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<\/p>\nThe music I played on my piano was my last link to my late husband. But cruel neighbors shattered that joy with a hurtful message on my wall. When my granddaughter found out, she made things right, leaving those entitled neighbors scratching their heads.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Jerry, did you love it today, darling?\u201d I asked softly, the last notes of \u201cClair de Lune\u201d filling my cozy living room as my fingers lifted from the ivory piano keys. My eyes fixed on the framed photo of my late husband, Jerry. His kind eyes seemed to twinkle back at me, just as they had for over fifty years of our marriage\u2026<\/p>\n
Willie, my tabby cat, stretched lazily near my feet, purring contentedly. I reached down to scratch behind his ears, feeling the familiar ache in my chest as I carefully lifted Jerry\u2019s photo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss you so much, darling. It\u2019s been five years, but sometimes\u2026 sometimes it feels like yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pressing a gentle kiss to the cool glass, I whispered, \u201cTime for dinner, my love. I\u2019ll play your favorite before bed, okay? \u2018Moon River,\u2019 just like always.\u201d<\/p>\n
As I set the frame back down, I could almost hear Jerry\u2019s warm chuckle. \u201cYou spoil me, Bessie,\u201d he\u2019d say, his eyes crinkling at the corners.<\/p>\n
I shuffled towards the kitchen, pausing to look back at the piano, my constant companion these past 72 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would I do without you?\u201d I murmured, running my hand along its polished surface.<\/p>\n
That night, as I lay in bed, I whispered into the darkness, \u201cGoodnight, Jerry. I\u2019ll see you in my dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next morning, I was lost in Chopin\u2019s \u201cNocturne in E-flat major\u201d when a sharp rap on my window startled me. My fingers stumbled, the music cutting off abruptly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A red-faced man glared at me through the glass. He was my new neighbor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, lady!\u201d he shouted, his voice muffled. \u201cCut out that racket! You\u2019re keeping the whole neighborhood awake with your pathetic plinking!\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at him, shocked. \u201cI\u2026 I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d I stammered, even as a small voice in my head protested. It was barely 11 a.m., and none of my other neighbors had ever complained before.<\/p>\n
The man stomped away, leaving me trembling. I closed the lid of the piano, my sanctuary suddenly feeling tainted.<\/p>\n
The next day, I closed all the windows before sitting down to play. The music felt muffled and constrained, but I hoped it would keep the peace.<\/p>\n
I was barely ten minutes into Beethoven\u2019s \u201cMoonlight Sonata\u201d when my doorbell rang insistently. With a heavy heart, I answered it.<\/p>\n
A woman with pinched features glared at me. \u201cListen here, old lady,\u201d she spat. \u201cThe grave\u2019s calling, and you\u2019re still banging on that piano? Cut the noise, or I\u2019ll report you to the HOA!\u201d<\/p>\n
It was only then that I understood she was my new neighbor\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n
I felt like I\u2019d been slapped. \u201cI\u2026 I closed all the windows,\u201d I said weakly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s not enough!\u201d she snapped, turning on her heel. \u201cQuit making noise with your stupid piano!\u201d<\/p>\n
I slumped against the door frame, tears welling in my eyes. \u201cOh, Jerry,\u201d I whispered. \u201cWhat do I do?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"