Not that she didn't believe him, but it was hard to believe that they gave each other the same sense of calm and strength.
"It's kind of you to provide such comfortable chairs for your students' families."
"Sometimes listening to someone practice an instrument and learn can be very difficult. I suppose at the very least I could offer them a comfortable place to sit."
"I know that well."
It was true, she did know how badly an instrument could sound before a person got competent on it. "I've heard violins are one of the worst."
"Honestly, I feel like horns would be terrible. They have a loud, sometimes obnoxious sound when they're not played correctly, and it's true the violins screech, but that's not the kind of noise that you can't get away from. A horn, on the other hand..." He shuddered in an exaggerated way.
They laughed together.
She felt more at ease than she had since she had stood up in the community meeting and volunteered herself.
“I’m sorry I jumped in the middle of your idea at the meeting.”
He waved a hand. "No apology necessary. I think our goals are the same. We both love this town and want to help it. And you offered the only thing you knew, and all you had. I admire that. Especially when you're not even sure you can do it. That to me is what bravery is."
She swallowed hard. His words, sincere and serious, made her spine stiffen and her chest feel deeper and bigger. Like maybe she really was brave. Maybe she really could do it. Maybe there really was some kind of character inside of her that made her do things that other people might admire.
"Thank you."
She couldn't think of anything else to say, and those words seemed to cover it all.
She took a sip of her hot chocolate, enjoying the aroma and the comfortable silence as she sifted through her mind, trying to figure out what they needed to talk about. It seemed like everything. There was so much, she didn't know where to begin.
"So, is it okay if I expound on my idea?"
"I'd like to hear it. Also, I assume you meant that you thought I might help you. You'd asked, and I told you I would think about it. I’ve thought about it."
"And?"
"My answer is yes. I'll do whatever I need to. Even though I'm not sure I'll be any good at it, and I have to admit I'm scared."
That made his lips turn up.
"Sometimes we need to do it afraid."
"Yeah. I'm learning that. And to let go of my ideas of perfectionism and just realize that I'll prepare as much as I can, and then allow the chips to fall where they will."
"And pray. We can do a lot of praying between now and then."
"I don't know. It's only three weeks."
"True. I'm trying not to think of the time limitations. But I suppose I should.” He seemed to hesitate, then he said, a little softer, “I wouldn’t have volunteered if I didn’t think you were going to say yes. I can’t imagine doing this without you.”
She nodded and took another sip of her hot chocolate, not knowing what to say. She was honored. Flattered. And, something warm had started to curl in her stomach. Something that made her feel like maybe she wasn't the only one who felt... attraction? Was that what it was? She thought maybe, but she wasn't sure.
"All right. This is what I was thinking." He began, and then he outlined in a little more detail what he had talked about during the meeting. She listened with rapt attention, picturing his vision in her head and seeing how that could work. Especially combined with what she had suggested.
"So, there will be at least five mini concerts. We won't be able to teach them a whole pile of songs in three weeks, but everyone could learn at least one, whether it’s singing or bells or instruments."
"And then we'll end with a mini concert of me."
"Exactly." He had long ago set his hot chocolate aside, and now he leaned forward with his arms resting on his knees. "We'll bring in the locals because of all the people who are playing in the small groups. And then we'll bring in non-locals to hear you."
"And you."
