Rapture Noir: String Theory

Elizabeth was always so...ephemeral, illusive. A fleeting feeling that always left me wanting more. The idea of her sitting here with me watching TV in my apartment, laughing at the dumb jokes, and eating small handfuls of microwave popcorn from a bowl felt laughable. It was surreal, but also a relief. Maybe we could just...be normal? Maybe we could-

Elizabeth interwove her fingers with mine as I changed the channel, interrupting the thought.

"Booker, you used to play guitar, right?"

"Sure, but...how did you know that?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"A guess, your fingers still have callouses." She replied, turning the palm of my hand upwards.

"Huh, guess they do." I said, examining our interlocked fingers. "but why do you ask?"

"Booker, would you teach me to play?" She asked, gently squeezing my hand.

"I...sure, yeah I can give you a few pointers. I was never that great."

"I'm sure you were just fine." She replied as I made my way to the closet.

I don't really remember why I stopped, I guess I just fell out of the habit of practicing. I strummed a few trial cords, it was nice to know that my guitar still worked just like I remembered it. A Stella, flat top, mahogany. A real thing of beauty. Elizabeth was leaning over the back of the couch, watching intently as I returned to the couch.

Sitting down on the couch I presented the guitar to Elizabeth. "Here it is, I knew I had this old thing somewhere."

Her eyes widened. "It's beautiful, can I hold it?"

Elizabeth gingerly held the guitar in her hands, turning it over and examining it's mahogany body. She cautiously plucked away at the cords. I leaned in and slipped my arms over hers, running her through some basic notes.

"Here, align your fingers like this." I instructed.

"This?" She asked, looking up at me.

"Perfect." I answered, smiling. "Now strum along like I showed you."

Elizabeth gently slid her fingers across the cords. "Like that?"

"That was great, are you sure you haven't tried this before?"

"Booker, please." She said, trying to stifle a grin.

"Okay, it needs a bit of work." I replied, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Elizabeth gently handed the guitar back to me. "I want to hear you play something."

I began to softly strum the guitar. I guess they'd call it jamming, I didn't really have a song in mind. I just played what felt natural. Progressing through the cords I couldn't help but notice a look of familiarity sweep across Elizabeth's face. I took my hand off the guitar to try and comfort her, but she insisted I continue.

"Booker, it's fine." She insisted, touching my arm. "Please keep playing."

Elizabeth rested her head on my shoulder and began to sing along softly. She had a beautiful singing voice. I guess I always knew that. But there was something different this time, something more natural and raw.

"There are loved ones in the glory,
Whose dear forms you often miss
When you close your earthly story,
Will you join them in their bliss?

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by?
Is a better home awaiting
In the sky, in the sky?

In the joyous days of childhood,
Oft they told of wondrous love,
Pointed to the dying Savior;
Now they dwell with Him above.

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by?"

The two of us sat in silence for what seemed like the better part of an hour, my arm wrapped around her shoulder and her head still nestled against my chest. Elizabeth was the one to finally break the silence.

"Booker, where'd you pick up that song?" She asked, lifting her head from my shoulder.

I set the guitar down on the coffee table and ran my fingers through my hair. "Huh? No idea, I was just messing around. It felt...right. Why? Do you know it from somewhere?"

Elizabeth simply smiled and wiped something from her eye. "Something like that."