(edited)
Wednesday through Saturday went by faster than I could realize. I spent most of that time, including late nights leading into early mornings, leaned over my lyric book and piano. Ten songs. I had created ten full songs within four days. I usually make an average of one song every week and a half, but this upcoming performance forced me to gather the thoughts in my head and translate them into the language that is music.
Josh is perched on the couch in the living room, sipping a coffee when he calls my name.
"Ty?" He cautiously reaches. I'm sitting in the desk in his den, realizing he probably wants my company, I gather a pile of sheet music and a pen, making sure to snag my lyric book before darting upstairs.
"Yeah?" I ask Josh breathlessly, papers falling to the floor and pen dropping from my mouth. I realize how crazed I must look, so I set my papers on the hard wood floor and sit down, crossing my legs.
"Busy?" Josh laughs.
"A bit, maybe." I hopelessly try to tame my hair by brushing with my fingers, to no avail of course. I push the papers around on the floor, looking for the pen that dropped from my mouth.
"You'll do fine, Tyler." Josh lifts my chin up delicately with his fingers and places a kiss on my lips.
"I'm excited." I admit. I'm ready to feel that energy again.
"Glad to hear it, Tyguy." He places his knuckles on top of my head to further mess up my hair. I giggle, pushing away his hand, but Joshua is much stronger than I, and sets his coffee of the floor, beginning to tickle my stomach.
"Joshua!! Sto-o-op!" I plead through laughs.
"You know how this goes!" Josh is smiling wildly, letting me know he won't let up until I can wrestle out of his grip.
"Ple-ease!! It's too early for this Josh!" I pry his relentless fingers from my side and push his arm to the side, immobilizing his left side, now for the right.
"Josh you're too strong!" I don't remember how I got out of this last time.
"You can do it!" Josh encourages me. I like to believe this is his alternative to trying to drag me to the gym. I would go if there weren't so many people. I guess these little tickle-sessions will suffice for daily cardio.
I pull his other arm away from me and flip him over, his shoulders landing on the hard wood floor with a satisfying thump. Success.
"There." I state, breathlessly.
"I did it." My head drops as I hold Josh's hands above his head, preventing another attack. Rolling to the side, Josh and I lay next to each other on the floor, catching our breath.
"Good job." Josh grudgingly admits.
"I know." A small smirk plays my lips.
After a few seconds, Josh can breathe evenly, and sits up.
"So, what have you got?" Josh is referring to the sheet music that lays on the floor next to us.
Also sitting up, I start to sort the pages.
"My final piece for the performance. No lyrics, just piano. I don't know what I should call it yet."
Josh takes a random paper from the floor and studies it. I'm a little confused, because I know that Josh can't read sheet music.
"It looks like... you." Josh gathers.
"What do you mean?" Genuinely confused, I want to know what he's on about.
"I can't read sheet music, but I know the basics. These long phrases that are still and unmoving remind me of the peace that resonates around you, and the chaotic notes following describe you in all you are. This piece is you. Isn't it?" My eyes are reading Josh. My heart slows and my breaths come uneven. I put everything into my music.
"No Josh. That piece is us." Like I said. I put everything, into my music. I stand on my knees and close the distance between Josh and I. Embracing him.
---
(684 words)
