“Where have you been?” she asked/shouted.
“Umm, just out in the woods…did you know there’s an abandoned house thing out there?” I replied, not really answering her question all that well.
Her face softened a little, but the panic didn’t leave her eyes.
“Lily, honey you’re 10, you can’t just disappear for 2 hours and not tell anyone where you are.”
I frowned, had I really been gone for 2 hours? Hmm, looks like I should start with the sorries. I looked at my feet, poked out my bottom lip a little and said, in the most timid voice I could manage, “I’m sorry mommy…I just lost track of time.”
Mom’s face immediately went from mad/scared to sympathetic/sorry…it always did when I pulled the little kid stuff.
“It’s fine honey, I shouldn’t panic like that. I’m the one who’s sorry…” She continued, but I couldn’t even hear her. In my head, I was sitting at that dirty bench, my fingers on the keys of that piano, the only thing that was still usable in the remains of that house..I really think it was fate.