Last weekend was the annual piano Student Achievement Testing at Hope College.

In the past, this day brought a week of formal terror ending in arriving

much too early, leaving long intervals to sit. And wait. And worry.

And eat the free doughnut offered as a 60 second distraction,

which always, always becomes a nuisance while performing.

Now that we have some years of experience, we (Franchesca and myself)

actually arrive feeling calm with just enough time to warm up

but not extra time to fret. Or eat deep fried flour and lard.

She has grown to enjoy the college warm up rooms,

with their squeaky doors that don't fully close and open windows (this year anyway)

allowing students to hear who is playing what and how well.

 The instruments are obviously an inspiration

to press on despite doubts.



 This year with the eerily warm weather,

the halls were especially filled with the smell of nerves, impatience, fear.

This year the clock appeared to move faster than usual,

theory tests felt easy, performance came first, our teacher was running aural awareness,

sight reading was kind.



 And then, she was finished.

Walking around campus in 80 degree weather was a nice bonus.

Franchesca went home to bake cheesecakes,

I went the opposite direction in search of myself.

Around 7pm Franchesca listened to a voicemail

from her piano teacher, revealing her final score.

This is always a fun way to end SAT day.

I set a goal long ago for the kids to try for during SATs,

one that they have always met and surpassed.

This year was no exception though I am not allowed to mention numbers.

Just part of client confidentiality as her main PR rep,

a job that pays well and has amazing benefits.