The Gift of Goodbye

by Kleven, M. Kay

  When Thomas returned, I told him about Mr. Epstein becoming a grandfather and how happy he was when he went out the back door on his way to the flower shop and the hospital.

  “I hope becoming a grandfather is a few years off for me, but I look forward to it one day. Right now, though, I’d like to know if the homeless man that showed up at our door is really Savannah’s dad.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The next day, Thomas came in looking tired.

  “Has something happened with Savannah?” I asked, my voice shaking.

  “The man claiming to be Savannah’s dad is indeed her dad. His DNA was on file because he’s a known criminal and Savannah’s DNA is on file because she was in the hospital. This man is out on parole. He’d been in jail for robbing a gas station in Alabama. He has a long history of substance abuse.”

  “What are you going to do? Is he still in jail?” I asked.

  “He’s still in jail. The police officer told Beth and me that this guy violated his parole when he came by our house drunk and threatened Beth when she wouldn’t let him in.”

  “I’m glad he can’t get near Savannah. Are you and Beth going to tell Savannah that her dad has shown up out of nowhere?”

  “We’ll have to tell Savannah and the family if we end up having to go to court. I have a feeling all this man wants is money, so maybe we’ll be able to settle with him out of court.”

  “I feel responsible for what has happened, Thomas. I never, ever thought anything like this would happen to your family and Savannah.”

  “Once again, Anna Louise, all you did was befriend a little girl on a bus who was being misused by her mother. That’s a sign of bravery. You had no idea you’d ever meet up with this same little girl ever again, but you did. My whole family loves Savannah and we’ll pay to have this guy go away, but we’ll never pay him more than once. We’re going to get it all in writing and we’re also going to ask him to give up any parental rights he may have so we can adopt Savannah.”

  “Adopt Savannah?”

  “Yes. Beth and I have talked about it. Savannah will always be part of our family as far as we’re concerned, so it seems like the right thing to do for Savannah and our family.”

  “You Cutlers keep right on surprising me more and more every day. Savannah is one lucky little girl to be adopted by your family.”

  “Just cross your fingers everything goes well with this so-called father and we never hear from him again.”

  “My fingers will be crossed from now until Savannah joins your family for good.” I held up my hands showing Thomas my fingers were crossed on both hands.

  I uncovered the pianos and rushed to unlock the front door for another day at the Piano Emporium. Looking up at the sky, knowing Mr. Cutler was up there watching over us, I smiled, then quietly closed the door.

  ~ ~ ~

  The following Monday when I arrived for my piano lesson, Ms. Thompson strolled toward me and said, “Good afternoon, Anna Louise. Come on in. I’ve arranged another recital for a few of the students in our program, and I’d like you to be one of those to perform. Sad to say, this will be your final recital as part of The School of Musical Arts program sponsored by Mr. Cutler. I’ve scheduled the recital for the end of June in the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.”

  “I can’t believe this will be my last recital. Have you chosen the piece you’d like me to play?”

  “I have. It will be ‘Mozart’s No. 21, C Major.’ I have the sheet music for you and believe you can become accomplished enough at playing this piece in the next few weeks to be considered a concert pianist by my friend, Hans Anderson, who is the long-time assistant to the conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of New York. At my invitation, Hans will be attending the recital that afternoon.”

  “I’ll practice and do my very best, knowing what you expect of me.” I reached out and hugged her. “I’ll miss you and coming here every Monday for my lesson. My scholarship program may be ending, but I haven’t finished the score for the NYU theater production yet. Would you still be willing to listen to the songs once I’ve finished writing the complete score?”

  “It would be my pleasure, Anna Louise. I’ll give you my card and you can call me when you’re finished with your writing.”

  “Thank you. I couldn’t do it without you. It has been quite an undertaking, writing song after song for a whole play.”

  “Mr. Benson at NYU must have felt you could write the score or I don’t believe he would’ve asked you. I’ve seen several of his musical productions and they’ve all been outstanding to me.”

