7
I told them to pack their things and be out by
the next evening. Claire, who’d always
dragged her feet and complained about
chores, packed with surprising efficiency.
I leaned against the doorframe, watching her
sort through her belongings. Boxes
overflowed with novels, but her sheet music
and music theory books remained untouched.
It seemed she truly intended to abandon the
piano.
A pang of sadness hit me. Perhaps our life
goals were simply different.
As a child, I’d loved music. Teachers had
praised my talent. I’d dreamed of owning a
piano. But my family was poor, my parents
favoring my brother. Lessons, let alone a
piano, were out of the question. I’d practiced
on a cheap recorder, playing the same simple
tunes over and over.
Now, finally able to afford it, and with a
daughter who’d inherited my musical
inclination and expressed a desire to play, I’d poured everything into fulfilling that dream, despite my family’s objections.
Watching Claire play, I’d seen myself in her.
Years ago, protecting Claire from a falling
metal box, I’d injured my fingers. They’d
healed, but the dexterity was gone, my
dreams of playing any instrument shattered.
I’d consoled myself thinking Claire would
fulfill that dream for both of us.
Now, she’d discarded her childhood ambition,
leaving me with nothing but a bittersweet
memory.
So be it. As long as she didn’t regret her
choice.
The front door opened. John’s mother returned from her line dancing class. Seeing
the packed boxes, she demanded an
explanation.
“Grandma!” Claire chirped. “Dad’s divorcing
that old woman! We’re going to be so happy!”
Her mother–in–law beamed. “Divorced! Good
riddance! It’s about time!”
Then, her smile faltered. “Divorced is fine, but why are you packing?”
“Because she gets the house and everything! We’re moving out!” Claire explained.
Her mother-in–law’s face transformed, her voice rising an octave. “John, are you
insane!? Why are you giving her everything!?”
Г
John rushed out of his room. Before he could
speak, Claire jumped in. “She’s so
manipulative, Grandma! She threatened to
take me away if Dad didn’t give her
everything!”
“Of course, Dad wouldn’t give me up! He loves me more than anything!”
Claire’s twisted version of events played perfectly into my hands.
Her mother–in–law nearly exploded. “Crazy! Absolutely crazy! Why would you want her? She’s a money pit! Those piano lessons cost a fortune!”
“I’m not taking piano lessons anymore!”
Claire retorted sullenly.
Her grandmother continued to rant. “That
good–for–nothing was living off that woman! Now that she’s gone, how are we supposed
to afford her?”
Claire’s face turned red. “I’m grown up! I can take care of myself! What are you saying, Grandma? You don’t want me!?”
“Of co-” Her mother–in–law started to say.
音樂
John cut her off. “Mom! Drop it! The papers
are signed. It’s over.
وو
L
“Pack your things. We’re leaving tomorrow.
99
Grumbling about how I’d “gotten away with it” and how she wouldn’t spend a penny on the “useless girl,” his mother stomped off to
pack.
Claire looked uneasy, but still tried to taunt me. “Grandma’s just tough on the outside. She loves me! Unlike you, you’re heartless!”
I smiled, saying nothing. She’d learn soon enough what her grandmother was truly like.
