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Cursed (A Childs Requiem) |
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Insparation A song called 'Grandpa's Violin' which is a song in the soundtrack to the video game .HACK// and random thought.
If you need to go to the bathroom please do so now....
Okay you're back. I hope you washed your hands. ^_^
This story is somewhat long and is just over 15 pages. You may not be willing to sit here and read it (if ever), but if you do, I suggest copying and pasting this in Microsoft Word or something and lining up the pages correctly which I have marke as '(#)'. Doing this will ensure the best quality reading experiance.
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(1)
_____Cursed_____
(A Child's Requiem)
By Sephroe Zion
___Allen Lambert
Expressing ones feelings, thoughts and pain through music is something everyone does, whatever ethnic background they have. We as the human race will always have that in common, and praise those who do it well. A child, whose health dwindles by a thread, sought her way to happiness through the unbelievable talent she possesses to create music even though she was only nine years old.
A girl who on the day of her birth, was cursed with many illnesses. Her asthma was particularly bad. As a child she was always sad and lonely, she rarely was healthy enough to go to school, let alone feel normal. Sick to the point where she was seldom able to stay the whole day without the need to be brought back home by her mother, she often hated her very existence. She never knew her father nor did she have any friends other than her collection of teddy bears and other stuffed animals to speak to. She would often just ramble on and on, speaking to them with her weak voice until her words dwindled to nothing and she would eventually fall asleep in her bed.
Only her mother took care of her, and such a tedious task it was too. She could hardly hold a job, she didn't have any place that she could take her daughter where she could be in good hands, her daughter required almost constant care and the bills toppled over when stacked. The medical bills were especially overwhelming for the mother to pay, even with government programs to aid her.
With the aid of a wheelchair when going far, the girl would often stroll around the neighborhood and the city park that wasn't far away, with her mother close at hand. And every where she went she took a certain teddy bear which she talked to at night more than any other. A soft brown bear she held, soft and cuddly, with deep black eyes that never seemed end, and a pretty purple bow that she tied around its body.
Even though the girl relied so much on her mother for just about everything she often ran out in the middle of the night on her own, and escape the house without her mother detecting, then later she would return a couple of hours later around three thirty AM. When out on one of her weekend crusades, she would travel to the park in her wheelchair. Fallowing the winding paths lit by the park lamps, she would arrive at a special pond that few people even knew about because it was secluded by the surrounding trees that hid it from view. And it was there she always went to in the middle of the night.
With the moon in the sky above and the lake glistening below, this was the one place she could be happy. But still that wasn't why she came to the pond in the first place, she came for the melody. An old man standing on the waters edge would always play his violin in such a manor it seemed as though he were playing to the moon and the moon was actually watching. The girl would stick near the man to listen to his music but she would never to close as to get in the way and disrupt such a peaceful melody.
(2) As the old man played his violin the girl would listen with her eyes closed. But when she opened them, she would look out at the glistening pond which would seem as though the light was dancing to the old mans soft music; which happened to seem to be a little sadder than normal. The old man and the little girl never really spoke to one another, but on rare occasions they would exchange a few words here and there. Although the old man played his violin alone at the pond before ever meeting the girl he grew accustom to the girls presence and now enjoys the thought that he has someone there to listen.
After an hour or two, due to the girls' poor health she would often fall asleep in the park by accident. Just as the old man struck and held the last note of his song, the girl swiftly fell asleep with her bear in hand; and without her knowing, she would be brought back home and placed in bed where she would awake the morning. With one exception though, when she awoke in the morning, there was a hideous violin case, torn and flaking, warped and soggy from years of use laying right there next to her in the bed.
Extremely unpleasant to look at she thought of just pushing it off of her bed and going back to sleep. But just as she grabbed it to push it off she stopped and decided to open it, and once she did her eyes lit up when she opened the case to see such an elegantly hand crafted instrument laying snug in its battered case. It was then her mother entered into her room with her proud and happy voice explaining to her it was time she got a hobby. The girl was practically jumping for joy from her bed; she was extremely happy that she had an instrument of her very own to play. But when she gazed at the battered case, she couldn't help but to wonder where it came from and why it was in such poor shape. Her mother couldn't afford a new instrument of this quality, and even if she bought an older or cheap violin surely it would have come with a case in better condition. So where did it come from? She wondered.
Putting her thoughts aside she looked around for a second and spotted some books on basic steps on how to play and simple songs to play for beginners. With her new books in hand and the day just beginning she started playing her new violin and continued to do so for a vast majority of the day until she learned everything in the books. When told by her daughter she learned everything she was surprised and a little skeptical that her daughter learned everything in the books in one night. Deciding to test her daughter, thinking that she was only pretending that she knew everything, she took away the books and randomly chose songs from the book that eventually grew in complexity; but with each one she chose her daughter played. Surprised at how much her daughter learned and how fasted she learned it, the girls mother convinced her daughter to enter into the school music class which the girl was more than happy to do.
