Chapter 3 - The Unexpected Delivery
The piano arrived on a rainy Tuesday morning.
Claire had just returned from taking Lily to school when a delivery truck blocked the driveway. Two men were lowering a polished mahogany baby grand piano onto a padded platform.
For one breathless moment, Claire thought Marcus had surprised them.
She imagined Lily coming home, seeing the piano, and realizing that her father had finally listened.
“Where would you like it?” one of the deliverymen asked.
Claire cleared space near the living room windows.
The instrument was beautiful. Its polished surface reflected the warm lamps, framed family photographs, and pale curtains. It transformed the modest townhouse into something grander.
Claire ran her fingers over the closed lid.
“Your daughter must be excited,” the deliveryman said.
“She will be.”
When Lily returned from school, she stopped in the hallway.
Her backpack slipped from her shoulders.
“For me?”
Claire’s heart warmed at the wonder in her voice.
“I think your father wanted it to be a surprise.”
Lily rushed forward but stopped before touching it.
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
She sat carefully on the bench and pressed a single key.
The clear note filled the room.
Then another.
Then a third.
Lily laughed, and Claire nearly cried.
When Marcus arrived home, Lily ran to him.
“Thank you, Daddy!”
Marcus looked from Lily to the piano.
His face hardened.
“Why is she touching it?”
Claire’s smile disappeared.
“What do you mean?”
“The piano is for Ethan.”
Lily slowly removed her hands from the keys.
Marcus placed his briefcase on the floor.
“Daniel’s apartment is too small. Ethan needs a proper instrument to practice on, so he’ll come here three evenings a week.”
Claire stared at him.
“You spent almost nine thousand dollars on a piano for your nephew?”
“It’s an investment.”
“And thirty dollars a week for Lily was too much?”
Marcus sighed impatiently.
“Ethan is serious. Lily is a child.”
“She is your child.”
“She bangs on keys.”
Lily climbed down from the bench and hurried upstairs.
Claire followed, but Marcus caught her arm.
“Do not turn this into a scene.”
She pulled free.
“You already did.”
That night, Lily asked whether she could play the piano when Ethan was not there.
Marcus refused.
“It is not a toy,” he said.
May you like
Claire watched her daughter nod as if she understood.
But when Claire tucked her into bed, Lily’s pillow was wet.
