The Flautist. Part Five

A small church, perhaps dating from the 12th century, was their venue for the evening. There were still some medieval frescoes on the walls. 

Kate walked to the part that would be her stage. Her high heels tapped on the ancient stone floor. The sound reflected off the walls and soon the church was filled with it. Kate took a deep breath, turned and clapped her hands. Perfect. She eagerly took off her guitar, sat down and played a few bars of Vivaldi's Concerto in D. She sighed. 

"Wow, what a great place. The sound comes right back to me. I can control every note."

"Like you always do," Michelle thought, taking off her flute and joining Kate. The sound was incredible, the instruments blended perfectly. 

***

Michelle and Kate took another bow and left the stage. The audience gave them a standing ovation. The duo, inspired by the acoustics of the church, gave their best performance ever and the people felt it. 

"Play them that song you played this morning."

"You're kidding."

"Please, Kate, please. They deserve an encore and I am exhausted. You need to play a little solo and this song is perfect."

"It would look bad if I did a solo. We are an ensemble. If we cannot go on, they will understand."

"I'll introduce you. OK?"

Kate nodded resignedly. 

She had a perfect view of the audience during her performance. Those old ladies would beat her to death with their umbrellas for playing a metal ballad at a classical concert in a medieval church. On the other hand, metal and the Middle Ages get along well. 

After an energetic performance of "Nothing Else Matters", the concert came to an end. Kate left the stage, put her guitar in its case, turned around and was shocked to see half a dozen old ladies, all armed with umbrellas, running towards her. 

"My dear, I never knew this music could sound so good on a single guitar!" exclaimed one of them.

"Yes, and it was so rich, wasn't it? Who would have thought?" added another. But suddenly they stopped chirping and made room for the smallest of them all, who was apparently a leader among them. The little lady tapped Kate's arm with the handle of her umbrella.

"I respect you, my dear, for not playing the solo." 

Kate nodded with dignity.

"Thank you, madam."

"It was so sensitive of you. And added to the whole arrangement. It is your song now. Sometimes you have to take something out to add so much more."

Kate smiled modestly. 

"What was all that fuss about the solo?" asked Michelle as they packed their instruments into the luggage compartment of a taxi. 

"This is a rare occasion when the solo is played by James, not Kirk. And James wrote this solo for his partner. It is very personal. Playing it is like reading someone's love letters. Out loud. In public."

The girls sat down in the back. The taxi moved slowly. They had about half an hour's drive ahead of them. Tiredness began to overtake them.  

"I promised you something . . . and I want to keep my word."

"Yes . . . ?"

Kate was silent for a moment, then, taking advantage of the fact that the driver could not speak their language, she began to make silly rhymes. 

I'm going on a mountain trip
And I hope for a good grip
Such a journey is full of thrills,
I'm gonna start from the hills

Michelle slapped Kate's knee. The blonde giggled and continued.

I am an ambitious chick
Certainly I'll reach the peak 
And I'll stay for a short rest 
Because I need to taste your chest

"Kate!"

"What?"

"He's listening!"

Moving on with my drill
To the valley and down the hill!
And from there I have hope
To climb up the second slope
Every step would be a kiss
Pleasure I don't want to miss
As soon as I reach the peak
I will give you a good lick

"Kaaaaate!" 

"Whaaaaat?" 

Michelle took Kate's hand and squeezed it tightly. 

"It's . . . it . . . it works."

"Good!"

"When did you write that?"

"I just made it up. Here and now."

Then I'll definitely try
Running down to your thigh
Kiss your legs down to your toes
For a minute ... more? Who knows?
Up again from your feet
Up to where your sweet legs meet
Up your belly, up your chest,
This is not the time to rest
Back again, girl, be brave!
What is that? Must be a cave!
Perfect place to make a nest
All night here I will rest 

Michelle jumped out of the cab before it came to a complete stop. Kate followed. 

"Now, my lady, you go straight upstairs," Michelle ordered, her voice shaking. "And I swear I will make you keep all your promises."