  “After the recital, I’ll sit down and complete the score, then give you a call. Thank you, again, for everything. I would be nowhere without you and Mr. Cutler.”

  “You’re welcome. But, right now I’d like to hear your lesson for today, and then I’ll play the opening of the Mozart piece for you so you can begin to hear the music in your head.”

  Sitting down at the piano, I played my lesson with all my heart, then Ms. Thompson played Mozart for me. “Hopefully, when I come for my lesson next Monday, I’ll be able to play the piece with some proficiency.”

  “I have no doubt you will, Anna Louise. If I know you, in a few weeks you’ll be playing the whole composition without ever looking at the music.”

  As I picked up my music books and the sheet music from the piano, I gazed sadly at Ms. Thompson. She was smiling back at me. “You know where to find me, Anna Louise, even if you just need to talk. You have an extraordinary talent, but I sense that your childhood did not go well for you. Am I right?”

  “You’re exactly right. My mother mistreated me growing up and is also an alcoholic. I’ve wanted to write music and take piano lessons since I was sixteen years old, when I first heard my neighbor, Blake Holbrook, play at his college. My mother wouldn’t let me take lessons, so soon after I graduated from high school I left my home in Kansas and came to New York determined to become a concert pianist like Blake Holbrook.”

  “And you soon will be,” replied Ms. Thompson. “Since you’ll be finishing the program here at The School of Musical Arts, and with your permission, I’d like to give my friend Hans Anderson, your name and phone number from our records. If Hans likes what he hears at the recital, I’m sure he’ll be in touch with you.”

  “You really mean it, Ms. Thompson?”

  “I do, if it’s okay with you that I give him your name and phone number.”

  “Yes. Yes. I know you have my best interest at heart, so, yes, you can give him my name and phone number.”

  “I’ll see you next Monday, then.”

  “I’ll be here,” I cried out, hugging Ms. Thompson.

  The next few weeks passed by quickly. The recital was now only one day away and “Mozart’s No. 21, C Major” was completely stored away in my memory. Mara helped me pick out another gown. This one was light purple with spaghetti straps, the skirt flowing and the bodice fitted with a scoop neckline. My shoes matched the gown. No bracelets, but a pair of amethyst earrings would be hanging from my ears.

  Today, I was about to play in my final recital with Ms. Thompson at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. As I came out on stage to curtsy, before taking my place at the piano, I saw Mara, Daniel, and Blake sitting on one side of the aisle, then I spotted Chase on the other side, smiling up at me with those heart-stopping green eyes of his.

  After fanning out my skirt on the piano bench, I began to play “Mozart’s No. 21, C Major,” shutting everything else out until I’d played the entire concerto to the end. Only then did I slowly stand up and take one bow after another to the sound of the crowd’s overwhelming applause, and then I returned backstage. Ms. Thompson took me into her arms. I began to cry. My lessons were over. What were the chances of my becoming a concert pianist on my own? Then, before I could take another step, a short, r
ather rotund gentleman, with a bald head and salt and pepper beard, appeared in front of me. I glanced over at Ms. Thompson and all she did was wink at me. I knew then this was the man Ms. Thompson had mentioned to me at my lesson.

  “Ms. Armstrong. I’m Hans Anderson, a friend of Ms. Thompson. You’re playing is above reproach and I’d like to invite you to audition with the Chamber Orchestra of New York. I’ll be talking with the conductor of the orchestra regarding your talent and to let him know I’ve invited you to perform for him.” He handed me his card and said I’d be hearing from him.

  “Thank you, Mr. Anderson,” I said, accepting his card. “It would be an honor to audition with the Chamber Orchestra of New York.”

