by Ginny Aiken
By five of two, all of the members had arrived. The studio engineer wasn’t in the control booth yet to do a sound check. “Shall we warm up while we wait?” Eva asked.
“Sounds like a plan.” Tyrone sat in the chair and set the cello in place.
Everyone took their spots. Today they were recording some additional songs to go with their second wedding CD. They had recorded one years ago, but this would be full of additional selections, most having been requested over the years.
They’d made it through the first song when the engineer came into his booth. “Sorry,” the voice came over the speakers. “Let’s do a sound check. The boss says you have an additional fifteen minutes if you want it.”
Tyrone looked over at Tristan and winked. He’d appreciate the financial savings for the group.
The session went great, plans were made for the next—and hopefully final one—for this album. The young engineer gave them a freshly burned CD for them to go over. Tyrone slipped the CD in the cello case. He had the responsibility of checking the recording and making the decisions for the final mix of each album they cut.
Back at the condo, the men went to work, first moving the furniture, removing the mirror panels, then scraping the wall, making it ready for the tiles. Soon the hammers, music, and laborers were in full swing.
“Tyrone, you have a visitor,” Aaron, Tristan’s brother hollered over the noise.
Tyrone jumped up and banged his head on the tray of the stepladder. “Ouch,” he yelled. “Who is it? Can it wait?”
“Ahh, I don’t think so. It’s your neighbor,” Aaron offered.
Cassy sucked in a deep breath. The man was beyond handsome, from the top of his bronzed head to the richness of his deep plum lips. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I was wondering if you could stop the noise. I’m a nurse, and I have to work tonight. I didn’t get enough sleep this morning.”
“I’m sorry I woke you this morning. I’m putting up a soundproof wall so I won’t bother you again.” He pulled his hand from his head. Blood.
“Sit down, let me look at it.”
“No, thanks, I’m fine. I just nicked it on the corner of the ladder. I’m sorry about the noise, but after tonight it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Fine.” She wasn’t going to stand and argue with the man. He obviously was in pain, and she’d dealt with too many patients with no patience when they were in pain.
She retreated to her condo, knowing sleep would elude her once again. “Lord, please make it an easy evening tonight.”
He’s building a soundproof wall just because I knocked on it? He’s either very concerned about his neighbors or he absolutely hates to be interrupted. Given his state of mind when she came to the door, she assumed the latter.
Cassy put on her swimsuit and went to the pool. Maybe I can get some sleep there, she mused. Slathered with sunblock, she lay down. The sun and surf lulled her to sleep.
A shiver woke Cassy. The sky had darkened. She pushed herself up. How long have I slept? she wondered. She sat up. “Ouch!” A sunburn, great. Just great. Her naturally dark complexion meant she’d suffered far less than some of her fairer skinned friends, but she obviously had spent too much time in the sun even with sunblock on.
The best solution was a cold shower. Aloe would help, too. She searched the bathroom cabinet. The bottle held less than a handful of the precious lotion. She chided herself and went into the shower. “Four days, Lord. Only four days and I’m not liking this new home.” She lay back against the ceramic tiles under the refreshing pulse of the shower. At first her body wanted to protest. But soon the raw nerve endings allowed the cool water to stop the burning.
In the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her burned body. “Girl, you’ve got to be the only black woman in America to look like black forest cake.” Thankfully, she knew if she treated the burn properly, she’d heal quickly.
The burn helped her stay awake Monday night. Tuesday through Friday, she calmed. Her new neighbor had been quiet as a mouse. She couldn’t imagine how soundproofing the wall could have such a positive effect. It then occurred to her, it had been rather nice last Saturday to listen to him play as she relaxed from her date.
“Admit it, girl; you don’t know what you want.” She grinned at her reflection. Tomorrow was Diane’s wedding. The gift was bought, her dress back from the cleaners, and the night off after seven nights on would be a welcomed relief. Oddly, she’d barely seen Tyrone Carver. His handsome face played through her mind more times than she cared to recall. No man should affect a woman like that. Especially not a man who had paid no attention to her. Dressed for work, she headed out the door.
“Good evening.” A voice like rich caramel worked its way down to her toes.
She grasped the rail tightly. It was him, with his cello case in hand. “Hello, are you just getting in?” It was a dumb question to ask, but it slipped out anyway.
“Yes, we played at a dinner party tonight.”
“A dinner party?”
“Yes. Once in awhile we’re asked to do a private concert for some folks.”
