My fingertips registered the resistance, the vibration, but the air remained silent. Flying blind, I relied entirely on memory and tactile sensation, striking the keys mechanically.
One measure. Two measures.
Was I on tempo? Was the pitch correct? I had no way of knowing. I only knew I had to finish.
For Mom.
For the last scrap of dignity I had left.
A rough hand jerked my arm. My eyes flew open to Joshua's livid face. He hauled me off the bench with enough force to bruise.
"Stop! It's hideous!" he snarled, disgust twisting his features. "Did you do that on purpose? It sounds like a dying animal!"
*So... I played it wrong?*
I looked around blankly. Guests were covering their ears, their faces contorted with second-hand embarrassment and scorn. Isabella stood in the center of the crowd, laughing so hard her shoulders shook.
"Faith, are you playing the piano or smashing it? That was hilarious!"
Joshua's reputation was in tatters. He raised his hand, poised to strike. The air in the room grew heavy. But with so many eyes watching, he clenched his fist and lowered it, his knuckles white.
"Get out," he hissed, pointing at the grand double doors. "Get out of my sight. Now!"