Note: Tags are for the whole book and not individual chapters.
Guardian Program Ch 05
A novel by R.C.PeterGabriel, All rights reserved.
We picked up Highway 93 and drove the nearly seventy miles south to Stevensville. Yes, a long drive for dinner, but well worth the drive. Toni had the stuffed sole, Jessie had the chicken Marsala, and I had the Osso Bucco. Toni and I shared a bottle of Perazzeta Sara Bianco, while Jessie being only eighteen was forced to settle for ice water.
After dinner, we headed back north to Missoula, and made one more stop, at Golf USA of Missoula. The owner Jon spotted me as I came in and had the clubs I ordered waiting for me as I got to the counter. I thanked him and we made Saint Margaret Mary Church for Jessie's concert within plenty of time.
It seemed that someone had donated an entire acoustical upgrade, including a Steinway B grand piano. That same person had heard Jessie perform during a high school orchestra concert and insisted that she be the first to play. I was curious to find out who her fan was, but the fact that Montana has a very high percentage of millionaires, and the church itself claimed a lack of knowledge, made my prospects very slim. Therefore, I gave Bridge Security another tax write-off, by donating a complete security system. I felt bad about the possibility of violating the sanctity of the confessional, but I programmed Hal to ignore that part of the church, and my family comes first.
Jessie and Toni however, both thought the whole situation was my doing, even though I denied it repeatedly.
We entered and were greeted along with everyone else. The greeter hadn't known us by sight which I felt was a good thing. I would have been far more suspicious if she had. The church was about half full, which was a pleasant surprise to all of us, as Jessie's performance was supposed to be an informal event, celebrating the new sound system, and had been scheduled prior to the evening Mass.
"Looks like a good turnout, Jessie. You still have about twenty minutes before you start, maybe you'll get a full house."
With eyes slightly wider than normal, she surveyed the sanctuary. She wiped her hands down the sides of her dress, then reached back and pulled her long braid over her shoulder and stuck the end into her mouth. "I'm not sure I can do this."
I glanced at Toni, who also realized that sucking on her braid wasn't a good sign, and moved in to hug her. I gently took Jessie's hand and together we pulled her braid back out, while she looked up and made eye contact with me. "You can do this Sweetheart. I know you can, you play beautifully, and you did great on your solo during the spring concert at school."
"That was with forty-six other people on stage, and I was playing for people I know."
"Who do you play for when you're alone, at home?" I asked.
"Mom. It's how I tell her how my day went, how I'm feeling." Her eyes were asking me to fix this, pleading, so I moved in and joined the hug.
"Jessie, if you look at where the piano is, you can hardly see any of it. No one will be looking at you. They came to hear you, not see you. Just go back there in the corner and pretend you're alone at home. Play for your mother, and tell her how you feel." I leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head.
She pulled out of the hug, smiled at both of us, took a deep breath, and nodded to me. "Okay, I can do that," she declared before heading off to find the sacristy.
Toni and I found a pew near the piano alcove, but around the corner where she couldn't see us and waited. About fifteen minutes later the priest came out to the altar, and greeted the crowd, which had grown to a full house, gave thanks to the anonymous donor for the new sound system, offered a short blessing, and introduced Jessie. He explained that she would be playing the piano until just before the Mass started and that the congregation should simply enjoy the music. He also reminded them not to be rude, that they were in church and should have all cell phones turned off, and not to converse while the music played. He smiled at Jessie and motioned her to her instrument, then started a subdued round of clapping.
Jessie moved to the piano and opened with the theme from 'Interstellar', then ripped into 'Fires of a Revolution'. She then osculated back and forth between searching and haunting, but the last several songs seemed sadist of all. When she concluded with 'It's hard to say goodbye', the only sound in the sanctuary was quiet weeping. The priest let us sit quietly for several minutes, then stood and moved to the front of the altar looking speechless for several moments, then said "Beautiful, simply beautiful. I believe that God has touched this young lady." With that, he led us in rousing applause.
A minute or so later he interrupted by saying, "If you'll excuse me, I must prepare for the Mass," and left for the sacristy.
There were only ten minutes before Mass started, but almost the entire congregation stood, many trying to get to the restrooms, but at least as many were trying to get to Jessie. We worked our way around the corner to find the alcove standing room only.
Everyone seemed to be telling Jessie how beautifully she had played, wanted to know if she was professional, and where could they buy her CDs.
I got a tap on the shoulder, and when I turned I found our neighbors, Bill and Debra Clemons' smiling faces.
"Wow," commented Debra, in her warm British accent. "She was simply brilliant! We knew she could play, but had no idea she was that good."
Toni gushed with quasi-parental pride. "Oh, Debra, Bill, I'm so glad you made it. Are you still coming over this weekend? Maybe we can get Jessie to play something for us."
"Yes," stated Bill. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Would we, Babe?"
"Of course not. We're heading back though. Just wanted you to know that we had made it. Please let Jessie know that she was incredible and that we loved every minute of it."
"We'll see you Saturday," said Toni, and we turned back to see Jessie trying to be gracious, but backing slowly towards the side exit.
"Go around and try to get to the door from the outside. I'll keep trying to get to her from this side, she looks like she's considering fighting her way out."
It took several minutes to get to her, and by then she was very grateful to hug me and allow me to take command of the situation. "We thank you all very much. You're all very gracious." I began, with a slightly raised voice. "We will be discussing the publication of a CD of the music you just heard. I will let Father know what Jessie has decided, as soon as a decision is made."
With that, I ushered Jessie through the side door and quickly followed, closing the door behind us and finding that Toni was waiting for us on the outside. "The door was locked. Are you okay, Jessie?"
Jessie let the breeze wash over her, looking up with her eyes closed, and smiled. "I think so. Everyone seemed to like it. Did you?"
She opened her eyes, and met mine, an expression of hope and need on her face.
I took both of her hands saying, "It was beyond expectation, beautiful and enchanting. I was forced to ride the emotions of your creation. I could not have been moved more."
"You were reading my mind," a voice behind me stated. "Those are the exact expressions I was thinking." As we all turned to the newcomer, who was closer than I realized, she stepped forward the last ten feet with her hand out. I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation. I am Sarah Gadon, and I was paid to come to your concert, Miss Smith. You see, I am a Juilliard alumnus and sit on the board that interviews candidates for our school. Someone felt I would be impressed by you."
Jessie had reached out and shaken her hand but stood gaping as if she had three heads. "Did you say Julliard, Ms. Gadon?"