The next day of school came and the girl was signed up for the music class. The class was early enough in the day she did not have to worry about getting sick and missing out. Even with her health as poor as it is, she rarely had to leave that early in the day. When arriving at class for the first time she was rather nervous and reluctant to display the battered case of her violin. But before she could even show it to anyone the teacher told her to sit off to the side and just observe the class for a while.
(3.) Even though the girl was in school, she kept her teddy bear close at hand while she sat in the chair; listening to music class as they warmed up. After about a couple of minutes of actual song playing, the teacher asked the girl to step up in front of the class and introduce herself; which she nervously proceeded to do while holding her bear. The girl introduced herself and when she was finished, a couple of the older boys and girls teased her about her bear. But she paid no mind to them as she walked away frowning and holding her bear tightly to her chest.
The teacher directed her to sit where all the other children were who were also playing violins along with other string instruments. Setting her bear on her lap she proceeded to pull out her violin and place it to her chin after rosining her bow, though she had the violin and bow in place the girl didn't strike a single note during the song. Telling the class to repeat the song the teacher wanted to make sure they understood it well. Once the song started again, the teacher quickly noticed that the girl was playing exceptionally well for her age, excusing the accidental strikes of the wrong note. But with time she noticed that the girl wasn't looking at music book in front of her but instead, playing with her eyes closed; just listening as she learned the song.
When the class finished the teacher asked the girl why she played with her eyes closed instead of playing from the music book in front of her like the rest of the students. For a reply the girl just shrugs and says that she doesn't like to because she doesn?t know how to read sheet music. The girl explains that she learns better if she hears the songs first before playing. The teacher thought back and remembered that she saw that the girl didn?t actually play any of the songs the first time around. With a simple smile the teacher excused the girl to go ahead and leave for recess.
Outside on the outskirts of the school grounds, under a tree, the girl sat with her back to the tree with her teddy bear in hand and her violin at her side. As she observed the other kids play, the girl began to feel real bad that she wasn't healthy enough to play with the others. Whether it is soccer, kick ball, tag or hop scotch. The other kids thought of her as being weird, and as a result, childish rumors arose saying that the girl steels the souls of other kids and stores them in her bear where she latter eats them at lunch time when she sits alone.
Knowing that the other students wouldn't even talk to her, let alone play with her if she could, the girl sat her bear on the ground out in front of her with it facing back, she proceeded to pull out her violin and play songs to her bear as if it were actually listening. Even though it was on a teddy bear with black button eyes and a purple bow around its body, at times the teddy bear actually seemed to listen.
The rest of the day past rather smoothly for the girl, once the bell rang and all the students scattered, the girl's mother arrived in the school parking lot to pick her up. On the way home the girl's mother wondered how her first day went. Not much had happened, so the girl had little to talk about to her mother. Overall she was rather satisfied and had fun aside from the comments made by the other students when she had to introduce herself.
The little girl was good but she didn't believe that she was that good; besides, her mother had enough troubles with the bills and other expenses that she couldn't even consider having a professional teach her. But never the less she spoke to her mother about what the teacher thought. The girl's mother was rather upset because she wanted to provide her daughter with all she wanted. But the girl's mother knew that she could never afford it.
(4) For the next few days, the girl kept taking band class and continued to improve her skills with each stroke of the fine horse hairs of her bow across each note. The girl's teacher noticed the level of skill the girl possessed, and decided that she should move on. Once they finish the song, the girl's teacher tells her to stay after class and speak to her. After class, the girl's teacher repeatedly lifts her pencil and lets it drop; bouncing on the eraser on the table before speaking. The girl's teacher discusses that she believes that the little girl should opt for a more professional one on one instructor to teach her rather than be limited to class rooms and the abilities of the other students.
In the middle of the night later that week, the girl snuck out of her house once again without her mother noticing with her violin and bear in hand has she strolled through the park and to the pond in her wheelchair; all the while humming cheerfully. When she arrived the girl noticed that the old man wasn't there. Although the man never missed the night he played at the pond, the girl figured he was just running late or something or another. But after waiting for so long the girl decided to pull out her violin and start playing without the old man present to see the violin she now possesses.
The girl sat in her wheelchair as she played the songs she heard the old man play in the past, in the exact same spot. After listening to each of the old mans songs for so long she new them all by heart and could play them very well too, well, for a beginner anyways. Several hours pasted and the girls eyes began to feel as heavy as the violin she held in her hand. As the girl struck the last notes for the night she noticed that the pond didn't glisten at all to her music nor did the moon seem to watch. In fact, the girl felt as though the moon were actually trying to hide from her music behind the clouds.
Well, weeks passed and every night the old man would not play, the girl went out again and again in hopes of seeing him; but she never did. Eventually just like the presence of the old man, the light in the pond and the moon from above never returned even though the girl played the same songs as the old man played and just as well, if not better since she's been practicing. Then, on one night, the girl's mother arrived at the pond just as her daughter was pulling out the violin.
