Melodies in the Blood

The candles weren’t actually lit, but they felt warm against little three year old Charlie. The three candles were atop a small cake, decorated by Charlie’s mother with blobs of frosting that were supposed to be little clouds. Charlie’s mother, father, and Memaw all sang happy birthday while Charlie was head first in the cake.

“I brought you a birthday present, Charlie. Go ahead and open it.” Memaw motioned to an extremely large, larger than Charlie, present wrapped in a way that gave away the present before it was opened.

Charlie didn’t really know what it was, but was excited to have such a large present. Charlie tried to unwrap it, but Memaw ended up helping.

“A piano! You shouldn’t have—“ Charlie’s mother said.

“I wanted to! Besides you know I have a lot of these at the music store. And, I can tune it for free,” Memaw interrupted.

As frustrated as Charlie’s mother was, she was happy to see Charlie giggling and pressing down the piano keys.

“As long as you give Charlie free lessons too, I’ll keep it.”

“Deal.”

Seven years later…

“Is Memaw going to be okay?” Tears were streaming down Charlie’s cheeks.

“I don’t know Charlie.” The two hugged each other tightly.

Charlie’s mother guided Charlie into Memaw’s hospital room. The lights were too bright, so Memaw blinked more than normal. There was a steady beeping, marking Memaw’s heart rate.

“Charlie, I want you to know I love you, and I love your mother. I’m here for you. Always. My…my final wish is for you to keep playing music. I don’t care if you only listen to songs on the radio, or it’s through your children. Music played such a special role in my life, and I want it to be there for you too.”

The steady beeping slowed down, and Charlie was shoved out of the room while the adults were panicking.

Six years had passed, but Charlie never forgot about Memaw. Charlie’s mother just told Charlie to get over it. She had already moved on. The inheritance money probably helped. What was supposed to be a milestone birthday, Charlie’s tenth birthday, ended up feeling incomplete without Memaw.

Charlie couldn’t keep the bad thoughts away, so Charlie was immersed into school. Charlie studied day and night. If Charlie was doing something at all times, the thoughts of Memaw would go away.

The only time Charlie played music was in school, the orchestra needed a piano, so Charlie volunteered. Even still, as sad as Charlie was, Charlie’s tenth birthday party was full of Charlie’s friends from the orchestra. The birthday party was music themed; Memaw would approve.

“Charlie! It’s time to blow out your candles,” Charlie’s mother said, and brought out a cake shaped like an Alto Chef.

A crowd formed around Charlie, but the only thing Charlie thought while blowing out the candles was “I wish Memaw I could have ten more minutes with Memaw. I’d do anything to see her again.”

The crowd dispersed as they talked and ate cake. Charlie just walked out to “get some air”, and returned when the party was over. Only Charlie’s mother noticed, but she couldn’t leave thirty children unattended. So, Charlie was alone.

Eight years later, Charlie was at the smallest birthday celebration, but this time it was different then the other parties. Charlie wasn’t celebrating with a bunch of random kids, Charlie was celebrating with genuine friends. Friends that supported Charlie through anything. Veronica, Kai, and Rowan.

This time Charlie made the cake, in bold blue frosting was Ithaca, which had one of the best music programs in the country.

Veronica jumped up and down at the sight of the cake. “You’re going to Ithaca!!!” she realized how loud she was, and started speaking at a normal volume. “I know how much you wanted to go, and I’m so happy that you got in. Your Memaw would be proud.”

At those words, Charlie began tearing up. “Thanks Veronica. You really don’t know how much that means to me.”

Rowan said, “Even if your Memaw isn’t here, we’re here to support you. Always.”

“Group hug everybody!” Kai said and went in for a hug.

Even if they lost contact for a couple of months, or even a few years, when a member of the group was struggling, the others were there. Always.

Twenty years later…

Charlie had three kids, named after Charlie’s friends, Veronica, Kai, and Rowan, spreading the music to a new generation. And, on Veronica’s fifth birthday, Charlie decided it was time.

Charlie brought out a brand new violin, cello, and an old rusty piano, Memaw’s piano, and laid it out on the floor for the children to see.

“Music is such an important thing to me, and I want it to be an important part of your life too. Choose which instrument you want, but you can choose another instrument from my shop if you’d like.”

Veronica ran straight towards the violin. She took the bow and bounced it across the strings, giggling and bouncing along with the bow.

Kai wobbled a bit as he walked to the cello. It was a bit too heavy for him, but that didn’t stop him.

When Rowan eventually got to the piano, Rowan just slammed on a couple of keys. It was an awful sound at first, but Rowan eventually learned that thirds make a nice sound. Rowan eventually ended up playing thirds up and down the piano.

Sixty years later…

Charlie’s bones creaked as this elderly person handed their instruments to the kids, a violin, cello, and Memaw’s piano. Maybe it was for the last time. Just to be sure, Charlie prepared a speech.

“I still plan to be around for a couple more years, but as a precaution I’ll tell you this now. I hope that you continue to spread music through this world. It doesn’t have to be the traditional way. Find your own way to share music. It will help you through the tough times. Just remember that I’ll love you. Always.”