PART 2:

please Lily says he is my teacher he did not do anything wrong I am reporting this the guard says he takes out his radio the next morning Jack is called into the manager’s office the manager is a tall man with cold eyes his name is Richard he does not like janitors he does not like people who break rules you were caught in the music room last night Richard says with a child after hours do you understand how serious this is I was teaching her piano Jack explains she asked me to I did not mean any harm you are paid to clean not to play piano.

not to interact with tenants especially not children but she was alone she needed help that is not your concern Richard leans forward this is your final warning if I catch you in that room again you are fired do you understand Jack clenches his fist he wants to argue but he needs this job he has bills he has a daughter yes sir he says quietly he turns to leave but Richard is not done people like you need to know their place Richard says you are a janitor nothing more Jack does not respond he walks out that evening.

Jack does not go to the music room he finishes his shift and go straight home but the next night he hears the piano again he stops outside the door he should walk away he should protect his job but then he hears Lily’s voice Uncle Jack are you there his heart breaks he opens the door Lily is sitting at the piano tears run down her cheeks I thought you left me she says like my dad Jack kneels beside her I will never leave you Lily never but the man said you cannot come back let me worry about that right now let us play.

they play together one last time but they are not alone outside the room Richard stands with two other employees he called them as witnesses caught you he says stepping inside Jack stands he knows what is coming I told you to stay away you are done pack your things and leave the other employees whisper some look uncomfortable others smirk the janitor thought he was special but then Lily does something unexpected she grabs Jack’s hand she holds it tight please do not take him away he is the only one who sees me.

Richard hesitates but only for a moment this is not negotiable security will escort you out Jack looks at Lily one last time he kneels down remember what I taught you he whispers here with your heart he places something in her hand a small folded piece of paper a phone number if you ever need me call then he walks away Lily sits alone at the piano her small hands rest on the keys and for the first time in weeks she does not play three days pass Jack does not return to the building he takes a job at a grocery store.

stocking shelves at night the pay is worse the hours are longer but at least no one judges him he thinks about Lily every day he wonders if she is still playing if she remembers what he taught her he hopes she does meanwhile on the 20th floor something is changing Clara Voss sits in her corner office she is the CEO of Helios Group 33 years old sharp driven ruthless when necessary she built this company from nothing she sacrificed everything for success including time with her daughter Lily spends most evenings alone in the building.

Clara tells herself it is temporary that once this quarter ends once this deal closes she will have more time but the quarters never end the deals never stop Tonight Clara finishes a conference call at 9 she is exhausted she rubs her temples and looks at the clock Lily is downstairs in the music room as always Clara decides to check on her she takes the elevator down walks through the quiet hallway she hears something unexpected piano music but not just any music it is Lily playing and she sounds different better.

more confident Clara opens the door slowly Lily is alone at the piano her fingers move across the keys with Grace with feeling she plays river flows in you Clara has never heard her daughter play like this she steps back into the hallway she does not want to interrupt she just wants to listen but then the music stops Mommy Lily calls out is that you Clara freezes how did she know she walks inside yes sweetheart it is me I heard your heels Lily says you always wear the tall ones Clara smiles she forgets sometimes.

how sharp her daughter’s other senses are you played beautifully Clara says when did you get so good Lily’s face lights up Uncle Jack taught me he said music is not about seeing the notes it is about feeling them Uncle Jack the janitor he used to play with me every night until they made him leave Clara’s chest tightens what do you mean they made him leave Mr Richards said he was not allowed to be here that he was just a janitor so they fired him Clara’s expression hardens Richard did what before Lily can answer.

Clara’s phone rings an investor she has to take it stay here sweetheart I will be right back she steps into the hallway the call lasts 20 minutes by the time she finishes she has forgotten the conversation she walks back toward the music room but she stops when she hears it two pianos someone is playing with Lily Clara’s heart races she moves quietly to the door she looks through the small window a man in a janitor uniform sits at the second piano his back is to her but his hands move with the skill of a professional.

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