The Chairs Between Us

A Small Concert

The next morning Officer Jones showed up in his uniform with some coffee and a box of donuts, "Hey you two."

 Liam woke up immediately smelling the donuts, "Hey!"

Officer Jones laughed, "I brought these for you guys. The food here isn't that great and  I have awhile before my shift starts."

I nodded, "Thank you."

He nodded, "Oh... I also brought your instruments so you wouldn't get bored. But the doctor said not to push yourselves to hard. Especially, with your arm, Dominic."

Thank god... we really are behind with practice.

Liam chuckled, "Don't worry. I will watch him."

We all dug into the donuts and they were gone in a few minutes. Officer Jones pulled up a chair at looked over at me, "I am sorry to bring this up Dominic but your parents really want to see you... They have barely left the hospital."

I nodded, "It's okay... you can bring them in."

He looked surprised, "Are you sure? Nobody wants to push you."

Liam smiled at me.

"No... I want to see them. I will be okay."

He nodded and left the room.

Liam sat next to me on my bed holding my hand, "I will be here for you."

Within seconds Officer Jones was walking back through the door with my parents behind him.

My mom sat in silence while my step dad did most of the talking. He was very loving to me and talked about other topics; not why we were in a hospital. It seemed like Liam being there was bringing us all together again. 

I looked to my mom, "Can you please talk to us? It feels weird when you are sitting there."

She just looked away. My step dad sighed, "It's going to take awhile Dominic. I am sorry."

I persisted, "No she isn't allowed to just sit there after all this... Mom, just talk to me!"

That was the first time I called her mom in awhile. I needed her right now and I wasn't going to take no for an answer.

She seemed shocked and got up. I was expecting her to leave the room but she walked over to me and gave me a big hug, "I am here Dominic."

I wrapped my arms around her too in shock. 

She is actually hugging me.

Liam looked at the two of us with a big a smile on his face. I was smiling too as I wraped my arms around her.

She let go of me after about a minute, "Can you boys play for me? I would love to hear the piece you have been practicing."

Liam nodded, still with a huge smile, "It's a work in progress but I think we can do it."

He leaped off the bed and grabbed our cases; he basically threw mine at me. 

Jeez... be careful with my baby. He may be cheap but his is still fragile.

I opened my beat up case, seeing the D string super loose.

Ugh... I hate when this happens.

We tuned our violas and got ready to play.

We both haven't played this piece in weeks and I didn't even know if I was going to remember it. 

It felt really nice holding my viola again especially with Liam there. It felt like a part of me was being put back into place. 

He looked at me as he counted off. We both played the first note to our parts. We kept the pace as our notes filled the room. 

Then I saw my brother siting on the bed...

"I told you I will always be here when you play, Dominic."

I ignored him and focused on Liam. Peter disappeared as we stopped half way through the song that we haven't memorized yet.

We are so behind in practice. 

My arm was hurting a lot but I didn't care. I got to play next to Liam again. 

Our small audience cheered as we both took a bow.

My mom had the biggest smile I have ever seen her with and hugged the both of us tight, "I am so proud of you guys."