Loved it. Kept my interest right through.
Excerpt:
Our trip took us nearly a
hundred miles north of the Hudson River town
where we lived. Roger
Brandon was the first applicant.
After our arrival in the
small upstate town, we parked across the street from a large red brick church. Martin,
Judith and Ralph entered the church ahead of us. Morning sunlight streamed
through a series of narrow stained glass panels. Beth followed me down the
aisle to a seat in one of the center pews. The rest of our group settled in the
last row.
Once the prelude began, I
closed my eyes. Gooseflesh rose on my arms. Why was such a superb musician
buried in this out-of-the-way place? In that instant I knew we had to have him
and I revised the salary Edward had mentioned upward.
When the last note of the
postlude ended, I remained in my seat, so filled with music I was unable to
move. Finally, I followed Beth to the vestibule where the other committee
members waited.
“What did you—“”
I shook my head to cut off
Ralph’s question. No sense airing our business for everyone to hear. We
remained in the vestibule after the minister left his position at the door.
Judith’s quick intake of
breath signaled the approach of a tall, broad-shouldered man. Light shone
through the stained glass windows to illuminate his handsome face and burnish
his red-gold hair. There was a mystical quality in his expression. He smiled at
Judith and then Beth. He took my hand. “You must be the committee from St. Stephen’s.
I’m Roger Brandon.”
I introduced myself and the
others. Outside, I pulled my coat closer. The temperature hadn’t risen from the
early morning chill. “Is there somewhere we can go to talk? We have some
questions and I’m sure you do, too.”
“There’s a restaurant five
miles out of town. Why don’t you follow me there?” His voice was as rich and
vibrant as the music he charmed from the organ.
“That would be terrific.”
When we were in the car,
Beth sighed. “Is he as good as I think?”
“He’s brilliant...stunning...words
can’t describe. I want him at St. Stephen’s.”
“So will Judith. Did you see
the way she stared?”
“Let’s not worry about
Judith’s collection. First, we have to see if he’s interested. Then I have to
convince Edward and the Vestry to offer more money.”
The elegant restaurant had a
small private room. As we talked, the distance from Roger’s playing allowed me
more objectivity.
Why was he so eager to leave
his present church where he’d been organist for less than a year? Of course,
St. Stephen’s offered a challenge and exposure. Still, the longest he’d
remained in one church had been two years. At thirty-two, he’d been musical
director for seven churches. Though his gypsy ways troubled me, I remembered
his tremendous talent and I coveted him for our music program. Perhaps his many
moves could be blamed on his youth. This thought erased my qualms.
Judith sat beside him. Her
attempts to claim him failed. He gave equal attention to every committee
member.
“When can you come?” Ralph
asked.
“August,” Roger said. “It
wouldn’t be fair to break my contract here.”
After our arrival in the
small upstate town, we parked across the street from a large red brick
church. Martin,
Judith and Ralph entered the church ahead of us. Morning sunlight streamed
through a series of narrow stained glass panels. Beth followed me down the
aisle to a seat
in one of the center pews. The rest of our group settled in the
last row.
Once the prelude began, I
closed my eyes. Gooseflesh rose on my arms. Why was such a
superb musician
buried in this out-of-the-way place? In that instant I knew we had to have him
and I revised the salary Edward had mentioned upward.
When the last note of the
postlude ended, I remained in my seat, so filled with music I was
unable to
move. Finally, I followed Beth to the vestibule where the other committee
members waited.
“What did you—“”
I shook my head to cut off
Ralph’s question. No sense airing our business for everyone to hear.
We
remained in the vestibule after the minister left his position at the door.
Judith’s quick intake of
breath signaled the approach of a tall, broad-shouldered man. Light shone
through the stained glass windows to illuminate his handsome face and burnish
his red-gold hair. There was a mystical quality in his expression. He smiled at
Judith and then Beth. He took my hand. “You must be the committee from St. Stephen’s.
I’m Roger Brandon.”
I introduced myself and the
others. Outside, I pulled my coat closer. The temperature hadn’t risen from the
early morning chill. “Is there somewhere we can go to talk? We have some
questions and I’m sure you do, too.”
“There’s a restaurant five
miles out of town. Why don’t you follow me there?” His voice was as rich and
vibrant as the music he charmed from the organ.
“That would be terrific.”
When we were in the car,
Beth sighed. “Is he as good as I think?”
“He’s brilliant...stunning...words
can’t describe. I want him at St. Stephen’s.”
“So will Judith. Did you see
the way she stared?”
“Let’s not worry about
Judith’s collection. First, we have to see if he’s interested. Then I have to
convince Edward and the Vestry to offer more money.”
The elegant restaurant had a
small private room. As we talked, the distance from Roger’s playing allowed me
more objectivity.
Why was he so eager to leave
his present church where he’d been organist for less than a year? Of course,
St. Stephen’s offered a challenge and exposure. Still, the longest he’d
remained in one church had been two years. At thirty-two, he’d been musical
director for seven churches. Though his gypsy ways troubled me, I remembered
his tremendous talent and I coveted him for our music program. Perhaps his many
moves could be blamed on his youth. This thought erased my qualms.
Judith sat beside him. Her
attempts to claim him failed. He gave equal attention to every committee
member.
“When can you come?” Ralph
asked.
“August,” Roger said. “It
wouldn’t be fair to break my contract here.”
Ralph frowned. “We need an
organist for Passion Sunday and Easter.”
I glared. “You know that’s
impossible.” I turned to Roger. “Could you come to St. Stephen’s as a
guest
organist, say in two weeks?”
“I’ll see if one of my
students is available to take over here.”
I gave him my phone number. Before
the waitress brought the check, Ralph pushed his chair back.
“I have to get
back. This is my busy season. I have two clients coming this evening.” He strode
to
the door.
Judith made a face. Martin
covered her hand with his. “Let’s go. Do you want to hear Ralph
complain for
the entire ride home?”
Beth, Roger and I lingered
over coffee and dessert. After the bill was paid, he walked us to Beth’s
car. “It’s
been a pleasure,” he said.
“For me as well,” Beth said.
“I could listen to you
forever.” As far as I was concerned, Roger had the job at St. Stephen’s.
My Places
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