Alexa reclined on a blanket in the backyard, silently wishing there was more to do in her neighborhood than lie around, and quietly hoping for relief from her boredom. It was too cool out to go swimming, and yet too warm out to stay inside. How could she occupy herself? Birds trilled in the boxwoods, and, lacking any other alternative, she closed her eyes to listen. The distant whoosh of traffic. A dog barking. And then, like an exquisite melody, the song of children playing. Right then, she knew what she would do. The park. It was a perfect day for an afternoon in the park . . . but would her mom take her? Mom was in the garden. The heavy smell of lavender reached her as she turned the corner. Her mother was a sight! The knees of her jeans were sullied and brown, her shirt rumpled and untucked, and her curly, brown hair refused to be restrained by her red kerchief. "What do you need, sweetie?" "Can we go to the park?" Her mother looked at her gloves, brown with dirt. She looked at the chrysanthemums still in their containers. "Ask Ruby if she will go with you," she said. Alexa looked over at her older sister, who seemed engrossed in the book she was reading. "So, Ruby, it's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Her sister peered over the top of her book with questioning eyes. Little did Alexa know that Ruby had overheard her conversation in the garden with their mother. "It is," Ruby replied. "In fact, I was thinking it would be a great day to take a walk to the park. I can read my book there just as well as I can here." "You're the best sister ever!" Alexa shouted, a wide grin spreading across her face. Soon Alexa was trotting down the sidewalk with Ruby following behind. They came to the first crosswalk and were waiting for the light to change, when music began playing from somewhere nearby. Alexa paused, listening. Whoever was playing was good. She had to find out who it was. "I'm pretty sure I know where it is coming from," Ruby said, seeing the look of interest in Alexa's face. Ruby knew her little sister's taste for loud music. It wasn't her style, but Ruby respected Alexa's interests. She also knew that her friend Akari had a brother who played guitar, and Akari lived around the corner from where they were standing.
Ruby allowed Alexa to follow the music to a house a half a block away. The front porch was much like their own, with a couple of rocking chairs and some wind chimes swaying softly in the breeze. It was impossible to hear the soft twinkling of the chimes with the ear-piercing sound (in Ruby's opinion, anyway) coming from the open garage. Alexa walked over to the garage, and there stood the guitarist: Kaito Tanaka.
She couldn't believe it. Alexa had known Kaito since they were little, and their sisters were good friends. They were on the swim team together, she often saw him on his bike around the neighborhood, and sometimes they played court games together. How could she not have known that he was an amazing musician? Akari, delighted to see that her friend had stopped by, stepped out of the front door and motioned for the girls to come inside. Ruby quickly agreed, eager to get away from the music. Alexa wanted to stay outside and listen to Kaito play. He was lost in the music, eyes closed, fingers flying. He struck one final note, the music echoing in the air, and then it faded into nothing, replaced by the hum of the amplifier. Alexa tried to let him enjoy the moment, but she couldn't help herself. She clapped and cried out "wooo-hooo!"
Startled, Kaito took a stumbling step backward. "H-how long have you been there?" he asked. "Just for the end there. You're really good." "Thanks." An awkward silence passed between them. Alexa cleared her throat. "Do you think you could show me how to play?" "Um, right now?" "Yeah. I've always wanted to learn an instrument." "Well, I have to walk my dog," Kaito said. Alexa looked around the yard. There wasn't a dog anywhere in sight. "He's inside. Guitar's too loud." "Oh, yeah, my sister feels the same way," Alexa said with a smile. "She's hiding inside with your dog." Kaito laughed as Ruby appeared by Alexa's side. "What?" Ruby said. "Akari said you had to walk Rufus so I figured the playing was done." "Yeah, for now," Kaito said. "But can you guys come back tomorrow? Then I can start teaching Alexa how to play." "Seriously?" Alexa asked, elated. "Definitely—as long as it's ok with your sister." "Sure," replied Ruby with a shrug. "I'm always happy to hang out with Akari." "Cool! See you tomorrow," said Kaito. Alexa and Ruby continued their walk to the park. Alexa was still looking forward to playing outside, but she was even more excited about her first guitar lesson the next day.
What is a central idea?
Alexa's appreciation of sounds leads her down a new path.
Alexa's plans for the day take a surprising and exciting turn.
Kaito's delight in music becomes infectious to those around him.
Ruby's attentiveness to Alexa makes her feel cared for and appreciated.