Concerto for Two Violins : Chapter One

Concerto for Two Violins
Written by: Kathleen Evangelista

Chapter One: My Sudden Kidnap


Eyes were set upon me. I could see from the corner of my right eye, a tourist or two, and out of the other eye was the usual worker who stopped by and listened to me every other day. There were a few clinks in my violin case. I peeked down to see a few gold Euros. I smiled to see a few sheets of small colored paper made it into my case as well.
My last piece, which was always my last piece, was Concerto for Two Violins. It was my favorite song and by one of my favorite composers, Bach. The problem was I only knew the second violin part and so I couldn’t play it beautifully without the other part. The other part consisted of a run-on off of my part which included a harmonious counter melody. It was just like a conversation back and fourth between two insruments except with a bit of fiery passion. I couldn’t play it full out without the other part. I had learned it in art school, that is if I was still in art school. Accademia Europea di Firenze, was the art school that I had attended for two semesters. It was known as one of the best art schools in Florence, Italy. My parents sent me here a year ago to have experience with different music teachers, so I lived on campus.
My parents are still in Japan and they sent me money every few weeks for my essential food supply. But they hadn‘t sent me anything in the past few months and my tuition fee was due a few months ago, so I didn‘t have any money. I couldn’t get a job since I didn’t have any of my real things with me, so I was kicked out of Accademia Europea di Firenze. I couldn’t pay my tuition anymore. I had two more years to go before I could graduate, but they’re not so nice over here. I even tried to get a job, but no one would hire a Japanese girl with no papers saying that I had graduated from high school. And I hadn’t graduated from college or art school yet either. No one would hire me.
After I had finished the piece, I bowed and an applaud answered me back. A few more clinks dropped in. Within a few minutes, all the people scattered back to their normal business of walking about. I picked up the coins and paper money and replaced it with my violin. I counted how much I had made today. 8 Euros. It wasn’t terribly bad. I carefully folded the bills and slipped them into my back pocket along with my other coins. I picked up my violin and wandered around the market place in the center of Florence for some food for breakfast. I had a few Euros and I was going to use it for food. In the corner of my eye, I could see the little cart stand that had fresh bread in the morning. I always went their for my daily food, so the old lady who owned it, knew me quite well. I walked over to her and greeted her.
“Good morning Ms. Rescpucci,” I smiled.
“Good morning Miyuki,” she answered back in a sweet old tone. “What would you care to have today?”
“What about a small roll of bread?”
“Of course, but…”
“Yes?”
“Will you play your beautiful instrument for me? I haven’t heard it since yesterday.”
“Oh, ha, ha. Of course Ms. Rescpucci.” I laid down my things and opened my case. I took out my violin and began playing a Chinese song that I learned as a child. It was her favorite song and I knew she loved it. I played it beautifully for her and her face lit up with a smile. She swayed back and fourth, dancing to the music. I smiled and a few people came and stopped to see me. They dropped money in my case and I finally finished. Ms. Rescpucci came up to me with her small gray eyes and grabbed my face.
“You play so beautifully my dear. You have a passion I have never seen before!” she smiled.
“Thank you, I’m glad you like my playing.”
“Here, take two rolls. Please take it. I love hearing you play. It reminds me of the time I was a young child and I played with my sisters and cousins. We would have the best of time. Take it,” she said handing me the bread.
“Oh, Ms. Rescpucci, I can’t.”
“No, take it. Please. Just pay for one and you’ll get two. How about that?”
“Fine…” I handed her two Euros.
“You go run along now. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”
“Thank you again Ms. Rescpucci,” I said and walked off. I stuffed one roll of bread into a handkerchief and into my small back while I had one next to my mouth and took small bites at a time. It was so fresh and every time I took a bite, a puff of hot air rushed out. I wandered around the small market place and saw tourists everywhere. It was just a normal day in Italy. Tourists. Market owners. Kids running. Ice cream shops. Delicious smelling food from restaurants. And of course, the musicians in the ‘Music Corner’. The Music Corner was part of a park at the end of the market place where musicians from the local music school preformed and tourists and normal ongoing people would stop by to listen. It was just practice for them. I came here everyday to play my music. I set up my stand and music next to a tree and began playing. People gathered around me as I played some of my favorite Chinese and Japanese pieces that no one has heard of, at least here in Florence. People were smiling and children stopped by and waved. I finished my same repertoire of my Asian music and bowed. A little girl walked up to me and waved.
“Do you want to play the violin one day?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Well, do you want to try mine?”
She shook her head.
“Why not?”
“Because, I’m scared…” she whispered.
“You’re scared?”
She nodded.
“Come on, give it a try. I’m sure everyone would love to hear you. Look, I’ll show you,” I said handing her my violin. She carefully took it and I placed it on her left shoulder in the right position. I gave her the bow and placed it on the strings. “Ready?”
She nodded. I showed her how to play ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ on the violin which consisted of three simple notes. After she finished, an applaud followed after. She handed me my violin and smiled.
“Did you like it?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Thank you!” She ran off to her mother who smiled. The mother handed the little girl some money and she came and put it into my case.
“Thank you. And what’s your name?”
“Maria.”
“What a beautiful name Maria. Maybe one day I’ll see you playing with a wonderful duet. How about that?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, run along now. Learn. And learn it well.”
“Mhm,” she smiled and went off with her mother. The crowd died down and one by one left as I finished playing some more repertoire. The sun was going down which meant I had to find a place to sleep and fast. I packed my things up and went to a bench at the end of the park. It was in a secluded corner where no one actually came and I always slept there. I had a bag of things with me and my violin and my case that I hauled around everywhere. I put my things under my bench and took out a shirt for my pillow and a blanket. It was nearly midnight and the city of Florence was already asleep. Lights were dim and I snuggled underneath my blanket and fell right asleep.

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“Hurry up! Damn it, what if she wakes up!” a low voice said in Japanese over me.
“What?” I said slowly opening my eyes. I faintly saw four Japanese guys huddled around me.
“Damn it! See Daisuke! You idiot! Now she’s awake!” another voice roared.
“What?!” I stood up quickly. One of them grabbed me. “What the hell!! Someone help!!!” I jerked around trying to escape his grip.
“Hurry Ichiro! Give it to me.” One of them handed the other one a cloth and a bottle. They hastily put the liquid on the cloth and placed it over my mouth. I tried to kick around, but before I knew it, all I saw was pitch black.