This music he knew very well. It was the special Beethoven tune his mother had always played for his mute little sister, Christina. He loved how much she enjoyed music, but it wasn't for him.
Their mother was a highly respected piano teacher throughout her lifetime. So many people, usually grown-ups, had exclaimed, “How fortunate you are to have such a wonderful music instructor in your very own house,” knowing full well he didn’t take piano lessons. He didn’t know why he'd resisted music lessons all these years, he just had. He was thankful his mother hadn’t forced him, like so many parents did. Like his friend Kathy’s mom. Kathy would drag over to his house for her lessons. He could tell her heart wasn’t in it and it showed in her mechanical playing. But she put on the image of “culture” the way she put on her designer clothes.
Tyler really didn't want to get closer to that mansion. But the tune sounded so peppy and full of energy, like a little dog chasing its tail, so nostalgic, that it seemed to be calling to him.Hearing it filled his mind with so many memories. He thought of how Christina danced to that music and how their mother always promised she'd teach her how to play some day when she was a little older.
Unfortunately that day never came. For the last two years Tyler and Christina lived with only their stern father, the Honorable Judge Harrington, and the live-in nanny.
Tyler was finally learning to accept his family's new situation, but he could never forget the last night with his mother before she passed on.
She had had a dark vision of impending destruction which terrified her, but hope lingered in her eyes when she spoke. “Tyler,dear, someday you'll be doing something very important for me—something wonderful for Christina and for yourself. I'll send you a clear sign when it's time. A great teacher will guide you.”
Tyler had clung to that hope, looking high and low for the sign, but two years had passed and nothing remarkable had happened.He was beginning to lose faith.
Until now.
