Page 63 of Sensing Selma
My growling stomach had been warning me to stop, but it was the ring of the doorbell that finally did the trick. I left the piano and went to open the door, pleased to find Major Cooper standing there.
“Good afternoon,” he said. “I’m happy to see you up and about.”
I opened the door wide and gestured that he entered. “I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted to thank you. This is a wonderful place to recuperate in, and, well of course, the piano. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a piano sound so beautiful.”
“Please. I’m happy to have a house sitter. As for the piano, I’m pretty sure your fingers have something to do with it sounding so good.”
I smiled. “I was about to go make myself a cup of coffee.”
“That would be wonderful.”
We headed to the kitchen where I prepared two cups of coffee, and we then headed out to the back patio.
“How are you feeling?”he said.
“I know you saw me at my worst. You saw me broken and...I don’t want you to think that that is who I am. I can be strong. I just had a major setback, that’s all.”
“I didn’t mean to underestimate you.”
“I know.”
“However, I have been contemplating hiring a nurse to help you through this difficult time.”
“There’s no need for that, I assure you. I may be sad, I may be heartbroken, but I will...” My voice trailed off. I will what? Get over Damen? A part of me wanted to be strong and resilient, but there was still a huge part of me that felt so frail. Even now, talking to Major Cooper and enjoying this time with him, the burn of tears was right there, threatening to burst forth and flow uncontrollably.
I forced a smile. “Thank you, but I don’t need a nurse.”
He nodded. “Okay, but if you change your mind...”He was silent for a moment. “Have you begun working on your music yet?”
I nodded, happy to see he’d changed the subject. “Yes. This morning in fact. I don’t think it’s anything I can use for Keely’s music, but it felt good getting a bit of frustration out. It was a little more cathartic than I would have expected.”
“Good.” He sipped his coffee, and I could see that he wanted to say more. “Did Susan mention the idea I had...about your music...exposing it.”
“Exposing it? No. She didn’t mention anything like that. What do you have in mind?”
“If you’re interested, I’d like to have you play in front of an audience, a small audience at the Theatre Royal. It’s recently been renovated – it’s been a pet project of mine – and I think it could be the perfect venue for you. That is, if you’re up for it, of course. No pressure.”
I smiled, pleased with the idea. Yes. It would be nice to play my music for an audience, to get their immediate feedback.
Then again, I was far from ready.
We enjoyed our coffee, enjoyed the fresh air and the light breeze, and discussed this show that I might soon put on.
He was pleasant to talk to. He didn’t just talk on and on, boasting about his accomplishments like so many of the boys I’d known. He questioned me, he listened to my answers, my ideas.
“You have a piano,” I said. “I assume you play?”
He shook his head and laughed, but his laughter was tainted with something sad. “Remnants from a past life.” He sipped his coffee, then added, “I much prefer to listen to someone like you play.”
We talked about music and about writing lyrics, which led us to discussing philosophy, before moving onto Greek mythology. We even touched on the origins of the universe.
Throughout, he never made me feel inferior or ignorant, or naïve, although I had said a few silly things; like when I mentioned my interest in the Greek statesman, Pericles, pronouncing his name like ‘miracles’.
Major Cooper had smiled and respectfully corrected me.
“This has been truly pleasant,” he said as he stood to leave.
I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “It’s still so early,” I said. “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
