Page 16 of Sing with Me

“I know my piano skills are rusty, but if I had the music sheets, I could practice while you cook, and then maybe you can rehearse here this evening.”

Skye was surprised at the offer. “Say again?”

He did.

Skye took the colander of brussels sprouts and carrots from Marlo, and found a chopping board.

“I don’t know what to say.” Skye retrieved a knife from her own backpack.

“That knife looks sharp.” Diehl pointed.

“Sharp knives are safe knives. Accidents happen when knives are blunt.”

“That so?”

Skye nodded. “You were saying… You know, you don’t have to do this. The hose was an accident. I was late for the rehearsal because I was unprepared.”

“No. You made me lunch. I refused it. I wanted breakfast. You cooked it for me. You ended up being late—so late that the rehearsal was over.”

“Don’t mention it.” Meaning she did not want him to rehash over and over again what he had done wrong. “You need to learn to forgive yourself.”

“So let me pay my penance.”

“Penance? No. You’re forgiven. Go take it easy, and let us cook.”

Diehl still didn’t move. “I hope you didn’t misconstrue, but I really am available to play the piano for the next three months as a backup for my sister. She’s going to have a baby in a month.”

“That’s true. After that, she’s on maternity leave.”

“You still need an accompanist.”

“Well…” Skye portioned out enough couscous for two people and poured it into the boiling pot. She figured that Diehl could have leftovers since she had bought him a big salmon filet.

“If you need someone to vouch for me, ask my sister and mother. My mom can tell you how many years I played the piano, and probably how much she paid for our music lessons.”

“You did say earlier that you might be rusty at the piano.”

“As long as it’s not Tchaikovsky, I can manage. So let me try? You’ll rehearse tonight without Brin. Let me fill in for her. I offer you the piano in the living room. I’m sure Brin will be happy it gets played. In fact, I’ll ask her if she’d like to rehearse here this summer.”

“You can ask me.” Skye smiled. “I’m actually in charge of the trio.”

“Oh, you are? Good. Please think about it and let me know.” He remained standing.

“What? Right now?”

“I have to practice before the rehearsal and we don’t have much time,” Diehl said.

Skye figured he wasn’t thinking about all the implications of such an offer. She was going to meet Avery at eight o’clock in the evening, after dinner. Skye would have to leave Diehl’s house, drive back to her new house off Frederica Drive, and then drive back here for the rehearsal.

It was easier for Avery since she lived about five or six streets away from here. Avery also had a piano in her house, but she couldn’t sing and play the piano at the same time. She said it had to be either this or that.

“Let me talk to my trio, and see what they say, okay?” Skye started cutting the brussels sprouts into halves.

Diehl nodded. “Hope I’m not too pushy.”

“No. It’s a very generous offer. You’re volunteering without pay, right?”

“Of course.”

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