Connie Laughed

Connie Laughed

“I had the strangest dream.”

“Simon and Garfunkel,” said Gramma.

“What?” asked Lilly.

“I had the strangest dream... last night I had the strangest dream...?”

“Me too!” said Lilly, “What’s a simommografunkle?”

Gramma laughed, “Sorry. Simon and Garfunkel. They’re two guys who sang together, when I was young.”

“You knew them?”

“Well, I knew of them. They were famous. But I loved their music. You might not like it, it’s quiet and soft and usually tells stories.”

“Why wouldn’t I like it?”

“Well, the music you listen to usually is more ‘Ratty tatty, boom, boom, boom, screechy in the middle’ stuff.”

“Yes, I guess, but I like soft music too. I love piano music.”

“You do? I never knew that.”

“Well, at your house, I was never allowed to touch the piano.”

“Oh, Honey! That was because you were so young, and Grampie was very protective of his piano. You’re older now. Did you ever think about taking piano lessons?”

“Yes, but we don’t have a piano, so it was stupid.”

“Nothing is stupid, and I have a piano, that never gets played now that Grampie is gone. You could use it. You could come here after school and practice.

“Oh Gram! I’m so excited! I’m gonna go ask Mom right now!”

It all went just as planned. Lilly started lessons and stopped in every day after school to practice.

A year later Gram was sitting out front when her friend Connie walked by. “You must love the outdoors! I always see you sitting out here in the afternoons.”

“Actually,” she said, as muted piano sounds came out through the closed window, “I like my ears... turns out my granddaughter, Lilly, loves learning to play the piano, but so far, she’s terrible at it!”

Connie laughed, all the way home.