Having gone unnoticed the girls' mother observes her daughter as she looks at her violin laying in its battered case. Asking her daughter if she would like to know where the violin came from, the girls mother approaches from behind; startling the girl somewhat. Before the girl can answer, her mother states that the old man won't be coming back to the pond, and that the violin she holds is his gift to her for being the wonderful person she is. Looking back down at the violin, the girl asks her mother why the old man left it to her mom instead of giving it to her directly and telling her that he was leaving. Needless to say the mother was rather reluctant to provide an answer as she stood there silent; pulling out a piece of paper from her pocket then laying it on her daughters lap.
(5) "If it sees it will watch, if it moves it will dance, If it sits still it will listen, and you will have your perfect audience. For me it was the moon, so still and silent. Never moving from the presence of music, it watched. For me it was the water, so fluent and graceful. Constantly moving it constantly danced. For me it was you, so observant and interested, you came to hear me play every night, and every night you listened. Thank you for being a member of my perfect audience, for that I leave you my violin. ~Old Man"
The girl's mother told her that the old man gave her the violin because he knew that, that would be the last time she would ever see him. The girls mother also explained that the old man has been having health problems and he didn't have long to live. In fact the old man pasted away latter that night after taking the girl back to her home. The girl asked her mother why she didn't tell her before. With all the health problems that her daughter has to deal with, the girls mother thought it would be better if she waited to tell her.
Grasping her bear and holding it tight the girl muffles her cries in the fabric of her bear as she thinks about the old man. The girls mother takes her leave and walks away and out of sight but remains close to watch over her daughter. After a several minutes the girl lifts her face from her tear soaked bear and picks up the violin and begins playing. Stricken with grief the girl has trouble striking a note clearly and messes up with just about every stroke of the bow. Quickly the girl regains her composure and begins to play a song that the old man played the last night he was with her, and in very emotional and radical manner the girl blares away on the violin as she plays.
The girl's mother watching from afar stares in aw at the sight of her daughters' musical talent as she plays such a sad song with great intensity. Breathing heavily and shedding tears as she plays the girl begins to suffer from exhaustion and passes out in the middle of her song and falls from her wheelchair into the grass with her violin in hand and her bear next to her on the ground where she lays unconscious.
Awaking the next morning the girl finds herself in a familiar room of the hospital where she is greeted by the female nurse who always takes care of her. The girl notices that the nurse has her bear and asks her to have it back. Although the nurse is always nice, the girl never liked the nurse especially whenever she has her bear. But being as nice as she is the nurse gives the girl her bear back then leaves. When the girl received her bear she embraced it tightly in her arms.
Several hours latter the girl's mother comes walking through the hospital room door complaining how much her daughters stay will cost. Though upset about all the health problems her daughter faces, the girl got off easy and her mother knows it so she gives her a loving hug, letting her daughter know that she cares in which her daughter happily returns. The girl's mother tells her that they can leave any time she's ready and head home. Taking hold of her mothers hand the girl asks her mother where the violin was and is told it's back at home. Rolling out of bed with her bear in her other hand the girl walks with her mother to the car where they both drive home.
Although some time has passed the girl remained rather sad, wishing she could at least say goodbye or something, but she never had the chance because she fell asleep early that last night she was with him and she hated herself for it. Feeling so upset she almost cried on the way home.
(6.) Being out of school for the weekend the girl was rather bored around the house because she had little to do. Sitting in a large chair in the living room, the girl kept fidgeting as her mood gradually dropped and she became rather frustrated by many things. Feeling the need to get out, the girl leans forwards to look into the other room from the chair where she sees her mother slouch over the table with countless bills and the new hospital bills to pay. The girl asks her mother if they could go to the park but her request is denied by her mother because she?s busy.
Falling back into the chair, girl mood drops even more as she continues fidgeting once again. Dropping her pencil onto the floor the girls mother sees her daughters legs repeatedly kick back and fourth and decides to reconsider and take her daughter out to the park. Once she has her pencil in hand the girls mother sits back up and walks into the other room where she stands in front of her daughter with a smile and asks if she would like to go to the park which her daughter is more than glad to do.
Once outside the front door the girl sits down in her wheelchair with her bear and violin in hand. The mother approaches from behind once she closes the door and begins pushing her daughter to the park. About half way there the girl states to her mother that she would like to go to the pond again. The girl's mother on the other hand figured that it's not such a good idea and asks her daughter if she was sure that she wanted to go back so soon but the girl insisted to go.
Making their way down the curvaceous paths of the park the girl and her mother arrive at the pond in the middle of the day. There they witness all the people gathered around the pond. The kids playing in the water but not swimming, the parents observing from afar sitting in the near by benches, dating couples, old couples, dogs on the ground and birds in the trees, they all were having a wonderful time but were missing something. The girl thought that the pond was a secluded oasis but then she realized that she has never been there during the day, and here the girl was hoping to be alone but then she thought otherwise when she looked at the battered case of her violin.
