Adagio

Chapter 7

Today was Coda’s birthday and we organized a surprise party for him, with all his friends and he seems to have enjoyed it. But the minute he realized we were at a piano concert his face lit up and the night sky was no comparison.

“ It’s about to start Coda. Do you need to use the bathroom first?” I whispered into his ears.

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving the stage where a grand piano is waiting for the artist to play it.

I squeezed Jace hand and kissed it. “ Thank you for this, you made my son very happy.”

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“ It’s worth seeing your reaction to seeing your son so happy.”

I chuckled softly and kissed him.

The crowd all hushed and the Maestro bowed to the spectators.

Not a single sound was heard until he raised his hand the music filled our ears.

The first pianist played Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major.

Coda’s eyes sparkled and I couldn’t take my eyes off the pianist.

The music touched my soul and tears began to flow from my eyes.

Anyone who learns the piano can play it, but only a true pianist can move people with his playing. It was a magnificent thing to witness. I turned to Coda he too had tears to his eyes but he was smiling. I wiped his eyes and pulled his tiny hands in mine. He turned to me and smiled but soon focused on the pianist again.

When the first act was finished everybody clapped with joy. It was amazing.

The second pianist played Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in C-Minor.

Another beautiful masterpiece.

This was one of my favourites. When I try to play it, I noticed how hard this composition is and how much it’s filled with emotions. Dark and sad emotions but also vibrant and beautiful, just like the night.

Other pianist played Mozart and Bach, all founders of why I love the piano. Their exquisite music makes my soul vibrate with emotions.

Lastly, every musician finished off the Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D-minor.

I didn’t notice that I was holding my breath until the last note was hit.

After everyone was gone, Coda and I sat still looking at the stage. Jace grabbed my hand in his and squeezed.

When I turned to look at him he smiled and nudged for us to leave, they needed to close the place.

I turned to Coda. He took a deep breath and smiled at me.

“ Let’s go home.”

He nodded.

When we arrived home, Coda went running to the kitchen grabbing a pen and a paper.

He wrote: Do you think I can be like them when I grow up?

I smiled and knelt down to face him.

“Sweetheart, you were born to be one of them.”

Coda’s face lit up and jumped on me.

Soon after he fell asleep.

I sat on Jace’s lap.

“ I can never thank you enough for today.”

He smiled and hugged me to him.

“ No worries.”

I put my fingers under his chin and leaned in to kiss him.

He responded instantly and deepened the kiss.

We didn’t let go until we were both breathless.

“ That’s one hell of a thank you.” He said kissing my cheek.

I chuckled and nuzzled into arms.

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The next morning, Jace had to leave early for work.

First time I ever heard him tell me he has worked.

I closed the door behind me and grabbed my son’s hand.

“ Ready for another week of school?”

He made a face and I chuckled.

We walked to school, admiring the yellow leaves falling from the tired trees.

Suddenly I came to a halt.

I saw Jace, smiling and hugging another girl.

He pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear.

The world stopped. I know it wasn’t what it appears to be but still, it hurt like hell.

I pulled Coda away before he could see anything. I knew another road that we could pass and I dropped him off at school without another word. He seemed to have noticed that I was in shock but he didn’t stop me and he didn’t look at me with a worried look.

I sighed, I didn’t want him to see a thing like that, he’s just a kid maybe he would take things differently. But who am I to speak? I feel like crying but I can’t.

The day went by smoothly, Jace kept texting me but I didn’t have the courage to respond.

When Coda came home, he washed, ate and did his work before going to his room.

I sat on the piano stool.

Remembering one of the piece’s that was played in the play, I stroked the keys and music filled the air.

Mozart Marcha Funebre. I didn’t know why out of all the pieces, I remember in particular this. It was a dark piece. But it touched me like no other.

When I finished the last note and opened my eyes, I saw Coda looking at me.

He didn’t look sad or angry, I couldn’t read his expression.

“ Is everything okay?”

He nodded and came to sit near me.

Then he pointed to the violin standing in the corner.

“ You want me to play it ?”

He nodded and wrote on a piece of paper.

It said Danse Macabre

I sucked in a breath. “ Do you know how difficult that piece is ?”

He nodded, his look didn’t waver.

“ You want to play it with me?”

He smiled and nodded.

“ I can’t promise I will get every note right,” I said grabbing the violin.

He nodded and after the usual 1-2-3.

We began. I closed my eyes and I played the notes.

He soon began playing with me.

We were in perfect sync.

Even if we were only novices the sound we made was beautiful in more ways than one.

It was a very difficult piece, but we somehow managed to hit every note.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Davina, Blaine and Lana looking at us with eyes wide.

“ What?”

They didn’t speak.

I looked at Coda and he shrugged.