  As I stepped out into the crowd, Mara, Daniel, and Blake rushed toward me. They all congratulated me and hugged me. Blake held me the longest and kissed me on the cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Chase gazing over at me with this hurt look on his face. I wanted to reach out to him, but didn’t know what to do. Was I being foolish to think that Blake Holbrook was really interested in me as a person? The next thing I knew, Chase had disappeared. How had he viewed the hug and kiss on the cheek I’d received from Blake? Would I ever see him again? I had to. Next to Mara, he was my best friend in the whole world. But, right now, I had to think about my future.

  “Come on, Anna Louise. Let’s go celebrate.” I heard Mara’s voice, but my heart had disappeared with Chase.

  “I’ll be right with you. I just need to say goodbye to Ms. Thompson.”

  After saying my final goodbyes, I joined Mara, Daniel, and Blake for a night on the town. Blake took us to Sebastian’s and showed us how the rich people really live. We were waited on hand and foot by people wearing white gloves that served everything with a flair I’d never seen before. I smiled through the whole meal and listened to the conversation carried on by Mara, Daniel, and Blake. I learned that Blake would soon be leaving again to travel this time to Germany and Hungary. Didn’t know if I felt sad or relieved to hear the news. All I wanted to do was go home and curl up in my bed and cry for Mr. Cutler, Ms. Thompson, Chase, and the little girl inside of me.

  “I’d like to go home now,” I said. “It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”

  “Of course,” Blake replied. “I’ll ask for the check, then Daniel and I will return you and Mara to SoHo.”

  I thanked all three of them for a wonderful day, then excused myself and slipped into my room where I lay down on my bed in my gown and began to cry. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew Mara was knocking on my door. “Are you all right in there?”

  “I’m sorry, Mara.” I glanced at the time. Could it really be Sunday morning already? “I’ll be right out.” I tore off my gown and wrapped my robe around me, making my way out to the kitchen. I needed a cup of coffee.

  “Good morning, roommate. What happened to you last night? None of us could figure you out.”

  “I’m truly sorry, Mara, but did you realize Chase sat across the aisle from you, Daniel, and Blake? He saw Blake hug me and kiss my cheek, then he disappeared from sight.”

  “Oh my goodness. No. How awful for you. What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I need some time to get my bearings again after all that has happened lately,” I answered. “If I tried to reach Chase now, I’d probably screw up things more than they already are. I need to finish the musical score for Daniel’s play, so I’m going to focus on that. Life is beginning to overwhelm me, Mara.”

  “I understand. Maybe it’s a good thing Blake will be traveling again. It will give you some time to get your head on straight again.”

  “I think maybe you’re right. You and Daniel will be leaving on your trip to California soon, too.”

  “We’ll be leaving in a few days. Hopefully, you’ll be feeling better by then.”

  “Ms. Thompson is going to listen to the whole score once I have it written, which will be a tremendous help to me before I drop it off to Mr. Benson at the college.”

  “Let’s go out and get some fresh air, Anna Louise. I think we could both use some right now.”

  “I’d like that, Mara. I’ll take a quick shower and be right with you.”

  Chapter 16

  The Emporium became the best therapy I could have asked for. Being around Thomas calmed me in so many ways. His outlook on life closely mirrored that of his father’s. Life began to seem normal again. When I wasn’t busy in the store, I worked on my songs for the score. I had maybe four more songs to go, then I could put it all together and get in touch with Ms. Thompson. I missed her a lot. Blake had left for Germany. I’d heard nothing from Chase. I missed him more and more every day.

  All of a sudden, I heard Thomas’s voice behind me. “Daniel said he and Mara are leaving for California the day after tomorrow. Do you think we can mind the store without him for a week?”

  I actually cracked a tiny smile for the first time since the recital. “You and I can do it. I know we can. But if we can’t, I’ll call Bob and Carl to come help with the heavy lifting while Daniel’s gone.”

  “Good idea. I’m going out to tune Mrs. Goetz’s piano this morning. You’ll be here alone, so give me a call if anything comes up.”

  “I’ve got your number if I need you. See you later.”

  Thomas picked up his bag, waved, and left by the back door.

