The Gift of Goodbye

by Kleven, M. Kay

  “Nice to meet you, Mara,” they replied in unison, tipping their caps.

  “Nice to meet you guys, too,” Mara said, pretending to tip her cap back at them.

  “Daniel, have you met Mara yet?” Thomas asked.

  “Earlier, Dad, when I stopped by to get instructions for delivering the piano.”

  “Mara’s an artist. Would you be available to show her around the city and maybe SoHo?” Thomas asked, sensing a certain something going on between Mara and Daniel.

  “Sure. Being an artist, you’d probably like SoHo,” Daniel said to Mara. “Let me give you my number. You can text me anytime. I still have school for a few weeks before our break begins, but I don’t have any classes on Monday or Friday, so could show you around SoHo on one of those days, if I’m not working here at the store.”

  “SoHo. I’d love to see it. Thanks.”

  “Time to lock up, kids.” Thomas set Mara’s painting on his desk, then locked the money from the delivery in the safe.

  “Hey, what’s with the painting?” Daniel asked, following his dad into the office.

  “Donation to the Emporium by the great Mara Holbrook,” Thomas replied. “I’ll hang it tomorrow when it’s not so busy.”

  Daniel glanced over at Mara with a beaming smile. “Nice addition to the Emporium.”

  “Thanks,” Mara said, blushing like I’d never seen her blush before.

  “Come on, Mara,” I interrupted. “We have a gift to buy and send out as soon as possible. Remember?” I hurried into my forest-green wool coat and pulled up the collar, then grabbed Mara’s luggage while she zipped up her brown, soft suede jacket and picked up her paintings as we made our way out the front door. “Follow me. I know a little shop down the street where there are things I know my sister would love for a wedding gift. After the package is in the mail, I’ll take you to this Mexican place that’s so good you’ll never go to Taco Supreme in Wisteria ever again.”

  “Try me,” Mara called out as she scurried ahead of me down the street once again. “I’m starving.”

  ~ ~ ~

  As we climbed the stairs leading to my apartment, Mara and I giggled and laughed about the fluffy bedroom slippers I’d bought for Charlotte and Frank—white for her and black for him—when I ran straight into Chase’s strong chest. I stared up at him in shock.

  “I’m so sorry, Chase.” I stopped laughing. Hadn’t seen much of him since the bombings and knew he’d been working long hours gathering the names and stories of the victims out there. “I’d like you to meet my best friend from high school, Mara Holbrook. She’s going to be staying with me for the holidays while she’s on break from college.”

  Chase stepped back as he took in Mara’s pink and purple hair. “Nice to meet you, Mara. Where’s college for you?”

  “The School of the Art Institute of Chicago,” Mara replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “Your hair suggested to me you were probably an artist.” Chase smiled with his eyes, taking in the paintings under her arm. “Can I see what you’re carrying there?”

  “Sure. This one’s for Anna Louise. After hearing the dismal description of her apartment, I thought she could use a little color to brighten it up.” Mara winked at me.

  “Take a look at this, Anna. New York’s skyline with a brilliant rainbow draped across the sky, ending with a baby grand piano in a pot of gold.” Chase held the painting up so I could see it better.

  “It’s fabulous, Mara. Thank you. You can help me hang it while you’re here.”

  Remembering how I’d run smack-dab into Chase when we came in, I asked, “Where were you off to when I bumped into you?”

  “I’m working on a story that needs to be finished by tomorrow morning, so I’m off to my desk at the New York Times.”

  Chase had changed out of his suit and tie and into jeans, a blue chambray shirt, and his chestnut leather jacket now that it was after hours, but his good looks always caught me off guard. I could tell Mara liked him, too. “Come on Mara. We’d better let this man get his story written. I wouldn’t want him to miss his deadline.” I smiled up at Chase.

  As he handed the painting back to Mara, he grinned. “Glad I ran into you ladies. See you later.” Off he went, taking the steps down two at a time, the door slamming behind him.