Wanting to go off on her own the girl ask that her mother let go of the chair but stay close by. The girls mother indeed let go then proceeded to an empty bench where she could look over the water. Once her mother was seated the girl took hold of each of the wheels and maneuvered herself into place where she and the old man play the violin. Moving her bear to her side the girl places the violin case across her lap and opens it up. Once open she proceeds to pull out the violin and rosin her bow. Placing her chin to it and hovering the bow just above the strings she then closes her eyes and begins to play for the crowd.
Almost instantly the people notice the wonderful sounds of the violin and stop to listen to the music. Even though she has seen this once before from last night the girls mother was very surprised at the level of talent her daughter possesses which seemed to actually increase since then and every time she played a song. As the song continued the crowd became larger. The songs brought a sense of sadness to the area, as well as happiness, fear, turmoil and pain. Their moods danced to sounds of the music, from one song to another they all moved as one with the music. As the girl played she opened her eyes and saw the crowd that had gathered and felt like stopping out of embracement, but when she noticed their reaction to her music she continued.
(7.) When the girl was done she looked out at the audience that had gathered thinking that they were going to applaud at least boo her, but the people around were more or less completely astounded. Although the girl perceived herself as not being that great of a violin player she flawlessly played several of the old mans songs as well as songs that the old man would find himself having a difficult time playing.
In utter aw, the crowd just stared at the girl to the point where she felt extremely uneasy and felt that she had to leave, which she did with her mother fallowing close behind. When the girl's mother caught up to her daughter she wanted to ask her daughter so many questions about how she learned so much so fast that she couldn't think of a place to begin. Just as the girls mother was about to say something a nicely dressed man approached from behind and started to ask the girl how and where she learned to play like that.
The girl turned her chair around and began to speak to the man, as the two spoke to one another; the girl's mother was relieved she didn't have to ask directly. But she was rather frustrated because she was supposable going to ask her daughter those same questions. Having been interrupted before she cold ask the girl's mother felt like hitting the man for stepping in.
The man introduced himself as a local professional musician and owner of the concert hall downtown. The man explained that he had been searching for people to perform solos in front of a live audience at the concert hall and was wondering if the girl would be willing to participate. Before either the girl or her mother could answer, the man placed his business card in the bow of the girl's teddy bear and walked away. As he disappeared off in the distance he complemented the girl on her music performance and said that he would like to speak to her again sometime.
Once the man was gone the girls mother offered to take her to one of the near by restaurants for some dinner. The girl nods with a smile as she looks up. When at the restaurant both the girl and her mother chow down their food with quite similar table manners, which weren't exactly perfect displays of public dinning. Reaching for a napkin the girl by accident, grabbed the mans business card. When she read the name of the man she realized that he was a pretty well known person even though she never paid any mind to him. With her mouth full, the girl asks her mother if they should give the man a call, the girl's mother thought for bit as she ate and just like her daughter, she to began to talk with her mouth full stating that it might not be a bad idea just to see. With a call latter in the day the man they met asked them to meet him at his concert hall and to bring the violin the next morning.
Entering into the main hall where all the seats were, and the stage dominated a vast majority of the opposite side of the room, the girl and mother made their way down one of the two beautiful red carpet paths to the stage where the man stood waiting. The man spread out his arms as if embracing the two with a dominant "welcome". The man apologized for meeting him on such short noticed but he really couldn't wait to see the girl again. Helping the two up on stage the man let the girl and her mother explore the stage which the girl was more than happy to do as she started rolling around wildly in excitement. The girl?s mother just stayed in her place by the man but she also couldn't help but to look at the surrounding environment of the music hall.
(8.) As she finished her spinning the girl locked the breaks in her chair and stood up from the chair while holding her bear and violin. Somewhat surprised, the man stared at the sight of the girl standing up as the spotlights shined down from above. Turning to her mother the man wonders that the girl can stand from her chair. The girl's mother nods and gives a brief time to tell the man about her daughters physical disabilities all the while leaving out many details but still telling the man enough that she makes him feel as though the girl?s in great pain.
Standing in the spotlight looking upwards with her bear in one hand and her battered violin case in the other, the picturesque sight of the girl in the light made her appear no less beautiful than a little angel. Step by step the girl made her way to the edge of the stage and sat down right in the middle of it. Placing her violin case next to her and placing her bear on top of it she observes each and every seat in the concert hall.
Whispering into the girl's mother's ear the man asks if he could speak to her in private. The girl's mother nods then tells her daughter to stay put until she gets back as she took her leave. Walking around through the main halls and up the stares the man comments to the girl's mother on what a truly extraordinary talented daughter she possesses. Replying that her daughter is really something the two make their way to one of the balcony seats that overlooks the main concert hall that they were in. From there as they took their seats they could both easily see the girl sitting in the center of the stage with her legs dangling over the edge kicking back and fourth.
Although the girl was still looking at all the seats she never noticed that her mother and the man were actually there in one of the balconies observing her. The girl drew her attention to her violin case and her bear on top of it. Grasping hold of her bear, she tosses it into a chair that?s directly in front of her. The bear lands in a position that it sits comfortably in the chair looking back at her. Smiling at her bear, the girl turns to her violin case. Unbuckling the locks the girl listens to the sound of them echo throughout the concert hall. The man and the girl's mother attention drew to the girl at the sound of the opening case, where they observed from the balcony.
