The Shattered Memory of a Violinist

//Thirty - Fools In Love//

\\Thirty — Fools In Love\\

Willa Van der Mariel 

I had a dream of Averie, looking at me and blowing me a kiss. She walked in a forest—woods—wearing a dress of white, that made her look strangely like a ghost. I was following her, playing my violin and allowing the tune to guide us through the woods.

“Hurry, Willa.” She said, smiling at me. “Your dress will get caught in the twigs.”
I looked down. A identical dress to hers was wrapped around me, but mine was grey.
“Why is mine grey?” I asked her.

Sadness filled her eyes. “Because I am no longer sick, but you are. So so sick. But, don’t worry my love, for when you are at your sickest I will come back.”
And then she disappeared into the woods.

—The Shattered Memory of a Violinist—

I was woken up by the sharp ringing of the phone. I knew it was Asha by hearing the ringtone, since her ringtone was always ‘Walking on Sunshine.’ I stumbled around trying to make the noise stop, but ended up bringing it drowsily to my ear.
“This better be an emergency.” I said.

Asha laughed. “Now, tell me why you sound like you haven’t slept all night?”

I fell into silence. That would’ve been inappropriate. And frankly scaring for my little Asha, though I wasn’t a hundred percent sure she was a virgin—I didn’t think she was. Huh, maybe I should ask. Before I did, Asha was talking.
“Aren’t you the little devil.” She tsked. Did I speak aloud? “It was obviously Mason.”
No, I didn’t. She was just annoying perceptive. “Obviously.” I said.

It was morning, with the sun shining through the window and sprawling over the room. I was twirled up in sheets, naked, except with underpants on, so not really naked at all. Downstairs I could smell cooking, and knew Mason was. I didn’t get up though, I liked speaking to Asha.

“It’s nearly Christmas.” Asha said in delight. “What trouble do you think we will issue this year?”

“Oh dear lord, I don’t know.”

Asha said, “You should go back to sleep.”

I hadn’t sounded that tired, had I?

“He is cooking for me.”

“Oh!” Asha said in more delight. “How wonderful! You have to eat it. It’s not healthy you refusing to eat when other people cook. It’s paranoia and frankly worrying us all.”

I sighed. I truly loved Asha, but being told what to do caused bitterness and annoyance to well up in me. “Don’t worry, Asha, why did you ring?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice.” She said fondly, which meant she had gone through something and was refusing to tell us due to the goodness of her heart and the fear that none of us would care—though that was bullshit. “And I am wondering how Maddi is?”

“She is fine.” I grumbled. “OTHER than packing my suitcase with lingerie.”

“Which you used.”
“Be quiet.” I said, trying not to smile. “And I am honoured. Are we still getting married?”

Asha laughed brightly. “Of course we are, Willa. Though I must warn you, I have a boyfriend now—,”

I cut her off. “OH MY GOD! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?” I was upright now, and bustling with excitement.
“It only happened yesterday.”
“Only happened yesterday? Well, I expect to know the moment it happens!” I said, bossily, though I was giggling with happiness.