when claire was growing up, she was always encouraged to follow wherever her passions took her. and, her heart was calling her far beyond the small town of copper she’d always called home. during her senior year of college, she decided to take up studying abroad in egypt. she quickly fell in love with all the timeless culture that surrounded her.. and the charming english translator wasn’t too bad either. the two hit it off immediately, joking around as if they’d been old friends who hadn’t seen each other in so long. it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when the two eloped quickly after meeting. claire finished her degree, officially moving to egypt, bidding a farewell to copper and her father whom she’d loved dearly. but, she knew it was time to begin her own chapter.

their family begin to grow as their son nile was born. nile never craved love during his childhood, it surrounded him in abundance. he’d watch his parents, still as in love as the day they met. the little things they’d do for one another, the way they always took care of each other. this sense of knowing they felt a responsibility to one another, but that responsibility never felt like a burden. he was an observant child, always seeming to take the small details and make them bigger in his mind.

when he was about fourteen, the family got news that niles’ grandfather back in copper had begun declining in health. for many in the community, it was hard to believe that old man jack was fading. his light had always shone bright over the community. he’d been a stage director at the local theatre for decades. if you went to elementary school in copper, you’d probably remember director jack coming by your classroom, feverishly playing the piano and singing old show tunes. he valued the arts deeply, and believed they brought a color to the lives of many that was unmatched by anything other. although nile hadn’t grown up with the man, the two connected. nile would sit and watch his grandfather masterfully pluck at guitar strings or key away at the piano. most instruments he could play with ease. the old man taught nile to play as well but it didn’t take much teaching. he had a knack for it. it just felt right. when he was playing, he felt like he belonged. as much as he loved his parents, sometimes it felt like he was a watcher of their life; not as in it as he’d like. but when he played, he felt like a missing puzzle piece was finally connected.

at around twenty two, his grandfather jack passed away gently in his sleep, nile softly playing piano in the other room. he mourned the loss, but he knew it wasn’t over. his grandfather had begun a legacy in the town, and nile was determined to keep his light alive. he would sit on the street corners, strumming at his guitar, singing into the copper town square. he wanted to keep the town full of music and singing. he sings on the streets most days, even making up songs for people if they are kind enough to chat with him for a bit. he never lost that observer nature he had a kid. at a party, he’s usually tucked away in some corner, contentedly watching as life unfolds before him. within it are curiosities, tragedies and wonders that drench every corner. and he doesn’t want to miss a second of it.