Where Snapdragons Lie

A Night Out, Sort of...

Debriefing the fucking debacle at the mall to Delilah and Chief was agonizing. All of my co-workers either congratulate me, or stare at me blankly while I was filling out paperwork. It didn't help that channel three was already covering the whole scene. They still had the breaking news banner on when I left the office. Please don't let my face be in any of it.  Delilah was kind enough to let me go home early. I could use a half day, especially considering all the web I made today. After parking the car I took a quick survey of the surrounding area. The only reason I get such a good deal on my rent is because we are literally living next to a homeless camp. I think the cops recently has a sting operation, because I don't see some people I normally see. I do my best to keep my head down as I make my way to the front door. 

But one woman, who smelled like literal shit, fell in step behind me chanting, "On my god I need to sober up" as she fanned herself in the face. Seriously, I'm really not in the mood. I picked up the pace and managed to scan myself into the front door, and slam it before she could follow me any further. She continued her fan herself behind the next person who had the misfortune of walking past her. Ugh, at least the benefits outweigh the cost. My building is clean, organized, has a workout room, a pool, and a huge conference room. My neighbors are wonderful, and the staff is perfect. Plus I can still see the mountains from my window. I call the elevator and hit number five. I took a moment to listen when I steeped out the door. I could hear her. The high notes soaring across the hallway. The way she ran up and down all her scales and arpeggios, stopping to hold the very last note for at least eight beats (or two whole notes). The music grew closer and closer as I approached room 524. I opened the door and hooked my coat and bag on the wall. Lizbeth was hard at work gingerly holding her gorgeous flute in her hands. Rocking and swaying her long red hair to her own rhythm without a care in the world. I have the coolest roommate ever. I sat on the couch and put my feet up. She jumped so hard her flute squeaked  when she heard me "plop" on the cushions. 

"Jesus Christ! Are you some kind of ninja?" She said. I laughed hard. The kind of satisfying belly laugh. She's so oblivious when shes too into practicing. 

"Not a ninja, tho I was pretty sneaky today." She rolled her eyes and played a few notes. I grabbed my music book from the coffee table. Then Liz stopped again. 

"Wait a second, what the hell are you doing home early?" She asked. I explained everything. She got all wide eyed telling me that the news reported a field agent saving Rae, but they didn't know the agents name. Great, now they're probably going to be looking for me. I flipped through my book. Maybe a quick run of the keys would be a good idea. It would certainly give me something else to think about. But what to play? Liz already had Greig covered. I turned to the popular music section and nothing really sat with me. I decided on an oldies rock cover instead. I went to my room and sat on my bench. I placed the book onto the stand and flipped to "Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure. No connection intended. I plug in my huge headset into they keyboard so as not to bother Liz too much. I do love this song on piano, especially the way I play it. I like to make the chords and melody sound full as possible. I like to capture each part, and feel like I'm a one woman band filling the entire building. My hands grace the plastic keys feeling satisfaction of pressing hard when I jump into the chorus. I don't really pay much attention to the sheet music once I get started. I just go with what I seem to be feeling. And I'm feeling like slowing down the tempo at the bridge, just to hear what it sounds like.  Its pretty good, so I kept it at the same speed and slowly built back up to written tempo at the chorus. When I finish I keep my hands on the keys and let the notes ring in my ears. I held my position like a statue in the park, listening to the fade. However, my focus was broken when Liz abruptly pulled my headset off of my head. I swung around and scowled at her. She smiled mischievously. She got her revenge. Lap it up while you can girlie.