Even though he didn't have any sheet music in front of him, Flint's attention was so absorbed that it took him about thirty seconds to realize there was someone nearby. He was moving from one song into the next without a pause, just inventing a transition as he went along, when he glanced up and saw a young woman leaning against the piano. Part of his mind was still on the music: April Showers. Jolson? Early 20s. Loses something without strings. Make adjustments with the right hand for it. Yet while anywhere else this proximity would make him uncomfortable, sitting at the piano made some (though hardly all) of his reserve fall away. Flint merely took in her approving smile and gave a bashful grin of acknowledgement in return. The shy man nodded his greeting.