  “That’s your neighbor,” Mara exclaimed.

  “That’s him. Told you he was handsome. He’s also a nice guy.”

  “I noticed. I also noticed how the two of you are together. He’s a keeper, Ann Louise. Hang on to him.”

  “We’re just friends, Mara. He’s my neighbor. We run into one another off and on.”

  “I’d make it more on than off, if I were you. Also, he called you Anna, which no one ever has. What’s with that?”

  “He called me that in the haze of the bombings. Everything was crazy at the time,” I replied, recalling the phone conversation in which he had first called me Anna and the warm feeling that had come over me. “Let’s go inside, so you can finally put your things down. We’re getting a little old to sleep in the same bed, but the sofa is out of the question. Full of lumps and bumps.”

  “I promise to stay on my side, if you’ll stay on yours.” Mara laughed as she followed me into the bedroom.

  “Let’s get your things hung up, then we can sit at the kitchen table, if you can call it that, and talk for a while. I’ll brew us some sweet mint tea to sip on while we talk.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Mara replied, opening her suitcase that now lay on Anna Louise’s bed.

  We talked for hours just like we had in high school. Around midnight we heard Chase come in and his door open and close for the night. “Maybe we’d better think about turning in ourselves,” I said to Mara. “I have to go to work in the morning, but when you finally pull yourself out of bed, you can get settled, then find your way to the Emporium again.”

  “Will do. I enjoyed meeting everyone at the Emporium this afternoon. And Chase this evening. From what has happened so far, I can hardly wait to see what the rest of New York has to offer,” Mara said, as she stood up and stretched, touching her toes. “Daniel said he’d take me to SoHo and show me where the artists hang out, and then I can do some shopping in the boutiques I’ve heard about. Can’t wait.”

  “I’d welcome you to New York, my friend, but it sounds like you’ve already made yourself at home.” I hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here, Mara.”

  Chapter 6

  Since Mr. Cutler had died and Mara arrived, my lessons with Ms. Thompson had not progressed as they should have. She understood about the bombings and grieved for Mr. Cutler like the rest of us, but we both knew I needed to focus on my lessons in order to keep advancing in the program.

  “Hi, Ms. Thompson,” I said as I greeted her. “Have you heard the good news that Thomas and Beth Cutler are going to continue the scholarship here at The School of Musical Arts in honor of both his mother and father?”

  “Oh, Anna Louise, that is great news. I wouldn’t be here with you today if it weren’t for Mr. Cutler. His generous donations have helped keep The School of Musical Arts running for years. When Mrs. Cutler died, he told Mrs. McKenzie he wanted to start a scholarship program in his wife’s name. He didn’t want her love of playing the piano to die with her. Just like you, Mrs. Cutler had desperately wanted to learn how to play the piano. She thought she was too old to learn how to play when she came here for her first lesson with Mrs. McKenzie, but before she died, she’d learned how to play beautifully. Mr. Cutler was so proud of her. I only heard her play at the recitals, but she seemed so happy when she was playing,” Ms. Thompson explained.

  “Thomas told me that Mr. Cutler had tuned pianos out of their home until his mom died, after which, his dad sold the family home and opened up the Emporium so he could be surrounded by the most ex
quisite pianos ever made, while Thomas went out and tuned pianos. Something Thomas had learned to do at an early age by his father’s side.”

  “That’s right, Anna Louise.”

  “Did Mr. Cutler, or does Thomas, know how to play the piano?” I asked. “On my first day at the Emporium, I watched Thomas tune a piano and he seemed to be a master at it?”

  “You’d have to ask Thomas that. I’m not sure if either one of them ever really learned to play the piano.”

  “Can I ask you one more question, Ms. Thompson?”

  “Yes. Of course you can.”

  “What did Mrs. Cutler die from?”

