It's always the little things

Piano keys and infidelity

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After driving around town trying to get familiar with everything and scope out any places that looked interesting I made my way to my destination. The hustle and bustle of early Monday morning was evident, people going to where were it is. Others walking slower dressed more casual all intertwined giving the down town area a perfect urban flare.
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Making my way to mine and Aunt Lu's favorite coffee shop I get here an hour early, Lu is already here but she isn't alone across from her is man I don't recognize. They are holding hands and giving each other the look, kind of adoringly the way couples or honey mooners might look. I backed out in a panic I shouldn't be seeing this. That's not Stan.
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I drove mindlessly and wound up at a different coffee shop but haven't made a move to do anything. If I say anything the only person taking care of me will be gone. Besides I have no clue who that was. He could be gay, now I'm just reaching. This calls for a chai tea latte I need to get some zen feelings going.
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In the coffee shop I made my order, and sat down at the little stool adjoined to the cafe. Staring off I thought things over. My aunt and uncle did seem happy the one time I saw them together but Stan is always gone on business trips. Both have careers that keep them away. But to cheat I'm not sure if there would be a reason to. I only grew up with Mimi, signs of cheating was never something I would have never encountered before this, not even old friends parents. With Cathy Adrian's mom, she knew her husband was going to leave her, they never touched or really talked. She confused this to me one night in a drunken state, I'm not sure if she remembers neither of is has mentioned the incident to this day. A few weeks later he slide her the divorce paper with her morning coffee and newspaper whispering 'I tried' before leaving and never looking back. Adrian hates him. I understand.
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"Something bothering you." I look up and the barista a pretty girl with curly ginger hear was looking down at me with a knowing look.
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"You ever know a secret and just not know how to handle the information, not know what it means."
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"Is it your secret?" She rested on arm on the counter setting her chin on her fist.
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"No it's a... Friends see I have reason to believe there is someone cheating in their relationship and not sure if I should ask or just tell. Maybe even spy!"
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"Spying could actually work, unless you seen them kissing or blatantly having intercourse, it would be a way to avoid all parties until you are really sure."
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"Yes. But they know my jeep. Not many around this area to begin with."
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"Well I happen to have a car and a yearning to break into the world of an P.I."
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I look her over, she must be only a year older then me with a wild look in her eyes. I think it might be the red hair. "You have yourself a deal, I'll take down your information and set up a date for a first heist." we shook hands and exchanged information. I even have a high grade camera my aunt got me for my 16th birthday that will be perfect just this.
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Having a solid plan about this calmed my nerves and is giving me just enough courage to face Lu with my new found information. She's still here an hour later car still in the same spot, this time alone at the same table. I don't want to sit in his seat, something about that gives me the creeps.
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"Hello Blue, oh dear you look nervous I hope what I said didn't throw off your focus or game as you kids call it.
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I could help but laugh, of course she would excuse my manner to nerves and in a sense it is, just not the ones she guessed. "I'm not really in the mood for coffee, I'm going to grab a water, would you like anything?"
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"A water would be lovely Blue." She must not need any more then. Heading to the counter I order two ice waters and wait, after receiving the cups I slowly head back to the table. "Are you ready? We can arrive a few minutes early so you can get familiar with yen new space."
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"That sounds like a good idea, I think it will help." Anything to not have to sit in the mystery mans chair. She doesn't know how great an idea that really was. I really need to get to the bottom of this, anything to get rid of this feeling.
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We both took our separate cars. I followed her, this wouldn't be the last time I'll do this. We reached a small smart looking building. The dark stone and paint made the building ominous, I wonder if Mr. Oxford designed it himself to give off this eerie vibe. Inside was as classical and dry as I suspected. The curtains heavy and creamy spewing wealth with every tread, made me think of how I over looked the fact I now have curtains inside my home.
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The piano was a masterpiece never have I seen such a beautiful old piece in this mint of condition it must be over 100 years old I am sure of it. I wonder if this is the one I'll be using. I can only hope and drool secretly in a corner. "Hello Lu, you are early as always, and this must be my new pupil your niece am I correct?" This could be none other then Pavo, his online photo must of been taken years ago, because he is now older and like a fine wine this man aged well.
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"Pavo so nice to see you again, the last was your dinner party." There was a weird silence before she looked over at me continuing, "this is Blue my niece, I was told she was a musical genius and piano is one of them."
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I know my face looks paler they both are looking at me, and I can't seem to shake how he looks way to similar to the guy in the coffee shop.
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Finally Lu left after the chit chatted we walked her to the door, it's just me and Mr. Oxford. We both are still standing in the front room with the beautiful piano that I would be willing to leave the slump and play again. I haven't played since Mimi went to the home.
