"Good afternoon." Zac said smiling as he walked quickly into his music room. Energy filled him in abundance and he was excited at the new week. Okay, so Monday's weren't exactly everyone's favorite day, but it was to him. A new day starting a new week at a job he loved.
"Today we're going to practice the keys to the piano. All eighty-eight keys." He announced grinning. "No "overwhelment" needs to be felt though."
"It is a simple process. A, B, C, D, E, F, G…" His eyes focused in on every student at their desks, but they narrowed in on Mechelle. Her face was intent on the desktop, where a small mat, of what the keys would be like, was placed. The thin fingers of her small left hand were already running over them in a soft child-like wonderment.
Zac smiled a small smile, his mind racing at the remembrance of what it was like when he and his brother's first sat in front of the piano for lessons with their mom. The awe and curiosity of how such beautiful and soft delicate sounds could come from such a large and hard object. Already he felt he could relate to her. At least… through music.
"Simple." He repeated enthusiastically. "One side is deep sounding, the other is light."
The hour and a half had gone by quickly, the time passing too fast for Zac. He was reveling in the joy of seeing and watching as his students had timidly touched the keys in nervousness and inquisitively.
Smiling brightly he walked into the office, "Hello Doreen, hello Jakob."
The pair stared at him, "What have you done to my friend?" Jakob demanded after a second of speechlessness.
He chuckled delightedly, "I just had a wonder time in class." He replied shrugging his shoulders.
Jakob tilted his head, as if he were studying him with his eyes, while Doreen did the same. "I think he's off his rocker." He stated nonchalantly.
Doreen nodded in agreement, "I believe you just might be right for once, Jakob." She answered slowly. "He's plum out of his mind."
"First off," Zac started, smiling at them both, "I don't have a rocker. And what exactly does "plum out of his mind" mean?" He questioned thoughtfully. "Because I don't know about you, but there are no plums in my head."
"They're both figurative statements." A soft voice declared behind him.
Zac whirled around to see who the owner of the delicate voice was. Mechelle stood there, fidgeting nervously and keeping a small and trembling hand on the doorframe. "Like saying "I'm beside myself." You can't actually be beside yourself. It's just something people say, I think when lost for words, or are trying a hand at being tactful or humorous."
"Who is that?" Jakob whispered quietly.
"Mechelle." Doreen whispered back, her eyes wide with amazement. The girl actually knew how to talk!
"I believe you're right." Zac said grinning. "But I have to say my friends were trying for both tactfulness and humor." He said casually, "And failing miserably at both."
Mechelle gave him a shaky smile. "Is Doreen Mercer here?" She asked in a soft voice, self-conscious of her handicap.
"I'm right here, sugar." The mid-thirty's black woman answered loudly for her. "How can I help you today, Miss?" She asked kindly as she moved behind the large desk.
Cautiously, Mechelle stepped forward. A long white cane, with an orange tip held tightly in her left hand.
Zac stepped forward, "Here." He said offering his elbow to her.
Thinking for a moment, she gradually accepted his help, and held onto his bent elbow. Grateful that she didn't have to use the much hated cane, but ashamed she was allowing someone to help her.
Carefully Zac walked her to the counter of the desk, then distributed her to the hands of Doreen. Stepping back and then going over to stand near Jakob to get out of the way.
The same shaky smile was still stretched on her small mouth, "I needed some help on changing a few of my classes." She said removing a scrap of paper from her baggy jeans' pocket.
Slipping the glasses from the top of her head, to the bridge of her nose, Doreen stared over the schedule. "What do you need help with, darlin'?"
Mechelle gave her a real smile; happy with the kindness she was being shown. "I was wondering if I could change my advanced Math class for an extra Literature one. I already have Calculus, so I was just wondering if I could take another Literature one." She explained meekly.
Doreen smiled indulgently. "You sure can, honey."
Instantly Zac felt himself grinning and Jakob nudged his ribs. "Down boy." He commented in a hushed tone. "You don't know her."
But I do. Zac defended in his mind. I do.