  “Heart disease. I guess she had rheumatic fever when she was young, which kept her from doing a lot of things her whole life that other people could do. Then, after Thomas had married and started his own family, she went out with Mr. Cutler one day to tune a piano and thought maybe learning to play the piano was something she could do, and sure enough she could, even though she was only able to play for a few years.”

  “I know Mr. Cutler missed his wife every day, like I miss him now. I’m just sorry he had to die in such a violent way. He didn’t deserve that. I’m going to carry on his dream for me and become the best concert pianist I can become.”

  “He’ll be watching and smiling from above as you take each step in that direction, Anna Louise. Which reminds me, I’d better have you open your books and play something for me before we run out of time.”

  I stumbled through the first part of my lesson, not having practiced much, but the more I played the better I felt inside about having lost such a dear and loving person in my life. My spirits were raised and I knew I was doing exactly what Mr. Cutler would’ve wanted me to do. “Everything is going to be all right,” I whispered to myself.

  ~ ~ ~

  I hadn’t seen much of Mara the last couple of days, so when I finally did, I inquired, “So have you and Daniel been having a good time together. I’ve hardly seen either one of you, even at the store.”

  “Anna Louise. You wouldn’t believe how wonderful SoHo is.” Mara jumped up off the sofa with a look of pure glee on her face. “I could move there right this minute and never move out again. Daniel even introduced me to a few of the artists that live there who are making a good living. The boutiques are divine. Clothes designed just for me.”

  “It’s hard for me to believe that Mara Holbrook, who is always in motion, could live in one place for the rest of her life.” I laughed at the thought.

  “Well, I might have to travel a bit over the years, like to Italy, France, England, and Spain for sure. I’d love to paint in those countries and take some classes from the artists there.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?” I led the way out to the kitchen to check in the refrigerator to see what I might find to fix for dinner.

  Sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs, Mara said, “I’ve been thinking. Would you like to share a place with me in SoHo? I could go to school here in New York and paint when I’m not in class. I need to be surrounded by SoHo and the people that live and do business there.”

  “Have you talked to your parents about this?” I asked. “It looks like it’s going to be salad again tonight with some leftover chicken strips. Dessert can be apple slices draped in caramel.”

  “I’ve talked to them. And as long as I’m willing to continue going to college, they’re okay with the idea. But they said it was up to you.” Mara set the salads on the table while I absentmindedly smothered the apples under a layer of caramel.

  “I’d love for us to be roommates, but I’ll need a couple of days to think about it. The idea is a bit of a shock. Hope you understand.”

  “Sure, Anna Louise. I’d have to go back to Chicago and pack up all of my things to come here, which isn’t a whole lot, but if you’re willing, we could find a place before I leave.”

  “Let’s eat.” I took my seat at the table. “I’ve never even been to SoHo, so you’d have to show me what’s so wonderful about this well-developed artistic area of New York.”

  “I could do that. How about this weekend?” Mara suggested.

  “I work on Saturday along with Thomas, but then Daniel and Thomas work on Sunday, so we’d have to take our little trip, into that amazing cultural world you love so much, on Sunday.”

  “Thank you. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.” She jumped up and hugged the breath out of me.

  Later, when I heard three knocks on the door. I knew it was Chase. He hadn’t been at the Blue Sky much since all of our worlds had been turned upside down. Opening the door and seeing my handsome neighbor standing there holding a tray with three hot chocolates from the Shake Shack and a bag of miniature marshmallows set my heart to music. “Hey, stranger. Come on in.”

  “Thought maybe you and Mara could use something warm on a cool night like tonight. Would you ladies care to join me?” he asked. “And I have a little news to share with you, too.”

  “Love to. How about you, Mara?” I turned and found her standing right behind me, breathing down my neck.

  “Love to,” she replied.

  Only having two kitchen chairs, Chase ran back and got one of his that looked identical to mine—all dented up. He also did the honors of taking the caps off of the hot chocolates and topping each one with marshmallows.

  “I have some news, too,” I said. “But you go first, Chase.”

