August 1, 2016 EXCERPT from the book Fauna’s Thread by Jamie Vesay.
All three Piels were at Katherine’s Collectibles. Since Fron had become obsessed with repairing vintage devices, he had set up a workbench in the back corner of the store. Katherine and Fauna were standing beside him as he tinkered with a 1960’s record player. After he tightened a last screw, he removed an album from a sleeve, placed it on the platter, and slid the switch to Start.
“All right,” he announced. “Watch and listen.”
Fauna was intrigued as the turntable spun. The arm swung over and the needle touched the record. Music! Her eyes grew in fascination.
“Awesome,” she declared.
Fron explained, “This is how we used to play songs. Back when you could see the music playing.”
Fauna watched as the needle drifted in the grooves of the album, trying hard to read the label in the middle as it spun. She leaned her ear to the attached speaker, bobbed her head, and started to dance.
Fron was proud of his repair. Katherine leaned over to him. “She and I need to go. I have a delivery on our way to dropping her at the sanctuary. I’ll pop over to the auction in Hastings and we’ll swing back around later.”
“Wait,” Fron said. “Let her enjoy the song.”
Fauna danced the length of the store and weaved in and out of the narrow aisles. The floor creaked and a few small items shook on the shelves.
Katherine consented. “It does sound great. I could make space up front. I bet it would sell right away.”
Fron suggested, “Or we could take it home.”
Fauna whirled and waltzed toward the back of the store. As she wound herself down, her momentum caused her to bump into Fron’s workbench. The needle scratched and the music stopped.
“Oops,” Fauna claimed. “Sorry. What’d I do?”
Fron’s eyes widened. He put the player’s arm on the rest.
Katherine warned, “It’s okay, but you have to be careful with this kind of music player.”
Fron kidded, “Don’t you all need to get going?”
Fauna’s Thread COPYRIGHT Jamie Vesay
Jamie Vesay 