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The door to the garage of the largest home stood wide open, and the white Cadillac was parked demurely inside I couldn’t see anyone around - no boxes orvan, no children’s toys abandoned haphazardly on the walk
I didn’t dare knock, and peeking through hen someone was hoo when a violent noise startledin surprise Belatedly, I realized sonize the song, but it wasn’t pretty It was crashing and intense and reminded me of the kind of music that would be in a scaryon soets murdered by the crazy owner I was seriously spooked and picked up my bike, only to discover that the chain had coan trying to force the greasy chain back around the sprocket - this had happened to et it back on
As I worked, I listened nervously to the powerful ed andequally powerful, but infused with joy in every note Theonto rease down the side of my face
Music had never made me cry before And these weren’t sad tears Thesongs about God or Jesus But it made me feel that ithout any words I loved words I was surprised that theas I dared, and when the song see conclusion, I picked upin time with the music that now filled my head
"It’s a retired doctor and his wife," ht when I relayed the story of the white Cadillac "Na or other"
"Grimaldi," Jacob corrected with his mouth full of mashed potatoes "Rachel and her mom helped clean the house before they irlfriend Rachel’s anization at our little church, and duty made her a busy woe of all the town’s goings-on, although she wasn’t the type to abuse her position
"Rachel said the doc’s wife insisted on paying theot kinda feisty when they refused Rachel said her lad to help and wanted to serve The doc’s wife finally gave in, but said that if Rachel wanted to come back she would pay her to clean once a week" Jacob settled back with a satisfied burp
"Why did they move to Levan?" I questioned "Are they related to soe, three hours south, where retirees commonly moved to soak up sun and enjoy easy winters
"Rachel says the olda book and he wants peace and quiet," Jacob said matter-of-factly "The doc’s wife said they are old friends of the Brockbank’s, and Levan seeht of the loud and passionate music of earlier that day It definitely hadn’t been quiet then I resolved to wheedle Rachel into taking ain And that was how I met Sonja Griood-natured and very hardworking She was always y or a dilly, and she would probably never gain a pound, as she worked as fast as she talked and never seemed to tire I loved her, but tooto sit down and drown in a deep book She was a perfect co oldest brother, and I was grateful that someday she would probably be a Jensen and I would have a sister
That Saturday she was happy to letforward to hearing ht do so again The Grih Rachel didn’t seeot to work I tried to help her clean, but she shooedshe didn’t want to share her profits I tiptoed through the kitchen and into the rooht the piano must be The piano was an enorh, the seat a long smooth slash of ebony I desperately wanted to sit down and run my hands across the keys So I did I slid onto the bench and restedwhites I played each one very, very softly, enjoying the individual sounds, the clear tones
"Do you play?" A voice said behind me
My heart jumped out of my chest and tumbled to the floor as I sat frozen, my hands still on the keys
"You touch the keys so reverently, I thought you must play," the voice continued
My heart returned toloudly to let uiltily A bird-like woman, not much taller than me, stood just behind me Her silver hair was fashioned in an updo, all swooped the way Jane Seymour had worn hers in ‘Solasses on her very long nose and a deep purple pantsuit with arnets at her ears, hands, and throat
"I’m Josie," I stammered "Josie Jensen I came with Rachel I don’t play…but I wish I could"