I stared at the black piano. I wanted to smash it, I wanted to end its life. Everyone always said music created an escape, a new life. For me it had only brought pain.

My mother loved hearing my Dad play. And then after he died she had wanted me to play.

Yesterday was the last time I’d ever play. At Mom’s funeral, it felt wrong to keep playing.

Who would I play for? Myself, Emily?

I shook my head, no I didn’t want to play. I didn’t need to.

I walked up to the piano, shutting the lid slowly covering the keys. For a while this was my escape, my second life. But that life had died with Dad and then with Mom.

There was a loud knock at the front door. I stayed at the piano, I didn’t t need to answer. Who ever it was they’d understand.

“Ty,” it was Emily she was crying.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, “I ruined our friendship, and I never even loved Mason.” She paused letting out a small humorless laugh, “But I know that doesn’t mean much to you. Why would it?. . I mean I killed your hope and when you needed it most.. . I’m a terrible friend.”

I shook my head, for a second I thought Emily was in the room. She wasn’t a terrible friend, she was just learning. We both were.

“I just wanted to say that-”

She sighed as I walked quietly over to the door, leaning my ear against it.

“Oh, Ty,” she cried, “You know what I’m going to say. And it’s not even something you need to hear. . .you loved me too soon and I loved you too late. We’ll just keeping playing chase won’t we?”

I don’t want to play chase. I never was. It was more like hide and seek. I was searching for Emily and she was hiding. And now I’ve almost found her, I can hear her laughter and I’m about to open up the closet door she’s hiding behind.

“You know what,” she said her voice loud, “I’m going to say it. Not for you-for me.” She took a quick breath, “I love you. I love you Ty.”

I lifted my ear off the door. There she was, now all I had to do was open the door. Find her, save her.

I unlocked the door, slowly opening it.

Emily was still in her black dress from the funeral. Her face was stained with endless tears. She let out a small happy laugh when she saw me. I knew what she was thinking, this just became like the movies.

“It’s true,” she said, as I stepped out.

I gave her a small smile, “It better be.”

She laughed as I clasped her face between my hands, kissing her as the winter snow fell around us. It was freezing but the cold had never bothered me.

I had been waiting eight years to hear those words come out of her mouth. And I would have waited more. I would have waited all my life, because all I needed was this.