“Not all of it, but it really seems like an interesting role. I take it that I’m the smart one who figures everything out.” April looked squarely at Sonya for a confident moment. “I don’t want to impose...” Her confidence waned and faded away with every word. “You’ve already taught me so much those years as my teacher but...”
“Go ahead, April. Tell me. You know you can tell me anything.”
She looked down at her plate for a long moment before locking eyes with Sonya again. “I was hoping we could read lines together.”
Sonya smiled, immensely pleased with the request. “I was hoping you’d ask. I’d love to read lines with you. We have several scenes together.”
“Yes. I noticed that. I think it could be helpful for both of us.”
“And what about me?”Dr.Ang said with a teasing grin.
“Fortunately for you, Dr.Ang, the king is more of a brooder than a talker. I do believe you have very few lines, with the exception of one long and emotional speech.”
He shrugged. “It’s just as well. While I’m excited about appearing in this production, I don’t feel I’ve had a true calling for the stage.”
“Oh, Dad,” April said. “I’m sure you’ll do a great job.”
He grabbed his coffee cup and got up to pour himself more.
“It might only be lukewarm by now. It’s been sitting there for over twenty minutes.
“Too bad you don’t have one of those new microwave ovens,” April said.
“A new what?”Sonya said, looking at the younger woman as if she’d spoken in a foreign language.
“It’s this new thing that’s hitting the market. You put your food or drink in it, zap it for a minute and it comes out piping hot.”
“I’m too old for these new-fangled things,” Sonya said with a laugh.
“I’m with you,” Dr.Ang said. “Nothing better than the simple, old-fashioned way.”
*****
“WE HAVE ONE SPECTACULARsong together,” Sonya said, pulling out her copy of the script as well as the music and lyrics to their song. “Want to give it a try?”
“Can I take a look at that?”April said.
Sonya handed her the music. “It’s a bit of a complicated melody and there are a few unusual harmonies here and there. I could sing it for you to give you an idea.”
But, looking at the music, April began to sing. “If ever we meet, would you know me.” Her voice was perfect; her tone angelic. “It’s been so long since you’ve been free.If I climb higher, I’ll lose sight of you.But if I fall, we both lose.”
Stunned, Sonya smiled and applauded when April finished the song.
“Was that okay?”April said.
“Okay? That was so beautiful.” Sonya looked at the sheets of music in April’s hand. “I don’t remember teaching you to read music.”
“You did, very briefly. I think I was too young and inexperienced to really make the connection with the note I sang and the dots on the paper. After you left, I practiced. I was determined to prove to myself that I could do it. I sat at the piano, played the note, then sang it. At first, I stuck to simple melodies and even read songs for which I already knew the melody. In time I managed to train myself to grasp every note.”
“I’m impressed. Even I still struggle to read properly.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Want to run through the song together?” Sonya said. “The one thing that does not appear on the music sheet is the harmony in the bridge. For whatever reason, the composer neglected to put that part down.”
“Let’s do it.”
They sang the song but struggled through with the harmonies.
