“Papa wants to hear you play something on the piano.” Mama is making pancakes in the kitchen when I get up. She holds Eve’s phone away from her like it’s a snake and I see Papa’s face again. Now it’s dark where he is in the world.
“Good morning little scoop!” He winks talking in that fake cheery voice again. “Long time no see.”
“But it’s not even tuned!” I protest. Motioning to the upright piano in the corner of the cabin that looks like it hasn’t been touched in a hundred years. “I think there are cobwebs on it.”
Eve appears from the bathroom in a towel. “Don’t ever take my phone like that again.” She yells at me.
“Eve. Don’t get mad at Makeda. I’m glad she picked up last night. It’s nice to see all of my girls together having fun this morning.” Papa says.
“Well you should get Makeda her own phone. That one is supposed to be mine.” Eve grabs a banana and heads up to the loft to get dressed.
“Makeda. Just play something quick.” Mama says again. I shuffle over to the old Yamaha and lift the heavy cover up. Dust coats my hands. The keys feel cold and unfamiliar.
“She’s getting into position with the speed of a snail.” Mama yells into the phone. Placing it on top of the piano. I prop the phone up against the wall and take a deep breath. I get through a few bars and then fumble my notes. My fingers stiff and heavy with sleep.
“You’re getting better.” Papa lies. “But it sounds like you’ve skipped a few days. You don’t want to get behind on your lessons.”
“Well. We’re on vacation.” I say.
“Just keep working. Remember practice makes perfect.”
“Nobody else is practicing.” I mumble. Why is this whole conversation all of a sudden about me? Why isn’t he talking to Mama? She’s the one he’s worried about.
Mama grabs back the phone. “Honestly Daniel” she starts “we are fine and having fun. I’ll make sure we all practice. The girls will be prepared for their next lesson and I am getting myself together musically as well. It’s all under control. Now we have to go. We have a lot of activities to get to today.”
“Ok … I’m glad to hear that. Let me just say a quick hello to Eve?”
Mama walks outside while Eve tells Papa about her makeover her job and the play she’s reading. Mama is only half dressed. She’s wearing a big holey t-shirt that barely covers her butt and loose underwear.
“Makeda. It’s going to be a hot one today.” She says stretching upward like a cat in the cabin doorway.
“Are you gonna put on some clothes?” I ask.
Mama turns and raises her left eyebrow. “Are you?”
I look down and realize that I’m only wearing a pair of shorts and my sports bra. But my chest is so flat that I barely need it. I giggle. Outside the front door there’s nothing but the van staring back at us and then layers and layers of trees. The next cabin is about a mile down the road and hidden off a dirt path like ours.
“HELLO! IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?” I scream into the trees. Silence.
“See?” Mama says laughing. “This is the most private place on earth. It’s like no one else matters. Except the three of us. Who needs clothes?” And with that she throws off her shirt and walks back inside fully topless.