cedbutatinnyoctaveofnotes,andfromNewYearsDaythekeysgatheredadustycoat.Irescuedthetoyandsatinthenursery,playingnearlyreizabletunesfromdistantmemory.Mysisters,asusual,wereented,aliketwoentrancedyogisasItestedmymemoryonthepianoslimitedrange.Dustraginhand,mymotherwanderedbyandstoodinthedoorway,listeningily.Fromtheerofmyeye,Iwatchedherwatgme,andwhenIehaflourish,herapplausewasnotpletelyued.

    Inthefleetingtimebetweenhomeworkanddinner,Ipickedoutatuneofsorts,andgraduallyrevealedmynativetalent,butsheneededmoreencementthanthat.Myschemewascasualandsimple.Iletdropthefactthatahalf-dozenofthekidsinschooltookmusiclessons,when,intruth,theremayhavebeewo.Oncartrips,Ipretehatthepanelbelowmywindowwasakeyboardandfingeredmeasuresuntilmyfatherorderedmetocutthatout.Imadeapointofwhistlingthefirstfewbarsofsomethingfamil-iar,likeBeethovensNinth,whenhelpingMomdrythedishes.Ididnotbeg,butbidedmytime,untilshecametobelievetheideaasherown.Mygambitplayedoutwhen,ourdaybeforeHehbirthday,myparentsdrovemeintothecitytoseeamanaboutpianolessons.

    Weleftthetwintoddlerswiththeneighbors,ahreeofussatupfrontinmyfatherscoupe,embarkingearlythatspringminourSun-dayclothes.WedrovepastthetownwhereIwenttoschool,whereweshoppedaoMass,andontothehighwayintothecity.Shinycarszippedalongtheasphaltaswepickedupspeed,joiningaribbonofpureenergyflowinginbothdires.WewentfasterthanIdevergoneinmylife,andIhadothecityinnearlyonehundredyears.Billydrovethe49DeSotolikeanoldfriend,onehandonthewheel,hisfreearmthrownacrosstheseatbehindmymo