PIANO IN THE FIELD
Augusta Wright
On a cool and blustery Halloween evening, I was traveling home through the Texas hill country back roads. I like to take the “scenic route” when I can because you will see unusual sights great for picture taking. I slowed down as I entered a tiny farming community I did not recognize. It had the usual 1930’s filling station with the one gas pump, and an old Texaco sign hanging lopsided across the side of the faded red
brick building.
At one time it appeared to have been a thriving town with a farm equipment business, a mom & pop grocery store next to the post office and several other nondescript buildings of long ago, but now all were closed and boarded up.
At the edge of town was the usual local cemetery with many tall and short gravestones. I didn’t pay much attention since it was like so many other communities that had lost their identities as people died, moved away and businesses closed their doors. Much heartbreak for the town and in the cemetery.
Suddenly, I slammed on my brakes coming to a complete stop! I put the pickup in reverse to back up for a better view. I blinked several times before I realized I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.
Yep! At the far corner of the cemetery in the pasture that surrounded it stood an old piano!
Putting my pickup truck in park, I turned off the motor and got out. As I looked around there was no one to be seen. The old wire fence had been removed to make way for the bulldozer that had that day been clearing the heavily wooded area. Large mesquite brush piles had been stacked in various places. The work had stopped for the day and all was silent.
I knew I was trespassing on private property, but I couldn’t help myself as I moved toward the piano. I couldn’t resist the feeling I had to go to it. How odd to see something like this in the woods…or at least this had been a wooded area before the cleanup began. I noticed pieces of what appeared to be a gazebo and scattered shards of flower pots scattered around.
As I neared the piano, I could see the outline of a small rock patio below it. My curiosity grew as I envisioned what it might have looked like years ago. In my mind I could see the small gazebo shaded by the large mesquite tree that now laid on its side and covered over by wild Texas Mustang grape vines. It became apparent years had passed since anyone knew the gazebo was here.
Many questions circled my brain as to why an expensive piano would be placed out in the elements like this. Of course, moisture and heat were the worst for such a delicate instrument. I was amazed the deteriorated instrument was still standing. Tiny red flags were placed on the ground near it, and yellow police crime scene tape was strung around the patio.
“Are you family?” came a melodious voice from behind me!
I leaped into the air as I turned to see who had silently come up behind me and scared the bejeebers out of me!
Before me stood a beautiful young blonde woman with a sad forlorn face. When I could speak, I replied, “No.”
“I had hoped you were family. It’s been so long since anyone has come.”
“Do you live around here?”
“Not for a long time,” she said.
“Do you know why anyone would place a piano in a field like this?”
She smiled as she began to explain.
“Oh yes, many years ago a man and woman met and fell deeply in love. They soon married and settled down here to have a family. He was a rancher owning many ranches and cattle. She had been a famous pianist. They had met when she was touring the US, and he went to one of her concerts. He loved her music as well as her. It was love at first sight for both of them forever and ever.”
She went silent as a great sadness covered her face.
“I’m interested. Please tell me more.”
“They spent every waking moment together never wanting to be far from each other. She gave up her career to be with him. One day one of his ranch foremen came by the ranch house needing his help with a wild bull. He left and was killed soon after by the bull. She never recovered from the loss. He was buried in the cemetery yonder. She had this special place built so she could play for him every day. She played for him night and day until she passed too so they could be together.”
I stared at the woman as her sad story overwhelmed me.
She sat down on the old rotted piano stool and began to play as if it was an expensive baby grand on concert night! The music was surreal and haunting.
“How are you able to play on this weathered piano this?”
“I played it as I waited for my true love to return to me. I died sitting here waiting for him. No one ever found me until now.”
“What? You died sitting there playing? Is this a joke? Lady, you are full of it. I’m leaving!” I shouted at her.
She smiled as she finished playing and replied, “You are the first who came looking for me after all these years. They found my bones next to the piano today. Now I will be able to rest beside my loved one. I am grateful to you.”
She turned slowly looking toward the cemetery as she said, "My love is that you? Yes, I’m finally free. I’m coming! “she whispered lovingly into the wind.
She began to fade before my very eyes, but she turned back smiling at me and softly whispered,
“Thank you for coming”!
I realized I was standing in the cold darkness on Halloween night near a cemetery with a piano in the field. And I had just had a conversation with a ghost!
What had ever possessed me to stop?
Well, don’t ever let anyone tell you cowboys can’t run fast in their boots!
Because I sure did!
THE END!