Her windshield wipers beat a solid 4/4 time as she drove through the thickening twilight. A little melody formed in her mind and she began to hum it. She felt good about the move. It was exciting to be moving beyond the previous boundaries of her life. She passed a freight truck, careful of the icy road conditions, and took note of the sign to the side of the road 25 miles to Manchester.

She smiled.

She’d written the local jazz club inquiring into possible gigs. Sounded like a decent place, but she’d need to see it to be sure. If she couldn’t play there, at least she could catch those who did perform. It was always interesting to hear new styles.

She had a reservation at a motel. It would give her a base from which to hunt an apartment; someplace she might have a session now and then.

And the town… getting to know a new town, to find the best place for coffee, good restaurants, bookshops…. There was a lot to look forward to.

The volume of her vocalization increased as she moved carefully down the road, heading home.

She set the bags down in the room and shut the door, latching the chain lock. Taking a deep breath she moved to the bed to take the keyboard out of its case. First thing to do now was play.

She set the keyboard on the stand and secured it, then plugged the cord into a nearby outlet. She grabbed the chair from the desk and connected the headphones. It wasn’t her preferred manner of playing, but one needed to stay in the motel’s good graces.

A deep breath and she began to play scales. No, not all jazz pianists did classical warm-ups and exercises. But Lee did. There’s something about more than 15 years of daily ritual to make something a habit. Not that habits were to be encouraged, still this one she liked. She didn’t play scales on a daily basis however, nor with the religious zeal of the classicist. A good 15-minute warm-up and she was ready.

The strong 9/8 beat of Blue Rondo a la Turk filled the headset. She played what she heard on the album, staying with the recorded notes for the first run through. After that, the improvisation. She let her fingers discover the notes that wanted to be played tonight.

The light in the room began to dim with the setting of the sun. There was a small lamp turned on on the desk, but otherwise the room held the deepening twilight. Lee’s eyes were closed. She was submersed in the flow of the music.

Somewhere around 20 minutes into the piece Lee’s perception changed. A young, beautiful woman with skin of creamed-coffee brown walked in. She snapped her fingers in time with the beat. Her voice was pure Harlem of the 1940’s.

“You playin’ fine tonight sugah. Make it a pleasure to drop by.”

Lee smiled, but didn’t stop playing. “Hello Muse. I’m breaking in new digs. I want to get into an apartment, but first things first.”

“New digs? So we made that move, hmmmm?” She paused and looked more serious. “You gonna stay in shape, chil’. You best live up to your promise.”

“Of course I will, Muse. I’ve done so this far haven’t I?”

A shake of the chic head. “Don’t give me no cheek, chil’. You know how I feel.”

“I do. And I’ll take care of myself as I have been. I’ll keep my word.”

Humph.” She was quiet for a while though the rush and swell of the music seemed to move around her like a dance. Lee felt the effect. It was almost like playing with another a sax or bass perhaps. Her voice was filled with sincerity when she spoke. “Muse, I -will- do as I have promised. I’ll start looking tomorrow. Tonight I need music.”

The Muse gave a long sigh. “Tomorrow? I’ll accept that. I jus’ worry, chil’. This is important. You need yo’ health to make it further. ‘s the god’s own truth.”

“I understand, Muse. Well, as best I can.”

They were both quiet then, drawn into the heart of the music until the piece finished itself. Then they sat in silence for a moment. Lee felt the rhythm of the music moving in her blood.

The Muse spoke.

“Chil’ you have so much promise. If you’ll listen, who knows how far you go.” She turned and walked away, disappearing from Lee’s senses.

Lee stood and stretched, a faint smile playing on her lips, a thought floating in her mind.

“Manchester here I am.”