The crowd filled into the theater followed by a low murmuring rumble. As they took their seats, everyone could feel the excitement like static around them. The murmur quieted down as a man stepped to the center of the stage. He wore a blue tailed suit, and his red hair was a mess, sticking out on either side. He raised his arms to the crowd, a thin baton held delicately in his hand. A complete silence fell over the room as the curtains parted behind him, revealing an orchestra of instruments sitting in chairs.

The conductor turned around to face the orchestra and tapped his baton on the pedestal in front of him. Small test sounds came from the instruments as they began to play themselves, testing and tuning.

The conductor raised his right hand, holding the baton high, and the instruments faded to silence as they straightened in their seats. He slowly lowered his hand as the drums started a deep rhythmic beat, deep purples and blues starting to fill the air around them. He swung his baton out to the right, and the cellos echoed a flowing tune, releasing forest greens and sunrise oranges from their reverberating strings. His hands danced low in front of him, hovering right over the pedestal, and the violins and violas started to frolic with a staccato melody. Pinks, blues, yellows, and bright purples bloomed in the air like flowers. His hands raised above his head, calling in the brass section. Crystal clear trumpets and horns flitted about like butterflies in the early morning light. His left hand rose, and the instruments crescendoed, the scene transitioning into a bright day.

The conductor quickly moved his hands together, and a cymbal crashed loudly as the other instruments stopped. A bright yellow flash scattered the other colors, clearing the air. After a pause, he made delicate moves, and a harp picked its soft melody, small blue colors falling in streaks.

"What have you got there, honey?" Julia asked, setting aside a wet plate to dry in the sink as she looked over the table.

"I'm drawing music," David replied without looking up, his tongue stuck out to one side as he vigorously colored, the picture a tangled mess of different colored lines dominating the top. "The robot is leading the instruments."

Julia gave a slight chuckle as she dried her hands on her apron. "That's sweet. What type of music is it?" She ruffled his hair, and he finally looked up.

"Big and loud. Then soft and gentle," David said, picking up the robot and facing it to the picture. "This is you." He pointed to a blue blob in the bottom center.

Julia smiled. "That's wonderful, David. I can almost hear the music."

David's face lit up with pride. "Yeah, the robot makes sure everyone plays their part."

"Such a good robot," Julia responded. "You be a good boy and clean up your stuff too. You have to go to bed soon. You have pre-school tomorrow."

"Can I stay up to show this to Dad?" David asked with hope in his eyes.

Julia struggled to keep the smile on her face. "I'll tell you what, why don't I hang it on the fridge, and he will see it right when he comes home. You can tell me what magnet to use."

David jumped up from the chair. "Yeah!" he exclaimed. "I want to use the duck magnet."

"Good choice," Julia said, reaching for the duck. "I'll put it right here in the middle. Now pick up your stuff and go brush your teeth."

David hurriedly gathered his crayons and paper, shoving them into his art drawer. He then ran to the bathroom, the sound of his small footsteps echoing through the hallway. Julia carefully placed the drawing on the fridge, securing it with the duck magnet. She took a moment to admire his work, a colorful symphony captured on paper, and felt a pang of sadness mixed with pride.

David returned, his face shining from a quick wash. "All done, Mom!" he announced.

"Good job, sweetheart. Now, let's get you to bed," Julia said, guiding him to his room. She tucked him in, kissing his forehead. "Sweet dreams, my little dreamer."

"Goodnight, Mom," David mumbled, already half asleep.

Julia quietly left his room, closing the door behind her. She glanced at the drawing on the fridge one more time, sadness and guilt filling her for a moment. She turned away from the kitchen, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She was sure a fight would happen as soon as her husband came home.

With resolve in her heart, Julia tiptoed down the hallway to check on David one last time before retiring to bed herself. She peeked into his room, her gaze softening as she watched him sleep peacefully, his chest rising and falling in rhythmic breaths.

"Sleep tight, my little dreamer," she whispered, before quietly closing the door.

Back in her own room, Julia lay in bed, unable to sleep. She replayed countless past fights in her head, working on what to say even if her fell on empty ears. After what seemed like hours she had made a resolution with herself. She must do what was best for David, she decided separating him from his father was the only choice.

Quiet tears started to stream down her face as exhaustion took over. Without realizing it she had fallen asleep, all her worries forgotten for a few peaceful hours.