His Evening

The type of evening he is used to having.

He’s humming to himself, that silly boy. Finally, a day went his way. He’s being as ridiculous as he can be, because he knows it makes me laugh.  Dancing and swaying and jumping and bopping along to a beat I don’t hear, he tells me about work, meetings, classes.  I can barely concentrate, I’m laughing so hard.  But it is time for him to work again, and he ends his dance with a bow and a kiss on my forehead. 

He’s in his room again, away from my concerned and prying eyes. The smile he donned just a few moments ago disappears from his deceitful lips.  The piano, as always, is calling his name, and he needs it.  He needs it to comfort him, to tell him that everyone lies and everyone gets scared.  The piano sweetly reminds the poor boy that he could never fail when he plays.  And so he does, his nimble fingers flying across the keys in a fluid, jazzy, bluesy melody.  The open bottle of red wine next to his stool seduces him to take a drink. And then another and another. Soon, sips become swigs, and swigs become gulps.  The pounding on the piano gets louder and more desperate until finally, he feels safe and calm, and somewhat warm.

This is when the keys start to blur together, and it’s now either time to lie down or time to make movies.  In just a few moments, he is out in the chilly night filming a story he understands, but knows no one else will.  He waltzes with his precious camera from spot to spot, entertaining himself in his drunken determination.  Each shot is perfect, not a single second of film wasted. Hours pass, and he doesn’t mind or notice.  But by the end of the night, he has the makings of a film, one he’s proud of.

Reviews

[Cristal Bridges]

This is amazing! I love the fluid motion of this. I can just imagine the music this man is making and the images his camera captures. We as authors, writers, poets, what have you are often like this man when we write. Uninhibited, comforted in the story that we are so artfully making. Involved solely in the picture we are painting upon the blank canvas and the melody we are making. Wonderful piece. :).

[Amit Parmessur]

The second issue of Golden Apple has started accepting Submissions. It will be based solely on Christmas and definitely sounds very exciting! Our editors have already set themselves to work with the Submissions obtained.

We all aim at making this ezine a really nice and positive one!

Submissions (poems, short stories, sketches, song lyrics and any other) are most welcome. Read our GUIDELINES at

http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/submissions.html


Have a look at Issue 1: http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/golden-apple-issue-1-october-2010.html

[Steve]

Well written.....you are a good insightful writer!

[Claws Of Fury]

I love the piano incorporation in this story. The piano is such a tender instrument that fulfills every tone of any other instrument. Very brilliant choice. I am excited!

[My Fair Lady]

I too am a patient of the piano therapist. Not the drunken part.. but the part about feeling calm and safe in the music flowing from my own fingers. This is a beautiful observation and write.

[An Ordinary Woman]

Hello Abigail. I really enjoyed your story. It's well written, interesting and fun with a great story line. congrats on choice of career, (I read your bio) and keep up the great work. I suspect you'll go far. :)

[James Paulin]

I enjoyed this story of a personal creative process. The intimate nature of the piece could have progressed with more continuity as a narration with fewer "he" and "his" words or if the tale were told in the first person. Just my impression.

[The Analog Kid]

I like this a lot. Very original observational style. Our insane routines, vices, and the art we produce.

[PaperHearts]

Oh. My. Gosh. This was an amazing write! I loved the fact that the true intention of the character was never clear, which, in a way, reflects who we all are as human beings. It was almost as if you never quite knew who the character exactly was, yet you were able to get small glimpses of him as the story progressed. I thought it was amazing how insightful and perceptive you were, which made this a really genuine and likeable write. Funnily enough, in reading this story, I felt like I was looking right into my own reflection. :P
~PaperHearts

[Joshua Hood]

this is a guy after my own heart for sure, i.. really.. like this. i understand the lack of frustration he has in no one understanding his interpretation of his art form/forms, as long as he is happy in what he's created he's content. i also like the alcohol being shown as less of a tool to escape, but as a tool to release, not getting away from everything but getting everything off of him :).. i liked this story a lot