A New Beginning

The two of them entered the out of date building and immediately went took the elevator to the basement floor. Doors opened to a plain white wall with an unfilled glass poster frame. Ben followed the older man down the hall. On either side of them were the offices of all the music staff. Apparently, most of the lecturing rooms were on the floors above and the practice rooms and rehearsal halls were on this floor. Taking in the names of the staff and the musical decorations hung all around them almost caused him to run right into Robert, who had stopped and was now unlocking his office door. Ben had never been to the campus as his friend had landed the job a week before Ben and Lisa had decided to move to Germany almost six years ago so he didn’t know what to expect. Robert’s office wasn’t a janitor's closet, but for the department head, it seemed small. A small fridge was crammed in the corner to his right just leaving enough room to squeeze behind the desk. Of course, it didn’t help that there were two large bookcases facing the door containing probably around 100 books at least, on everything from music to politics. “Sorry, it’s a bit of a mess in here,” Robert said setting his bag on the ground to his right after taking a seat behind the desk. In front of the desk were two comfy looking office chairs that were most likely often used by students. 

“This is a nice little set up you got here,” Ben commented taking a seat in the chair closest to the door. 

“Thanks, it’s nothing special.” He shuffled through some of the papers sitting on his wooden desk. There were a few piles on either side with a couple of folders mixed in. Ben wasn’t the OCD kind of person, but he really wanted to clean his friend's office… It was just too messy. One would think a former politician would have better organizational skills. “Ok, so let me just grab a few things then we will head to your new office, then your classroom, and introduce you to some people. I think Rose and Matt are here.” Ben rose one eyebrow in confusion. Throughout the years apart the two of them had FaceTimed a lot and they kept each other updated on their lives so he knew a lot of Robert’s staff, but it had been a while. “Matt teaches the band and first-year theory and ear training students. He’s very energetic, you may like him…” Robert scrambled the rest of the papers and gestured to the door. His friend was getting into work mode. It was a mindset that one he fell into it was very hard to pull him out of. Outside the office stood a tall black-haired middle-aged woman. With a light jacket in one hand and a shoulder bag strap gripped in the other, she waited for Robert to notice her. He had backed out of his office, about a million papers in his hands, and was locking the door, so Ben stood there awkwardly. “Rose is-.” He finally locked the door and noticed the woman. “Right here… Ben this is Rosemary Smith, Rose this is Benjamin Ascher.” 

Her deep blue eyes finally met his and he reached out to shake her hand. “Hi.” He said plainly as they shook.

“Nice to meet you.” She smiled a genuine look of interest on her face. This woman radiated a wave of happiness, not energetic, but like walking outside on a cool crisp spring morning. He had no idea what to think about it. The only real contact he had with another person was Robert and a coffee shop owner in Germany. At the thought of the little cottage and the tight-knit town he had spent his mental recovery in, he started to feel a little homesick. Rose snapped him from his thoughts. “Robert has told me so much about you.” 

Ben turned a suspicious gaze on his friend trying to pick up on the mood Rose was presenting. “Oh has he now…”

The older man hesitated, “I…may have told her a few things.” 

Beside him Rose laughed, readjusting her shoulder bag. “I found the trip to New York to be the funniest thing I have heard in my lifetime. Rob you’re going to have to finish it one day.” She gave him a wink. 

The only thing that saved Robert from getting punched in the face was his phone going off. Shifting the papers to his other arm the older man reached into his pocket while managing to take a few steps away from the two of them. Smart man… “So, Rob told me he was bringing in a professional from Germany to take over Melissa’s classes.” 

An awkward snort escaped his mouth, one he wished he could immediately take back, but he moved on. “I wouldn’t say professional… I haven’t touched a keyboard in a while.” Some of the newly found enthusiasm began to fade away as he remembered the reason why. 

“Hey, that’s all right. You’ll be starting with first level piano students. Most of them don’t know a thing.” Rose gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “You can all learn together.” Were people normally this cheerful? Had he been isolated so long that he forgot what a real human interaction was? 