Pulling out the bow and rosin it up, the girl proceeds to lift her violin from its case and hold it in hand. Placing the violin to her chin she plays fairly simple slow songs for her, playing to her bear as the audience. From the balcony the man and the girls mother discuss to one another the possibilities of the girl actually becoming a professional but the girls mother thinks that?s impossible because she has only been playing the violin for about a month.
Completely blown the way the man repeats what the girls mother said to clarify to be sure he heard her right. Having a hard time keeping his voice down the man pulls the girls mother closer to him and loudly whispers to her instead to keep from yelling. The man quickly drops the topic as he sits back up as does the girls mother and changes the topic to the girl's health problems. This little discussion of all her health problems went on for quite a while. The girl even had time to change to a couple of other songs as she continued playing to her bear and the lack of an audience that fills the red velvet covered chairs of the concert hall.
(9) "Hey you?re good!" The girl stopped her playing and looked behind her for the voice where a woman who looked about nineteen appeared from the large curtains that served as the stages backdrop. The girl replied stating that she wasn't all that great then the girl noticed that the woman who appeared from the curtain was holding a violin case as well. The girl asked if she played and the woman responded that she did. The woman made her way past the girl's wheelchair; looking back at it she continued on then sat down right behind the girl. The girl lifted her legs up and turned around sitting cross-legged facing the woman.
The woman stated to the girl that she was very good, but woman noticed some things that the girl could work on. The woman helped the girl lift her violin to her chin all the while admiring it and her bow; yet somehow familiar. Paying little mind to the thought, the woman proceeded to give the girl some helpful instructions on how to use her fingers more effectively and control the strokes of her bow. The girl paid close attention to what the woman was saying and fallowed along learning everything well. From the balcony the girl's mother wondered who that person was that her daughter was sitting with. The man the girls mother been talking to the whole time described the woman as being one of his top students and best performer of the concert hall.
Back down on stage the woman pulled out her bow and violin to give a more direct lesson. Again she told the girl how to better user her fingers and stroke her bow. Playing short, simple numbers, she has the girl repeat what she does then corrects any errors she had. Even though the more experienced woman was giving the girl lessons the girl showed her a trick or two as well. Since having much smaller hands the girl had to make up in hand movements to strike notes that were far apart.
After several minutes and a couple of lessons exchanged between the two, the girl offered to play a song with her. The girl started the song and told the woman that she could just jump in when she got it, though didn?t take her long to recognize it the woman just listened to the song she played and how well she played it. She even noticed that the girl had already memorized her lessons by watching her hand movements and the strokes of her bow. About half way into the song she placed her violin to her chin and proceeded to play with the girl. In near perfect harmony, the two sat across from one another playing the same song; and each of them had the same thought in mind, the old man from the park as they played one of his songs.
When the song ended the woman was surprised that the girl she just met knew that song. She asked her if she knew of a certain old man but the girl didn't recall the old man by the woman's description; but instead told her that she knew of an old man that played that same song every weekend in the city park right outside her house. The woman stated that he was the old man she was talking about. The girl wondered how she knew him and the woman said that the old man used to be her music teacher before his wife died, and after that, he stopped teaching all together. In fact, the woman realized that the violin the girl carried was the old mans but never said a word about it.
Just as the girl was about to say something, the woman stopped then looked at her watch and realized that she had to go; and fast! Quickly placing her violin and bow back in her case, the woman leaves to the right of the stage as she waved goodbye saying that she wanted to see her again sometime as she disappeared in the darkness of the backstage halls.
(10) Several minutes latter the girl's mother and the man enter through the main doors at the back side of the concert hall. Grabbing the bear as she walks with the man to the stage, the girls mother throws it to her daughter with a smile saying that it?s time to go. The girl nods then puts away her violin and bow. Standing up, the girl walked to her wheelchair and sat down. Just as the man helped the girl and her mother onto the stage, the man also help them down as well then out to the front of the building.
Once outside, they all frowned upon the sight of the weather which had turned from partly cloudy, to partly flooding the city in a heavy downpour. The man tells the girl and her mother to wait there before heading to their car as he went back inside. Soon the man came back out with a large umbrella to protect them from the rain when he escorts them to their car. Once in the car and ready to go the girl's mother drove away; looking in the mirror back at the man standing in the rain waving goodbye.
During the drive back home the girl speaks to her mother that she met a girl who also plays a violin too. Although the girl's mother knew everything and watched them as they played together, the girl's mother pretended that she didn't know. After the girl spoke of the woman she met, the girls mother couldn't keep up the act for to long. So the girl's mother told her that she already knew about her; the girl's mother even complemented her daughter on her their performance.
