Page 89 of Margot
God, that man was fine.
The x-rays only took a few minutes and once I was done, I went back to the exam room. Lennox was busy staring at his phone reading something with pinched brows. I sat on the table and leaned over to look at his screen.
“What are you doing?” I asked him.
“Reading this text message from Jovan. He said he’s sorry for brushing me off when I told him about Ebony and that he’s decided to file for divorce. He evidently caught her with another man at the new office they’re working in.”
“I didn’t know Jovan left Red Wing with Ebony,” I said.
“Yeah. It wasn’t required but he decided to go where his wife went. That’s when I knew he didn’t really take what I said seriously.” Lennox put his phone to sleep and looked up at me.
“So what exactly happened between you and Ebony?” I quizzed. After everything that happened between Lennox and me, there was no doubt in my mind that he remained faithful to me the entire time. I just wanted to know what Ebony did.
“Oh, it wasn’t anything I wanted to worry you about. You were going through so much and…”
“And what happened, Lennox? I trust you but her? Not so much.”
“The day before she let the door close on your fingers, she threw herself at me. It was pretty relentless. I tried to smooth things over with her to maintain a decent work environment but she persisted. After what happened to your finger, I couldn’t let that shit slide. That’s why I pushed so hard for her to get relocated to another office. If I had my way, she wouldn’t work for Red Wing anymore at all.” His jaw flexed and before I knew what was happening, I reached out and traced the muscle there.
Lennox’s piercing gaze jerked up to mine. His eyes smoldered.
“Okay, Mrs. English, your x-rays look good. Your bone looks healed and straight. I just need to see how your range of motion is.” While the doctor had me do several finger exercises, I imagined I was playing the piano. I could hear the notes flowing and feel the warm vibration I got whenever I played.
“I don’t think you’ll need physical therapy but I want to see you back here in a week just to make sure your joints haven’t tightened up on you. Keep stretching your fingers but don’t over do it.”
“Can I play the piano?” I asked, excitedly.
“You can play the piano but I wouldn’t play for too long. A couple of hours at the most for the first week.” Hearing that was like hearing great news that dealt a blow. I didn’t know how I was going to limit myself to only a couple of hours a day but I’d manage.
“Okay,” I sighed.
“After the first week if you have no pain or soreness then you can bump it up to your usual practice times. As of now, you’re free Mrs. English. Have a nice day.”
I practically floated out of the doctor’s office on a cloud.
“Should I leave you and Steinway alone?” Lennox asked with a chuckle as he drove home.
“No, but you can play with me. It’s only for a couple of hours, Lennox.” I took his hand in mine and squeezed it.
“I can do that.”
So we drove home and listened to Ravel the entire ride. By the time we hit the front door, I was bouncing on my feet. The excitement bubbled over and spilled in my belly, filling me with warmth.
I rushed over to the piano the moment Lennox opened the door for me. I shed my coat and shoes on the way and I barely remember where I tossed them. What I do remember is finally sitting on the bench and taking a long overdue deep breath.
I was so nervous my fingers trembled as I laid them on the keys. I let the adrenaline slip through me as I played the first few notes with both hands intact. They were beautiful. They came fast and furious and I felt at home letting them flow through my fingers.
I could feel a little stiffness in my middle finger but I kept going because I had to. Everything inside of me pushed forward and told me to play.
“Ah, there she is. Sutton English, back behind the piano.” Lennox walked over to me and let his fingers run through my hair. I felt the immediate need to tense but I shut my eyes and played faster, pushing out a breath through my nose.
“Is this okay?” Lennox asked, hesitantly.
“Don’t stop,” I begged as my fingers danced down the keys effortlessly. “I feel weird and tense but please don’t stop.” I swallowed down a thick knot of emotion and played harder…louder.
My back became a web of tightly pulled muscles and my spine was a steel beam straight down my back. My chest was a wall of Margot’s memories crashing down on me. I wanted to push away from the piano but the other half of me wanted to stay seated and play.
I had to play.
