but that was no longer all he wanted . as an excuse not to get hurt again . stuck his fingers down the back of the couch and found a few quarters . i do n't remember how he left or what he said . the smell of the river was fresh from the beginning of spring . `` that was very nicely done , '' she said . she was covered by a light linen sheet . without missing a beat i finish the song and let my hands rest gently on the keys for a moment afterward . 