A little upset that she her mother joked with her she smiled then poked her in the side of the arm saying "hey?". The girl's mother just smiled back in return. After a second or so the girl's mother told her that the man has invited her to play at a small gathering later on to pick people to play at an upcoming performance. The girl wasn't exactly thrilled however, but none the less she told her mother that she would consider the man's offer. To better assist her daughter to decide the girl's mother also told her what the man thought of her music. Without any reply, the girl just turned her head and looked out the passenger window.
About a week later the girl did decide, and showed up at the tryouts for the upcoming performance. She was accepted with flying colors, however, just a day or so before the tryouts the girl had been feeling a little unwell. Feeling fine overall she paid no mind to it and continued with her normal life. When at the park later on in the day after the tryouts, the girls mother took her daughter to the park to have fun and celebrate her acceptance into the upcoming performance at the man's concert hall.
Sitting on a park bench with her mother, the girl watched the ducks on the water splash around until she felt hungry and decided that she wanted something to eat. Telling her mother, the girl got up and sat her bear down in her seat then headed to a nearby food vendor that was set up behind them. Along the way the girl coughed here and there but nothing excessive. The girl ordered her food and with both hands full she turned around and heading back to her mother. On the way back, the girl started having more trouble breathing so she let out a cough. But that didn't help then the girl lost her ability to breathe all together.
With one arm over the back of the park bench, the girl's mother turned around to look at her daughter saying "Hi" with a smile. Unable to speak, the girl could only move her mouth to call for her mother?s help before falling to the ground unconscious.
(11) Asleep for what seemed to be only a few seconds, the girl awoke to the sounds of nearby equipment beeping. Opening her eyes the girl found herself in the hospital once again with her mother asleep and leaning face first on the bed by her legs. Feeling the bed move as the girl got up; the girl's mother raised her head with a relieved look in her eyes and gave her daughter a big hug.
A few minutes latter the girl's doctor walked in with an unpleasing look in his eyes. The girl's doctor explained to both the girl and her mother that the girl's health is in bad shape. Of course the two were wondering how bad it was. But to sum it all up into one word all the doctor could do was repeat the word ?bad?. The doctor explained that the girl?s body was shutting down, little by little. And with a look of helplessness in his eyes, the doctor said that the girl is going to die.
The girl's mother demanded answers but the doctor could only say "I don't know". The girl on the other hand just grabbed a hold of her bear that sat beside her on the bed and embraced it, repeatedly saying quietly to herself "the time has come". Telling the girls mother to calm down the doctor explained clearly that he simply didn't know much. He didn't know why this was happening; he didn't know when the girl would eventually pass away, whether it would be one day, one year, or one decade. The only thing the doctor could tell the girl's mother was that she needed to keep taking good care of her.
Raising her head up to look at her mother the girl told her that she wanted to perform. The girls mother had no idea what she was talking about until her daughter repeated that she wanted to perform at the man's concert hall. The girl's mother was going to say no but then she realized that if she didn't let her play then she might as well be killing her daughter herself. Nodding her head the girl?s mother told her daughter that she could. But there was one thing the girl's mother wondered. She wondered if her daughter would live long enough because the performance was in a month.
With her wheelchair equipped with an air tank and a couple of other things to keep her health up, and a required inhaler, the girl left the hospital feeling fairly normal. Everyday since she left the hospital the girl would go to the park at night and play the old mans songs on the violin he gave her. Once the girl played all of the old mans songs that she desired, she would start working on her own song that she was preparing for the upcoming performance at the old mans concert hall. Although rather vague at the start, by the time the performance arrived, her song would be nearly perfect. After all, she built the song from the old mans style who she used to listen to at that same park. She wanted to make a song that even he could be proud of.
Night after night the girl worked on her song. Sometimes her mother would be present to listen and to make sure she was alright, but other than her mother the girl would be like a hermit in the secluded pond that she listened to the old mans music at. Although the process was slow, the girl could notice her overall health decline. But when playing her violin she seemed to be the healthiest person in the world. But at times she would have to call upon the aid of her inhaler and medications to help her breath better and stay healthy
On one night with the stroke of the last note of her song, she announced to her beloved teddy bear that the song is perfect. With a smile and a hug of her bear she said to herself that she couldn't wait to get up and play the song.
(12) On the day of the performance people gathered and entered the concert hall through the main gates, making there way into the main hall where the man had taken the girl once before. They all packed themselves in taking up each and every seat until not one was left. Every seat on the main floor and balcony was taken up.
Entering through the back were the people who came to perform for the crowd. Because of the crowed, the girl's mother had to park far away from the building. Along the way to the entrance the girl told her mother to hold onto her inhaler for safe keeping. Once inside the girl drew a lot of attention being in a wheelchair at nine years old. Suddenly a voice called out to the girl. When she turned to where the voice was coming from the girl saw the woman from before. The woman who she played her violin with the last time she was there. Soon after, the man who owned the place and who had invited her there earlier showed up to greet her as well.
