Summary

Karina is in New Orleans, though Richard cannot understand what she sees in messy and incomprehensible jazz. Grace is staying with him, but she avoids him for anything but care tasks. He is desperate to mend things before it is too late. He considers asking Grace to help him record phrases, but the sound of his voice is worse than jazz.

He wanders the dark living room. The music for “Für Elise” is by the piano, and Richard feels a fond nostalgia, though the tactile memory of playing piano is slipping away. In the kitchen, he smells Grace’s pizza, but he will never chew again. He sniffs Grace’s empty coffee cup and tries to lick at the dry ring. There is a picture on the fridge of Karina and Grace at Grace’s graduation; they have the same smile. Just...