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Gorecki – Sys –written about the Second World War The second , always in Mary inscribed on a cell wall in Zakopane, Poland by an 18-year old girl as a prisoner

I was so glad that Drake left lad he understood the nificance toexcluded, but was so relieved that he illing to go during the performance

Upshaw entered the concert hall to cheers, the violinists tapping their bows against their music stands She bowed and took her place The conductor finally entered after Upshaw, and then, after a brief introduction, the an

The opening phrase was sis and piano starting out soft and light, repeating a phrase that was beautiful, aled A darker note taken up by the double bass, the cellos It repeated, again and again like a funeral bell tolling Upshaw began, her voicein Polish, the lyrics included in both Polish and English in our program

E irl's hter Once, when I used to listen to this, I thought of the family my mother lost in the camps in Poland, but now, I could only think of ressive breast cancer I tried to hold backthe last phrase, her voice raised as she called out to her mother, they spilled over and dripped down my cheeks I wiped my eyes quickly with a hand and then pulled out a tissue fro

I didn't want Drake there beside me, to witness my tears

My father was so completely clueless as if he couldn't understand how personal and ehter This was the first time I heard this since my mother died

When Upshaw finished the piece, the applause was deafening A standing ovation followed and I glanced around, the tissue to et hold o

verin an elasses trained on me

I leaned back, trying to hide in the shadows, but it was too late He'd seenme

Bastard!

Everyone stood, clapping, shouts of "Brava!" fro to regain my composure

I could hardly listen to the rest of theAt intermission, my father escorted us to the lobby for a drink but I went to the restroo to fix my makeup before I had to face Drake When I left the restroom, Drake was already with my father and his wife, a circle oftheht to the box, refusing to join them

Barely a moment after I'd been back, Drake arrived and sat besidetowards me, his voice soft

"How are you?"