The two both had noticed that the girl didn't look as good as she did the last time they met her and asked her if she was okay. The girl replied that she was just fine and that she hadn't been feeling well lately. After a couple of minutes chatting with the girl the man told the woman who's his top student to prepare because she was going to be the opening performance for the show. As the woman left, she told the girl to relax and do her best. Although the woman was long gone by the time the girl could reply, she said to herself that she?s going to do better.
The man told the girl's mother that she could take a seat in his reserved balcony so she could have a clear and easy view. The girl's mother wondered about her daughter, but the man said that he would take care of her so she didn't worry. Feeling assure, the girl's mother took her leave. Once gone, the man assisted the girl and explained to her everything and everyone that was going on as they made their way through the crowded back stage.
As the two make their way, the man explained that the woman who's preparing to go out on stage is going to be the opening violin solo act. And for the finale, the man told the girl that she would be playing a solo act as well. As for the song just before the intermission, the man told the girl that both she and the woman would play together.
Although this was a performance for a wide variety of music styles and people the man wanted to focus as much attention on the two girls as possible; both his best student and the girl in the wheelchair. And since the two of which possess a connection to the old man who died, It would be a near perfect setting.
Telling the girl goodbye and taking his leave, the man told the girl that he would be watching with her mother from the balcony. Where the man left the girl, the girl could easily see out onto the stage from the side where she saw the woman get ready to play on the opposite side of the stage then enter with her violin and bow in hand.
Before the girl began playing she gave an introduction as to who she is and who would be playing. She also announced the schedule and that there was a special mystery guest who will be performing as well. The girl had no idea who this "mystery guest" was, but she was pretty excited to find out and meet the person face to face. And with those words the woman asked the audience to be quiet from now on and enjoy the show as she picked up her violin and began to play.
(13) As soon as the woman began playing the girl was in aw when listening to her music. She actually sounded just as good as the old man, but the song wasn't one of his. Her song continued for several minutes, and for every note struck the audience paid more and more attention. Graceful and smooth her song flowed with a beautiful sense of elegance. Once on what seemed to be the final note of her song she let the sound of her last note echo for a before kicking her song into high gear. Her song was exhilarating to listen to, upbeat and menacing in tone, it was really something to listen to with the bass that was added in the back for the second half of her song. It really woke the audience up to that this wasn?t going to be just a dull show.
Just as quickly as the second half of her song began, it ended with a sharp strike of her last note. And with a wave to the crowd she took her leave from the stage back the way she came from with the audience applauding. Once backstage again other people took the stage to keep the show going when the curtain dropped. They all continued on doing so for a while. Everyone from one person solos to powerhouse orchestras were playing through the day.
The girl was very interested in all the music and could hardly stay seated in her wheelchair. A couple of hours later, backstage the woman caught up to the girl and told her that they would be playing after the next couple of people play their songs. Having never have seen her since they met earlier the girl took the time to compliment the woman's performance. The woman nodded and gave her thanks, but she told the girl and was quite confident in her words that she was gonna do much better than her.
Once the others finished their songs and the curtains dropped, the people picked up their stuff and cleared out the stage for the girl and woman to play their song before the intermission. The woman walked out on stage along side the girl who was pushing herself in the chair with her violin case on her lap. The audience fell deafly silent at the sight of the girl in her wheelchair. They had no idea what to make of it. The girl was extremely young to be performing but none the less she was out there with a smile; a nervous smile, but a smile none the less.
The two turned and faced the crowd. The woman made an announcement that the little girl was the "mystery guest" for the day and would be performing. Still the audience was baffled by the sight of this little girl in her chair. Turning to the girl the woman whispered into the girl's ear exactly what song to play which was one of the old mans favorite songs. Although they hadn't worked together to practice the song they both knew it well since the woman was a student of the old mans and the girl learned it by listening.
With simplicity and grace the two played the song in perfect harmony with one another and at times break away and take turns to give the song character. Although this wasn't a truly awesome song, the audience was still in amazed at the sight of this girl playing the violin so well. The two girls were really starting to take over the stage in the overall performance with all the other people playing. As the song continued the two started having fun with the song and actually started competing against one another, each pushing the other to do better. But before the two could do too much to push one another they reached the end of the song and took a bow to the crowd before taking their leave with the audiences? full attention and applause.
(14) Once the curtain dropped the two complemented each other as they entered into the backstage area where the other musicians where. Upon entering, most of the musicians who where mostly around thirty, mumbled to one another and stared at the little girl after hearing and seen her perform from the back. The girl was rather nervous and felt like turning back around but she wanted to go meet her mother now that it was intermission time.
Just before parting, the woman gave the girl one last complement before leaving. Once the woman was gone the girl's mother appeared with a smile on her face and gave her daughter a hug. And right behind her was the man who offered the mother and daughter a bite to eat as his special guests. The intermission was scheduled for forty-five minutes so the two nodded knowing that they had lots of time.
Upstairs in a private room they all chatted to one another as they enjoyed their meal. In general they mostly talked about the girl's performance and the overall show but sometimes the conversation would shift to how she became so good. Just as the girl told her music teacher, she told the man that she just had to listen to a song to learn. In all his years, the man knew that people would do that from time to time. But he never actually knew of an instance where a person could learn just by listening alone.
