The Violin Players by Eileen Bluestone Sherman

Author:Eileen Bluestone Sherman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society
Published: 2020-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

6

Sunday

ON THAT COLD SUNDAY morning before Thanksgiving, Melissa, bundled in her quilted bathrobe, sat by the kitchen telephone talking to her grandmother in New York City. She didn’t care that her mother stood only several feet from her, beating eggs at the counter and listening to every word. “So anyway, Grandma,” Melissa was explaining, “he already plays like a concert violinist. He’s unbelievable. I’m sure he’s going to be very famous one day. Right now, he studies at the conservatory in Kansas City. His name? Daniel. Daniel Goodman.” After she hung up, Melissa turned to her mom. “Grandma sends her love. She didn’t want to disturb you while you were making breakfast. She says she’ll call back tonight.”

Melissa’s mother gave her daughter a quizzical look. “So tell me more about this Daniel. I remember you mentioning a talented violinist.”

“I was going to tell you and Daddy at breakfast. Daniel plays Romeo. He’s the one I coach.”

Mrs. Jensen smiled. “Somehow I suspect that this Romeo was the reason you decided assistant director isn’t such an awful job.”

“Puh-leeze, Mother. Don’t make a big deal out of it. I’m his coach. That’s all.”

Melissa’s mother was still puzzled. “it’s so unlike you to mention anything about your social life to your grandmother. I mean I know she lectures you.”

“True. But I knew she would approve of Daniel,” Melissa said. “He’s Jewish,”

“Who’s Jewish?” asked Michael Jensen as he groggily entered the kitchen, shuffling along in his slippers and terrycloth robe. His face lit up with a smile of satisfaction as he inhaled the aroma of his wife’s freshly brewed coffee.

Without having to be asked, Melissa reached for a coffee cup from the cupboard. As she handed her father his mug, Melissa started to tell both her parents about Daniel–how they first met on the baseball field and then in orchestra class. She explained that his own folks were away in Japan and that he lived with his grandmother. “In fact, I promised Daniel I’d go over there and rehearse with him later,” Melissa said.

“Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Her mother’s voice sounded uncharacteristically shrill. “I told you I invited the Browns over for the afternoon. You knew Chris and Kathy were coming.”

Melissa held her hands up in defense. “Mom, don’t get so excited. Daniel won’t be home from his violin lesson till five or six. We’re rehearsing at his grandmother’s house tonight.”

Satisfied, Melissa’s mother prepared French toast and no one mentioned Daniel again. Instead, Anita explained everyone’s household duties in preparation for their afternoon guests.

After a leisurely breakfast, Melissa’s father disappeared into the living room and, after a few futile attempts, proudly produced a crackling fire in the grand marble fireplace. Meanwhile, Melissa washed the dirty breakfast dishes while her mother set up the luncheon buffet on the mahogany dining table. Afterward, all hurried upstairs to shower and dress.

The doorbell rang at 1 P.M. sharp. Melissa checked her hair one last time in her mirror. From the upstairs window, she peeked through the lace curtain and saw the familiar station wagon parked in front of the house.

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