A way out

Phillip’s story

- Did you call Annabelle to help you do what?

-I need her, Peter!

- Who, Annabelle, or Miss Maya?

- You know what I am talking about…

- I know… but Annabelle?

- She was the only one available.

- Well, as far as I know, her I bet she already told her about your… thing…

- My thing???

- Oh, come on! You can see from afar that you are in love with her!

- Is it that obvious?

- I was right, wasn’t I?

- What to do now?

- First, it’s good that you admitted to yourself, and second, come clean with her too!

- How am I supposed to tell her that?

- You go in front of her, take her hands in yours and shoot!

- Easy to say…

Never in my life have I been in this kind of situation. So many concerts, so many shows with thousands of people, and now, with just one, my heart is jumping in a million places; with only her presence, my whole being is transforming into one without a will. It becomes one that I can’t control anymore. If sin had a name, Maya would be that name. I wondered how she feels about me.

- Look, man, all you have to do is give her some time. She is quite vulnerable right now. Think about it, she can’t see or walk. Even her memory got affected.

- I know Peter that is precisely why I choose to wait. I mean, she lives in my house; she is not going anywhere.

- For now!

- Come on, practice!

- And practice I shall!

Or at least I was trying to focus on what I was doing. Every time I took the trombone, a sad sound got out of it. It was as if it was feeling my anxiety. What is wrong with me? I never had these shortcomings. If someone who did not know me would listen to me playing for the first time that someone would say I was a damn beginner. Peter felt immediately that something was not quite right. 

- Phillip, are you feeling ok?

- I guess I am…

- Do you guess? You never guess you know for sure. So something is off. What is it?

- You don’t know when to give up, don’t you?

- When my friend is out of this world, I don’t. Is it Miss Maya?

Staying perplexed and not moving a single muscle made Peter come closer. He placed a hand over my forehead.

- Do you have a fever?

- Stop that, will you?

With only one move of my hand, I brutally removed his. Peter was gazing at me with his enormous eyes.

- Stop what? You put Annabelle in your house to care for her and you run away here, in the studio, under the pretext you are rehearsing? Who would believe that?

- Well, I do. I need to believe…

- So I am right. It is from Miss Maya.

- Yes, you are, are you happy now?

- Well, because I found the reason, yes I am, but are you?

- I try not to get involved that much.

- But you are, my friend, you are in over your head!

- Oh, my Lord!

- There, I said it!

- You said it alright, so what now?

- You tell me, wise guy!

 I feel relieved now that I confessed. But who guarantees me she feels the same? Maybe no one, and that is what I am afraid of. I don’t want to push her let alone leaving her into a world she would not want once she will find out she actually remained alone.

Maya’s story

        

         I don’t really know what is happening to me when he is close. There are moments when he stays so close that I feel invaded by his masculinity. Not even I believe him to be who he says he is. But, despite that, he seems to be a wonderful man.

         I still have nightmares from the accident. This evening I went into the kitchen to have a glass of warm milk. Maybe it could help me sleep. I hope…

         Phillip arranged the house especially for me so I can use my wheelchair. I descended to the hall that gets to the open space kitchen. I always wanted to see how it looks like. But patience, Maya! All at their time, I keep saying to myself.

         One day Annabelle showed me where the milk is in the fridge. All I have to do is go there, open the door, and it is in front of my right hand. Although I can’t see, I can manage. “I can do this!” But when I reached for the bottle, surprise, is not there anymore. The one thing I must do is try to stand and grab hold of myself on the shelves of the refrigerator. “How hard can this be?” But then again, one wrong step and I could fall. I placed my hands on the seat handles and try to stand on my useless feet. But, instead of supporting me, my two feet refuse to collaborate, and the second thing I knew I was in free fall. I closed my eyes in fear and heard a worried voice calling my name...

- My God, Maya, what are you doing?

- I was just…

- You could have hurt yourself…

- I am sorry, I just wanted a glass of milk…

- Here, let me help you!

He placed me so gently in my wheelchair that with his every move his touching becomes painful. Not physically, but emotionally. A chill runs on my entire body when his warmth was no longer. Disappointment replaced desire. I wanted more. It was not his fault it was mine for feeling this way.

- Thank you…

- You are welcome. Now let me give you what you wanted. Warm milk, was it?

- Indeed, again thank you…

- So, are you feeling better at my house?

- I guess…

“When you leave most of the time, I feel lonely.”

- I know I am not here most of the time, I am sorry…

“Bingo, Mr. Smith!”

- It’s ok, I know you are a busy man…

- Not that busy, but you know, there is an event coming so…

- What kind of event?

- Every year there is a gathering of the best musicians here in London. That is why I am here actually. This year we are raising money for sick children… cancer…

- Oh my God… I feel sorry for those children.

- I am too. I know we can’t buy them life, but we do whatever we can. My friend Peter, who you will meet at the gathering is organizing all this. 

- I guess it’s hard to… wait a minute! Me meeting who and when?

- You, meeting Peter at the event, in about… 3 weeks.

- Are you saying…?

- Yes, I am! I am inviting you, Miss Maya, to accompany me to this charity ball.

- But…

- I will not take no for an answer. And, besides, we have three weeks to make you walk again.

This last sentence made me realize my dream is one step away from being fulfilled. I always told myself that I will do these things by the book. It is natural that I want to walk and see again. But now I have also a purpose to do it for. This man wants to help me. I am sure he has no hidden reasons, just pure help. I am also aware of the hard times that will come so I have to lean on this man. He wants me on my two feet. When he enters the enormous doors of the event, he wants me by his arm. I will do everything in my power to walk again.

- When do we start?

I know my answer took him by surprise by the silent moment that followed.

- Tomorrow night? It is ok for you?

- It is perfect! And Phillip…

- Yes?

- Really, thank you!

- You already said that…

- I know but… it is a lot of effort you will have to put in…

- Actually, the part with the effort is on you, Miss Maya!

- You know what I mean.

- I do. It would be a pleasure for me, I mean it. Do you want me to help you get in your room?

- Don’t worry, I can manage!

- Ok, talk to you tomorrow, Miss Maya.

I heard Phillip’s footsteps moving away. I took my glass of milk in my room. Climbing into my bed is the hardest thing I have to do. I can hardly wait to begin my recovery.