Chapter eight

Friday morning was a nightmare.

After their exhausting game last night Dot and Jon really could have need a bit more sleep this morning. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option and to top all that Steph and Jesse decided that they hate school and won’t go there.

They wanted to play games with Kris. Nothing what Jon or Dot said seemed to make sense in their little brains and that Kris didn’t have to school today wasn’t helpful either. Even her promising that they could play later and that they have to tell her then what they did at school today wasn’t helping, though Jon really appreciated her trying.

It seemed that she was actually handling small kids very well. In the end Jon had two crying kids in his car and a very exhausted Dot sitting at the kitchen table.

Rushing in again to say goodbye to Dot and Kris, Jon had to smile when Kris put a big coffee mug in front of Dot.

He bent down and kissed Dot softly. Letting his hand ran through her hair, he said “Be strong, darling. In less than 14 hours we are back in bed.”

Dot groaned. “I’m not sure I’ll survive that” she said.

“We don’t have a choice, baby.” He laughed while walking over to Kris.

“Thanks sweetie.” He gave her a brief hug. He really didn’t want her to tense again. She looked at him a bit unsure. “You are welcome” she said hesitant.

After Jon and the kids left, Dot and Kris were having a cup of coffee together. Dot could see that Kris still felt unsure about Jon's hug.

“Kris…” she started, knowing that she had to choose her words carefully “…I don’t know how your mother handled it, but here it’s normal that Jon and I hug and kiss our kids.”

Kris looked up. “There doesn’t have to be a special occasion or something, we just do it and so do Steph and Jesse. You will see that especially in the evening they cuddle with one of us on the couch. It’s our way to show the other one how much he or she means to us.” Dot didn’t use the word “love” on purpose. That would have been way too early for Kris.

“I can’t remember that my mother ever did that.” Kris barely whispered.

Dot looked at her surprised. But before she could asked, Kris wanted to know whether she could play piano.

“Sure, no problem.” Dot said. She looked at Kris thoughtfully when she left the kitchen.

************************************

Nearly one hour later Jon was finally back.

“That was a hard piece of work.” Jon sat down and sighed deeply. “Please tell me, it will be different on Monday.” Dot laughed and gave him a cup of coffee.

“Well, Kris has to go to school on Monday too, so I’m hopeful.” She said.

“Where is she?” Jon asked taking a deep sip of coffee. Exactly what he needed now.

“Listen.” Dot replied. Jon put the cup of coffee down and listened.

“She’s playing piano?” He was surprised. Dot nodded.

Jon listened to the music, suddenly it stop and it sounded like someone was pushing all keys at the same time. Jon winced. Dot started to laugh.

“I can’t find that very funny. The piano turner was just here a couple days ago.” Jon said frowning.

“Oh, come on, Jon. What do you think why he needed to come…huh? You are doing exactly the same when you can’t remember the notes.” Dot said half laughing.

“I…never…I would never do that to a piano.” Jon said shocked. “David would kill me!”

“Well, then you should never play piano when he’s around, cause you ARE doing it!” Dot pointed out. Jon opened his mouth to say something, but her stern look made him close his mouth again.

“Maybe I can help her.” He said and stood up.

“Be nice, Jon.” Dot called after him.

“I’m always nice!” Jon called back. But she was right, he had to calm down.

When Jon entered the room with the grand piano, he finally recognized the song Kris was trying to play. For Elise, Beethoven. Actually she was playing it pretty good. But everytime she reached one particular part of the piece, she failed.

Now again. Frustrated she cursed and her hands attacked the keys again.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” Jon stepped closer to the piano. Kris turned around in surprise.

“I still need it, you know.” Jon said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Kris closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry. It’s just not working….I couldn’t play in the last couple weeks and now my fingers won’t do what my brain tells them.” She was desperate by now.

He smiled happily; this had been the longest sentence she said since she arrived. She seemed much more relaxed than yesterday. Is the music doing that?

Jon watched her carefully. She was trying hard to control herself, starring at the music sheets in front of her and kneading her fingers, they probably hurt a bit.

“So, you had a piano at home?” he was curious.

She shook her head. “No, but I could play at a neighbors place. Actually he taught me.” A slight smile was on her face.

“He taught you? Then he must be really good himself…” Kris looked at him. “…you sounded great, sweetie.” Jon added.

“Yeah, right.” Kris snorted.

