Если я останусь
12:19 P.M.
ShegotajobasasecretaryworkingfortheForestService.Grampswasworkingthereasabiologist.
WegobacktoMassachusettssometimesinthesummers,toalodgeinthewesternpartofthestatethatforoneweekistakenoverbyGran’sextendedfamily.That’swhenIseethesecondcousinsandgreatauntsanduncleswhosenamesIbarelyrecognize.IhavelotsoffamilyinOregon,butthey’reallfromGramps’sside.
LastsummerattheMassachusettsretreat,IbroughtmycellosoIcouldkeepupmypracticingforanupcomingchamber-musicconcert.Theflightwasn’tfull,sothestewardessesletittravelinaseatnexttome,justliketheprosdoit.Teddythoughtthiswashilariousandkepttryingtofeeditpretzels.
Atthelodge,Igavealittleconcertonenight,inthemainroom,withmyrelativesandthedeadgameanimalsmountedonthewallasmyaudience.ItwasafterthatthatsomeonementionedJuilliard,andGranbecametakenwiththeidea.
Atfirst,itseemedfar-fetched.Therewasaperfectlygoodmusicprogramattheuniversitynearus.And,ifIwantedtostretch,therewasaconservatoryinSeattle,whichwasonlyafewhours’drive.Juilliardwasacrossthecountry.Andexpensive.MomandDadwereintriguedwiththeideaofit,butIcouldtellneitheroneofthemreallywantedtorelinquishmetoNewYorkCityorgointohocksothatIcouldmaybebecomeacellistforsomesecond-ratesmall-townorchestra.TheyhadnoideawhetherIwasgoodenough.Infact,neitherdidI.
