Katie

30 Years Earlier...

In the captivating twilight of the October evening, while his younger brothers frolicked on their bicycles, savoring the fading sun's golden hues, John sat in the cozy embrace of the family living room. His schoolbooks lay open before him, but his mind wandered far beyond the pages of history. At fourteen years old, it seemed a daunting task to maintain focus amidst the allure of music that beckoned him like a siren's call. Oh, how he longed to lose himself in melodies and strum his guitar strings with abandon! Yet, the impending threat of having to repeat a grade hung overhead, a burden that menaced to shatter his dreams.

His teacher's admonitions echoed in his ears, reminding him of the dire consequences should he not rise to the challenge. His parents' expectations weighed heavily upon him, and he knew that a lack of academic success would mean the forfeiture of his cherished guitar lessons. Determined to appease their concerns, he resolved to obtain at least three good grades in the coming weeks.

As John sat cross-legged on the worn, brown corner sofa, his mind was filled with thoughts of iconic bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The allure of Bill Bentley's newest album enticed him, whispering of musical possibilities yet unexplored. While history's accounts of the Second World War seemed to escape his interest, John's focus wandered to the melodies that played in his heart.

Amidst the tranquil atmosphere of the household, a gentle creak of an upstairs door stirred his attention. He listened intently, recognizing the sound of stocking-clad feet gracefully descending the staircase. Soon, his gaze met the sight of Katie, his beloved sister, a vision of tousled charm with her loosely braided blonde hair and mismatched socks.

She approached the room, her steps unwavering, and without acknowledging John's presence, she made her way to the piano that stood majestically on the other side of the room. In a seamless dance of familiarity, she pulled a chair from the nearby dining table and settled herself before the instrument. All the while, John watched in quiet curiosity, the allure of music awakening within him once more.

Katie tenderly touched a white key, and as the sound faded away, she paused momentarily before pressing the neighboring key. This time, she waited a bit longer. Taking a deep breath, she struck the first note again, this time with more force. Then, starting from the left side of the keyboard, she proceeded to play each key, one after the other. When she finished, she leaned back and gazed at the instrument. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she remained silent, her breath almost imperceptible.

John crossed his arms over his chest and observed his sister as though witnessing a magical spectacle. He couldn't fathom what was transpiring in her ten-year-old head, but the piano and its enchanting tones captivated her completely.

For about five minutes, she sat motionless and silent. Then, Katie leaned forward again and began to play the same notes, this time starting from the right side of the keyboard, progressing through each key in succession.

Once more, she leaned back, and just as John was about to ask her what on earth she was up to, she started all over, touching each key in sequence. As she reached the other end of the piano, she played the first note again, then the one next to it. John noticed her vigorously shaking her head, and instead of playing adjacent keys, Katie skipped one and chose the one after that. Then, she pressed the first and third keys simultaneously, exerting some force with her little fingers.

Watching the subtle movement of her ears, John could tell that Katie was smiling. She attempted the same pattern thrice, giggling joyfully, and finally turned to face her brother.

"When you play two keys that are next to each other, it doesn't sound good," she said with a serious expression.

John nodded, genuinely intrigued.