  I walked out front. I needed to uncover and dust each piano so they would sparkle in the sunlight. I thought of Chase and “The Gift of Goodbye.” I couldn’t help myself. I sat down at one of the baby grands and played the whole song to the end. How was I going to fulfill my dream of becoming a concert pianist now? Then, I remembered Ms. Thompson’s friend. The one who had given me his card at the recital. I hurried into my office, picked up my purse and searched inside for the card. I held the card in my hand, staring at it, when the phone rang. Mrs. Goldberg needed Thomas to come tune her piano. I tucked Hans’s card back into my purse, hoping he’d soon give me a call.

  As I returned to the showroom, a man, probably in his forties with beady-looking eyes, opened the front door and stepped inside. I’d never seen him before. My stomach did a somersault as he approached me. “Good morning, sir. How can I help you?”

  For the second time since arriving in New York, I found a gun in my face. “Slowly lock the front and back doors, miss, then I want all of the money in your safe.”

  I locked the front door, pretended to lock the back door, and lied, “We don’t have a safe here.”

  “Don’t lie to me. I’ve been in this store before and know there’s a safe in here.”

  “Does that mean you’ve robbed this store before?” I cried out.

  “Be quiet or I’ll have to tie you up and break into the safe myself.”

  “Sir, I don’t know the combination.” I began to shriek, not knowing what was going to happen next.

  He shoved me into Thomas’s office and forced me to unlock the door to the room where Thomas kept his extra tuning supplies, knowing exactly where the safe was located. He removed the tapestry Mr. Cutler used to cover the safe. “Bingo. I’m giving you three chances to open the safe, missy, before I have to tie you up and shoot my way into the safe, maybe even killing you. Wouldn’t break my heart.”

  Having no idea what the combination to the safe was, I became terrified and my hands began to shake as I tried to open the safe. “Hurry up, lady,” the man shouted. Then, the next thing I knew he grabbed me around the neck and threw me backwards up against the credenza. I began to scream. “Shut up,” he yelled, pointing the gun at me, and then at the safe. But before he could do anything more, Thomas quietly stepped in behind the man and struck him over the head with his leather bag of tuning instruments, knocking him to the floor, unconscious. Thomas grabbed the gun as I called 9-1-1.

  “I forgot one of t
he tools I needed for Mrs. Goetz’s piano, so returned to the store. As I neared the back door, I heard you screaming, so knew something was wrong. I snatched up my brown bag and came in as quietly as I could. I couldn’t believe what I saw.” Thomas took a deep breath. “Are you okay, Anna Louise?”

  I was about to say, “I’m okay, Thomas, thanks to your uncanny timing,” when the police came crashing through the back door, knocking hard on the front door. I rushed to the front door, unlocking it. They swiftly handcuffed the robber and dragged him out the back door.

  As the last officer finished a final sweep though the store and removed the video recording of the robbery, Thomas handed him the gun. Once the police were gone, Thomas came over and held me for what seemed like a long time. We’d both been shaken up by the robbery.

  Once I was able to find my voice, I said, “Nothing dangerous, other than my mother, ever happened in Wisteria, Kansas, but since I’ve arrived in Manhattan, I’ve been held at gunpoint twice and seen the devastation of a bombing. I love New York, but maybe I’m not meant to live here.”

  “It’s not you, Anna Louise. More and more of these situations seem to be happening every day in the big city. This guy probably watched me leave in the SUV, then came around front and walked in as a customer.” Thomas hung the tapestry back over the safe, found the tuning instrument he needed, then closed and locked the door to the room, while I straightened up the rest of his office.

  “Thomas, I never really wanted to know the combination to the safe and was happy just putting the money I received in the lock box in your desk drawer. But could I end up dead because I don’t know the combination?”

  “We’ll keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them, but with your memory, I’ll have you memorize the combination just in case you need to use it in the future. No amount of money is worth getting killed over.”