Playing Piano - edited version

Playing Piano

From the safety of the door jam, Lenny studied the woman shadowing his mother by the front door. Her dress stood out most, having been created from a vibrant pink and purple flowered pattern and stitched into a tent shape. Her rolls of fat undulated the flowers so a gentle wind appeared to be brushing past only her. Sausage arms, pasty and covered in a rash of tiny pink spots pushed his mother out the way, the woman had spied Lenny peeking from the dining room.

"You must be Lenny, she said in an exaggerated accent, like she wished she'd been raised with the upper crust of England. Had his mother fallen for this? "I am to teach you piano. She pursed her swollen lips into a controlled smile, turning her face into a distinctly fishy shape. Grey streaked hair spiralled back to a bun that pulled the woman's eyes into wide slits. She blinked in great purposeful swoops. Sweat that had gathered on her forehead rolled into motion, set free by her movements.

Her face reached for his, and for a frightening moment, Lenny felt sure she meant to kiss him. Instead, she clapped a meaty hand on his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "You and I are going to make music together. An odiferous wave of garlic mushroomed over Lenny, and he staggered backwards into the dining room.

"The keyboard's in here Miss, Lenny said. He tried to hide his disgust by showing her his instrument. He swivelled away from her and sat down at the table.

"An e-lectronic keyboard? she said, frowning into a cod face. "No. No, one can't learn piano on an e-lectronic keyboard. I hope you didn't waste too much money on¦ this. She crinkled her nose, as if it were repugnant.

"No Miss Kellaway, we only borrowed it, from a neighbour. Little Johnny Oats wasn't using it, and his mother Margaret said we could use it as long as we wanted. Didn't she dear, Audra said, and pulled Tim, Lenny's dad into the small room.

"Yes, he said.

"Why, is there something wrong Miss Kellaway? Only, we thought it would be ideal for learning the piano, you know, as a beginner, and that we'd buy a proper piano later, when he showed promise. Didn't we dear.

Yes, Tim said, rolling forward on the balls of his feet, hands stuck comfortingly deep into the pockets of his corduroy trousers.

"I'm very sorry, but I simply can't teach on such a contraption, she said, giving the keyboard a sneer with her fish face. "You must get a piano if I am to teach the boy, and I can tell you already, your boy has a talent just waiting to be released.

"Really? Audra said, "I'm amazed, how can you tell¦

"One gets a nose for such things, Miss Kellaway said, tapping the side of her hooter with a big fat finger. Lenny wondered how she could possibly play with great mitts like that. Skin pooled over her bones, like she'd put on thick human gloves. Great multi-jewelled gold rings had been forced down the length of her fingers. Lenny presumed this was to hold the borrowed skin in place.

Audra stared in awe of her son's potential unleashed raw talent, now pulling on her husband's shirtsleeve. "Tim, do you think¦

"Absolutely not. Sorry Audra, but we can't afford to buy a piano on the possibility of greatness. He humphed harder on the balls of his feet, his tall body growing and shrinking inches at a time.

"But Tim¦

"I'm sorry, but I shall have to leave. Miss Kellaway bustled a large Harrods bag into the fleshy crook of her arm. "I think we have all wasted enough time here today, she said, and tried to push past Audra who in turn tried to block the way.

"Tim, please! Audra pulled harder on his shirt, the fabric strained, ready to rip. Miss Kellaway tapped her foot, inches from Lenny's mum. Tim shook his head, peering over the women to see the relieved expression on Lenny's face.

"There is another way, Miss Kellaway spoke in a quiet voice, as if she didn't want to be heard. Audra stopped pulling, Lenny's face dropped again, and Tim tightened the grip on the wallet in his pocket. "I could loan you a piano, for a short time, to show you what the boy is capable of.

"Would you really do that for us? Audra said, a beaming smile replacing her worry lines. "Do you hear that Tim, she'll loan us a piano!

"Of course¦ you'll have to move your room around, you couldn't possibly get the sound right in such a cluttered atmosphere. No doubt you've both been waiting for an excuse to clear out all this old junk. She waved one of her plump hands around the room, indicating her distaste of the antique china, priceless heirlooms and well-chosen knick-knacks scattered around the room. "The piano will have to go on that wall, she said, indicating a wall with a fully loaded dresser positioned in the centre.

"Now hold on a minute, Tim said, his rocking becoming steadily more aggressive. "You can't just come in here and say things like that¦

"Tim dear, shh, Audra said, then to Miss Kellaway, "Oh course, we'll do whatever you say. Thank you! Audra grabbed her hand and shook furiously. Lenny winced, half expecting a human glove to go flying as his mother's exuberance dislodged it.

