The Spirit of Music

Keeping Myself Company

Moving the piano into my house proved to be a difficult process. Mr. Stanton had hired some piano movers who were known as the best in the business as part of the "friends and family" discount. I was glad he did, though, because trying to fit a baby grand piano through doorways was a job fit for the gods. I couldn't imagine how they would be able to fit anything bigger through a doorway like this. Luckily, after a couple hours of work the piano was set up in the front room and ready to play. I began to play some passages from Capriccio Espagnol just to see how the piano sounded in my house. Turns out, it still had all the warm, colorful, rich tones and values I got used to in the piano shop. That night I went down to the shop to thank Mr. Stanton, who in turn thanked me back for buying the piano.

"So are you going to be practicing at home from now on?" He asked with a smile on his face, although I could tell he didn't want me to leave just like that.

"No, of course not. How could I leave all of this?" I asked as I spun around, looking at everything in the shop. "After all, you've helped me through this entire journey, I'm not going anywhere." Mr. Stanton chuckled at that, and looked around the shop himself.

"Well, it's not over yet, is it? Have you played the song already?" I shook my head in response.

"No, I'm going to wait and practice until I'm sure I have the piece down. I'm not going this far to just end up messing everything up when it matters most." He smiled at my response, and nodded his head as he turned toward the stage grand piano he had in the shop. There was a small pause before he started speaking again.

"Thank you for letting me teach you piano. Most of the students who are in here appreciate the lessons, but none of them really come here on their own accord. Even though you had some... interesting circumstances bring you in, I really am grateful that you were happy to take lessons in other songs, and to learn how to read music, and how to play. It gets lonely in here sometimes, especially on winter nights when no one wants to come in and take lessons or talk about pianos. Thank you for being here with me and keeping me company. Oh, and of course letting me ramble on." He finished with a laugh as I saw a couple tears fall down his face. I went forward and hugged him as he hugged back. I felt the tears come forward to my eyes, and even though I tried to keep composure, one tear made its way down my cheek. As we parted, Mr. Stanton looked at me through his thick-rimmed glasses with a warm smile.

"My wife passed a couple years before you came here. I was worried about the future of the shop, and I wondered if I would ever be able to run it properly after that point. When you came along with your story, I was worried that you were trying to pull my leg, but when I found out that it was real, I was invested. It took my mind off of everything for a short while, and I was able to enjoy teaching someone, especially once I knew what your purpose was. And then you bought the piano, and told me how much you enjoy playing, and I... I just..." His voice slowly cracked before he broke down into tears. I ran forward to hug him again and comfort him as the tears were freely flowing down my face now.

"It's ok, I did it because I wanted to. Everything's fine."

"That's just it!" He cried as he looked at me with a smile planted right on his face. "Everything is fine. Thank you for helping me through it all and being here with me. Thank you." We stayed in each other's grasps for a long time, letting feelings flow freely through the air, dancing as if they hadn't been able to move for a long, long time. After a few minutes we let go, and just let the feeling hang in the atmosphere until we were ready to move on.

"I've got another piece of music I'd like to look at tonight, if you're interested?" I asked, as he gleamed with joy.

"Of course. I'd be happy to help you learn."