I take a taxi to the bus station and an express to the airport. When I arrive in Austin, Karla is there to greet me with a bright smile and no trace of shyness. I’m delighted. We share a $10.00 hamburger at Trudy’s and head home. The next day Laura and I visit her school where I learn about the Texas Assessment of Knowledge Test (TAKS) ..a measure of student competence for advancement and graduation. They don’t fool around in Texas. In the afternoon we go for a hike along Bull Creek. The water is emerald green and the banks are made of boulders worn smooth, and cut deep in places by the water. I’m reminded of something my zen teacher once said: what’s softest in the world overcomes what’s hardest. We go to the pool for a swim in the evening. The next day we arrive early for the KT concert and watch the show while pressed against the rail in front of the stage. Sweet spot. I don’t remember being this close before. I’m in shock and awe. Stellar performance. KT performs ‘Universe and u’ on piano the way she originally wrote it. Karla enjoyed the show because KT’s songs have a great backbeat. In Dallas the next day, some lucky folks got to see the performance below taped outside the Granada before the show.