"Are you mad? Tim asked in hushed tones after Miss Kellaway had left.

"Me? she replied, indignant. "I just want our son to have a chance, did you hear what she said, about Lenny? And besides, it's free!

Tim surveyed the room, tallying up how much of his weekend would be wasted rearranging furniture. "Come on, lad, we've got work to do, Tim said, rolling up his sleeves.

"I'll put the kettle on then¦ Audra skipped from the room, a free piano, fancy that!

***

Two days later, and without warning, a knock sounded on the front door. Two large men with half smoked cigarettes pursed between their thin lips, and a weeks worth of stubble, stood on the garden path. They leaned their hairy arms on a piano that rested between them, their t-shirts already wet from exertion. Lenny almost sent them away. He thought of that fishy Miss Kellaway coming back to teach him, repulsed, he began to slowly close the door.

"Where d'ya want it, the closer one barked in a gravely voice. The piano shifted a little as it sank into his father's well cared for lawn.

Audra scurried up to the front door, reopening the door. "Who's there, Lenny? Her face broke into an enormous smile as her eyes traced the outline of the instrument. "Please come in, she said, as she dried her hands with a tea towel.

The men squatted and grabbed the lower edges of the piano, ripping it out of the lawn with an earthy sucking noise. They uttered a few grunts and groans, and with surprisingly graceful movements, transported it into the dining room.

"Put it down 'ere, Alfred, one of them said. They squatted again, Alfred showing the top of his hairy bum as his jeans slipped a little. "Where d'ya want it?

Audra pointed to the only obvious place, and the men pushed it over, the wheels self-cleaning chunks of lawn and mud onto the carpet. Lenny stared in horror at the mix of green and brown stains, but his mother had eyes only for the piano. With a second glance, he had to admit it was a fine looking creation. Mostly, dark wood contained the innards, but a thin pale wood traced the edges, and the whole thing had been beautifully polished. He stared hard at the shiny surface, surprised to see his own pale face peering back, as if though rippling water.

"Oh, Lenny, isn't it gorgeous! she said, running her fingertips along the top, down the side, and onto the lid, which she flipped up. Tentatively, she touched an ebony key. A tone rang out, deep and multileveled. "Sit down, have a go! Audra placed a stool in front, indicating Lenny should sit.

"We'll see ourselves out then, the unnamed man said, his cigarette still smouldering. Ash floated to the carpet, adding to the dirt.

Audra barely looked up. "Thanks, she said. The piano drew her, almost as if hypnotising. She didn't notice the men tromp off, or hear the hearty slam of her front door. "Play, Lenny.

"But, I don't know anything, he said with a shrug, but sat anyway. He placed his fingers on the keys, first feeling their smooth surfaces, touching the cream and then the black. "It is beautiful, he said. "Why do you suppose she lends out such a nice piano?

His mother stood staring deep into the polished grain of the wood. She looked up for a moment, as if she had come back from far away. "I don't really care, just play something. Her voice carried a hint of anger, or maybe desperation. Why she couldn't press a few keys was beyond Lenny He positioned his body straight up, like he'd seen piano players on the telly, spread his fingers wide and pressed down.

What happened next was initially disorientating, as Lenny's fingers took on a life of their own and slid over the keys in a practiced manner. Sounds emanated from inside the wooden body of the piano, such sounds he had never heard before. Fluid music, timed perfectly, flowed from his hands in a tune he couldn't place. He looked up, not even needing to watch where his fingertips touched, to see his mother crying with a smile.

"Oh, Lenny! She was right, Miss Kellaway knew, she knew what you could do! Audra clung to the side of the piano, like her legs were ready to buckle.

When the song finished, Lenny's hands fell to his sides. He held them up, examining his fingers, curling them with controlled movements. Once again, he owned his hands. "That was weird mum, like I wasn't the one playing¦ Lenny considered putting his hands on the keys again, but instead he gently closed the lid.

With a shake of her head, Audra noticed the floor and the streaks of dirt. "Oh dear, I suppose I'd better clean up that mess.

***

Later, after his dad arrived home, as his parents poured wine into large glasses and relaxed in the last of the day's sun, Lenny sat by the piano again. He felt drawn. He didn't notice the irritated way his father complained about the craters in the lawn, or the way his mother placated Tim with more wine and a kiss to his forehead. Lenny felt compelled to take a seat, to place his fingers wide on the keys. For a single second, he could still choose to walk away. Then as his skin came in contact with the silky ebony, his freewill dispersed. The music pulled him into the watery depths of the polished wood and released a song sent from heaven to be directed through his fingertips.

"Lenny, Audra called from far away. "Lenny dear, you need to stop now, it's late. Someone clamped a hand on his shoulder and shook.