He gave her a forced smile and opened his mouth to say something but Robert had inched his way back. “Bad news, apparently Kyle is still fighting us for the funds we need to buy that Steinway. Claims his kids need new lab equipment.” The older man was rapidly texting with one hand and while relaying the information. 

“What no!” Rose gasped beside him. “You presented the budget months ago. The dean told us we would be able to get it this year.” 

“I know. I’m trying to fix it…” He finished his text and finally looked up. “I have to go meet with Kyle and the rest of those assholes. Ben…Can I show you around another time?” 

He held up his hands, “Totally. Go show them that politician's anger.” The older man gave a slight smile and began towards the elevators. 

“Oh, you know what… Rose, would you be able to show Ben around? I don’t want his dumb ass thinking the janitor's closet is the exit.” Rose held up a thumb in agreement. Ben also held up a single finger. Even in their late age they still acted like immature schoolboys at times. 

“Come on this will be fun.” She grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him down the hall, the opposite direction of the exit. As he followed her deeper into the music building his phone vibrated. “Robert gives boring tours. When he first hired me, all he did was point to rooms and list off what classes were held there. Music Theory 1 here, Ear training 1 in there…” She rolled her eyes. Ben took a second to glance at his phone, Robert: “She’s single.” Oh dear God… He did this on purpose. 

Chapter 3

This was not a date, not in the least. Right? Rose had shown him around the entire music building, even to his office which he loved. It was the exact same as Robert’s, but uncluttered, other than the desk, and ready to be decorated. So many ideas popped into his head on which posters he was going to hang and how he was going to fill his workplace. Ben didn’t get to dwell on those ideas as Rose suggested they grabbed a cup of coffee. Not wanting to be rude to the woman that had just spent the better part of an hour showing him around his new workplace he of course agreed. 

“There is this great little wagon that sits on the corner of Morgan Street. Come on, let's grab a cup.” The perky woman said. The two of them rode the elevator up the stairs. “So, how long have you been playing the piano?” 

“About 48 years. Started when I was 4.” She let out a low whistle and Ben quickly turned the subject on her. Ben was never one to brag about himself. “How…How long have you been playing viola?” Rose had made it clear that violas were the under most appreciated stringed instrument in all orchestras during their tour.

“40 years.” She smiled. “My father started me out when I was 6, saying I had to be the talented one in the family.” Gently tucking a rebellious piece of hair behind her ear she let out a huff. “God knows he wasn’t musically inclined. Are you the only musician in the family?” 

The elevator doors opened and the two of them started for the small coffee cart. “Yeah, my father was a mechanic and my mother was a nurse. They weren’t very musically inclined. My mother thought Beethoven was a dog…” 

She smiled, “No siblings?” Side by side they crossed Harrison Street. For once there weren’t any cars on the road. 

A genuine smile rose to Ben’s face. “Does Robert count? He’s like a brother to me. Crabby old bastard.” 

To his relief, she laughed. Why did it matter if she laughed? Dam it Robert. He totally did this on purpose. There probably wasn’t even a meeting. “I suppose he counts. He’s a good guy that one.” They arrived at the small cart, an older polish woman sat on a stool reading a newspaper only to perk up when she saw them. It was a content little setup, with a couple coffee containers warmed by solar-powered warmers. Supplies filled the renaming space on the little counter and a small decorative sign hung at the ‘entrance.’ “Can I get a large vanilla latte?” Rose asked the cart manager. The polish woman nodded, a genuine smile at the sight of customers on her face. Her eyes met Ben’s and he took a step forward. 

“Large black coffee please.” Ben pulled out his wallet as Rose began digging in her pockets. “Don’t worry I got it.” 

“Are you sure?” She smiled blue eyes flashing. 

“Of course.” Though the cart manager probably had 15 years on Ben, she was quick. By the time he had the 10 dollar bill in his hand, she placed both coffees on the little serving spot. “It’s the least I can do. I appreciate the detailed tour.” Ben picked up both coffees and handed Rose hers. “Keep it. Thank you.” He nodded to the Polish woman who returned a smile. 

Rose raised her cup in salute and started walking. “To new friends.” 

Something began to stir in the bottom of his gut and he couldn’t decide if he liked it or not. “To new friends.”