Bernhardt said to the phone.
“He’s gone,” was all the voice said. But that was all Bill Fuller needed to say.
#
At the gravesite Ginny thanked Richard for coming and for all he had done for her, Wallace, and the community. A reporter questioned why Mr. Bernhardt had come back for this funeral and just “Why do you now refuse to be called ‘maestro’?” Bernhardt offered no answer. Insistent, the reporter rambled on about the scholarship program Bernhardt had founded for the local high school so many years ago and how so many students had become professional musicians under the tutelage of Bill Fuller and how grateful they all are for the annual benefit concert Bernhardt organizes and performs at. He gave no response. The reporter had one last question, “Why did you erect a marble statue of a Steinway piano over the grave of a cripple?”
Unable to find the words, Bernhardt remained mute. From behind him came the voice of his friend, Bill Fuller, providing the answer:
#
“He heard The Maestro play once.”
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends