I had picked learning the guitar for both sentimental and practical reasons. Terry and I had always talked about learning to play, but I could never afford lessons and I always suspected he avoided learning because he understood that and knew I wouldn't accept help from him either. I also thought guitar was a good idea because it was a relatively small addition to my brain if it worked and easier to argue for the refund if it didn't, assuming they were being honest.

I sat up and then stood slowly, gingerly testing my feet as I stepped toward the instrument. I felt fine. More than fine. I felt better. And I knew as soon as I touched the guitar that I'd be able to play it.

Within two hours my hands had come close to matching what my head already knew. I played songs of all kinds as easy as breathing, tears of wonder in my eyes as I strummed the guitar. I could never have imagined being given such a gift, and when I finally slept, it was the best sleep of my life.

****

I woke with a start to find Mr. Aller sitting at the foot of my bed. When he turned to look at me, his face was unreadable.

“Good morning.”

“What? What are you doing here?”

He glanced down at his hands. “Well, there's a small accounting manner we must attend to.”

“Accounting?”

He puffed out a discontented breath. “Yes. When your friend procured this…gift for you, we placed a customary hold on his bank account in the amount of $600,000.00. The sum was not withdrawn at the time, as we do not withdraw payment until the service is rendered.” Clearing his throat, he went on. “Yet when we went to withdraw payment this morning, we learned that the account has been closed. We contacted the bank as a courtesy, and were informed that the account was set up as a limited trust that was liquidated upon Terrance's death.”

I felt my mouth go dry as cotton. “What does that mean?”

Aller's eyes were hard when he turned back to me. “It means you owe us the money, of course.”

I let out a burst of nervous laughter. “I can't pay that. I can't afford a new car, much less this.” I gestured toward the guitar lying next to me in the bed before looking back at him. “You have to know that.”

The man's lips twisted slightly. “Nonetheless, we must be made whole. But we aren’t unreasonable. You can either pay the sum owed in full or, in the alternative, bring us two new clients of equal or greater value. One or the other, within one week.”

I felt myself growing angry. “Listen. I didn't ask for this, and your agreement isn't with me. I'll talk to Terry's family, but I make no promises, and honestly, it’s your problem more than mine.”