“Why would you do this for me?”
Whywouldn’tI do this for him was more the question. “Do you like it?”
“Do I like it? Ollie, it’s…too much.”
“It’s not.” I gestured to the bench. “Well, go ahead. Try it out.”
Reid’s smile grew as he sat down and looked over the keys. A few seconds later, he positioned his fingers and began to play, and it sounded like the same sweet lullaby he’d made up in the music store the other day.
I relaxed against the side of the fridge as I watched him sink into the melody, and he didn’t have to tell me what he thought of his gift; I could see the elation written all across his face. When he finished playing, he closed the top over the keys and kept his head lowered. “Ollie, this is the most incredible gift you could’ve given me.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it, I do. But…” His eyes met mine. “I can’t accept this.”
“Of course you can.”
“No, it’s too much. You shouldn’t have spent your money on me.”
“Reid.” I moved over to the piano and looked down at him. “I can’t imagine buying anything that would give me half the pleasure I get from listening to you play. It’s also my choice howI spend my money, and if you decide you don’t want to accept it, then that’s fine. It’ll stay here as decoration.”
“Ollie—”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. You love it. I know you love it. Just say thank you and enjoy it. Please.”
He shook his head, and I thought he was about to put up another fight, but then he broke out into a beaming smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
With a laugh, he said, “I guess not. And I do love it. It’s beautiful.”
More beautiful with you behind it.
“Are you hungry? I can make some lunch if you play me another.”
“That’s a pretty kickass trade.”
“I thought so too. Are burgers okay? I can fire up the grill.”
“Actually”—Reid stood up and rocked on his heels—“before you do that, there’s something I’ve been wanting to give you, but I’m not sure if it’s something you want.”
“Reid, you don’t have to give me anything.”
“Neither did you, but you did anyway.”
“Point taken.”
“But… Well, the thing is, you knew I’d love the piano. I’m not sure how you’d feel about my gift.”
“Don’t be silly. If it’s from you, I’ll love it.”
“You may think you do until you know what it is. It’s sort of a selfish gift, really.”
“Oh yeah? You’ve got me curious now,” I said.
“Close your eyes and I’ll go get it.”
“You brought it with you?”