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@sam-m @emberynus-the-dragonslayer @melodyjoy @claire-h@anne_the_noob14 @joshuapior

Let me know what you think. Still don’t know exactly how this is gonna end. 😏 Next scene is under construction and will be up soonish. Maybe by tomorrow but I’m working so it might be Monday.

———-

Her doorbell rang and Liz jumped. Calm down! she scolded herself as she got to her feet. Not the police, they’d pound. Not Dirk, he never visited any of his agents’ homes. Maybe her neighbor asking if she had any honey for sale yet, or Jake wanting to practice with her. She opened the door and raised her eyebrows.

“Diane?”

“Hi, Liz.” The youngest player in the orchestra shifted nervously. “Jake gave me your address. He said you wouldn’t mind if I stopped by?”

“No, not at all!” Liz smiled broadly at the skinny kid. She was so tiny, Liz wondered how she could get such an amazing sound out of her viola. The thing was bigger than she was. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, I was wondering if you’d be willing to practice the new piece with me? I know it’s kind of strange since I’m on a different part, but…well, I’ve found it really helps me to know how I fit in with the others.”

I was really hoping for some alone time, Liz thought, but it’d be good to open up to Diane, especially since she’s new. She’s gotta get to know good ol’ friendly Liz. 

She kept that smile in place and opened the door for her visitor. “Oh, I would love to! Come on in!”

Diane hunched her shoulders a little, retreating into herself like a scared child as she entered Liz’s living room.

She waved towards the carpeted floor. “Sorry about the violin on the floor. I was just taking it out to practice. Wasn’t expecting anyone to stop by!”

Diane’s eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry, I can leave…”

Liz moved her case to the sofa and set her violin in it. “Hey, don’t worry about it, hon! I love having visitors! You go ahead and get your viola ready. I’ve gotta get a chair for you from the back room. You need a stand?”

“No, I have my own.”

“Great. Be right back.”

“Sure, thanks,” Diane’s voice was so soft Liz could barely hear it as she left the living room.

When she got back, Diane had her viola out and was staring at the pictures up on her wall. “Is this your family, Liz?”

Liz opened the folding chair. “Yes.”

“Do they live here in Manitoba?”

“No, they’ve passed on.”

Diane’s face crumbled. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Liz smiled gently. “It’s okay. I was sixteen. Time heals all, they say.”

“You lost them all at once?”

Liz picked up her violin and arranged her music on her stand. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We got caught in a terrorist attack. It was only by God’s grace I survived.”

Diane’s face registered shock. “You were there too?”

“Yes, I was there too.” Liz shifted in her chair and smiled half-heartedly. “Look, Diane, as much as I don’t mind talking about it…”

Diane straightened quickly. “Oh…oh, yes. That’s fine. Sorry.”

Liz smiled tenderly at the girl. “That’s ok. Let’s do this, eh?”

She grinned. “Yes, let’s!”