“Eventually, I went on to study piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Leipzig. Surrounded by gifted tutors, my skills ascended. I began to dream that I might someday perform in the Great Hall of the Musikverein, just like mymutterhad predicted. And as I developed my craft, I began to compose piano concertos.” He fiddled with the wrench. “But the war changed things for me.”
Anna drew a jagged breath. “Maybe there’s a chance for you to play again.”
He shook his head. “You’ll see why when we tune the upper strings.” He rose from the bench. “We should probably get back to work. I don’t want to keep you up all night.”
“I don’t mind,” she said.
He placed his hands inside the piano. “You’ll feel differently tomorrow, when Nia is nudging you to stay awake on the obstacle course.”
Nia swished her tail.
For the next thirty minutes, Anna tapped keys and Max adjusted tuning pins. Lacking a damper stick, which was needed for keys with multiple strings, Max improvised by using an old postcard to isolate strings. Key by key and string by string, they tuned the piano. As they ascended the keyboard, Anna observed how Max increasingly struggled to hear the sounds.
“The notes are turning faint and fuzzy,” he said.
Anna tapped the key harder.
He resorted to placing his ear to the top of the piano to register the pitch, and a few strings higher he shook his head. “You’ll have to direct me from here.”
Anna’s heart sank. “Okay.”
Relying on Anna’s guidance on pitch, Max tuned the upper registry strings. And when they began working on the lower half of the keyboard, which Max could hear well, his ardor returned.
“I was thinking about Fleck’s comments on your right shoulder work,” Max said, tightening a string.
She straightened her spine. “And—”
“In my opinion, your right shoulder work is excellent. Nia has yet to guide me into a pole, tree, wagon, door, or any other fixed object.”
Anna tucked loose hair behind her ear, then tapped a key.
Nia, roused by hearing her name, stood and sat beside Max.
He rubbed Nia’s fur. “I think Fleck is being tough on you to show the others that he’s not taking his decision to allow you to train lightly.”
“I don’t know,” she said, shifting in her seat. “I have lots to learn.”
“Everyone does,” Max said. “Fleck and his men are new to training shepherds to be guides. Prior to establishing the school, they were working with ambulance dogs, and none of them had worked with disabled veterans.”
Anna’s confidence bloomed. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“You’re doing a splendid job. Keep doing what you’re doing and Fleck will eventually realize that you’re the best trainer in school.” He looked toward Anna. “And that you and Nia are irreplaceable.”
Nia panted and wagged her tail.
“Danke.” She fought back tears welling in her eyes. “You’re doing well, too. I’m sure that Fleck will permanently assign you a shepherd, and I hope it is Nia.”
“Me too.” He stroked Nia’s ears. “But—”
“What?”
“You and Norbie are fond of her, and she’s attached to both of you. I hate the thought of taking her away from her home.”
He’s facing the possibility of a future alone, and he’s worried about everyone but himself.“Nothing would make us happier than for Nia to be with you.”
He nodded reluctantly.
“I do, however, expect you to send us letters to keep us apprised on how Nia is doing. And you should know that when Norbie and I begin to miss her, which will happen quite often, we’ll be coming to visit her in Leipzig.”
