CHAPTER 1
The bright beam of the sun wake me up from my slumber. Damn! I hate waking up. I turn to the night stand in my right to look at the time. Hmm... 6:50 huh, 10 minutes before the alarm give me a hell of a noise. I look back at the window and look at the bright sun that seems to be smiling at me. Well, I'm not that cheerful everyday, clearly the sign of not being a morning person. I sigh loudly and raise my right hand to block the rays of the sun, spreading my hand, palm open, flexing my fingers.
I look directly into my fingers. This fragile feminine hand i got that in my younger years, my mom don't want it to be wounded. Funny right, but until now, I'm still taking care of my hands. It's like my daily habit. I put down my hands and sigh loudly again. I got up and sit at the edge of my bed and close my eyes. Nothing special, but i like doing it first thing in the morning.
The sound of my annoying alarm clock make my eyes open and I tap it to stop the sound. I stand and do some arm and hand shaking exercise before i can start my daily routine when i have classes. While I'm taking a bath and as well as I'm wearing my clothes for today, let me tell you about myself and my history why I hate to wake up every morning.
My name is Jason Tyler. A senior in high school, age 17. I'm five foot seven inches skinny guy. I have this unusual silver hair color and everyone in the school thought that I dye my hair. Believe me, It's natural. I also have this oh so green eyes that I think everyone is lost to it. Others said that my eyes are far more different than the others. how can they tell? It's just green and I met some people with the same color as mine, but the attraction of my eye was covered by my thick glasses, telling them that I'm a bonafide nerd, though i like it being nerd.
Oh...and I'm gay and everyone in the school knows. I was lucky that no one bullied me for being gay because of my past titles and because of my family name also. I keep it a secret but, you can't imprison it for too long inside me, I need to set it free. I came out to my mom and my aunt in my sophomore year in high school and they accepted me. I love them so much. Now to the history.
I am the only son of the most famous pianist in the world. She always play for me and she is the one who open the door for me to know classical piano music and when i was two years old. It was my mom's play that wake me up first thing in the morning. Funny as it sounds, but I love hearing my mom's way of playing piano. It was light and soft that every note hit your heart like an arrow with love like cupid does.
There's a lot of image and sceneries I imagine when my mom play piano. Me in the beautiful garden, In the greenest forest, in the wild white sand beaches, In the hillside, on top of the mountain, below the ever so gentle streaming of waterfall and a lot more. Ever since then, I'm always listening to my mom's piano. Sometimes I'm right beside her when she play and all I do is watching how her hand tapping the keys without mistake.
One time, My mom was so worried because she can't find me. Our house is huge. I mean, It's a mansion, but we are the only two staying inside the house. She keeps searching for me every room inside the house. When she open the piano room's door, she was relieved, but a little bit confused when she found me sleeping at the top of a shiny Steinway and Sons grand piano, spreading my arms open and my finger moves like I was playing piano. In those following days and nights, my aunt and my mom saw me sleeping at the top or in the bottom of the piano. The both of them decided that from now on I'll sleep under the piano because I want to, so they put a small futon and put some pillow on it. Out of my mom curiosity, she ask,
"Honey, Why did you sleep on top of the piano? you might fall in there if you sleep on top of it. It could be dangerous."
"The piano want's me to be here. Me and piano are friends mommy." I said innocently and cheerfully.
My mom let out a small gasp and seconds later, she ruffled my hair and kiss my forehead and said "Okay. So be nice to your friend okay" mom smiled and she said good night.
I sleep with a piano for months and months now until the day has finally comes that really changes my life. I was three years old that time, When my aunt visit us in the house while my mom is playing the piano and i was under the piano, do coloring and child stuff. My aunt Clara open the door and greet her with a hug. By the way, Aunt Clara is mom's younger sister and she is also a famous pianist, but not as famous and amazing as my mom.
Mom hug her back and they talk outside the room and I'm still doing my stuff. I stop coloring the book that I'm working with as Aunt Clara came inside the room and sat down. I sat down beside her, then she start tapping some keys that match while she was singing.
"Idiot husband! la la la la la..."She hum and hum while she aggressively tap the piano keys. The notes sounds heavy, sign that she was pissed. For the longest time listening to piano, skills in hearing grew inside me. I can hear different emotions while they were playing and I can read the notes, knowing if the key that the pianist tapped was right or wrong in the specific stanza. She continue her playing when i interrupt her
"Did you and uncle Mac fight again?" I ask, sound so baby like.
