Before We Were Strangers Read Online Free PDF Page B

radiating from the concrete. “I heard you playing last night,” I told her.
    She glanced at me nervously. “Was I too loud?”
    “Not at all.”
    “My friend Tati came over and practiced with me. She plays the violin. I hope it didn’t keep you up.”
    “I liked it a lot, Grace,” I said, seriously. “How’d you learn to play?”
    “I taught myself. My mom got me a cello from a garage sale when I was nine. We didn’t have much money, as I’m sure you’ve gathered by now. There’re no frets on a cello so it requires a lot of ear training. I just listened to a ton of records and tried to re-create the sounds. I got a guitar after that and then a piano when I was twelve. In high school, my music teacher wrote me an insane letter of recommendation. That’s how I got in here. I struggled last year, though, and wasn’t sure if I’d stay.”
    “Why?”
    “I had no formal training outside of my high school orchestra, and this place is really competitive. I’m mostly trying to get good enough to be a studio musician.”
    “What kind of music do you like to play?”
    “I like to play everything. I really like rock and roll, but I like the classical stuff, too. Even though it’s a huge pain to lug around, I love the cello. I love how its texture can be growly or smooth. When I play the strings without a bow, it reminds me of skipping rocks, and I can’t help but picture those flat little pebbles against the still water.” I stopped. She walked a few feet ahead of me and then turned back. “What’s up?”
    “That was a really beautiful way to put it, Grace. I’ve never thought about music that way.”
    She sighed. “I just wish passion was enough.”
    “There’s no right or wrong in art. My mom always said that.”
    I detected a slight nod and then she gestured toward the street. “Come on, we have to cross.”
    I was completely lost in New York and hadn’t gotten my bearings, or even figured out how to use the subway, so having Grace there lessened the frightening newness of the big city.
    “So, do you have a boyfriend?”
    She continued looking ahead but didn’t miss a beat. “No, I don’t date.”
    “Just casual sex?” I grinned.
    She blushed. “A lady never tells. What about you?”
    “I had a girlfriend for a couple of years right out of high school but nothing serious since then. She’s engaged to my brother now, so my track record is pretty awesome.”
    “You’re kidding?”
    “Nope.”
    “Isn’t that weird? I mean, what happened?”
    “She dumped me the week I declared my major. My dad, too.” I said the last part under my breath.
    “Did you guys have a good relationship?”
    “Monica’s dad and my dad are partners at the same law firm. We were kind of set up. I liked her at first but never really thought about a future with her. She wanted me to go into law but it wasn’t my thing. We had different interests. It was for the best. We broke up, and then two weeks later she was dating my brother. I never talked to him about it. There are plenty of asshole things I could have said, but I didn’t want to stoop to his level. He can have her.”
    “Were you heartbroken?”
    “Not at all. I guess that’s pretty telling. The hardest part for me is not laughing at the whole stupid thing when I’m around them. That’s another reason I had to get out of L.A. My brother just graduated from law school and likes to rub it in my face. It takes everything in me not to remind him that he’s going to have to live the rest of his life knowing I’ve fucked his wife.”
    “Oh.” Grace looked shocked for a moment, and her cheeks flushed. I wasn’t sure if I offended her.
    We walked in silence as I berated myself for being so blunt until Grace pointed up to a sign. “Here we are.”
    “We’re having lunch at the New York Plasma Center?”
    “Yep. So here’s the deal. For your first time you can only do plasma. Make sure you eat as many of the free pretzels and granola bars as you