"What do we do if he won't stop? Tim asked.

"I don't know¦ his mother's voice trailed off, and Lenny felt his shoulder jerk back and forth again. Lenny blinked, his eyes feeling sticky and dry ' like they'd been open far too long. As before, when he stopped playing, his hands slumped to his sides. They hung there, aching, a dull throb pounding each fingertip.

Lenny turned quizzically to his parents, seeing worried frowns crunching their faces into a mass of wrinkles. "What's wrong? he finally asked. His mouth initially refused to obey his question, his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

"It's late is all, son. Time for bed, Tim said, tapping his watch.

Lenny walked exhausted steps up to bed, crashing under his duvet still dressed. Downstairs, he could hear the anxious mumbles of his parents. His last thought, before a rapid dark stole his consciousness, wondered why his parents could possibly be upset.

***

Miss Kellaway arrived the following afternoon, early. Lenny, still dressed in his school clothes, watched the fat woman swim through the hall and into the dining room.

"Lenny, Miss Kellaway is here, Audra called, and Lenny straightened from his vantage point on the stairs and reluctantly came down. "Show your teacher what you can do, she said to Lenny, then turning aside, "You were right, he can play the most wonderful songs, things we never heard before. Do you know he played for five hours straight yesterday evening?

Miss Kellaway raised her eyebrows into an I-told-you-so expression. "I would like a cup of tea ' milk with one sugar. Lenny looked over, thinking how his mother normally wouldn't abide someone being so rude, but then his fingers touched the piano, and the room melted away.

Already playing, Lenny turned his head. He could still see Miss Kellaway. She raised a hand and stuck out one swollen finger, waving it in the air like a conductor in time to the music. "Let the music in, she said. "Don't let it stop at your wrists.

Lenny frowned, not understanding. He concentrated on her request, relaxing as his fingers worked the keys. Then, like a door in his hand had opened, he felt sounds spring into his veins. They felt alive, like salmon turned into music and jumping upstream through his blood to spawn. He watched repulsed as his skin grew constantly shifting images of notes. They prickled his skin as they created a living tattoo. Their patterns increased in number and strength as they coursed up the skin of his arm, and out of sight under his shirt.

Alarmed now, Lenny looked back at his teacher. She had grown a healthy crop of scales while he'd been watching the music attack his skin. Her lips had solidified into a rubbery texture, and her hair had matted into an outcropping of skin. Yet still, her finger swayed in the air. Her arm had thinned and widened; now resembling a fin. Her legs, once held primly together under her gaudy tent dress, were now one tail, the end flicking in time to the rhythms tumbling from his fingers. Lenny felt afraid as the music prickled into his mind. Even scarier was the knowledge that he couldn't stop.

"Miss, what's going on? Lenny managed to say, words feeling strange and foreign in his mouth.

"Relax, look into the piano, Miss Kellaway said in drawn out lulling words.

"I don't understand¦ Then he turned his head, seeing into the polished grain of the piano, and into the water that waited for him, water that writhed with strange shapes just under the surface. A hundred, no, a thousand shadows swam restlessly. Lenny felt his way in, through the wood, now falling to the water. He turned his fall into a dive, and splashed with a satisfying sploosh that made the shadow-shapes flee the area. And all around, beautiful music flowed, filling him, moving the water into well-timed waves as Lenny sank deeper under the turquoise surface.

At first, Lenny smiled as he sank, watching green plants welcome him with their slimy leaves. They seemed to wave at him in time to the music. Lenny waved back, marvelling how everything seemed to keep to the beat. He'd forgotten about the shadows that had agitated the surface before he'd fallen in, and now, from all sides, above and below, dark shadows swam closer. The style of the music deepened with their arrival.

Lenny blinked, not to clear his vision, as the water was perfectly clear, but because an amazing sight surrounded him. Boys and girls, some large, some small, crowded around him. They all appeared to be in various levels of transparency, and all bore urgent expressions.

"Hello, Lenny gurgled, bubbles of air escaping.

The children all began to chatter at once. At first, all he could hear was high pitched chittering sounds that irritated his ears. The children indicated that he swim up. He couldn't understand what they wanted. He hadn't drowned. Water filled his lungs with each breath, with surprising familiarity and ease. Why did they want him to go up? Lenny wanted to swim, to explore this new underwater world. Without warning, several large boys heaved their shoulders under him, and forced him to the surface.

Breaking into the air was odd. He spluttered the water from his lungs, and Lenny felt like he should be under water, not breathing air. Up here, the piano sounded deafening, but as he couldn't stay above the surface and hold hands over his ears, he squinted against the clamour and looked around.

