Did you catch Monday's feature with the banner for Rec's story, Palouse? Check it out if you want to feature it in your signature. So I live in Washington, so I know how special this region of the state is, how scenic it can be... but just how few opportunities there can also be for anyone who is 'different'. Rec's story has all of that and more. I think you'll enjoy this excerpt as well. 

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Betty’s hopes and dreams were forced to change several months later, however. A large package, insured and marked fragile, arrived for Micah from Arizona. Betty puzzled over it, wanting to open the large envelope that was taped to the box and wanting to open the box itself. But Micah was at school and wouldn’t be climbing out of the yellow school bus until after 4 p.m.; it wouldn’t be fair to open Micah’s mail. Had she known what was in the package and how much it would affect her dreams for her son, she might have hidden it away for several years.

“It’s from Mother M,” Micah announced excitedly as he tore open the envelope later that day. Inside the large envelope were two more envelopes, one addressed to Betty and one addressed to Micah, on which was written: “Have Betty open her envelope first. Do not open yours, Micah, until Betty opens her envelope.” Micah read the instructions with a puzzled look on his face. He handed one envelope to Betty, who opened it, read the note inside and looked sadly at Micah before sitting him down and putting her arm over his shoulder.

“Mother M wanted you to know that Poppa M died.” She hugged Micah to her.

“But I didn’t send the CD back to him. I knew he would be upset,” Micah said, his deep, glistening brown eyes looking up into Betty’s.

“It wouldn’t have mattered, Micah. He has been too ill to play it. Open your letter now.”

Micah opened the letter gingerly, afraid of what it might say. He read it through twice and handed it to Betty.

“That’s wonderful, Micah. Mother M wants you to have Poppa M’s violin.”

Micah opened the carefully wrapped package and pulled out the violin and bow. “He showed this to me once. I remember how his hand rubbed the wood as if it was the cat, and then he played something on it before saying he was out of practice. I liked hearing him play, though. I want to learn to play just like on the CD. I want Poppa M, wherever he is, to hear me play Mendelssohn for him. Will you teach me how to play the violin, Mom?”

Betty noted how carefully Micah pronounced Mendelssohn. “You realize, Micah, that the Mendelssohn concerto is very difficult to play. It might take years to learn how to play it.”

“I’m going to learn it really fast,” Micah said. “I really want to play it for him as soon as possible.”

“Micah, I don’t know how to play the violin, so I can’t teach you, but I know that what you learned on the piano will help you.” She paused. In an encouraging voice, she said: “I will find someone who can teach you the violin. In the meantime, you’ll learn the same music theory on the piano that you would have to learn if you played the violin, so your time won’t be wasted.

“Also, Micah, we can go to the library and get a book explaining elementary violin technique. Would you like that?”

“I don’t want elementary violin, I want expert violin,” Micah said.

Betty smiled to herself. She knew that learning the violin was difficult, but she sensed something within Micah that would push him to work hard at it. The fact that Micah might not want to give undivided attention to the piano shadow-flashed through her mind, forcing a sadness in her.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she said. “You start with the beginner violin book and finish it as fast as you can. Then, I’ll get you the intermediate book, and then you’ll be ready for the ‘expert’ book, okay?” She didn’t know if an ‘expert’ book existed, but figured that, as with the piano, advanced books that stressed technique would be available.

Micah nodded.

That Saturday they went to the library to look for a book on how to play the violin. There were no books in stock at the Endicott library, but the librarian – her desk placard said her name was Janet Larsen – thought she could get a book from the Whitman County library system. Micah waited impatiently as Mrs. Larsen telephoned the central library, and when the librarian smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up, Micah could barely restrain himself from bounding around the room in joy.

“It will be here Thursday in the mail,” the librarian said.

“Why can’t it get here any sooner?” Micah asked.

“Micah, hold your horses. Mrs. Larsen is getting the book as fast as possible,” Betty said. “Janet, what time does your mail come on Thursday?”

“10 a.m.”

“We’ll be here at 10:01. Is that okay, Micah?”

“I guess so.” Micah shrugged his shoulders. He was disappointed, but he figured maybe he could handle the wait.

 

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