The Call Of The City – Episode 25
The Call Of The City by Katharine Swartz
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- 25. The Call Of The City – Episode 25
- 26. The Call Of The City – Episode 26
- 27. The Call Of The City – Episode 27
- 28. The Call Of The City – Episode 28
“Well done, number three.”
Grace’s heart swelled as she heard the quietly spoken words of her tutor, and she kept playing.
She’d been in summer school over a month now, and had been practising and playing harder than ever before, with calluses on her fingers and a constant crick in her neck.
She knew in this moment it was all worth it.
“Aren’t you the teacher’s pet!” Lewis joked as they left the chamber-music tutorial for their usual coffee at the little café around the corner.
“Hardly,” Grace returned. “I’ve been sawing my way through that Hofmann since we started.”
“It sounded pretty good to me just now. I’ll get the coffees. Latte, right?”
“I can get them,” Grace protested. “My treat. Your reward for playing so beautifully.”
He smiled at her, hazel eyes glinting, and Grace blushed and looked away.
She and Lewis had been spending a lot of time together in the six weeks since the summer term had started.
Sometimes she wondered if there was more to their friendship than just that, but he hadn’t said anything, and she was too shy to raise the subject.
Besides, she was at Juilliard to focus on her music, not romance. The last thing she needed was a major distraction.
“Here we are.” Lewis returned with two cups of frothy coffee, a perfect heart outlined in the foam of hers.
Grace knew it was the barista’s signature, but when Lewis glanced at her with a little smile, her heart flip-flopped and she started to wonder again.
It was something she’d been doing a lot. If only she didn’t feel so conflicted!
“How are things at home?” Lewis asked.
She’d told him about her father’s heart attack, and he asked fairly often.
“The same, I think.”
With a jolt, she realised she hadn’t rung home this week – or the week before.
Life had been so busy, and between classes and practice and going out with friends, she’d forgotten.
Guilt coursed through her. She would ring tonight, for sure.
Later, as they walked through Lincoln Center to Juilliard’s campus, Lewis stopped at a noticeboard.
“Are you thinking of trying out for that?”
“For what?”
Grace scanned the notices pinned to the board, most for concerts or offering tuition in various instruments.
Juilliard was full of would-be music teachers hoping to make some extra money.
“That.” He tapped the glass in front of a notice for an audition. “It’s a violin solo for the end of summer concert, held in Lincoln Center Theatre, no less.”
Grace laughed.
“I hardly think I’d get considered for something like that. I’m not officially a first-year student yet!”
“Yes, but there are four solos, one for each year.”
Lewis looked at her.
“I know we haven’t officially started our first year yet, but we’ve been taking classes all summer. I checked, and we’re eligible to audition. It’s a fantastic opportunity, Grace.
“I’m going to do it. And you should, too.”
To be continued . . .