“ It’s been so long since we heard your violin. I forgot how amazing you are at it.” Davina said.

I shook my head. “ Hardly.”

Then Coda came running to me with a bright smile. Then he pointed to his room.

“ What?”

He ran into his room, after a second he came out with his new drum set.

Then he ran to Blaine and pulled him to the drum set. Then he sat on the stool of the piano.

I figured what he wanted to say.

“ So he wants to try it again, this time adding the special effects of the drum,” I said to Blaine.

Blaine smiled at Coda and nodded.

“ Ready when you are.” He smiled again.

After a couple of tries, we managed to play it without problems.

I forgot how beautiful the violin was.

After Coda slept, I grabbed the violin again.

I remembered a song I used to love. Tartini Violin Sonata: Devil’s Trill Sonata.

After finishing, I looked at the others and they all smiled at me.

“ Got your mojo back,” Lana said.

I chuckled and stroked the violin.

“ Can I ask something?” Blaine said.

I nodded.

“ I love the songs you choose, but they were all solemn as if you were crying inside.” He said.

My eyes went wide, I didn’t even notice.

“ Did something happen?” Davina asked.

I sighed and sat on the sofa, telling them what I saw today.

At first they told me not to think about it but later on, they told me to ask him directly.

“ I know it’s in your character to think a lot but you should ask him, Iris,” Lana said putting her hand on mine.

“ What would you do?” I asked her.

She thought for a moment. “ I would probably kick him in his Turk but then again that’s how I’m made. But I would probably think just like you.”

I nodded.

After talking some more they left me alone with my thoughts.

A sudden knock on my door woke me up. Noticing that I ended up sleeping on the sofa.

I looked at the clock.

3 a.m?!

Who knocks at this hour?

When I went to the door, Jace was leaning in looking tired.

“ What are you doing here at this hour?” I asked.

He leaned in and kissed me roughly.

He tasted like booze.

I pushed him slightly.

“ You reek of Jim Bean.”

He nodded and closed the door behind him.

“ I took too much to drink.” He said slurping in his words.

I pulled him to the sofa, giving him a glass of cold water.

He drank it all in one gulp.

Then he laid on the sofa looking at me.

” What?” I asked sighing.

“ You didn’t talk to me today.”

“ And that’s why you drank so much?” I said, pitying myself even for asking.

He nodded.

“ Why?”

“ Because you don’t even know how important you are to me.” He hiccuped.

“ Then who was that blonde girl I saw you with this morning?”

His eyes went wide, he looked guilty.

I chuckled and turned away, putting the glass in the sink.

Suddenly two hands slammed on the counter near mine. Locking me in place.

“ Jace you’re drunk. Go to sleep.”

He didn’t respond.

After a couple of seconds of silence, his breath touched my bare neck making me shiver. “ She was only a friend, Iris. True she wanted more but I didn’t let her. I’m yours and only yours.”

“ How can I trust you, Jace? You are so good looking and of course, girls would fall on their feet for you and if this is the way it’s gonna be, it doesn’t appeal to me to find out more.”

He gasped.

” Don’t say that.”

I sighed.

“Jace, just go to sleep.”

He grabbed me and crushed me to him.

“ I need you, Iris.”

“ Do you now?”

“ Yes.”

“ You know what I need?”

“ I need to take care of my son. That’s what I need.” I continued.

I could feel him shake his head.

“ I know.”

“ Then let me go. You can sleep on the sofa.”

I slipped away from his grip and walked away but he pulled my hand and locked me to the wall.

“ Jace,” I said, getting a bit scared.

He kissed me and pulled me closer.

I tried to free myself but he was too strong. He kept kissing me and pulling me to him. Closer and closer.

He started to unbutton my shirt. I gasped and pushed him, making him fall on the floor.

I heard a door open.

Coda came into view. He looked at Jace.

I pulled him up and went into his room.

“ Don’t worry sweetheart. Jace’s is only a little upset.”

He didn’t seem convinced but he nodded and closed his eyes.

When I was sure he was asleep, I closed his door and went into the kitchen.

Jace was standing, holding his face in his hand.

When he was about to speak, I slapped him.

Hot tears fell from my eyes.

“ Out of all things, you let my son see that.”

He looked at his feet.

“ Go away, Jace.”

He looked at me with sad eyes. My heart crushed but I couldn’t let Coda see this again. He got drunk and came for me. If one day we end up fighting and he drinks he could hurt Coda. I couldn’t let that happen.

He was about to say something but I turned away from him.

After a second, I heard him walk my way and he put his arms around me and kissed my head.

I had to put my hand on my mouth so that he wouldn’t hear my sobs.

He left quietly after that.

Leaving the room quiet and still. Making the only sound in the room, my soft sobs and breaking heart.