"Yeah. That jerk." She look at me and said "Jason, don't you ever be like your uncle Mac, Okay?" I just look at her and simply said "Okay" I turn my gaze at the piano and what comes out really shock aunt Clara as I'm tapping the keys the way she did before.
"Idiot husband! la la la la la..." I mimic what aunt Clara without even trying. The notes are very accurate the way my aunt played it before. Not even one wrong note. She just look at me flabbergasted of what I'm doing. After I finished the song, she quickly stand and got out of the room, calling my mom. I didn't know that i did wrong but all that aunt Clara did was yelling at the house saying that I'm a genius.
Mom and aunt Clara rush back inside the room and i just look at them. Mom have this questionable look at her face while aunt Clara has this excited looking face. My mom walk towards me and sit beside me. She looked at me in the eye for a minute then she ask
"I thought, you don't know how to play piano or you just want to sleep with the piano. How come you know how to play?"
"Who said that I can't, mom?." My mom stare silently for a while as she is trying to compose herself. She walk her way towards me and sit beside me.
"Try this one honey." My mom play a single hand twinkle twinkle little star. When, my mom was finish, I play the song the same my mom did. The tempo, the notes, the tone, everything is on tune, and i just try it once. They play some simple and easy piano piece on and on and all i do is follow them. The last song the my mom played was `Fur Elise' by L.V Beethoven using her right hand.
Just like the other song, I've done it accurately. Then my mom play the Fur Elise one more time but with both hands. When the song was finished, mom told me to try it. When I place my hands in the keys then tap it, the song begins. The flow of music inside me is like a river. It flows non-stop and I feel that time that the piano is helping me playing it. When the song was finished, my mom hugged me tight and up to the point that i can't breath. She broke the hug and look at me and then she kissed me in the forehead.
"The song is more beautiful when you play it Jase. Better than I did." Mom said and a single tear rolled down in her left eye and then she hugged me.
"I guess, we have a child prodigy in here huh." said Aunt Clara, "Say, Do you wanna learn more on how to play a piano? excitedly ask aunt Clara
"I would love to!" I beam happily and then we hug the three of us and so it all begin. They arranged me some basic songs at first for me to practice. Mom and Aunt Clara are very happy
I spend two years of practice and lectures about piano and I have a lot of fun. Especially when my mom is the one teaching me. Day of the spring season when I enter my first competition of my life. It was the state piano competition held in one of the state's hall. The hall is packed with people that want to watch the competition. There are some kids too. Of all the contestants, I'm the youngest in junior category. I'm only 5 years old and my rivals where I think 7 and some are 10 years old.
I look at my competitors, they have this very pressure look in there faces. Others, nervousness. Me, just sitting in one of chairs backstage looking down, swinging my legs while I was humming the piece that i'll perform. I have this smile in my face and i don't feel any nervousness or tension. Actually, I'm not here for competition. I just want my mom and aunt Clara to be proud of me. I hope they gonna love my own piano.
Every time we have practice, my mom and aunt Clara tell me always that If I want to make the song more beautiful, I need to find my own music. My own sound. My own piano, and that is the whole objective of my practice. Sometimes, we have some intense session. Playing the song over and over again until I fainted, but the reward was great. That is the time when I found my very own music in piano when I play my piece in the next morning, but mom and aunt Clara is not inside the piano room that day.
" Jason Tyler, you're up next. Please come with me."
I follow the guy that call my name. The performer before me is already in the stage but she is not playing yet. She just stared in the piano for a while, she take a deep breath and then raise her hands and then she started to play. The piece is simple but the sound of the tone was kind of heavy. I can feel nervousness on it. I can sense that her fingers are a little bit stiff and she is tapping the keys hard.
Some moments pass, the girl was done with her performance. She play it good, but there is no fun in it. She stand and face the crowd and bow while the crowd gave their applause. She came to us as she do her exit. When she was past the stage curtains, she collapsed in front of me and she was panting hard. She's exhausted not only in performing, but also the tension that she felt in the center of the stage.
I extended my hand to help her stand and she take it. I look at her and smile.
"That was a good performance. I like it, but be more relax next time and have fun playing." I gave her a toothy grin. Before she could say something, the guy (I guess the organizer) call me and I turn my gaze on him. He acknowledge me that I need to be ready. I nodded at him and look at the girl again.
"Watch me, okay?" I said to her and then she nod at me.
