Page 53 of Diamonds

“Fair enough.”Maddox opens the front door for me.

I’m about to walk out when I hear a voice calling out from behind me.

“Alissa?Alissa Maravilla?”

I turn my head.A sandy-haired man in a black tuxedo with a yellow rose boutonniere on his lapel is waving at me.

He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t quite place his face.

“Um…hi!”I give him a half wave.

He extends his arm.“Maestro Will Patterson.I’m an associate conductor for the CSO.You auditioned for us a few years ago, didn’t you?Flute?”

I widen my eyes as I shake his hand.“You remember me?”

He smiles.“It’s my job to remember.And you left quite an impression on our panel.You played beautifully.”

I paste a smile on my face, trying to think of how to respond to his words.

If I left such a good impression, why didn’t they hire me?

My music teachers prepared me for rejection.You never know what’s going on in the minds of the audition panels, they said.You can give a perfect audition and still not get the job.

Blah, blah, blah.I knew I wouldn’t get every gig I auditioned for.The numbers are against any musician.There’s a huge supply and a much smaller demand.

“I’m glad I left a good impression,” I finally eke out.

Will nods.“Indeed you did.Do you still play?”

I bite my lip.“I take a gig now and then.But I switched careers a few years back.I now work as a nurse at St.Charles General.Full time.”

Will frowns.“That’s a shame.I mean, it’s great that you’re a nurse.I’m sure you’re doing great work with your patients.It’s an important job.But you’re a magnificent flautist.”

My cheeks warm.“Thank you.I truly appreciate that.”

“It’s so funny that I ran into you.”Will pulls out a business card, pushes it into my hand.“Our first-chair flautist just announced that she’s planning to retire at the end of the season.It took us by surprise.She’s not exactly young, but we were banking on a few more years of her and don’t have anyone in place.We’re scrambling a bit, and we’d love it if you auditioned again.But if you’re no longer playing…”

I swallow.“I didn’t say that.I just said I have a full-time job.”

Will flashes me a smile.“This would be a full-time position.Benefits and everything included.”

I look at Will’s business card.It has his office number and email address on it.

“Would I just have to call you, set up a time?”

Will nods.“Or you can email.We’re not hearing that many people.Like I said, we’re scrambling.If you can get an hour or so off from the hospital, we’d love to hear you.”

I look down at the business card, back at Will, and then down to the card again.

Do I want to try this?

I left this part of my life behind.Spurned it for a more stable career.

I stifle a laugh.Most nurses would say their job is anything but stable.

But compared to being a musician?I’m on solid ground.

But…I felt something tonight.There is such joy in creating music.Even music that is as dark as the Shostakovich symphony we listened to this evening.