strandedworlds

[strandedworlds]

Finding Home #1

Thalia had just come from her sister’s funeral and wandered alone through the night lighted city of Chicago. Her mind just floating. Her eyes gazing into the darkness. The late September breeze brushing over her face. In the pitch-black suit, shirt and tie she blended into the night.

“Where is he?” A black-haired woman with a violin in her hand yelled down the hall. She was standing in a beautiful red dress backstage of one of her biggest concerts yet. The director came down the hall. “I have no idea. I checked everywhere.” “This can’t be happening.” “I am sorry Kate, but I think we have to cancel.” “We have one other hope.” “And that would be?” “Finding a trumpet player, who can play like Andrew in under 2 hours.” She knew that the chances were slim, but she had to try.

“Excuse me do you play the trumpet? No?” One of the violinists of the orchestra turned to Kate. “This is impossible.” Kate knew she was right. The director and the other musicians were calling friends, colleagues and acquaintances to try and find someone, while she and some other violins asked people on the street. “Okay go in already I will come soon.” A woman turned around the corner in a black suit. Wright clothing already she thought. As she came closer Kate could see her beautiful blond hair in a French braid in contrast to her blue eyes. Last person you are going to ask today she said to herself. She stepped forward to ask the woman and obviously startled her. “I am sorry, but can I ask you something?” “Yes, why not. Chicago Symphonic Orchestra, wright?” “Mm, yes correct.” She was surprised and smiled. “Do you by any chance play the trumpet?” “Yes, why.” “Oh my gosh, YES!” “Come on we need you.” And with that Thalia got dragged into the concert hall.

“Dave, I found someone!” “This must be good.” The music director chimed. “This is … mm.” She turned to the woman who she had just dragged in and whose wrist she was still holding. “Thalia.” “She plays trumpet.” Kate adds with excitement. “I guess this is our best shot.” “What do I have to play?” “An arrangement for Orchestra with Trumpet and Violin soli of the Violin Concerto in D major from Tchaikovsky because our other player canceled. I mean rightly dressed are you already.” Dave said pointing at her outfit. “Full Name?” He continued. “You going to publish that in any way?” She asked after a slight pause. “Yes, we are also going to be on tv live.” “Okay, then Elisabeth Kemper.” “Thanks, Thalia here are the notes and the door through the left is a room with a trumpet where you can practice. You have one hour.” He explains while thinking: If this actually works a wonder will have occurred.

“I don’t think that that is her real name some how.” Kate said as soon a she was gone. “Kate what do you expect, if she really can play this than she is good and good people come with contracts. If they find out that she played for us her career could be over Kate.” “You’re probably right.”

Thalia was in the practice room. She already once played this piece years ago. She absolutely loved it. It touched her in someway that made her not feel so alone. She was just going over some parts she knew were difficult when the black haired entered. “Hey, there.” She smiled at Thalia. Their eyes met. The Violinist was pale in contrast to her black hair that fell openly over her shoulder. She had a beautiful red dress on. “It seems you already played the piece.” She continued. “Yes.” Thalia answered while sitting down on the table in front of her. “So, you are?” She asked with a smile. “Sorry, Kate well Katherine Willnox. I will be playing the violin. Well, I am actually nervous like a lot.” Her eyes suddenly pinned to the floor. “Hey, we have a forgiving audience not like in some other places.” She answered while removing her tie. “Come on look at me.” Thalia added softly. Kate’s dark eyes darted up and found those calm blue ones. “You don’t have to worry, you got this.”

For Isiah Kemper music was a part of him deep down in his heart. He still played his various instruments everyday but only for himself. Today like every evening he switched on the tv for the musical programme. He loved watching people play music with all of their imperfections, if it came from the heart. He found that watching no name orchestras evolve and challenge themselves to get better touched him on a deep level. Today it was the Chicago Symphonic Orchestra. He sat down and listened to the commentary. “The Chicago Symphonic Orchestra never had much success getting the attention it deserved. Due to the lack of promotion from the last musical director, who paid a lot of attention to the music itself and bending out the kinks of this orchestra. But the new director has set his focus on a more public CSO. Oh, wait I am getting some last-minute changes here. I am just hearing that the soli will be performed by Katherine Willnox on the Violin, no change there. But the trumpet will now be played by Elisabeth Kemper….” A surprised smile came over Isiah’s face, who was knocked out of his boots with this announcement. He had never felt prouder in his life than in this second where he saw his beautiful daughter step on to the stage with a smile on her face in a black pantsuit and her shiny trumpet in her hand. As soon as she started to play, he could hear her heart and her soul that manifested itself in the music. In this moment he knew that she was finally free.

The concert went of without a hitch. Only few people if at all could have told that they had never played together. Thalia had told her two things before the concert. Firstly, that she could do it, what was true and that she should lead, and it worked. She just played like she always did, and Thalia matched her perfectly it was almost magical when theirs eyes had met on stage. It made her feel like she was the only one in the room, which relaxed her tremendously. She felt extremely attracted to her. The director was more than happy with the concert. Now he was running down the hall when he bumped into her. “That was amazing Katherine!” He exclaimed happily as he patted her on the back. “We need to convince this trumpet player to join us.” He continued with a searching eye to find her. “Yeah, she is really good.” Kate agreed. With that he continued to walk down the hall to look for her. Kate was standing with other musicians from the orchestra talking happily about the concert when she saw in the corner of her eye a familiar blonde French braid exciting through the door. She went after her: “Hey, Thalia! Wait.” The blonde stopped halfway down the stairs and turned around. “You do know that you can’t just escape without letting me properly thank you.” She declared which sounded flirtier than she actually intended. She was just about to continue when a piece of paper lying on the stairs caught her attention and she picked it up. Kate could only briefly skim the paper before Thalia took it out of her hands, but it was enough. Thalia had just come from a funeral that was clear. She was now standing one step over Thalia in slightly awkward silence. “I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t dress this fly all the time.” Thalia said with a sad smile on her face. “I am sorry.” Thalia nodded as response. Kate continued: “I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me. We would…I would be really grateful to have you join us. Think about it our doors are open.” “Yeah, I will.” With that they parted ways.

Katherine originally wanted to treat Thalia for a dinner but according to the situation she found it a tad inappropriate. She really hoped that Thalia would take the offer of their music director. It was a selfish reason, but she wanted to see her again.

Back outside in the fresh and cold breeze Thalia looked up into the clear dark sky sprinkled with stars. Her eyes got lost in the shear beauty of it. Her breathing slowed and she relaxed. Her dad was out there somewhere, and she knew that he would watch the concert. She used his name over hers for multiple reasons, but one was to send a signal to her dad. She wanted him to know that she got out and was doing what she wanted. She felt free and not as alone knowing that he was out there.