The Last Lesson

By David Xavier

The tremors warned of incoming waves, high enough to drown every home in the tiny coastal village where an old man gave piano lessons to children who grew up to forget every note.

The old man faces a decision: flee with the villagers over the mountain to the other side, where every lesson he ever taught will cease to exist - faded in his former pupils minds the way a flame dies on a small wick - or stay and watch the waves crash around him and his notes and piano keys where he lived a full life and made a difference.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Xavier
• Release date: Apr 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005338275

Book preview

The Last Lesson

David Xavier

The first tremors came in the middle of the night and knocked Angelo from his bed. He tried once to regain his sleep on the cold floor, but voices began gathering outside, the usual after a tremor, and when those voices became a choir of concern he lifted his head and sat up.

Shadows marched across the ceiling and shouts echoed in the streets. He was the last person in the village to wake, besides the young boys who did not care what happened around them in their sleep, and when he stood at his window the streets below moved with burdened shapes and the village walls burned with lanternlight shadows.

What is going on? Angelo had gone downstairs, still buttoning his shirt when he answered the door. Whoever was knocking had not let up and kept peeping his head in to shout until the old man surprised him by peeping his head out.

Everyone is ordered to evacuate, Pietro said, his policeman’s cap hiding his eyes, but his badge glinting with passing lanterns. He took the old man by the elbow. Even you, Mr Angelo.

Why?

I don’t have time to explain.

Angelo limped along, his elbow in Pietro’s hand. I cannot leave.

Everyone has to.

This is my home.

This is everyone’s home.

Angelo wrenched his arm free leaving Pietro to stand blankfaced in the current of evacuees.

"I will leave my house when I am ready to,