  “Well, I’ve decided to move to an apartment closer to the newspaper. My hours have been crazy lately. I find myself falling into bed and getting right back up.” Chase swirled his hot chocolate as he spoke. “My lease is up and I can’t say I’ll miss this place, except for you Anna Louise and now you, too, Mara. Here’s my new address. You already have my phone number. I’ll miss you, but I know where to find you at the Emporium. Hope we can keep in touch.”

  “Now, I’m in complete shock,” I replied sadly. “Mara has just asked me to move with her to SoHo. She wants to stay in New York and become roommates. She says she’ll go to college in New York and be able to sell her paintings better in SoHo. And now I find out you’re moving closer to the newspaper. I’m overwhelmed by all of it.”

  “What a coincidence,” Chase acknowledged.

  “When will you be moving out?” I still couldn’t believe his news.

  “This weekend, so I can get settled before Monday.” Chase put his fingers under my sad chin and lifted it up. “We’ll still see each other, Anna Louise.”

  “I know, but it won’t be the same. Will you come visit us in SoHo once we’ve moved there?”

  “Of course. Text me and I’ll be there.”

  “Did I just hear you say you’ll move to SoHo with me?” Mara exclaimed.

  “I guess I did, didn’t I?” Soon the Blue Sky Apartments would only be a memory for both Chase and me.

  Chase moved out and Mara flew back to Chicago to pack up and have her things sent to our new two-bedroom apartment in SoHo. Mara moved into the apartment while I lived out the rest of my lease at the Blue Sky Apartments.

  ~ ~ ~

  Mara and I were now living under the same roof—ironically, once again on the third floor. The ceilings were high, the windows expansive, the floors wooden, the rugs trendy, and the fireplace warm and cozy—but we didn’t have any furniture. So the next afternoon, as soon as I was finished at the Emporium, I met Mara inside the front door of the Kelley Furniture Store to begin our search for some pieces we’d both like.

  Mara loved to shop, so we browsed through a number of furniture stores before deciding on the place we liked best. Making our way back to Hardwick Furniture, we started out with the living room: choosing an off-white sectional sofa, chic turquoise throw pillows with orange flowers tipped in white, a big screen television and stand, a dark-coffee table and end tables, and lamps for each of t
he end tables. Then, we spotted two striped, high-back fireplace chairs with matching ottomans in shades of orange from light to dark that we just couldn’t live without. The other things we really needed were stools for the island in the kitchen, so we picked out a few of those. The dining room table would have to wait.

  The salesman then proceeded to talk us into splurging on a bedroom set for each of us. Adding it all up on my calculator, I knew it was going to take us a while to pay off the bills, but I was glad to be out of the Blue Sky Apartments and to be living with my best friend in SoHo, New York.

  Not only did Mara love to shop, but she loved Christmas, too. So on our first Sunday together, we bundled up and went out into the new fallen snow and bought this seven-foot-tall tree before contemplating how many lights and ornaments we would need to decorate such a tree. Thank goodness our apartment had those extra-high ceilings.

  As we traipsed back out to buy lights and decorations, I looked around at how Christmas had overtaken SoHo. Every store and shop was lit up from top to bottom. Mara draped her red and white striped scarf around her neck so it wouldn’t fall off, then bent over, grabbed some snow, and threw it at me.

  “Are we back in middle school, or what?” I shouted, tossing a snowball back at her.

  “Oh man, you hit me right in the mouth. I’ll get you.” Mara ran up and threw a snowball down the front of my jacket.

  “Stop it, Mara. We have places to go.”

  “That reminds me. Blake is playing at Carnegie Hall the weekend before Christmas. Would you like to go?”

  “Would I like to go? He’s the one who changed my world. Yes, I’d like to go,” I yelled up into the cold, crisp air.

  “I told him we were living together in SoHo now. He asked if I’d like a couple of tickets. Of course, I said, no.”

  “You said, what!” I exclaimed.

  “Just kidding. I’m going to pick up the tickets one day this week.”