Hearts in Harmony

When the pizza was in the oven, Celeste walked into the living room to put some music on. She didn’t have much yet, but she had started a small collection of Christian music, which included the same CD Adrian had had in his car.

While she tried to think of which one to put on, Adrian wandered across her living room.

“Wow. You’ve got a great electric piano. It’s probably silly of me to ask if you play. Maybe we could do something together one day. I’d bring my guitar.”

She broke out into a cold sweat. Her hand shook too much to put on the CD. Her past was behind her. What Adrian was asking was entirely different.

She forced the words out. “I just play for my own enjoyment. I don’t think so.” Her words were truer than Adrian could ever guess. When she said ‘for her own enjoyment,’ she meant she played alone. She’d exchanged the joy of making music with others for something of much more value, even if at times it hurt.

He fumbled for the switch, turned it on, and plunked out a few notes. “Nice sound. I tried to learn to play piano when I was a kid. I wasn’t very good. I’m actually not very good on guitar, either, but I’m the best they’ve got.” He plunked out a few more notes, shook his head and stepped back. “Would you like to tickle the ivories for me?”

“Plastics,” she mumbled.

“Plastics?”

“The keys are plastic. Even if it was a real piano, I don’t think they use ivory anymore.”

He stared at her for a few seconds. “Then would you like to tickle the plastics?” Adrian paused as he shook his head. “I think it loses something when you say it that way.”

Thankfully, she heard the oven timer go off. Before he could ask again, Celeste hustled into the kitchen, removed the pizza from the oven, cut it into slices, and set it on the table.

They bowed their heads while Adrian prayed. “Dear Lord, thank You for this food, and for the rich blessings You’ve bestowed upon us. Thank You also for friends, both old and new, and the opportunity to share with them. Amen.”

She hadn’t taken her first bite when Adrian started with the phrase she had been hoping wouldn’t come out.

“So. Tell me a little about yourself.”

Celeste studied her plate as she spoke. “There isn’t much to tell. I work in the credit department of a small company. I haven’t been there very long. Soon I’m going to take an accounting course. I’ve started looking into what’s available at night school, so I can still work.”

The touch of his hand on hers startled her. “See what we have in common already? I’m an accountant. Also, we like the same ice cream.”

What he was trying to do was more than obvious. While she did like him, she was far from ready to enter the relationship he alluded to.

He grinned. “You’re looking at me funny.”

“Sorry. You don’t look like an accountant.”

One eyebrow quirked. “And what should an accountant look like?”

Celeste chewed on her lower lip before answering. “Accountants are short and bald, wear suits all the time, and have suspenders to keep their pants up. They also have those little half-sized reading glasses perched on the ends of their noses all the time.”

Adrian cleared his throat, straightened his stylish glasses, then ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll never be bald.” He patted the knot of his tie. “Have I just been insulted?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. That came out wrong.” Although her supervisor did look exactly as she’d described.

He let her steer the conversation away from personal questions and back to neutral topics. Before long she found herself enjoying his company and laughing at his lame jokes. When he checked his watch and stood to leave, her disappointment surprised her.

“I can’t believe what time it is. The guys are coming over to practice tonight, and I have to get my groceries put away before they get there.”

She escorted him to the door.

“Goodnight, Celeste. Will I see you again on Sunday? I’d like to pick you up, but I have to go early to set up.”

Her answer came without thought. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

“I’ll be looking forward to Sunday more than ever, then.”

Adrian smiled and left.

After his car had rounded the corner, Celeste returned to the kitchen to clean up. However, when she entered the kitchen and looked at the fridge, she skidded to a halt.

Adrian had forgotten his bag of groceries in her freezer.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the bag, and ran out to coax her mother’s car to start.

Three cars were parked in Adrian’s driveway. Adrian’s car was on the street, telling her that his friends had arrived before him.

Bag in hand, Celeste headed up the sidewalk.

Paul Calloway leaned against the corner of Adrian’s table. He crossed his arms and watched his friend shoving his groceries into the cupboards with no concern for organization.

“I can’t believe you forgot we moved up the practice time. In fact, it was your idea.”

“I was busy with something else,” Adrian mumbled, but didn’t elaborate.

Adrian measured some coffee beans into the grinder, then filled the coffee machine with water. “You know, I’m positive I’m missing something. I’m sure I bought more than this.”

The doorbell rang. Paul looked back over his shoulder. “You expecting someone?”

Adrian checked his watch, and shook his head. “No, I’m not. I’m kind of busy. Can you get that?”

Paul left Adrian in the kitchen and answered the door.

“Celeste? It’s good to see you again. What are you doing here?”

“This is Adrian’s. He forgot it. It’s got to go in the freezer.”

Paul couldn’t hide his grin. He didn’t know what was going on or why Celeste had Adrian’s groceries, but he intended to find out.

“He’s in the kitchen. Come on in.”

Paul wished he had a camera to catch the expression on Adrian’s face the moment Adrian saw Celeste in his kitchen. More than ever, it made Paul wonder what was going on. He’d never met Celeste before Sunday, nor had Adrian ever mentioned her, which made him even more curious.

Adrian recovered quickly. He mumbled a quick thank you as he accepted the bag from Celeste, and shoved it into the freezer.

Paul crossed his arms and turned to Celeste. “How did you like the services on Sunday? It was nice to see you there.”

“I really like Faith Community Fellowship. I’m looking for a new church home, but I guess Adrian already told you that.”