Page 24 of My Heart Before You

The delicate rise and fall of Chopin’s Nocturne Op.9 No.2 resonated in his fingers, flowed up his arms, and into his body as he swayed slightly with the pressure applied to each key. The scent of the wood filled his nose as each flex and pause of the music created a conversation from one hand to the other. Some phrases were quick and urgent, other’s slow and reserved, the tempo his to command.

Though he hunched just a bit as he played, he felt lighter than he had in months, focusing only on the tactile sensations of his fingers and the vibrations singing from the piano’s heart. He let the keys resound louder through the third repeat of the melody before finishing with the soft humble end. The final chord tapered out as if gently set down for a long peaceful rest. His fingers hovered over the keys for several seconds before a voice brought his attention back to the room.

“That was lovely.”

The cleaning woman stood at the base of the platform. She glanced at him through her thick glasses as she tucked a short strand of black hair behind her ear. He hadn’t noticed that the sound of the vacuum had stopped while he played.

“Thank you.” He closed the keylid. “It was my father’s favorite.”

A brief pause hung in the air while all the calm he’d just experienced was shattered by a simple true statement. The thing that gutted him was his use ofwas. His throat tightened, and he had to remind himself to take an inhale.

“I can see why.” The woman smiled at him. “I like to work when they have the pianists playing during the day, but I’m taking my turn of night shifts, so I’ve missed the music. That was nice to hear. Thank you.”

When she walked back to her cart of supplies, he rubbed his hands over the front of his legs trying to dispel the unease flooding his forearms. Pushing back from the piano bench, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Nicole:Still coming for drinks?

That’s right, Nicole had asked him to join the single surgeons for drinks. He’d heard that things got a little rowdy sometimes, especially if the residents tagged along, but those who worked hard under extreme pressure tended to really let loose when given the chance. Maybe a night out to let off some steam was exactly what he needed.

Colin:Just leaving the hospital. Where are you meeting?

As he stepped out into the darkness to walk to his condo building, the thirty degree November wind slapped his face. He reached down to zip his jacket up when his phone buzzed again.

Nicole:Speakeasy place downtown that Andrew recommended called Password.

Nicole:We’ll head there 10ish

Colin:See you then.

???

After a quick shower and changing clothes, Colin exited an Uber and walked to what looked like a service entrance to the building with a dimly illuminated sign marked “Password” above it. The door was painted with white block letters “What’s the” with a series of question marks growing subsequently smaller trailing down the door.

He walked down a short hallway that led to a half level of stairs before arriving at the main entrance to the bar. A waitress with double Dutch braids wearing a crisp, black short-sleeve oxford carried a tray of drinks past him as he searched the room. Every wall displayed exposed brick with dim Edison bulbs hung from pendants. Penny tile covered the floor over which eclectic brown leather chairs and low tables were arranged in seating areas.

“Colin!” Nicole held her arm out to motion him over towards the large, wooden bar. “We’re just ordering.”

After saying hello to his other colleagues Karen and Justin, and meeting Nicole’s newish boyfriend, Andrew, he leaned over to the bartender and ordered an Old Fashioned.

“How was your trip?” he asked Karen, remembering she’d just returned a few days ago from hiking the Inca Trail.

“I think my quads will forever be sore. I’m in good shape, but I completely underestimated what climbing that many stairs every day was going to feel like.” She took a sip of her French 75. “The ruins were worth all the pain though. It’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been.”

She pulled out her phone and narrated while flipping through some pictures of the trip for everyone to see. Tinny electronic funk versions of 1930s songs floated from the speakers as the lights dimmed even darker and flickered.

The conversation flowed easily from each person's favorite vacation spot to their worst travel experience as they finished their first round. After everyone ordered a new set of drinks from the attentive bartender, Justin asked, “Any interesting cases this week?” and unfortunately for Andrew, they dissolved into talking shop for the better part of an hour.

Eventually, Nicole and Andrew broke off to a seating area in a secluded corner. Karen had turned on her stool and was chatting up an intense looking corporate lawyer in a full three-piece suit who had offered to buy her a drink. He and Justin were discussing the differences of this job from their last when two attractive women sauntered over.

The first was rake thin with wingtip eyes framed by long, glossy hair; her navy bodycon dress left little to the imagination. Her friend had shoulder-length, wavy cinnamon hair and was wearing a green mini dress that showed off her curvy shape. The two laughed to each other as they approached.

The black-haired woman placed her manicured hand on his arm. “I love your accent.”

Colin knew his slight southern lilt exacerbated when he drank. Intentionally pronouncing each word clearly, he pointed his drink towards Justin. “You should hear his.” He hoped to transfer her attention off him given he’d always preferred his women a little shapelier, like her friend with the hazel eyes.

“Hello, Ma’am.” Justin touched his hand to his head as if to tip an imaginary Stetson, giving his Texas accent even more thickness.

“Oooo you sound just like a cowboy.” The brunette saddled up beside Justin.

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