I was hiding beside the curtain, waiting for my number to be announced. When my number was called, I came out and take my first step as i expose myself to the crowd. I walk proudly and i hear the crowd go mormoring. I saw my mom and aunt Clara in the second line. They are smiling at me. I face the crowd and I bow. After my bow, I look at my mom and she give me a nod as a signal to start.
I took my seat, adjust the height of it, dragging it closer to this shiny and beautiful Steinway and Sons grand piano. I look at it for a while and then I close my eyes. I put my hand together, palms facing each other, wide open fingers. After i found my concentration, I whisper to myself
"Oh my friend piano, be one with me and be one with my music"
I put my hand on the piano keys and when I open my eyes, I start my song. I play the first piece of all classical piano songs I know. It was Bagatelle in A minor WoO 59 known as Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven. The crowd gasp as i start playing the song. I felt magical when i play the song like i was in the forest. The air is fresh, the leaves are so green and beautiful. This is my music. This is my piano. At that time, i can feel that the piano and I are one.
When i finish the piece, I stand and face the crowd. I can see the crowd's mouth agape, shock from what they heard. I look at my mom and aunt Clara and i saw tears in there eyes. I bow and when I look up again, the crowd gave me a standing ovation. I hear some of the crowd says awesome and some says bravo. I was so happy that time.
"Mom! aunt Clara!" I ran towards the I gave them a hug and I receive a loving hug also. Uncle Mac was there to, He flash a smile and gave me a two thumbs up. I give a smile back. I look at my mom excitedly.
"I did it Mom! I did it! That is my way of playing piano Mom. I love it on stage." I said to her while i gave her another hug! My mom hug me back and i can feel that she crying.
"Mom, why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" I ask innocently. My mom cup my chicks and she gave me a kiss in the forehead and she replied
"No honey! I love what you did on the stage. I'm sure you'll bring back the victory with us. Me, aunt Clara and uncle Mac was very proud of you. Very proud." I hug her again. I love my mom and aunt Clara so much.
We broke the hug when one of the organizer announce that they post the 10 performers who past the preliminaries in the main bulletin board. We walk towards the gathering crowds in front of the bulletin board. In the board, there an over size white paper was posted with name's on it. We search my name and in no time my name was there, place as number one the list! That is the happiest day of my life.
The next week, the 10 of us perform for the semi finals and I was again number one in the spot for the finals. Five performers left that day including me that will perform next week for the finals. For me, It was all fun. By the following week when we go back to the hall for the finals, everyone inside the hall looking at me. Some will greet me `hi' and some of them wave at me. Of course, I say Hi and wave back at the them. Others just stare at me and then they are starting to whisper one another. My mom put a hand on my shoulder and when I look at her, she will gave me a cheerful smile. That makes me feel better.
The finals was fun that night. I love it when people clap their hands and other says I was awesome. Everyone is on there feet and I have a very wide smile in my face. I guess i struck some arrows in people's hearts, that's why they love it. I was announce as the winner for this year's state piano competition and they also said that i was the youngest person to win this title.
At the dressing room, one of the judges came inside and greet my mom and aunt Clare. The guy that came inside look like in his 40's. Salt and pepper hair with brown eyes and he has a beer gut. He looks attractive. He came to me and give me a firm handshake and he congratulate me for winning.
"Well son, you seriously have skills in piano. That is the best performance I've ever heard in my entire years of judging in this competition. You are way better than your mom, but your mom is good at playing piano too. Well done my boy. Well done."
"Thank you sir. Thank you for choosing me being today's winner, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one who is good at the competition that time. The other performers give their best in the stage. They deserve to win also." I said
"Ah, but you nail the best spot for the night. You're like a human metronome in the stage. You grab our attention when you play Beethoven's most famous composition. Like we all lying in the grass, looking at the forest, breathing the fresh air. We all have peace that time. No child can perform the piece perfectly, but you my boy, you just did it" He said with proud in his voice.
"Thank you very much for the kind words sir."
"Say, I'll invite you to compete for the Central State Piano and Violin Competition. I guess it's time for everyone to know you and your talent. You will hear other instrument as well."
I look at my mom for a while and then she start to ask me. "Would you like play for them honey?"
"If you like me to play then I would love to." I reply then my mom turn to the guy who spoke to me a while ago.
"Where is this competition to be held mr. Howard?" My mom ask
"It will be held in Chicago this July. I'll register him after our conversation." Mr. Howard said. I was so exited that time. I'm going to Chicago.