As the conversation continued, knocking echoed from the doors as the woman entered; telling everyone that it was time to leave. Taking one last bite the man and the girl?s mother got up to get back to the performance. However the girl was rather reluctant to just step away and leave her unfinished meal. Laughing at the sight of the girl, the man told the girl that she could take something with her. With a smile the girl made her choice of food and had it wrapped up for her by the man before leaving.
Once back downstairs all four of them, the man, woman, girl and her mother, all made their way to the back stage. Along the way they pasted by some people of the audience which noticed the girl and applauded her. Letting out a short shriek the girl turned her head away and covered her eyes with her hands until her mother pushed the girl in her chair out of sight. But she could still hear them clap for her. The woman was a little puzzled by the girl's reaction to the small percentage of the people clapping for her. Although she seems shy, when the girl got up on stage she would handle the pressure just as well as any of the professional musician.
When they all got to the backstage the girl's mother and the man once again said goodbye and took their leave; heading back to the reserved balcony. The woman told the girl to hang around even though there was still a long time to wait until her solo to close the show. To give her someone to talk to the woman stuck around to give the girl company. They both would watch the show but eventually get bored and go off to play their violins together just for fun. Nothing serious, just goof off and play games with each other.
When the time came around the girl was directed by the woman to get ready for her turn after the person who was currently starting. The person starting was a long haired male vocalist that was very popular and very good with his opera style of singing. When the long haired man gave his performance, his voice proudly echoed throughout the room; leaving the audience wanting more once he finished. Exiting the stage towards the girl he smiled saying "good luck" to better encourage her. Back on the balcony the man told the girl?s mother that her daughter was next.
(15) Rushing to the back stage the girl's mother caught up to her daughter and spoke to her; telling her good luck and such. The girl smiled and gave her mother a hug and just as she did she noticed that she didn't have her teddy bear with her. She quickly looked on the floor around her chair but then realized that she left it back in the car. The girl's mother said that she would be fine without it but the girl insisted and pleaded her mother to go and get it; stating that she couldn?t live without it.
The girl's mother felt a little upset with her daughter's words, but felt that she should do what she could to make her daughter happy; so she nodded and rushed away to the car. When the girl's mother got out into the parking lot she sighed at the thought of where she parked and how far away it was. But determined to get the bear she ran all the way to the far end of the parking, keeping up a good jog the whole way.
When she arrived at the car she pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. When opened, she reached for the bear with a smile until her daughters inhaler fell out of her pocket. Back in the concert hall the girl was forced on stage by an official being told that they couldn't wait any longer. With a sigh the girl wheels herself out onto the stage where she parks her chair and locks the breaks. Grabbing her violin she stands up from chair and makes her way to the front of the stage. The people in the audience were a little surprised that she could walk; but kept as quiet as possible and watched as she got ready then began her song.
What flew from the girl's violin was a song that immediately caught everyone's attention from the first note; even the people backstage. As the girl played her song some members of the audience actually shed tears because it sounded so sad. Back at the car in the back of the parking lot however, the girl's mother had a look of fright on her face when she saw her daughter?s inhaler lying on the seat after it fell from her pocket. Quickly picking up the bear and inhaler, the girls mother says "Oh no" to herself as she closed the door and darted back to the concert hall as fast as she could.
On stage, the girl fluently played her song perfectly with the thought of her bear in mind as she started having a more difficult time breathing. Harder and harder it became for her to breath. From the side, the woman though lost in the girls music, could notice that the girl's breathing picked up. Back outside, the girl's mother finally reached the backstage door but found it to be locked shut. Kicking the door out of frustration she heads to the front entrance of the concert hall.
On stage the girl's music filled the entire building and could even be heard by her mother as her mother dashed to the main entrance. As she thought of her bear the girl had a very hard time breathing as she neared the end of her song. Although she tried her hardest, on the girl's final note she held for several seconds, she dropped to the floor where she stood; violin and all. The entire audience was in shock as the woman and several other people rushed to the girl's aid. And at that moment the girl?s thoughts at that moment were...
"If it sits still it will listen, if it moves it will dance, if it sees it will watch and you will have your perfect audience. For me it was my bear, so soft and gentle, never making a move it listened. For me it was the audience, so full of energy they would dance in their minds. For me it was you mother, so loving and caring. You watched over me all you could and for that, I thank you.
Thank you for being a member of my perfect audience."
(16) Entering through the main doors the girl's mother dashes through the hall and into the main concert room through one of the two aisles. She stops dead in her tracks when she sees her daughter laying on the stage motionless with the man, woman, and other people at her side. The girl's mother runs down the aisle and climbs up on stage rushing to her daughter's side. When she gets there, she finds that her daughter is no longer alive.
_____________________________________The End_______________________________________
 EmotronPlays · Mon Sep 19, 2005 @ 06:26am · 4 Comments |
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