The Beat of Safiri Bay by Emmse Burger Read Free Book Online Page B

practised playing from afternoon to late night for almost the entire holiday. I was not at ease at all in the beginning but his constant help with the moving of my fingers to the correct frets and the hammering of his hands on my shoulders, legs, or anywhere he could reach at that moment, to get me to feel the rhythm, made me forget about my fears. I soon felt as comfortable with him as I did with myself.
     
    Off course the music played the biggest part and I suddenly wondered whether Alex could play an instrument. As we walk down the beach back toward the flat dune, I decide to carry on with our little game of questions. “One more answer?” I ask hopefully and he smiles his approval. “Do you play an instrument?” he looks at me and drums the air with his hands as if he’s playing the real thing. The look of surprise must show on my face because he laughs at my expression and asks “don’t I have the right look?” I laugh too.
    “Not at all, long hair, earrings, not your style, but seriously, drums? I would never have guessed.”  I know that musical talent is abundant in Matthew’s family but honestly, Alex as well?
    I look at him then and smile a secretive little smile, “What are you up to in that busy little mind of yours?”  He asks amused.
    “I have an idea but I need to think about it first,” he accepts it and smiles.  “I will tell you about it at Jay’s party tomorrow. You are going aren’t you?” I want to know a bit worried.
    “Off course, Lin invited me the second she knew my surname,” I shake my head and smile. Lin loves people, the more the merrier.
     
    At home, I pop one of Thandi’s mouth-watering blueberry muffins into the microwave. I cut it open and spread a thin layer of salted butter on each of the cut halves. It melts away into the spongy treat. I pour myself a glass of milk and tuck into my delicious snack. Christina has gone to her mother for the weekend, I’m sure it’s because of sleeping in the spare room but my dad is not backing down on that decision, yet. I don’t mind having the house to myself. I relax to such an extent that I feel guilty for it. I place my dishes in the sink and walk to my room. I wash my hands and face and flop onto my long couch. I switch on my television but my mind is so busy I cannot concentrate on any of the shows. I switch it off and walk to my closet. I pick up my 1969 Fender Kingman, my favourite, Matt’s favourite too. I got it from my dad last year for Christmas. He bought it at an auction. I did not expect anything so extravagant and was at a loss for words for days.
    I check that it is in tune nicely and walk over to my studio. I close the door behind me even though I am alone in the house. I like to sing, only when I am alone. I open my file and look through it for something nice to play and sing along to, and I realise I never got the answer of who Alex’s favourite artist is. I must remember to ask him when I see him again, and I suddenly hope it will be soon. I see one of my favourite songs, ‘Hello’ by Lionel Richie. I start playing its beautiful melody and then I sing:
    ‘I’ve been alone with you inside my mind,’
    ‘And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips... a thousand times,’
    I keep on playing, close my eyes and stop singing. I wonder what it feels like, kissing someone.
    I have never given it any thought at all. It freaks me out that anyone would want to press their lips against someone else’s. But I still wonder what it would be like to feel Alex’s lips against mine. Oh no, I realise that I could never do that. Alex is twenty-seven and he must have a lot of experience with, um, kissing and things. If he ever finds out that I have never kissed anyone before... I don’t know what he would think. I leave the studio and pack away my Fender.
     
    Dad is home early today and he has been smiling at me nonstop. I wonder what he is up to. “Are you going to Jay’s party tomorrow dad?” Peter Rose is not the