Heartstrings

by Marilee Boekweg

  Chapter Seventeen

  Eroica’s last semester of college was going to be a lot of practicing. Her class schedule hadn’t changed much. The same subjects with a few different teachers. Last semester she had to pass off proficiencies on woodwind and brass instruments. This semester she had to pass off string and percussion instruments. She was not looking forward to it.

  But she was more worried about her accompanying job. She had so much practicing to do for her senior recital. Plus she had told Alexandra and Harmony that she would accompany them for their recitals. And then there was Dr. Wellesford. She feared seeing him again. The thought of performing with someone who was displeased with her made her nervous to the point of illness.

  When she went to the music office, she was relieved to find that several changes had been made. Another pianist, Melinda Jeppson, had been hired to take over faculty recitals. Eroica’s responsibilities were to accompany chamber groups that Mark Wallace was in charge of. It sounded much easier.

  When Eroica had refused Dr. Wellesford’s marriage proposal, Mark had suggested to the board of directors that a second pianist be hired to accommodate the needs of the performing faculty. With Mark having spent the previous semester trying to convince them that this needed to be done, the board finally agreed. And Eroica never knew how influential she was in all of this.

  So with her theory class, learning to play the cello in her music appreciation class, accompanying chamber groups, and going to church on Sundays, Eroica was going to see a lot of Mark Wallace. She didn’t mean to smile. After all, what could be the harm of seeing so much of a good friend?

  True to her anticipations, when Eroica went to church the next Sunday, Mark caught up with her in the hall.

  “Good morning Eroica,” he smiled at her. “Before you disappear into Relief Society, the bishop would like to speak with you.”

  Eroica stopped and turned white. This couldn’t be right. There must be a mistake. Interviews with the bishop meant that callings would be extended. She had only been a member of the Church for two years, and half of that time had been spent in Germany. There she was the ward pianist, a calling she could easily handle. Here, in a music college ward, just about everyone played the piano well enough to cover those callings. She quickly figured that it wouldn’t be something as easy as that.

  Not knowing that people generally didn’t say no to a bishop’s request, Eroica’s reply was, “I’m sure that the bishop has nothing to say to me. You must have the wrong name.”

  She headed down the hall, leaving Mark stunned in the foyer.

  “Wait a minute,” he finally managed as she disappeared into the Relief Society room.

  Eroica spotted Harmony and Alexandra, who had moved to a different apartment complex and were now in her ward. She quickly sat down next to them and breathed out a shaky sigh. Prelude music was being played, the other women were quietly talking, the lesson was about to begin.

  “Eroica,” Mark called quietly from behind.

  Eroica spun around in her chair and stared up at him. He had followed her into the Relief Society room. She didn’t think that he would, but there he was. And now several other women were watching her. When the executive secretary calls your name, you go. Eroica had seen this happen often. But not to her. She knew that there was no way out, so she got up and followed Mark out of the room. She was trying really hard to not be mad at him. After all, he was just doing what the bishop had asked him to do. But why her?

  Mark knocked on the office door and opened it. Eroica wanted to give Mark one of her fiery glares, but it would be inappropriate in church. So she held her head high, looked right past him, and walked into the lion’s den.

  When she came out, still alive, she had been called to teach Relief Society. She was afraid to teach even Primary kids, and now she was going to teach women who were her age, and who knew so much more than she did.

  Feeling panicked, Eroica walked outside. It was a sharp January morning. Icicles hung from tree branches and eaves of homes. The cold air awakened Eroica’s gratitude. She had been so blessed. It was time she conquered her fears, and with God’s help she would. Besides, the bishop wouldn’t let her say no.

  As the days went by, Eroica noticed something else that was different about this semester. Dating. People were dating for keeps. At least a lot of seniors were. With graduation looming close, those that were not married yet and wanted to be, were in a mad rush to become so. Eroica wasn’t the only one that had noticed this.

  “I think Harmony has a boyfriend,” Alexandra stated to Eroica one day. They were scheduling practice time together for Alexandra’s senior recital.

  “But she’s so shy. I didn’t think that she dated much,” Eroica replied.

  “She hardly dates at all. She never goes out with the same person more than once. Never. But lately she’s been gone a lot, and I think she’s been trying to keep a secret. She said that she spends a lot of time at the library. But why? Musicians spend all of their extra time in practice rooms, not the library.”

  “Maybe she has been dating a librarian,” Eroica suggested.

  “There’s another clue. When Harmony and I came back from Christmas vacation, we were talking to our new roommates, and telling each other about our holidays with our families. Harmony said that they almost missed their flight because they went to a Chinese buffet before going to the airport. I thought she flew home by herself, so I asked her if she was traveling back with someone. She turned bright red and looked as if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Instead of answering the question, she changed the subject. I wonder if she took someone home to meet her parents.”

  “If she is dating someone seriously, why would she keep it a secret?”

  “I can’t figure that out, either,” Alexandra sighed. “She knows that we would be the first ones to congratulate her. Why won’t she just tell us? Maybe it’s because I’m completely wrong, and I’ve dreamed up the whole thing.”

  “Have you thought about asking her?”

  “Yes, I’ve thought about it. But if I’m wrong, then how is Harmony going to feel? I don’t want to do that to her.”

  “I guess time will tell.”

  “I hope so. And I hope time doesn’t turn up a broken heart. I worry about her. But she seems happy with whatever is going on.”

  “That’s good,” added Eroica. “We all hope for that—to be happy with whatever life hands us.”

  So the mystery went on, with Alexandra feeling hopeful for Harmony, and Eroica feeling anxious for herself. Everybody seemed to have someone. Eroica had nothing but a memory. It was going to be a long semester.