Page 16 of Serenade Me

“Good, I’m glad.”

“He really knows his stuff.”

“Well, you’re a pretty good student.”

“I dunno. I’m not really sure how good I really am,” I say, remembering Massimo’s frustration with me in the lesson.

“Anca, you’re set for stardom, that’s all you need to know.”

“Like my big brother!”

“That’s right!” he exclaims, and I can’t help but love him for his blind loyalty to me.

“You know that’s not what I’m interested in.”

“You don’t have to be, the world will find your talent even if you try to hide it...” There’s a muffled voice on the other end. “Hey, I’ve gotta go, I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” I tell him, knowing he never lets too many days go by before calling me.

“You need anything, any money?”

I roll my eyes. I have a bank account filled to the brim with money he deposits weekly, and he knows it. “Go away.”

“Love you, sis.”

“Love you right back, pain in my ass.” I hang up the phone, knowing Jez always waits for me to do it, no matter how busy he is.

I stare at his name as it disappear from my phone. I don’t tell him how much I wish I was travelling with him and his band right now.

Why didn’t I tell him more about Massimo?

That he’s hard on me, but teaching me so much. Teaching me that I need to grow so much more as an artist before I can really call myself a musician. That I need to be more humble, that I’m not ready yet.

I’m going to make my brother proud one day. Not yet, but one day.