Grandma's Piano

winner---9/5/2009

ID: 896794   (Rated: 13+) Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  Enter your story of 300 words or less. Note new starting time! by arakun the twisted raccoon

           Charlene took her place on the piano bench and arranged her organdie ruffles around her.  She said,  “I’m going to play Barcarole for you, Grandma,  because I know it’s one of your favorites.”  And play it she did, perfectly, just as I knew she would.  My cousin Charlene was always perfect.  Little Miss Perfect with the golden curls and big blue eyes.  There was applause as she finished.  Grandma dabbed at her eyes  and the aunts beamed with pride.

         I knew what was coming.  “Now let’s hear something from Mollie,” Grandma said.  After five decades I can still feel the panic and shame!  “I can’t,” I protested.

         “Nonsense, Dear, of course you can!” said Grandma. 

         I thought, why can’t they just let Charlene show off and perform since she loves to and does it so well, and leave me alone? 

         Aunt Belle coached me, “Just play something simple.” 

         So I was on the bench.  I only knew two pieces well enough to play them at all.  Somehow I managed to find the keys and played “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

         I played it badly and I knew it.  Aunt Belle had tried to teach me and would not give up even though she knew I was a lost cause.  There was a silence when I finished and I ran away in tears.  As I left the room I heard one of the aunts say, “Isn’t it strange?  She has had just as many lessons as Charlene.”

         That was ages ago and I still feel like crying when I think of it.  Today at Charlene’s funeral that is what I’m thinking.  That is why I’m crying.

         Now Grandma’s  piano is mine as the last of my generation.



287 words