Piano Memories

Early memories

'A couple more minutes.' I thought as I ran as quietly as I could. 'Just a little closer.' I thought as I passed the library. 'One more room yet.' Finally. I was there.

With a speed and efficiency only my employer could have managed, I carefully scanned my surroundings. No one was there.

I opened the door quickly, careful not to make a sound. In a hurry, I entered the room and closed the door with the same caution I used to open it. 'At last.' I thought. At last I was alone. At last I could express my feelings, without saying a single word, without worrying whether someone would overhear.

I searched the room with my gaze. There it was. Right in the very middle. I smiled. I really did miss it.

Ahead of me stood the only thing I could use as an escape from reality, with the possible exception of shooting. Ahead of me stood my companion in all the hardships I've passed. Ahead of me stood my best friend, ever since I was a child. Ahead of me stood a magnificent black piano, with beautiful white keys.

I sat in the smooth leathery stool and felt the tiles with my fingers. I started playing a simple song, yet one I was so familiar with. It was the first song I had ever learned to play.

I made several mistakes, and had to restart numerous times, but I loved it nonetheless. 'I am horribly out of practice.' I thought. And I truly was. You see, playing the piano is considered a great skill for every high-class lady to possess. It was one of the skills Aunt Brank would be ecstatic to find out I possessed, so she could sell me off as an educated young lady with the proper etiquette.

That's why I kept it a secret. From everyone. Not even Ella or Patsy know.

I would always practice in secret, when no one was home. Sometimes, I would even find some shops which contained a piano and I would go there and pay them to play.

But I haven't played the piano in almost a year, ever since I started working for Mr. Stingy. No free time, you see.

'Finally, I found the correct rhythm.' And I played, without pausing at all, my fingers flying across the keyboard.

As I played, I thought. This song brought back so many memories. Memories of happy, careless days. Memories of little me and all my childhood. Memories of my parents.

*14 years ago*

"Lillian Victoria Linton, come here right this instant."With my head hung low, I approached my angry looking mother.

"Lillian, do you mind telling me why you threw your sister in the mud?". I remembered Maria's expression and I almost burst out laughing again. It was getting increasingly diffucult for me to hide my grin.

"She was making fun of me, mama. She says a 'lady' shouldn't run and a 'lady' shouldn't play with the dog and a 'lady' shouldn't act like a child. But I AM a child!" I replied. I pulled a face whenever I mentioned the word 'lady' and tried to imitate Maria's stupid voice.

Instantly, her features softened. "Oh honey, Maria was just trying to set an example for you. She didn't mean to insult you."

"Yeah right." I murmured.

My mom hugged me and sat me in her legs. "Honey, you know you're different than Maria. You're so much more brave and outspoken, and, frankly, I think she's jealous."

"You think so, mama?" I brightened up.

"I'm almost certain". She smiled. Then her face turned suddenly serious. "Listen to me now and please listen carefully, okay?"I nodded. "I know you'll probably understand nothing, but I want you to always remember something, okay?" I nodded once again. I felt captured by her words. That's why, I think, they stayed with me for so many years. "The world is not the happiest place, but you can make it one. Don't ever let anyone, whether it is your friend or your family to try to change you. They may bring out something in you that was always there and you didn't know it. But if you feel like they're trying to change your personality, change who you are, don't let them. Because your personality is who you are. It's all the things that make you unique. I want you to always remember that, okay?" I was absolutely mesmerised. "Lilly?" I nodded. "Okay" I said.