#Chapter 55 - Show

“Anton,” I sigh, shaking my head, “you’re going to think I’m so stupid –“ “I promise you,” he insists, “I’m not. Please, June.” I sigh again, pulling back a little, taking a deep breath. Anton lets me go and I cross my arms over my chest, feeling terribly self-conscious. But I close my eyes, pretending that I’m alone, and force myself to begin. “Look,” I mutter. “You don’t know what it was like to grow up in our family. Everyone is so great, and so lovely, and so supportive, but they’re all around. Like all the time.” A soft exhale from Anton lets me know that he’s listening, and that he understands. “Which is why…when my mom got me my piano? And I started taking lessons? It was…more than just liking the music, Anton, it was…time just for me. Something just for me. It was peace and it was freedom – it was escape – it was…was mine.” I open my eyes and look up at him now. His own are completely sympathetic as he listens with his whole heart. “I just…I love it so much,” I s