How I Killed Two People with my Accordion

So I dragged a chair in from the waiting room and started to play.  The Old Rugged Cross.  Onward Christian Soldiers.  Beulah Land. Amazing Grace.  Turkey in the Straw.  Oh Susannah.  Carry me back to old Virginie.  Etc, etc. etc.  My repertoire is enormous; if I've heard it a few times I can play it.  From time to time Grandma lifted one finger, waving it in time to a particular hymn, still leading the choir.  At one point I stopped and she turned her head, almost glaring.  "Go on!"  she demanded.  I did.

It got dark, and my shoulders were absolutely on fire.  That was it.  "One more," I told her.  Playing The Old Rugged Cross a last time, I put my accordion away.  I thought perhaps she was asleep, but when I kissed her forehead and told her I had to leave, she smiled contentedly.  

Uncle Theo, now a nervous wreck, spun out almost before I got into the car, saying he was taking me to my parents house for dinner, and Daddy could take me home afterwards.  When we arrived, my mother ran out, wringing her hands in distress. 

"Grandma has passed away," she said.  "Didn't you see the nurses running out shouting at you when you drove out?"

The nurse had gone in to remove my chair, went over to check on Grandma, and she was gone, a lovely smile on her face.  She was, indeed, celebrating with the angels.

Third part, years later.  I worked for the Fuller Brush Manager Fernando Hurtado for some years and owned and ran a small warehouse of their products for local reps.  I had an assistant, Burt Coppage, who was far too smart to be working for me but had nothing better to do, and also had a wicked sense of humor. 

During this time on rare occasions someone would persuade me to haul out the old accordion and play a song or three, vigorously, mostly accurately, but not exactly up to Lawrence Welk standards.    Burt hates the accordion.  Especially he hates "Lady of Spain" played on the accordion, so I was always sure to do that for him, just to hear what new derogatory remarks he'd come up with.      ..More >>>