I join the competition for Central State Piano Competition. The convention center where the competition will be held was huge and there's a lot of people come for the competition. I can't believe that performers waiting for the competition to start. In the junior category, 60 of us including me will compete in today's preliminaries. There a large mass of crowd inside the convention center like ants but over all, I like the vibe of the competition.
I make some new friend that day. Some of them are really friendly, Some of them tell me to leave them alone. They look all serious. It's like the last time when I first join the piano competition. For once, they need to learn to have fun playing piano. I was participant number 5 that day. Then i heard what the announcer said that only 10 participant will be advancing to the semi finals and only 5 will be in the finals. just like the my last competition.
That day, I became number one in the preliminary round. Everyone in the convention center was in awe that time. They gave me a standing ovation again. I became number one again in the semi finals and finally, I was announce as the champion for this year's Central State Piano and Violin Competition and i was announce as the the youngest champion in the history of the competition at the age of 5. I look that my mom and she had this pround face. I make my mom happy again and i love it.
I join a lot of competition and we decided to join International Competition like Cleveland International Piano Competition and more and I became victorious every time and that day i was officially announce as a Piano Prodigy, though I don't like the sound of it. Some of those competition that held every two, three or four, even five years. I join the Leeds International Piano Competition in UK when I was ten, Queen Elisabeth Music Competition for piano in Belgium and Sydney International Piano Competition in Sydney, Australia when i was twelve, and International Chopin Competition in Poland when I was fourteen which is my most favorite and guess what, I became the victor of this prestigious competition, but it all change when enter the International Tchaikovsky Competition for piano in Russia.
We're heading back to US after I grab the victory in the International Chopin Competition in Poland. When we finally arrive back to US, we were walk toward the carousel to fetch our bag when suddenly my mom collapse. All of us were shock that time. Aunt Clara call one for the security in the airport to get some first aid while Uncle Mac was calling 911 for ambulance. Me, I was standing there. I can't move due to the shock that I felt.
We arrive at the nearest hospital later after what happen to mom. We awaited at hospital lobby as they examine my mom. We wait for one hour then we saw the doctor came out. The doctor called out Aunt Clara. Aunt Clara move toward the doctor followed by Uncle Mac. Aunt Clara ordered me to stay where I sit. I look at them, the doctor was talking to Aunt Clara explaining what happened to mom. Then all of the sudden, I saw Aunt Clara hug Uncle Mac and she was crying hard. Uncle Mac soothe her by rubbing in her hair and whispering to her.
Aunt Clara calm down, and she go back where we sit. Aunt Clara take at sit beside and she just hug me tight. Mom and Aunt Clara love to give a hug, all the time. Out of my curiosity and fear, i ask,
"Aunt Clara, What happen to mom? Is mom okay? What did the doctor said?"
"Honey, I want you to be strong all the time, okay. Especially when this kind of event happens" She reply, dodging my question.
"I don't understand aunt Clara. What did the doctor said? Is something wrong going on with mom? Is she okay?" This is the first time I felt real fear. I my entire life, I've never feel afraid when I perform in the big stage. Nervousness, I feel it sometimes. It was part of growing up but not all the time.
"Jason..."She paused for a while, mentally arguing if she will tell me or not. Then she continue "Your mom... have a brain tumor. Cancer and it's s-stage three"
I cant believe what I heard. I want to yell that it's not true, that this is a bad dream. I can't speak. Another shocking news. I look at aunt Clara. Her face is telling the truth. Tears rolled in her eyes and that hit me. My world suddenly became dark. I was in my room when i woke up. Hmm. I guess it was a dream at all, but I'm wearing the shirt that i use when i got home. I need to be sure. I got up and hurried to out of my room. I called out for mom, but no response. I came to the living when I saw someone sitting in the couch. It was aunt Clara. I walk toward her to ask something when i saw in the table was an open bottle whisky. I look at her, She look like a dump. She didn't wash her face, she was crying.
I want to ask her if she know where is mom when suddenly, she grab my hands and pull me close to her and hug me tight. She was crying like a baby that time and that hit me. What happen to the airport and the hospital was true. It did happen. Then I broke down, crying with her. and so it begins when my world turns monotone.
I visit my mom everyday in the hospital. She looks okay but the level of stress in her was very visible, but she always gave me a smile and a warm hug every time. Kisses too. She tell me also that I need to continue practicing for the upcoming competition in Russia, but i can't concentrate. I cry sometime when I practice but mom and Aunt Clara gave me courage. Truth is, I'm not as motivated as before.
