Nona remembers the music ( A short story) 

Nona hadn't spoken for a year now. She seemed normal in every other way but her eyes held a faraway look and she had stopped talking. Nona was Abby's grandmother. Abby's mother brought her to live with them since she worried about her mother now. The doctor said Nona seemed Ok and would probably come out of the shock of her husband’s death when she was ready. It could not be forced.

Abby was very fond of Nona. She wondered sometimes why her grandmother didn't talk anymore.
But then she had other things to think of too. There was school and there were friends. There was hockey. And there were piano lessons. And piano recitals. Of late it was the latter that were spoiling the nearly eleven year old's peace of mind. Abby had been learning music for the last 6 years. Reading of the alphabet and reading of music had commenced almost simultaneously, at the tender age of five.

Mummy had the ear. So had Nona. In fact Nona had been a music teacher par excellence. Last year it had been she who had helped Abby with her annual piano recital. Nona had selected a simple arrangement  and Abby had played it and managed second place. Nona had been so proud of her.

Abby wished with all her heart that Nona could listen to her play at the recital this year too.  Her music teacher had selected Beethoven's "Fur Elise". Abby thought it rather ambitious. She had been note perfect for some time now. But something about the piece didn’t sound right. It sounded forced and mechanical. Mummy played the CD for her every morning. But  Abby could not feel the music. If only Nona could show her how it should be played. 

That evening Abby took hold of Nona's hand and pulled her along to where she was practicing. She placed a chair nearby so that Nona could hear the music and also watch Abby's hands.
As Abby started to play an idea struck her. If only she could carry it out.

Abby fumbled over a few notes and then played the next page flawlessly. As she flipped the page she saw what she was waiting for. A set of sharpened D notes. 
Abby glanced at Nona out of the corner of her eye. Nona was actually listening. Her mind had slowly tuned into the old familiar piece. Nona’s hand moved to the side of her chair. She tapped her hand on the wood as she kept time to the music. Abby was actually playing quite well. 

And then it came. A fumble through a run.  A set of false notes. "NO" screamed Nona's mind "Those Ds should be sharpened." A fumble again and then Abby seemed to correct herself. Abby pressed down on the pedal. She released the pedal in a hurry. She was doing it all wrong. Did she think she was driving a car? She picked her  way through the debris of  her performance in the next few bars. As she reached the repeated section she played some more D naturals instead of D sharps.
By now Nona was fidgeting uncomfortably in her chair. The ear was deeply offended by such a rash of errors.

"Get up child" said Nona as she rose from her chair, "Let me show you how it's done."

Delighted, Abby turned around.

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Author’s Note:  Anyone interested in knowing how Abby should have played “Fur Elise” may click here J

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