Time drifts on ... drifts on ...
As a family, they sat on the
large blanket, reclining to look up at the fuchsias and coral colors the sun
painted on the sky as it drifted to bed. Marie held her daughter in her lap and
smiled. Alan looked over and grinned. Rebecca was swaying her head back and
forth to the music pouring out of the orchestra shell in front of them. It was
Bach's "Night Music" and the setting couldn't be more perfect.
They had arrived around 6
with their picnic basket, Rebecca, and a blanket in hand. It was one of the
outings Marie had always hoped to go on. Rebecca was old enough to take for an
evening like this, but Alan and Marie both knew she would fall asleep before
the concert was over. During dinner, Rebecca had caught many smiles from older
couples as they passed by the blanket. At the beginning of the concert, Marie
had taken Rebecca up to the shell, on one of the sides, and shown her the
orchestra, where the music was "coming from." Rebecca had imitated
the conductor, and one of the ushers, catching this, had smiled at Marie.
Now Rebecca had her head in
Marie's lap, and Alan had rested his hand on hers. Marie looked up at the
stars, around at the huge old oak trees, and back to Alan's smiling face. He
knew how much this meant to her, to bring Rebecca here, to bring the music
together with the natural beauty of the park around them. Music was always
important, and there was no doubt that little Rebecca had a knack for it too.
Although only 6 years old, she piped in when Alan and Marie sang in the car,
and Marie often caught Rebecca singing to herself while playing.
The breeze picked up and
there was the slightest chill to it, just enough to take the last heat of the
day away. Alan took the corner of the blanket and pulled it over Rebecca's
legs. Then he snuggled closer to Marie, and Marie leaned her head on his
shoulder. She closed her eyes and let the music float around her like the
breeze. In another month, they were going to have a big band night, and she
thought Alan would like that. He had played trumpet for a while, and he still
pulled it out on occasion for fun, and Marie loved when he did. He had an ear
for music too. It was no wonder little Rebecca was so inclined to sing along
and not be afraid to join in on any sing-along.
Marie opened her eyes to hear
the child in her lap humming along with the theme of the Beethoven. Alan caught
her gaze and smiled as he pointed to Rebecca, who had now closed her eyes, but
was conducting in the air - not in time to the music, but in time to her head.
Rebecca was so innocent, and unafraid. Marie bent over and kissed Alan lightly
on the cheek, and whispered, "I love you." Alan touched her cheek
with his fingertips and nuzzled her nose before whispering, "I love you
too Marie."
Intermission came, and
Rebecca was fast asleep. Alan took the basket from dinner to the truck, and
came back just as they were tuning for the second half. During the break, quite
a few couples took the opportunity to stretch their legs and "settle
in" for the rest of the concert. They passed by Marie and Rebecca on the
blanket and paused at times, saying they had seen Rebecca enjoying the music,
and how sweet they thought she was. An older couple passed by and nodded
approvingly as they saw Rebecca nestled close.
When Alan got back from the
truck, Marie shifted Rebecca to Alan so she could stand up for a minute or two.
Alan curled his arms around Rebecca, and nested her in his lap. Marie walked
toward the shelterhouse, and looking back saw Alan gazing down at their daughter
with so much tenderness, Marie thought it was magical.
Marie walked back to the
opening strains of Bach's "Wassermusic" and when she came upon Alan
and Rebecca on the blanket, she sat down silently and watched Alan
absentmindedly stroke Rebecca's soft wispy hairs off her face. Rebecca was
still asleep, and Alan turned to Marie and kissed her in greeting.
They sat cuddled close
through the second half, and watched Rebecca sleep. The music was almost as
entrancing as Rebecca. Marie could not stop gazing at the child in Alan's lap.
She was so fortunate to be here, and to have such a wonderful family. She
leaned on Alan's shoulder and he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and
laid a hand on Alan's, resting on his knee.
After the concert, Alan held
Rebecca while Marie picked up the blanket. Rebecca had not woken after the
concert, only drowsily opened her eyes when Alan picked her up. Marie took the
truck keys from Alan and they walked to the parking lot. Alan buckled Rebecca
into the back seat as Marie walked around to the passenger door. When Alan got
into the cab, he leaned over and kissed Marie before starting the engine. The
fire that had flamed them since the first day was still there, strong as ever.
They drove home in silence,
his hand holding hers on the center rest of the front seat. Marie watched as
Alan glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Rebecca asleep, her little head
tilted to one side. Alan smiled, and noticing Marie had been watching, then
smiled at her. She squeezed his hand without a word, and there was an unspoken
communication that said it all.
April 29, 1996
Jennifer Kelbaugh