What makes me keep going to practice for the competition when mom said that she will be there and she will watch me perform. I was so happy that time. Also, aunt Clara said that mom will be happy when i play the piano. She said also that I will offer my play for mom only.
Two years later, I was 16 that time and qualified to be a participant for the International Tchaikovsky Competition this summer season. I was disappointed that mom can't make it to Russia because my the hospital don't allow her to go. I understand the protocol and it is for my mom sake. So it was me, Aunt Clara and Uncle Mac who travelled for US to Russia for the competition.
Before I go, mom said that she is very happy that I am her baby. She told me that she loves me and whatever happens she will be there for me other with my friend, the piano. She also told me that I should keep playing piano, for thus, if I continue to play she will still live. I pass the preliminaries and the semi-finals became number one in the list when the unthinkable happens.
It was the day of the finals, we're all inside the the hall when Aunt Clara's phone rang. She excuse herself and hide one of the corners in the waiting area. Uncle Mac followed her. A moment later, I walk toward the area where aunt Clara and uncle Mac went when I saw aunt Clara crying hard. Uncle Mac hug her he stroke aunt Clara's hair while giving her some kisses.
Not that i was eavesdropping but I overheard their conversation. I stop in my tracks when uncle Mac ask aunt Clara what happen. She paused for a while then answer what uncle Mac ask,
"Clair (my mom's name) She's gone!" then, she cried again. I was stunned that time. I can't move my legs, my brain is working overtime. I cant believe what i heard. I just walk out where I'm standing and I just go back in the waiting room where I sit. I can't think straight. I didn't even realize that aunt Clara and Uncle Mac was there beside me. They give me a hug but i didn't hug them back.
My name was called so that I'll be ready. Aunt Clara gave me a hug once again and a kiss in the forehead. She tell me also that I need to do my best so that mom will be happy. Yeah! Mom will be happy. When my number was called to perform, I came out and when i was in the center, I bow i look back at them and I saw Aunt Clara raise her phone like we plan so that mom could hear me play.
I close my eye and relax for while. When I open my eye, I started to play. The start of the play was good and everyone is in awe on how I play. I don't know what is happening to me, but I notice that longer I play and weirder I felt. It's like I was underwater and I barely hear the sound that the piano produce. The more I play, the more the sound of the piano fade. I feel like i was in the very deep and dark ocean that no sound can be heard. I tap the keys harder so that I can hear the sound more louder but it's no use, until there is no sound left. I tap the keys again and again but I can't hear the piano. I suddenly stop and I was back into reality. I stop in the middle of my performance.
To stop playing in the middle of the performance was considered as disqualified, because the rule in every piano competition stated that the performer should finish the song. Unnecessary stop will cause disqualification. I can't explain what happen and the crowd got louder, wondering what happen. I put my hands in my ears and I start crying. My glasses are filled with tears. Starting that day, I can't hear the beautiful sound of the piano.
We came back to US and aunt Clara suggest that i need to be counseled. I told them back in Russia that I can't hear the sound of a piano anymore. Not only piano, my feeling also. It's all close. Aunt Clara look devastated that time. Later in Russia, We find out that I was suffering a psychological condition called PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The psychologist explains what PTSD but i was barely giving attention. I spend a year and a half for counseling and now, I do a little bit good. Starting that day, I hate waking up and the worst is, I can't even touch the piano.
Back to the present. I'm done with my bath and wear my clothes for the first day of my senior high. I take a good look in the mirror and decide that it was good. Now, Aunt Clara and Uncle Mac became my parents. They are very supportive on my and they have a healthy year old baby. I walk to the kitchen, got a milk and the fridge and chug it down. After the preparation was finish, I give aunt Clara a kiss in the cheek and the I headed out. Looking forward for the same old year. I wish something new happens.
****** End of Chapter 1 ******
Song listed in this chapter
***I know most people are not a fan of Classical music, but I recommend that you should listen to this music that is in the story. If you have Spotify, better:)
---Bagatelle in a minor WoO 59 (Fur Elise): by Ludwig Van Beethoven
Thank you so much for reading this story. This is my first time writing my very own story.. I'm sorry for some grammatical errors and wrong spelling that I didn't notice during reviewing this chapter because I'm the only one and I don't have an editor. I hope you have fun reading this story. Send you comments and suggestion to my email address silverphoenix606@gmail.com