Page 6 of Play Me

“What did he steal?”

“My cello rosin!”

“How did he steal it? From your purse?”

“No, he just took it. In the store.” Ugh, why isn’t she getting it?

“So he didn’t pay??”

“No. Well, yes, his friend paid.”

“He paid you?”

“No, he paid George, for the rosin.”

“So, he stole from George?”

“No, I told you his friend paid.” This was going nowhere.

“So it ...wait. What? So he didn’t steal at all!”

“Yes! It was mine!”

“Had you paid for it?”

“No...”

“So...”

“Shut up, it was just mine, OK, and he took it. And then left.” I cross my arms indicating I was done talking about this.

“Without kissing you.” Ugh, again with the kissing. You’d think he’d kissed her.

“Yes. Well...” Technically...

“Wait. He DID kiss you?”

“Well, just on the cheek!”

“Way to bury the lead! Tell me about this cheek kisser!” Sarah jumps up at the word ‘kisser’ entirely too excited about nothing.

“I told you, he’s a thief!” I frown at her. Whose side was she on?!

“You gotta let go of the rosin, babe,” she sighs.

“Never! Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” I wave my hand, dismissing any more questions.

“Fine. What are you doing tonight, other than not thinking about rosin-thieving cheek kissers?”

“Nothing. Which is exactly what I want to be doing, so whatever you’re thinking, no.”

“Come on, I have tickets to this amazing group called No Strings Attached, they’re a string quartet playing mashups of classical music and rock covers.”

“Wow. That sounds absolutely...horrendous.” I shudder at what that might sound like.

“Why?”

“Er, hello. I’m a classically trained pianist and music teacher.”

“Don’t be such a snob. Trust me, they’re brilliant. They just won a Grammy, first ever non-lyrical Brand New Artist winner! Anyway, you never go out anywhere with me. You know I have to live vicariously through you now that I’m married.”

I did feel a little bad. I had been so busy with work lately that we’d hardly spent any time away from school together. She’d been there through everything good and bad in my life and I guess I could give her one night out.

“Fine. But I’m bringing a book.” I warn her.

“YAY! Pick you up at 7:00.” And she skips out of the room before I can change my mind.