Page 4 of Semblance

When I finished the piece, I quickly transitioned to another piece, and then another. Eventually I lost track of time, finishing song after song, pausing only to allow the final resonating note of each piece to fade into the air and seep into the hearts of my audience.

When I had finally finished my entire set and glanced up from the keys, I noticed that most of the tables were now empty.

I was disappointed. Did my music scare everyone off?

I looked up at the clock and realized it was almost midnight and the restaurant was just about to close. I had played for five solid hours without taking a single break.

Music had a tendency of speeding up time, making me lose track of the world around me. I lifted my hands off the keys and stretched them out, catching a glimpse of Abraham chatting with someone.

The woman sitting at the table was a real classic beauty. Raven-colored hair flowed down to her waist like water; counterpoint to her smooth milk-white skin and red lips the color of apples. She wore a ravishing designer ink black dress that made my Vera Wang gown look ‘casual’ and the diamonds around her neck and fingers reflected the lights from the chandeliers above, transforming her into a glittering dark star.

She looked at me out of the corner of her eye and smiled, and me being the goofball I was, waved to her like a kid on a school bus waving to her parents. I might as well have added a “Hidey Ho!” to officially coronate myself as the Queen of the Dorks.

While I mentally chewed myself out, Abraham strolled up to me and gave me a great big smile.

“Brilliant,” he said to me.

“You think so? I was so far gone into the music that I didn’t get a chance to see other people or gauge their reactions. I was okay then?”

Abraham pointed to the fishbowl wineglass resting on top of the piano. It was jammed with money, most consisting of one hundred dollar bills.

“There’s a direct correlation between audience appreciation and the tips you receive. I’d say you impressed my patrons tonight. The tips are all yours. I will also cut you a modest check for your wonderful work. But first, there is someone that I’d like you to meet.”

He took me gently by the hand and led me to the table where the black-haired woman sat. A glass of dark red wine rested in front of her.

“Aria, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Calisto Tremaine, of the esteemed Tremaine family,” Abraham announced. “She was the one who recommended your talents to us.”

There was a familiarity to Calisto’s face but I couldn’t recall ever meeting her before. Would she be offended if I didn’t have a clue who she was? I couldn’t possibly pretend to know her. My abilities to tell a lie were as proficient as a hole-punched condom.

“I’m honoured,” I said, extending my hand out. I figured a good old-fashioned handshake was a safe way to start things off.

Calisto grinned, rose from her seat and returned the handshake. She had a firm grip.

“I’m a big fan of your music,” Calisto said, gesturing for me to sit in the empty seat at her table.

I sat down.

Seeing that we were both settled in, Abraham gave us a polite nod. “Well if there’s nothing else needed of me, I’ll help the others with the cleanup.”

“You do realize that’s what hired help is for,” Calisto said. “You should sit back and relax once in a while.”

Abraham smiled. “Believe it or not, I find doing dishes quite soothing.”

“You’re the poorest rich man I know,” Calisto said.

“Wealth is not measured by one’s assets, but rather one’s reverence,” Abraham said. “Do those words sound familiar?”

“How could they not?” Calisto smiled. “I’ve always been daddy’s little girl. You know that.”

Abraham bowed politely and then headed back to the kitchen, leaving me alone with my mysterious fan.

“Some wine?” Calisto asked, gesturing to the half-filled bottle on the table. “It’s a vintage 82 Bordeaux. You’ll love it.”

“I can’t really say I’m a wine connoisseur,” I replied. “Something so expensive might go to waste on my primitive taste buds.”

“Nonsense,” Calisto said as she poured some of the rosy liquid into an empty wine glass on the table. “It’s a travesty for a single girl to drink alone. You’re obliged to have a drink with me.”

I grabbed the glass, shrugged, and took a healthy swig, downing it like I would a beer. It probably wasn’t the proper wine-drinking etiquette seeing as how my chugging display caused Calisto to start giggling.

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