Violin Warrior Romance

Table of Contents

Violin
Warrior Romance
.
1

Chapter 1
.
3

Chapter 2
.
4

Chapter 3
.
6

Chapter 4
.
7

Author’s
Notes
.
7

Jamie Scott is a little nervous. She looks into the room at
the large number of assembled veterans. At the back of the room a few are even
standing. Only ten or fifteen years ago the room would have been filled with
men her father and grandfather’s age; old men veterans of the Vietnam War or
World War Two.  Not so this crowd. The men and women filling this room are her
age, in their twenties and thirties. It’s unnerving to know every one of them, while
serving in far-away Iraq or Afghanistan, was injured in the line of duty. Jamie
feared not many of the young veterans would be pleased to hear her sing.

The young veterans probably would rather be at a concert featuring
a hot rock band, maybe in a club laughing at a comedy act, or sitting in front
of a favorite TV program. She’s pretty sure most would rather be in their rooms
playing the latest video game or surfing the net. Instead the well-meaning but
fairly clueless VA Director of entertainment at this facility caused them to be
herded together to listen to a classical music quintet featuring her as a soprano
operatic singer. Jamie worries her singing will dismay and disappoint most of
these wounded warriors. She’s got a great voice but pop, hip hop, and rock beats
are just not her thing.

Jamie tells herself, “
what the hell, go for it
”, bravely
puts on her best face, smiles at the captive audience, and begins singing a
Mozart sonata accompanied by her friends who are skilled classical musicians. Her
classically trained soprano voice rises and falls, filling the room with the centuries
old melody. Jamie looks out into the audience. As expected most of the veterans
are politely gazing at her but don’t seem too thrilled by her performance. Some
of the soldiers make no effort to show they are definitely bored out of their
minds and would like to be elsewhere. A concert featuring classical music
didn’t seem to at all agree with them, much less provide enjoyable
entertainment. However, as she scans the room she notices one pair of warm
brown eyes staring intently back at her. He actually seems to be enjoying her
voice and the quintets’ music. She blushes with the intensity of the gaze.

The eyes belong to a handsome brown eyed soldier sitting upright
in a wheelchair. With thick, wavy, long, dark brown hair flowing over his ears
and down the back of his neck he doesn’t look very military. He looks much more
like the serious musician he is than a soldier. Yet there he sits among the
wounded warriors. For a moment her voice pauses, then quickly resumes, as she
is held spell bound by his intense gaze. Jamie again blushes at such unexpected
adoring attention. She breaks off eye contact and tries to concentrate only on
her music.

Jamie’s not the only one to notice the soldier’s intense
gaze. She sees the soldier’s friends unmercifully teasing him. The soldier is
not amused. Annoyed, with a wave of his hand, he hushes them as the concert
comes to an end. The audience politely breaks into applause. Jamie notices the
group which includes the brown eyed soldier claps far more enthusiastically
then the rest of the room. His friends seemed to have received encouragement to
show appreciation for her performance.

As they put their instruments and music away the VA program
director, John Weber, approaches Jamie’s quintet. He thanks them for the
performance, tells them how much he enjoyed it, and asks if he may ask a favor
of them. He’s sure they can help with one of the patient’s treatments if only
they can find the time.

“One of our seriously wounded warriors, Sergeant Brad
Rogers, is a classically trained musician. His therapist thinks it would be
most helpful if we can get him playing violin again. The problem is at the
hospital there’re no musicians of his caliber for him to play with. It would be
wonderful if members of your quintet could spare a few hours a week and play
with him. We would be extremely grateful. I’m sure Sergeant Rogers would be
delighted and eager for the opportunity. How about it, are you willing to
help?”

Jamie is quick to response. “Of course, I want to help. I’ll
set some time aside. How about it Carol? Can you accompany us on piano?”

“Yes, count me in. That’s the least I can do to show
appreciation for the Sergeant’s sacrifices.”

The ladies setup a time for the following week to return to
the VA hospital. Jamie thoughtfully leaves copies of her sheet music with the program
director. As they gather their belongings and prepare to leave, Jamie spots the
soldier who during the performance was paying her so much attention. He still
has his soft brown eyes focused on her and is running his fingers through his
long, dark brown hair. Not in a creepy way as his eyes are full of admiration.
He must have really enjoyed her performance. Jamie gives him a little smile of
recognition. The metallic gleam of a prosthetic limb catches her eye. His left
leg is amputated just below the knee.

When Jamie returns to the Veteran’s hospital the following
week she is surprised the Sergeant’s assigned floor is so quiet. No one is
rushing around with hectic activity as before. Then she hears it; a wonderful
violin solo fills the hallways with soothing music. Jamie instantly recognizes
the Mozart sonata music from her performance at the VA. Whoever is playing is
an exceptional violinist and everyone on the floor pauses to listen. The notes
seem to weep as they leave the bow then as the sonata continues to build toward
a triumphant conclusion. Mesmerized, Jamie eagerly follows the music to the
source. Sitting all alone in the recreation room near a baby grand piano is the
brown eyed Sergeant Rogers playing a violin, completely lost in his haunting music.
She silently listens in awe until the music ends, entranced by his performance.
Behind her John Weber, the program Director loudly clears his throat. Jamie, thinking
she was alone in listening to the Sergeant’s violin music is embarrassed to be caught
secretly listening.  