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"I guess we should see were you are exactly. I just got this building two days ago completed the only things I have in here are in this room. So I hope you will be careful on my families heirloom." He smiled at me, not what I expected, I had some preconceived notion he was a world class asshat.
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"Thank you Mr. Oxford, I will be very careful with your piano, thank you for trusting me to use it."
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"I think it's funny I've meet one of your parents only once before though, your mother." He further explained and my heart squeezed in my chest. He has seen my mother, and is even talking about her to me. This subject was taboo to me, almost forbidden. "Never once did I know she got married or pregnant." He stopped to study me not saying anything further making me grow even more uncomfortable. "Lu asked me not to mention it to you, but I'm not a liar and I'm honest with my students so with that on the table we can begin."
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"I have a question." My voice came out as a whisper and I had to wonder if his ears even picked up on my words, I cleared my throat. "What is her name, my mothers." There it is that look, the same look I get when people ask my mothers name and I have no answer for me. How could I not know the women who gave birth to me, and be living with family how could they not tell me.
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"Violet, her name is violet." He was now standing by the piano a shadow casted over his face.
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"Thank you." That's all I need to say, all I really could. Seventeen and finally I hear her name, the one who named me. Talking about it more would be too much, so I did what I have been needing to do. I let it out throw my fingers and after many months I finally played. My soul came out in this I have been denying myself this. The keys were like a second skin all the times I played Mimi's favorites to help her to remember just a little more longer to keep her with me for some more time how ever small.
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Driving back to my apartment I am feeling so much better now, more at ease. My shoulders finally relaxed the itching in my fingers and legs finally gone. Breathing even seemed easier. I am light as a feather. Parking in my usual spot I head to my apartment I really need to get out if these clothes all day I've been in them. Letting myself in and following the hall to my room I change into some Nike gray sweats, a baggy shirt and my fuzzy orange ball slippers.
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Standing in front of the sleek piano in my office room is a lot different then the one in Mr. Oxfords building. Finally I bring myself to sit down in front of it. I'm sure having a piano in my house was Lu's idea. She was so good to me, and the idea of her cheating just didn't add up to me I would never picture her as a cheater. My fingers found yen keys and music drowned out my thoughts bringing them to life. If you listen carefully you could hear it. The questions, hidden secrets and all my fears came bubbling out.
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"You know you should really close your door after you, it kind of sends an invitation to strangers. I got this bigger trying to close it for you." I jumped so high I was no longer sitting on the bench seat, using the momentum I spun around to my house guest.
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"Adrian you know better then to sneak up on me." I warned him he had done it before many times, this being the only time got smart. "And who is this, did you bring a friend to protect you?"
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"No, I don't need protecting from you oh Kung fu master. As I was saying I caught him trying to close you door for you. " The boy in question looked to be about 11 or 12 at the most curly blond hair and bright blue eyes I knew he was once one of the worlds cutest babies.
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He mumbled something and then cleared his throat. "Alice is my mother, she told me to keep an eye on this floor." He played with the hem of his shirt staring at something on the floor. "My..my name is Vince."
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Recalling speaking with his mom this morning I smiled at him. "Thank you Vince for looking out for my safety, that was a very nice thing to do. You deserve something of a reward, his little chest puffed, pride written all over his face as he followed me to the kitchen. " I haven't baked anything yet, but I do have some kind of ice cream it's special to me because it doesn't have dairy and I can actually enjoy good tasting ice cream."
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I served up three bowls because I knew the endless pit that is Adrian would have helped himself to way more then given. Eating the cookies and cream, because no one was worthy enough to have my butter pecan! We all just relaxed.
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"So Vince tell me about yourself, other then rescuing the first floor at Parks Ave. what's Vincent all about?"
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"How did you know my first name was Vincent?" He threw me a wary glance.
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"It was just a guess."
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"What else can you guess?" I can smell that familiar thing called a challenge as I took in his appearance. Sitting back I squinted my eyes at him, I leaned over to put on my 'glasses'. He shallowed hard.
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"You are about 12 or 13, and you like to read, you have an older brother, your father is not in the picture, and you have never kissed a girl." Honestly I should take a picture of his face.
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'Click'
"Oh Blue is face...hahah!" Adrian was laughing so hard he sounded like a dying sea lion, his phone still clutched on his hand tears in his eyes as he looked at the screen.
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"Who are you? How do you know all that.?" Vince was not sitting anymore the bowl of ice cream clutched to his chest.
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"Relax kid, it's what Blue does. She reads people picks up on little things pieces them together sometimes she's right other times almost." Adrian leans back in his seat with a knowing smile looking at me. I did the same thing to him at age 7.
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