Ensemble of Shards

{2} Grief

Day 2: Write a scene involving a simple item that triggers a memory.

hello! this is issa from november 18, 2018, four years or so since i started this challenge. well, better late than never. i am rebooting some parts of this book, though not in order. today's scene is also part of a novel I want to write in the future, so, enjoy!

Lucian entered the quiet living room of his uncle's house. It was late in the afternoon, and the diffused sunlight passed through the red laced curtains, making Lucian feel lazy as he glanced at the pillows on the sofa. But to the right, his eyes rested on the piano.

Photographs including his Uncle Paulos and Aunt Lydia with their son, Ioannis, sat on top of it. There was a baby Yanni and his very young parents inside one small frame, and they looked happy. Other photos showed him growing up, while one was the photo from his college graduation. Lucian smiled, but turned wistful as he spotted a black and white photograph of his uncle's four siblings and their parents. Beside him was Lucian's mother, a pretty young woman wearing dark, wavy hair and a wide smile. Lucian touched her face as deep sadness entered his heart. After seeing each picture, he zoomed out then sat down.

He lifted the piano covering and played the keys. The sweet notes of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony travelled throughout the room as Lucian's fingers smoothly and gracefully ran to and fro.

He was swept back into the past when, as a little boy, his mother began to teach him how to play. After his first few lessons, she took the book, flipped to a new song, and asked him to move over. Lucian stood up to make way for her, and she started playing this song he'd learned at church. Without realising it, he was already humming the tune. Then, his mother sang, and he followed.

"Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee
Op'ning to the sun above..."

His mother's eyes brimmed with joy as she faced him, while her hands played on. They had enjoyed this together so much. But, now, she was gone.

The song stopped. Lucian's hands stayed on the keys as he sobbed into his chest. After sniffing and wiping away his tears, he closed the piano and pushed back the chair. It had only been a few weeks, but he knew that he would miss her all the days of his life.