A Lie in Fall

Chapter Twenty One

Karly: *eating cannolis* But you have me. I'm going to have surgery, see. On February 18. I'm going to struggle as hard as I can. Struggle, struggle, struggle, like there's no tomorrow. It's your fault. It's your fault, all of it.*thinks* The reason I'm putting up such an unseemly struggle, why I'm so fixated on living... it's your fault. You gave me this desire to cling to the time that I spend with you. Aren't you going to struggle, too? We're so good at struggling! We risk our lives to struggle because we're musicians, remember?

Enzo: But... I haven't touched the guitar for a week now. My fingers...

Karly: It was the same when you were my accompanist.

Enzo: Back then, I was always playing the guitar for my part time job. No way can I play decently now! Being able to play in this state would be a miracle.

Karly: You're looking down again. *stands up and imagines that she's playing the guitar* See? Miracles can happen just like that! *falls into Enzo's arms* You exist inside me, Enzo Woods. You like egg sandwiches and you like Moo Moo Brand milk. What else do you like? What are your favorite insects? What kind of stuff did you collect? What anime shows did you like? There's so much that I don't know. I envy Jessica for knowing everything. I want to know so many things about you. *holds on tight to Enzo's sleeves as she starts crying* So... I'm so scared. I'm so scared. Don't leave me all alone!

Enzo: I'm a moron. She's ultra violent and her personality blows. She leaves the worst impression. But... She's beautiful. You're so beautiful in the snow.

*At the Eastern Japan Music Competition and also at Karly's surgery*

Doctor: We're going to start the anesthesia, all right? Now take a deep breath.

Karly: Listen, Doctor... "We all need someone to kiss us goodbye."

*Karly's parents standing there waiting for the surgery to get done while her mom prays*

Karly: Miracle...

Nurse: Her pulse is stable.

Doctor: Anesthesia induction complete. We're going to begin the surgery now.

*Back at the Eastern Japan Music Competition Emi had just finish her performance as the audience cheering and clapping for her*

Ms.Yung: You've won... You couldn't have played better, Emi!

Nila: All I can do is sigh. Brother gave a great performance too, but on another level, she didn't concede an inch! I see... So this person is ahead of me on the path I want to follow.

Judge: That was splendid. I thought that Takai would be the runaway favorite, but there's no way to tell. Artistic impression's all that separates them now... *looks at Ms.Yung with a smirk on her face* You're certainly putting on the finishing touches. You damned witch.

*Sandra shows up and takes her seat next to her daughter Jenny and Takai's kid sister Nila*

Sandra: As always, so adept at fanning the flames of determination, that Ms. Ochiai.

Nila: Ms. Cabrera how was he? Mr. Woods?

Sandra: Oh, awful. I brought him to the venue but who knows if he can play decently. He's reverted to that state from years ago. It's not even a matter of how he does in this competition anymore. He might very well be finished as a guitarist, too.

*Enzo backstage sitting on the floor with his arms crossed and head down while crying*

Enzo: Help me. Help me!

Sandra: I'm at my wits' end...

*Emi walking backstage as the competitors clapping for her and complimenting her on her performance*

Emi: Did you see that, Takai? Woods?

Takai: Hey, what's the matter? You're not feeling well? Want me to get you some medicine? I can bring you an antacid right away.

Emi: Isn't he just getting himself focused?

Takai: Huh? Oh... Yeah but still...

Enzo: Play... Gotta play, gotta play, gotta play.

*The audience excited to see Enzo perform as the host calls his name and his number*

Takai: H-Hey. Are you okay?

Enzo: Yeah... I'm fine. I'm fine, all right?

Emi: You're fine? Your face couldn't be paler. Anybody can see that you're not yourself. Come on, let's go to the infirmary!

Enzo: Sorry. But... I've got to play. Because I'm a guitarist. Because I promised.

*Enzo walks on stage as the audience says his name and they start clapping while Takai and Emi watch backstage*

Takai: Dude's not gonna pass out or anything, is he?

*Enzo bows and sits down as he looks at the guitar and remembered what Karly had told him*

Karly: I made you remember something you don't want to remember. A guitarist who can't hold her own bow... that's pointless. I won't forget. I won't forget, even if I die.

Enzo: I've got to play. I've got to play I've got to play. Because... I'm a guitarist.

Nila: Mr. Woods?

Sandra: Enzo!

*Someone in the audience sneezed as Enzo looks to see who sneezed*

Jessica: Jessica, you dummy!

Drake: I don't know you! I don't know you!

Enzo: Jessica... You're here... I see. Everybody's watching me. *starts performing*

Emi: This isn't just pesante...

Takai: It sounds so deep, so unhurried.

Judge: Ah... What a remarkably rich sound...

Ms.Yung: Like a whisper, like a show of affection, so gently....

*While Enzo is performing he remembered what Drake had asked him*

Drake: You were thinking about a girl you like, right?

Enzo: You bet I was.

Sandra: For now, just play from your heart.

Enzo: Inside my heart, it's all chaos. But it's not all bad, you know.

Jessica: Oh, come on. You've done nothing but play the guitar.

Enzo: *talking in his head while performing* Can't help that. I'm not good with words, remember? Everybody's watching... The reason I'm here right now... ...is because I had you. The people who played a part in my life. The people who made my life fuller. I can't let them down. Do you think I can do it? Play. Play. That's who I am, how I'm going to live my life. Because I'm a guitarist. Just like you... I'm a musician, after all!

Sandra: Enzo's performance is bursting with color. Bursting... with such mournful color.