chdayatthekeys,enthralledbythemathematicsofthehemusicseizedmelikearivercurrentpushingmysciousselfdeeperintomycore,asiftherewerenoothersoundintheworldbutone.Igrewmylegsaningerthannecessarythatfirstsummeriobetterreachthepedalsontheupright.Aroundthehouse,school,andtown,Ipracticedspreadingmyfingersasfarapartastheywouldgo.Thepadsofmyfiipsbecamesmoothaher-sensitive.Myshouldersboweddownandforward.Idreamtierwaveofscales.ThemoreadeptmyskillanduandihemoreIrealizedthepowerofmusicalphrasingineverydaylife.Thetrivolvesgettingpeopletolistentotheweakbeatsandseeminglyinsignifitsileweeheabseoweentones.Byphrasierwitharuthlesslypreciselogieplay—orsay—anything.Musictaughtmegreatself-trol.

    Myfathercouldnotstandtohearmepractice,perhapsbecausehereal-izedthemasteryIhadattained.Hewouldleavetheroom,retreatintothefarthestersofthehouse,orfindanyexcusetogooutside.AfewweeksafterMomandIboughtthepiano,hecamehomewithourfirsttelevisio,andaweeklateramaandinstalledanantennaontheroof.Intheevenings,myfatherwouldwatchYouBetYourLifeorTheJackieGleasonShow,metokeepitdown.Moreandmore,however,hesimplyleftalto-gether.

    "Imgoingforadrive."Healreadyhadhishaton.

    "Yourenotgoingdrinking,Ihope."

    "Imaystopinforohtheboys."

    "Dooolate."

    Wellaftermidnight,hedstaggerin,singingormutteringtohimself,swearingwheeppedohegirlstoysorbarkedhisshinonthepianobenchashepassed.Weatherpermitting,heworkedoutdoorseveryweekend,replagshutters,paintingthehouse,rewiringthe