Chapter Four
Tanner
“Mr. Tanner?”
My head had been in the clouds, waiting for the first dance class to begin. It was Saturday, and classes ran all day long. When I looked down, a tiny hand with bright-red fingernails was closed in a fist. “Yes?”
“Open your hand.” The little girl’s voice commanded, so I held it out. Seconds later she opened her fingers and a Tootsie Roll fell into my palm. Then she giggled and ran across the room to her group of friends who all stared at me with their hands over their mouths. I made a big show of unwrapping the piece of candy and eating it. At that moment I felt like the most privileged musician on the planet.
Though playing piano for Aunt Dottie’s school wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I had to admit to a certain satisfaction watch
