IN THE KEY OF LOVE • by Amanda Hayter

Sara opened the door and gasped.  There he was, the man she was in love with, right before her. Jack. Jack, the young soldier who had recently taken up residence at Sara and her father’s home. He was quartered here by the British army on their mission to take back the colonies. Sara and her father were loyalists and they did not resent the British government for allowing the intrusion. Her father had been a soldier before they came to America, and he often trained Jack.

Jack was sitting at the piano, his fingers dancing over the keys, playing the most beautiful melody Sara had ever heard. Her heart soared and for a moment she pretended that Jack loved her back and he was playing for her.

There was a crescendo and a series of arpeggios that gave the song a story. A hero was mounting his horse, riding off into battle. The song sped up; the hero was fighting off his opponents. A thunderous pound on the keys; had the hero won? The song slowed and became melodic once again. The cheery notes let Sara know that the hero of the song was the victor.

Suddenly the song took a romantic tone. Sara recognized it as being inexplicably romantic. She envisioned the hero being reunited with his love, who he had fought valiantly for. And just like that, the song became passionate.

The song painted such a beautiful picture that Sara’s eyes filled with tears. Caught up in her fantasy, she did not notice that Jack had stopped playing and walked over to her.

“Sara?” Jack’s deep baritone shook her from her reverie. “Why are you crying??”

His hand reached out to touch her face, and his deep green eyes were filled with warm emotion. Sara opened her mouth, utterly determined to murmur those three words.

A shout of Jack’s name interrupted their moment. Jack smiled and shrugged. “Your father needs me.”

Sara nodded dumbly and watched him go. She made her way over to the piano and grazed her fingertips over the keys. She liked to believe they were still warm from Jack’s touch.

Glancing at the sheet music, she saw that it was handwritten; Jack must have composed it himself.

Curious, she turned to the title page. Letting out a half-laugh, half-sob, she ran her fingers over his untidy scrawl.

Sara’s Song.


Amanda Hayter is a college sophomore who is constantly singing 80s music and quoting movies. Her words to live by: “Carpe Diem.”

Rate this story:
 average 0 stars • 0 reader(s) rated this
Uncategorized

Every Day Fiction