 John assures Jamie her reaction to the Sergeant’s violin
playing is not unusual. Even people who are not fans of classical music
appreciate his talent. He then introduces Jamie to the talented violinist, Sergeant
Rogers. She steps forward and shyly shakes his hand. “Please call me Brad.” the
handsome violinist tells her. Jamie smiles back nervously “I’m afraid Carol,
our accompanist, will be a bit late” She sighs. “It’s a bad habit of hers.  She
always underestimates driving time.”

 “Don’t worry about it” Brad reassures her. “Do you need to
warm up? We can start without her. ”

Carol finally arrives twenty minutes later and finds the two
already hard at work. She takes her place at the grand piano and looks about,
first at her friend Jamie, then at the talented violinist. She notices the
flush in her friend’s cheeks and the way the violinist Sergeant’s eyes focus
first on the sheet music and then rapidly shift to Jamie. Thinking her friend
could use a little help Carol decides to play matchmaker for the green eyed,
auburn haired, shy soprano. Jamie is such a beautiful goodhearted woman it’s
about time she found a good man. It’s obvious Jamie and the Sergeant enjoy
working together, have in common a love for music, and are getting along well.

After playing together for two hours the trio finishes a
satisfying practice. Carol turns to Jamie. “Jamie, have you found a date for
the symphony yet? Time is getting short.” Carol turns to Brad. “I bought four
tickets for the symphony orchestra’s latest performance. My boyfriend and I, Jamie
and her sister Sara were supposed to go. Then we found out Sara had to fly to
some conference in California.”

Jamie nods. ”Yes, she regrets she won’t be able to make it but
the conference is important to her business.”

“So now we have one extra ticket… unless you’ve invited a
replacement for your sister.” Carol stares at Jamie, knowing full well she hasn’t.
“Oh! I know! Would you like to come, Brad? They let you men out of here
occasionally, right? It should be part of your therapy to see a good concert.”

“Well yes, occasionally if our doctor OK’s it we’re allowed
to leave the hospital. It’s not like we’re prisoners and locked up here. Are
you…” Before Brad can finish his sentence, Carol closes the deal. “Great! It’s
a date then. The symphony starts at seven. We’ll pick you up here at five for
dinner. Only one condition, it will be my treat! That’s the least I can do to say
thanks for your service!” Carol only grins at the two who stare at her with open
amazement. “Come on Jamie, time for us to go. It was nice meeting you Brad!”

Carol is excited at how well her matchmaking went and briskly
walks out of the room. In a bit of a daze Jamie starts to follow, hesitating a
moment as she reaches the door. “Good bye Brad. I guess we’ll see you Friday?”
She gazes directly into the soldier’s warm brown eyes. “Dragons spitting fire couldn’t
keep me away.” He replies, smiling. Jamie makes his day as she returns the
smile, before chasing after Carol.

Jamie is excited about her date. Friday night can’t come
fast enough. That is until Friday morning. As the day finally arrives she suddenly
wonders if she’s setting herself up for a major disappointment. She is assailed
with doubts “What if he has a girlfriend? What if he just said yes just to be
nice? What if he can’t come? What if he only pretends to like her so he can
better practice his music? What if he is a womanizer? ” Her stream of troublesome
worrying thoughts is interrupted by Carol’s car horn honking.

Jamie hurries out the door. Carol’s boyfriend Barry is
driving. “Hi Barry, you’re looking sharp. Not a bad looking date either.”

“Yeah thanks. She’ll do for the evening. Maybe quite a few
evenings.” He looks at Carol and laughs.

Carol blows him a little kiss. ”You’re a lucky man and you
know it.  Just try to keep your eyes on the road. I know driving around with
two beauties is distracting.”    

Jamie hops in the backseat and immediately shares her
worries with her friend who promptly laughs them off. Carol confesses to
checking around. “I spoke to some of Brad’s friends at the VA center. His
girlfriend of five years broke up with him before he left for Iraq. After that
he hasn’t had an interest in any woman. That is until you. He thinks you’re
gorgeous, extremely talented, and is really excited to be seeing you tonight. He
thinks he’s a lucky man so relax and have fun!” Jamie hopes her friend is being
truthful, not just trying to make her feel better. She leans back in her seat,
rolling her eyes at her friend’s effervescence and know it all manner.

Minutes later the three arrive at the VA center. Brad is
waiting for them.  In his dress uniform he is truly handsome. He’s standing near
the main entrance chatting with some friends, his wheelchair pushed off to one
side. Jamie shakes her head in amazement as Carol greets all the soldiers by
name. Carol has taken a genuine interest in the VA center’s wounded warriors
and donates several hours a week of her time to play piano for the soldiers. Chatting
the entire time Carol folds the wheel chair and places it in the trunk of the
car. Jamie walks over to greet Brad and gives him a little hug.