I can hear the notes so clearly, gradually filling my ears with a warm tickling sensation. I'm a lot better than I used to be that's for sure. "Daniel, can you come set the table please?" HOLY SHIT, I look down at my tattered and worn out watch, "I've been in here for a solid 4 hours practicing?...MOM WHAT THE HELL, WHY DIDN'T YOU COME GET ME EARLIER, I TOLD YOU AIDEN AND I WERE GOING TO GO CHECK OUT THE NEW STORE DOWN ON 1ST AVE." I'm surrounded by silence for a few brief seconds, it's pointless, I should know by now my mom will get in her piece, and then become unresponsive. Alright guess I'm going after dinner then.
I sit down and start shoveling food into my mouth, trying desperately to make up for the time I've already managed to let slip by me, just holding onto the hope that I can escape before any conflicts try to ruin what's left of my night, I can feel her looking at me...I have to eat faster. My moms fork drops down onto her plate just barely catching the edge before sliding off the table, "So your brother tells me you've been hanging out with a girl?"
"Okay n--"
"You haven't told me you've met someone, what is she like? do I know her?"
"Mom n--"
Why haven't you brought her up Danny, you don't trust me?"
She bends over, picking up her abandoned utensil "Mom. That's em, and I'm 19, you have to stop treating me like I'm 14 years old."
"Oh! Kimmy's daughter? Well isn't that just sweet, Kim and I have been friends since highschool and now look at our little babies getting along so nicely, I had no idea you guys still played so nicely with eachother."
"Glad you're happy mom, alright, I'm headed out, Aiden's going to end me if I forget about him again." I pause for a few seconds, dead in my tracks, silence. Well knowing my mom, that's code for leave, before I change my mind. Well, that and she's sort of hated Adien since junior year.
Out of breath from running all the way down to his house, I lean on a wooden post to stop for some air before having to explain away my lateness this time. I slickly slide myself into a sly position as Aiden walks down his driveway.
"Hey Buddyyy, pal, my guy, what took you so long, you, my friend, are looking ravishing as always."
He shoots me a look.
"D, ya think you could just be on time once in your lousy life."
"Yeah, sorry, I got side tracked."
Aiden lifted his arm in a swift motion flicking my hand off the post.
"No you went overboard with practicing again."
"Okay, you caught me red handed, can I re-do that apology?"
"That was an apology?"
Finally smiling, Aiden turns his back and starts walking in the direction of Cret Park.
"There's a festival going on today, and I want to check it out, so pick up your feet a bit will ya"
"Okay well, just for that I think I'm going to enjoy the scenery a bit, and become one with the slugs."
"It's only around the corner but it's your loss, music man.
"OH AIDEN, DON'T YOU JUST LOVE HOW EVERY TREE WE PASS LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE LAST, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, I've never taken the time to just bask in all of nature's GLORY."
"Hey, listen."
"--AND THE GRASS, WOW, HOW HAVE I NEVER NOTICED HOW LONG AND ...GRASSY IT---"
"D, SHUT THE HELL UP FOR A SECOND. HOLY HELL."
We both laugh as we round the corner, we pause, stood behind a small crowd, the music, it's beautiful.
"D", do you see what I see?"
It's happening again, the notes fill and tickle my ears and coarse through my body.
"Daniel, what a total babe. Stop being weird and open your eyes."
I can feel it, what a sad melody. --
Then a concentrated force right on the ass, leaves a slight aftershock finally releasing me from my trance.
"You look constipated. I'm just trying to help speed up the process."
Aiden smiles like an idiot and focuses his attention back on the stage while they switch acts. "Everyone give a round of applause for Alice!" What a good show. Alright, good stuff, good stuff, up next, Ellie, playing Beethoven, it appears to be a violin piece."
"Hey D, I'm ready to check out some of the games here if you're done watching."
"Yeah, sure."
The speakers screamed when the bow slid across the strings of the violin for the first time. As we start to make our way around the crowd, I slow down to see people
People wince and laughe with the violinist, I heard the breath she caught, and I caught one with her just before she layed her bow upon the strings once more.
All who are around to hear, are dumbfounded.
I closed my eyes and tuned in once more.
Through each note she plays,
She's beautiful.
