WEP Challenge: Play On

Update!
I'm thrilled to share this badge announcing this little story placed 1st in the WEP challenge this time around. Thank you so much! Definitely check out this link to the rest of the fabulous stories for the challenge!

***
Tinny music filled the room as the ballerina twirled on her stand. Scratches marred the pink tutu, but her smile remained intact.

Beethoven attempted to soothe the soul.

Or was it Bach? Brahms?

Da da, da da, da da, da da, dum.

Maybe Tchaikovsky.

He’d heard her play it so many times. Her hands had moved like butterflies over the keys. When they’d first met, he’d told her that her music was magic made to lure men in.

As they’d gotten to know each other better, he’d called it foreplay. And they’d made good on all the sensual promises in the notes.

Da da, da da, da da, da da, dum.

Beethoven. He was sure it was Beethoven.

He brushed the diamonds he’d given her in Venice. Her joy had shone brighter than the full moon. He’d professed his love that night while the gondolier serenaded.

The music slowed and he reached to wind it again before it stopped.

Da da, dum.

They’d traveled to so many wonderful places while she played for audiences, each one larger than the last. He’d bought her baubles and bits to make her smile. Silly tourist keychains meant as much to her as the sapphires and rubies.

He cradled her hand, seeing the agile one that once stroked the ivories with such grace. And love. She’d touched everything with love. Especially him.

He held her hand while Beethoven played and the ballerina twirled.

He held her hand while he relived their love and their lives.

He wound the box again and again.

Da da, da da, da da, da da, dum.

He held her hand as it grew cold.

And still he held her hand.

***

This is an entry for the WEP Challenge for April: Jewel Box.
Check out the link for links to all of the other entries - the entires are always amazing. Love seeing how the prompt ends up differently for everyone.

How about you? Do you enjoy writing flash fiction? Do you find prompts easy to work with or do they drive you batty?