through some rough times growing up. I wondered if it had anything to do with his eye sight or lack of.

"I guess you're right. So, Trevor, I guess I should be going back up front. Your first student should be getting here for lessons soon."

"Sure thing, Keri. See you in a little while."

I walked back up to the front as he played a beautiful melody. He seemed like such a mystery, but something drew me to him. I knew that I had to find out more about him. I didn't want to pass up a chance to, at least, make a new friend. Without hesitation, I went back into his room.

"Trevor?" I asked boldly, "What are you doing after work?"

~*~
Author's Note

Yay! I hope you are enjoying this story! I am enjoying reading all of your feedback. Your opinion means the world to me! I promise you that this story is only beginning! Be sure to add "Seeing Me, Seeing You" to your library and to give each chapter a vote!

~Much Love~
D.K.