A Beautiful Instrument

19: Why Me?

"I would like to introduce our newest member, Miss Analeigh Taylor. She is a luminous woman with explosive talent. Please help me welcome her."

Friedrich gestures for me to stand. I do, blushing and giving a wave. I sit back down and feel Friedrich's eyes on me still. "Let's see if you can keep up, Miss Taylor. Let's have Analeigh join us on a run through of tomorrow night's series so she can warm up and then we'll distribute music and break-out to begin practicing next weekend's new series opening."

I'm seated behind Jeremy. As we take position, he throws me a brief glance over his shoulder. I blush and almost miss Friedrich's mark to begin. He gives me a sharp look. I recover and keep up for the better part of the piece. There are some stylistic departures that make for a rougher ending than I would have liked, but generally I think I did okay for my first run.

"Nice job, Leigh." Manny, who is behind me, commends my performance.

I look back and Maxwell is shaking his head. He chuckles warmly and says. "You're going to make me lose a bet."

"Then, you will learn not to bet against me." I say with a cheeky wink.

"Gentlemen, I know she's a cute, new thing, but please refrain from distracting our newest member. She obviously needs to stay focused."

Maxwell mouths "I'll tell you later" before I turn around.

Friedrich pins me down with his glare. "Let's run the end again."

I improve my performance, but not entirely. I'm not playing in this run so I'm content with my progress. Friedrich is not ready to let it go, though. "And again."

A murmur goes through the group, but we play the ending, yet again. Friedrich's eyes lock on mine in a sly smile. "We'll move on."

"About damn time! We've only been playing it for four weeks already." Grace comments loudly.

Friedrich's eyes narrow and flick to her. He nods to two assistants who start passing out sheet music. He talks about the next series, finishing with, "And Analeigh will of course need to prepare her debut piece that we will fit in right after intermission. I can work with her to figure out what she wants to do."

"Friedrich, don't you think it's putting a lot of pressure on Analeigh to be ready to go in a week's time? And I can help her select her debut piece. I did so with Jeremy." Ava interjects.

Friedrich drums his long fingers impatiently. "Let's ask Analeigh. Do you think you can be ready to go within the week?"

"I um, haven't received my music to see what we're covering yet so um..." I stall.

Jeremy turns around, his eyes meeting mine, and hands me the sheet music. Our fingers brush together and his eyes seem to be telling me to take my time. I smile and scan the music. I'm familiar with the composer and it looks simple enough. I nod my head and return the sheet to Jeremy, not meeting his gaze.

"I can be ready." I confirm.

"Fantastic! And Ava, I think I know what's best for my musicians. I already have something in mind for Leigh." Friedrich informs her smuggly.

"I bet you do." Ava mutters through gritted teeth.

I decide to flex a little. "Friedrich, I'd love to get Ava's input on the debut piece, too. I was here for Jeremy's debut and it was fitting."

Friedrich snaps. "I'll take that under advisement. Now let's start reviewing the music with your respective sections."

Each section breaks off and begins reviewing the sheet music. I realize I don't have one and go to grab one from Friedrich's assistant, who needs to go back to the office to get it. I return to the section empty-handed.