What Love Sees

Five

The Stirlings were having lunch with the Waters one Sunday afternoon when Garry asked Natalie to play, Natalie couldn’t be more pleased, she beamed as she sat at the piano.

Everyone sat in silence listening, even her parents and it hit Natalie that this was really the first time her parents had been forced to pay attention to her while she played. She always played her music at home, but her parents never sat down to listen or even pay attention, they were always busy doing one thing or the other. Even Elizabeth was forced to sit in silence to listen, she had tried several times to engage Richard in conversation, but he told her to listen to her sister and didn’t Natalie sound really nice, Elizabeth huffed and folded her arms but she was silent as she listened.

“Oh my dear, that was really beautiful” said Emily when Natalie finished her song, Emily turned to Maybelline and asked her didn’t she think so, Maybelline was genuinely surprised

“Yes, I have to admit it was nice, I have never heard you play”,

Natalie laughed and mentioned that she always played at home

After lunch, Natalie thanked Garry and Emily for having her for lunch, but she had to leave as she had music rehearsals

“It’s been lovely spending time with you as always and thank you Garry for letting me play”, she said as she kissed his cheek

“Of course, my dear, I look forward to having you play some more”

“I’ll drop you off Natalie, I was just leaving to pick up some files from work”, it was Richard, Elizabeth’s head snapped up and she frowned at him but before she could say anything, Natalie thanked Richard and said he did not have to as she was going to call a taxi

“Yes Richard, you really don’t have to” said Elizabeth

“It’s all right; I was on my way to the office any way” replied Richard and he made his excuses, he kissed Emily on the cheek

“Sorry I have to leave now mother, but I do have some work to do, it’s always great spending time with you Robert and Maybelline”

Elizabeth was having a hard time controlling herself, she was glaring at Richard now

“What about me? Are you just going to leave me here?”

Richard smiled and kissed her on the cheek,

“I’m sorry Elizabeth but I really need to get to the office and there’s no reason for Natalie to get a cab when I can drop her off” he said and turned to Natalie and asked her if she was ready, Natalie nodded

Richard and Natalie rode in silence for a while, Natalie touched the window and smiled

“It’s a beautiful day isn’t it? Tell me, what does it look like?” she asked but Richard frowned

“It’s bleary, dark and annoying”

“That’s the way you look. I was asking about the weather”

Richard smiled

“That’s better, so what’s been eating at you all day, you’ve got something on your mind, you hardly said a word during lunch and you’ve been scowling since we got into the car”

Richard glanced at Natalie in surprise, “You know, you do surprise me a lot Natalie, how do you do it?”

“And you do have a way of avoiding a question”

Richard laughed, “Seriously, it’s like you are in a person’s head, you see a lot more than most folks and you are very perceptive”

“Well, I’ve spent a long time relying on my other senses, I guess it’s just become really perceptive and sensitive, every sigh or body movement tells me something, so go on, describe the day to me, it’ll make you feel better too,”

Richard laughed and said it was sunny and spring, a fine Sunday afternoon

“It smells so good too, fresh, God, I love spring”

“You love spring, why in the world do you love spring? It’s always raining and wet”

Natalie shook her head

“Because it means that summer will be here soon, with the flowers blooming, everyone nice and cheerful, though I don’t know why they have to wait till summer, the day is always bright and it beckons to you,

Richard glanced at her as she continued dreamily

“The trees and grasses are green, God! It’s beautiful”

“You know, most times, we fail to appreciate what we see around us, I guess we take it for granted”, said Richard and he sighed

“Life is wonderful, God is beautiful and creation is beautiful, it all depends on where you stand to view it”

“I must be standing in the dump, sometimes, I swear, I wonder about my life”

Richard stopped the car and faced Natalie, looking at her intently

“How do you do it? How is it that you are so positive, so bright, so…full of life, insight and perception”

Natalie laughed

“You should have been here a few years ago; I was resentful, angry and felt all negative emotions you could ever think of. I was full of hatred and envy for everyone else because I lost my sight. But then, a friend helped change my life, she talked about maximising your life no matter what, many great people in history had one flaw or disability or the other but they never let it define them. Then I made the decision to make something of my life and not let anyone or anything deter me, it’s definitely not been an easy journey but here I am, it’s still a work in progress mind you”

Natalie smiled when Richard held her hand

“Life has taught me that to take control of my life, I need to change my attitude towards it”

Natalie’s voice trailed off as she was lost in thoughts, Richard looked at her tenderly and smiled.

“Oh, the car’s stopped, are we there yet?” asked Natalie and Richard replied yes,

“I’m glad you are doing your music, you play and sing so beautifully, I hope you pursue a career in it” said Richard

“Thank you, I do actually love my music, it’s one of the best ways to communicate, when I am playing or singing is the time I really do let go of myself and be who I am and I don’t want that to change. Music means so much to me and I couldn’t bear it if someone starts dictating to me what I can do and can’t do because I am getting paid for it”

“Yeah, I know what you mean, but you could consider going independent, with technology and everything going on, you can self-publish your music and take charge of your music”, Natalie nodded and said she had not really thought about that

“Well now you can and should, and tell you what, I will be more than happy to set you up, personally and I wouldn’t even charge you a dime”, said Richard and they both laughed.

Richard opened the door as Natalie got out of the car and he asked what time she would be done with rehearsals, Natalie told him and Richard nodded, he said he would pick her up

“And we could grab something to eat, if that’s okay with you”

“Thanks Richard but you really do not have to”

“You know, I really don’t like that phrase in your vocabulary, and any way, I need the company, I’ll see you later” said Richard and he kissed her cheeks and he was gone.