Fiction: Dreams Unwound and Wound Again
A conversation over coffee can alter the course of one's life.
Read Time: 5 minutes
Alex's mother, despite lacking any formal training, had the unique ability to play the piano by ear. She could effortlessly reproduce the latest tunes heard on the radio without needing to see any form of sheet music.
Hearing the piano being played was almost a daily experience since the day Alex was born. He was especially fascinated by the mechanics of the instrument when his mother lifted the piano lid. He could see the hammers striking the strings, and the sound, mechanics, and the fact that his mother could play tunes by pressing notes on the keyboard fascinated him.
When he was about 7 years old, he asked if he could learn to play. His mom, who had no experience reading music, made arrangements for him to have a piano teacher, and so Alex's musical journey began..
Every Tuesday evening, around 6 p.m., Alex and his father would drive to Troutdale. It was there that his teacher resided, in a beautiful old hill top home built in the early 1900s. It was a warm, cozy, and comfortable place. Alex would later recall the distinct, sweet aroma from the cedar logs that were burned in the fireplace during the winter evenings.
Mrs. Jacobs, who was in her mid-50s, had been teaching piano ever since she graduated from a small college in Dallas, just west of Salem. At one time, she thought about being a concert pianist but realized that she enjoyed teaching even more.
Early on in her career, she had purchased a Kimball grand piano that had originally been built in the late 1800s and shipped from the East Coast to Portland by boat, passing around South America’s Cape Horn. It occupied an entire room that she dedicated to teaching. The instrument itself was a beautiful rosewood antique, and Alex, having developed an interest in the history of the piano, became enamored with its sound and classic style. Needless to say, he dreamed of owning such an instrument one day
Alex was always eager to master a new piece of music and looked forward to his hands navigating the piano keys with skill and determination. It was becoming obvious to him that music was his future, as he imagined himself playing in Carnegie Hall and other famous venues around the world.
As he prepared to graduate high school, he sought out colleges where he could continue to study music. He knew that the competition for admission would be difficult, so he applied to several. Ultimately, he was accepted by the Manhattan School of The Arts.
Days of honing his skills turned into weeks, weeks into months, and soon Alex found himself immersed in a world of music theory, live performances, and a growing sense of doubt about his future
The doubt began when, at the end of one live performance before faculty members, he was rated 'average.' He knew that being average in a competitive art form meant he would never become the concert pianist that he had dreamed of being.
One afternoon, Alex was asked to join his piano professor, Dr. Kovsky, for coffee. Alex later said that it was a beautiful day and was pleased his teacher had invited him to talk about his music. They ordered coffee, then sat out on the patio at the Stones Throw cafe. Kovsky talked about how he had grown up with certain dreams, but not all of them were realized for any number of reasons. That led him to kindly tell Alex, with reassurance, that it might be best for him to consider other career possibilities.
It was difficult for Alex to hear Dr. Kovsky’s thoughts about his musical future, yet he somehow knew that this day would come. He was tiring of the endless hours of practice that left him drained and uninspired, and the pressure to excel in competitions and recitals weighed heavily on his shoulders. Music had become less of an enjoyment and more of a frustration.
Alex weighed various options, knowing that he might be able to teach like Mrs. Jacobs had chosen to do, but it was not his passion. At the end of the academic year, Alex quit his studies.
One rainy afternoon, Alex sat by the front window of Stone’s Throw cafe, sipping his coffee and observing the passing street scene. He noticed a couple standing in the downpour, embroiled in a heated argument, and wondered about the nature of their dispute. For some unknown reason, he felt an inexplicable urge to take out a pen and paper from his backpack and begin to write. The words seemed to flow effortlessly from his mind, painting vivid images and crafting intricate plots involving the couple, who had by now left. The impulse to write stories felt as if a dam broke, unleashing a flood of creativity.
Intrigued by this newfound interest, Alex delved deeper into the world of writing. He poured his heart and soul into crafting short fictional stories, each one more captivating than the last. With each tale he penned, he discovered a sense of fulfillment and joy that had eluded him in his pursuit of musical greatness.
As word of Alex's talent spread, he found himself drawn into the vibrant literary scene of New York City. He attended writing workshops, shared his stories at open mic nights, and even published a few pieces in local magazines. With each success, his confidence grew, and he began to see a new path unfolding before him.
Alex never abandoned his love for music; he even bought himself an antique grand piano and continued to enjoy performing for family, friends, and an occasional recital. But he had come to realize that his true calling lay in the realm of storytelling. Through his words, he found a way to touch the hearts of others and express the depths of his own soul in a way that transcended the limitations he had experienced in his pursuit of music.
And so, armed with nothing but his imagination, Alex embarked on a new journey—one filled with endless possibilities and boundless creativity. As he looked back on his days as a college music student, he realized that sometimes, the most unexpected detours can lead us to exactly where we're meant to be.
Another wonderful piece. Thank you. Been a long week of writing and this was nice to read.