have nothing else to do but reminisce and apologize to no one. It’s funny, no matter how much waiting you do, the end always seems sudden.” Reginald looked from Nick to the little girl and back to Nick.“Who are you? What are you doing here? Why are my walls yellow?” The little girl was smiling at him, had never stopped smiling. Her legs kicked back and forth below her. “Daddy says I might get a little brother,” she said suddenly. Reginald’s eyelids relaxed and he smiled back at the girl. “You know, I had a child once.” Nick stood up quickly and walked in the same direction as his mother. Reginald, puzzled by the abrupt response, looked up and watched him leave. “Could you tell me about him?” the girl asked. Reginald smiled again, this time with a serene warmth that looked like stepping into a bath. “I remember swimming in soup…” His words stopped. He continued to stare forward, but his smile had been lured into a look of wonder. His mouth sat slightly open and his eyes glazed. He was interrupted by music, the sound of a piano coming from the basement. “She’s playing!” said the little girl. “Chopin’s 4th prelude,” he said, but it was too quiet for her to hear. The little girl continued to speak, but Reginald no longer heard her. He only sat as still as he could, and waited to hear the sharp C stick.
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