“No, really, Kris.” Jon tried to convince her.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t get this part right.” She pointed at a section of music sheets. Jon took a closer look and made a face. Looks like some of the stuff David was carrying around.

“Could you play it? If I hear it once correctly, it’s easier for me.” Kris asked hopefully.

Jon shook his head. “I’m sorry, sweetie. The only times I sit down at a piano and play, is while writing a song. I’m not able to play an unknown song right away. I need to practice that as well.” Kris’ shoulders slumped, she looked sad.

“But I know someone who could help you.” Jon said. Kris looked up.

He took out his cell phone and hit the speed dial. He knew that David would be more than willing to help.

“Hey David, my brother. How are you doing?” Jon said smiling after he got David on the phone.

Kris couldn’t hear the answer, but it seemed that David said something funny, because Jon had to laugh.

“Well, would you do me favor and come over? I have a really nice, young, talented lady here, who needs your help with her piano skills.” Jon listened briefly and nodded.

“Yeah, it’s Kris.” She looked at him surprised. Jon winked at her.

“Ok, great. See you in a minute.” Jon ended the call.

“David will be here in a few minutes. He will help you.” He looked satisfied at her, but she just watched him confused. Suddenly it hit him; she had no idea what he was talking about.

“David is the keyboard player of my band. We know each other since we are 16. He’s a really good friend of mine or more like a brother.” Jon explained.

“Oh, ok.” Kris said. “You really think he can help me with this?”

“Yeah, I’m sure, sweetie. He studied one year at Juilliard.” Kris eyes wide recognizing the music school. “And he’s a really funny guy; you don’t have to worry about meeting him.” Jon added.



************************************



When David arrived Jon and Dot talked with him for a couple minutes. Telling him the little things they already knew about Kris. Dot asked him not to hug or kiss her, knowing that David could be really overwhelming sometimes.

When Jon looked at her surprised she told the two men about the conversation she had with Kris this morning. They were both as surprised as she was. How could a mother not hug or kiss her child? And their confusion only got bigger when David confirmed Jon’s translation of the German sentence Kris whispered in her sleep last night.

“So, you are the talented young lady?” David said when he entered the room. Kris stood up from the piano seat.

“Hi, I’m Kris. Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand hesitant.

David smiled and shook her hand gently. “I’m David. It’s a pleasure, baby.”

She looked at him confused for a second, but after a short glance at Jon, she realized that the endearment meant nothing.

“How long are you playing piano?” David asked while looking through the big pile of her music sheets.

“About 10 years by now. I’m just completely out of practice. I couldn’t play the last two weeks.” She kneaded her fingers again.

David noticed it. “Your fingers hurt.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Kris nodded.

“Ok, I know you want to get this song right, but I think it’s a good idea to start with something easier first to give your fingers the opportunity to get used to playing piano again.” David took some note sheets from the pile.

“How about this one?” he put the sheets down on the music stand.

Kris crocked an eyebrow. “Oh when the saints go marching in?”

“It’s a nice song and it will help your fingers.” David replied. Still not sure about that Kris sat down at the piano and started playing.

Jon watched the interaction between Kris and David. It gave him a good chance to get to know Kris a bit better and somehow he had the feeling that Kris appreciated it that he was here, even though she would probably never admit that. Stubborn girl.

A couple songs later Kris was playing much easier, her whole body seemed to be more relaxed, she was no longer forcing the notes to appear, but was feeling the music.

When David finally let her play “For Elise” again, it was perfect. Jon couldn’t help it and clapped his hands when she ended the song. She looked at him surprised.

“That was great, sweetie.” Jon said proudly. Kris only gave him a small smile.

“Yeah, that was really good, Kris.” David echoed Jon.

“Your fingers just needed a while, but if you practice continuous now, I think you won’t have a problem. Actually my job could be in danger in a couple years.” David laughed.

“Yeah, you could be right about that, buddy.” Jon said joining the laughter of his friend. Kris looked at them as if they were nuts.

“How about I come over from time to time and we work on some songs together. Would that be okay for you?” David asked Kris, he already knew that Jon would be fine with it.

“That sounds great. Thank you.” Kris answered nearly completely emotionless.

What’s going on with this kid, David asked himself. She seemed relaxed while playing piano, but now she has her walls back up. I wonder who hurt her that much. Maybe I can help her dealing with it through the music.