When he fell earlier, he thought he had splashed into a river or stream. Now, as he searched to the horizon, all he could see was water, the shadow children swimming close, pointing up. Slowly, he raised his head. He searched up into the sky until he saw what they wanted him to see. He almost sank in surprise.

Up high, where the clouds should be, he could see himself, still playing piano, Miss Kellaway perched next to him. She had nearly completed her fishy transformation, looking more like a giant codfish in a dress than a human. From on high, she looked down, winking one glassy eye.

"What's going on? Lenny shouted up to Miss Kellaway.

"I hope you don't mind, she said, her voice boomed back in her irritating over-posh accent. "But I thought I might help myself to a little of your youth. Unfortunately, that means you need to live the rest of your life down there. With the fishes. She began to laugh in great gulping breaths, holding one fin-arm to her chest as the other smacked what was once her knee.

"You can't do that! Lenny shouted, his other self obediently continued to fill the air with the piano's multileveled tones. He lashed out at Miss Kellaway, punching the air until he sank a little under the surface. Floods of water cascaded into his lungs. The sensation felt so right that it scared him, and he rose back up, sputtering. The air scratched, and he succumbed to a coughing fit.

"Give up, go and join your new little fishy friends, she said, chortling now, almost falling off the stool his mother had provided for the lesson.

"No! Lenny shouted, not sure what he could do.

Beside him, a child broke the surface and whispered, "You need to go back. She dove back down and waited to his left.

"You need to push her in through the piano, A boy popped up on Lenny's right. He struggled in the air as he delivered his quiet message. He sank below the surface, joining the girl.

"You'll become like us, Another child whispered in his ear. "And you'll never be able to go back.

"We need to pull her in, whispered the chant that grew as hundreds of children bobbed up to deliver their message.

"How, how can I reach her? I'm down here! Lenny squinted up into the sky to watch his hijacked body. "I mean, I'm up there, but I can't do anything. He looked around, but the whispering children had disappeared. He was alone. "I don't know what to do! he shouted into the ocean. He smacked the surface of the water with a fist, staring up to see Miss Kellaway smirk back from his dining room.

He thought the transparent children had abandoned him, when the water began to bubble and boil around him. He twisted to the left, to the right, as he tried to work out what horror was swimming his way. Maybe there were sharks or sea monsters in the ocean, and the children had been scared off ' they'd know if something bad was coming. He swam a couple of strokes, but the frothing water followed him, guessing each movement as he made it.

Giving up, Lenny closed his eyes and held his breath as the bubbling became increasingly violent. He wondered how much it would hurt when his legs were bitten off. Then the frothing reached a climax, and threw him into the sky. He flew up in the air, high up to where the clouds should be. His destination was the window back into his house, and Lenny dived back through the piano. The journey was rough, the window scraped at him, like sandpaper had been rubbed over every inch of his skin. Then he was back, falling into himself, where each breath tasted sweet and dry.

For a moment, he continued to play. Lenny could still see into the piano, and into that other world. The bubbles that had thrown him back were actually the girls and boys, shooting up to form the world's biggest waterspout. They dived back to the water, wiggling as they fell, struggling for breath.

Miss Kellaway sat prim on her stool. She no longer held her fishy finger up in time to the music. Her foul breath suffocated him as she said, "Don't you worry, I will send you back, and next time I will not allow you to escape. She pursed her fat lips. Lenny's escape had not been part of her plan.

"Please let me stop, Lenny said. He had begun to cry, and she seemed to enjoy this. He looked away from his teacher. He was still unable to stop his hands, and his melodies rang out and kept the window open on the watery world.

Lenny watched as the water began to froth again. In a burst, the transparent children leapt up to the piano. As the living spout grew, obscuring everything else, Lenny could see a large boy at the top. Within a few beats of playing, the child filled the view to the other world. Watery green arms reached out of the piano and grabbed Miss Kellaway. In one smooth action, the children pulled her into the other world. In that same instant, Lenny's view of the water world vanished, leaving him with a polished wood panel to stare at.

"You've been playing beautifully! Audra walked into the dining room as Lenny's hands fell to his sides. "Where's Miss Kellaway?

Lenny stared blankly for a moment, still shocked by the events. "She went home, he said finally, reaching out with a finger as he debated touching the keys.

"But I didn't pay her yet. Audra said, turned and left the room. "I'll see if I can catch her¦ Lenny heard the sound of the front door as his mother ran to the street. He stared at the keys, his hand hovering, and then with a quick flick, slammed the lid down with a musical bang. Wiping a few droplets of water from his shirt, he stood up, the strings inside the piano still vibrating softly. Lenny stopped to listen. He thought he could hear words ' something like 'Help me'. With a smile, he left, and closed the door firmly behind him.