“I see.” So, he’s one of those. Socially elite. Of course, he could afford a waterfront condo. She had to sell everything she owned in order to get the down payment.
He stepped past her. “Have a good night, tonight.”
“Thanks, you, too.”
Tyrone nodded. His keys jingled as he sorted through them with one hand, finding the door key.
She continued down the stairs, whispering a prayer, “Be still, my heart. Lord, what kind of temptation have You put in my path?”
Coming in early at work to relieve Vanessa, she found Betty Ann and got a rundown on the patients and their various needs. “So, have you and Tyrone made up yet?” she eventually asked.
“What are you talking about? We’re just neighbors.”
“Uh-huh. I’ve seen how you look at him when you think no one is watching. There are advantages to being in the corner unit on the second floor.”
“Really, woman, there’s no harm in looking. But he’s barely even spoken to me.”
“Well, that’s a start. What’s he said?”
“‘Good evening,’ ‘have a nice night.’ Nothing major. Besides, I don’t have time for a relationship.”
Betty Ann sat on the corner of the desk and braced the metal clipboard between her thigh and hands. “I’m not one to tell anyone their business.”
Cassy laughed out loud. “Right.”
“Well, maybe a little,” Betty Ann acknowledged. “A good man is hard to find. And if you find one, you have to get their attention. Banging on his door and complaining about his playing isn’t the way to do that.”
“Look, I didn’t know he was a musician. Besides, he woke me up. I do need to sleep, you know.”
“And so does the entire complex. They’re all afraid to breathe if they see your car in the parking lot.”
Cassy swallowed hard. “I’m sorry. I’m looking for a new place. But it will take me awhile to find one and to sell this.”
“Oh, fiddlesticks. People will get used to you and be their old selves soon enough. Tyrone would be good for you. And if I was twenty years younger, you’d be in stiff competition with me. The man is the perfect gentleman.”
Cassy wagged her head. “I’m not interested.”
“You do have a screw loose up there, don’t you? First, you like this horrible shift, and now you pass up one of the finest specimens of Homo sapiens this side of heaven.” Betty Ann leaned over and checked Cassy’s forehead with her wrist.
The phone buzzed. Cassy picked it up. “Station four?”
“Cassy, this is Rita from ER. Is Betty Ann still there?”
“Yeah, just a minute.” Cassy cupped the phone. “It’s Rita from ER. She needs to speak with you.”
Betty Ann took the phone. “Hi, Rita; what’s up?”
Betty Ann paled. “Oh, no, I’ll be right there. Yes, yes, he’s my neighbor, I can vouch for him.
Just treat the man; I’ll be right there.”
Chapter 3
T y moaned. His body ached from head to foot. He felt like he’d been hit by a large truck. Then again, a good-sized motorboat was probably more comparable. Thank the Lord they brought him to Aventura Hospital where his neighbor, Betty, worked. One didn’t bring their wallets and personal identification sailboarding.
“Tyrone, what happened?” Betty Ann stood beside his bed, reaching for his wrist.
“I tried to get in a short sail this evening, and some kids weren’t watching where they were going.”
“You’re lucky to be alive.”
“It’s only by God’s grace.”
“Well, we can thank Him for that.” She placed his hand beside him on the bed after checking his pulse and carefully examined his head wound. “Concussion?” she asked.
Ty fought to focus. Her soft image blurred. “Yeah, I believe so.”
She grabbed his chart. “Are they keeping you for observation?”
Ty attempted to speak. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Then he was aware of voices around his bed. He forced his eyes open. “Hey, man, what were you thinking?” Tristan stepped a bit closer to his bed.
“It wasn’t me.”
“Yeah, I heard. Thank God, you’re still alive.”
“Amen.” Tyrone couldn’t have been more pleased to see his best friends and business partners beside him. The girls huddled up closer. “How’d you guys hear?”
“Your neighbor called,” Eva offered.
“Ah. Thanks for coming.”
Marissa held his hand. “We’re calling around for another cellist for the wedding tomorrow. You rest.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine.” Ty tried to sit up. The room spun. “Maybe not.”
“I went to your place and retrieved the keys for the van, your wallet, and some clothes,” Tristan said. “I’ve settled up with the accounting office. They have all your insurance information. The police need a statement. Although the kids on the boat admitted they weren’t paying attention. It’s a good thing, too. From what I hear, they’re the ones who pulled you out of the water and rushed you to shore.”
Ty nodded his head slowly.
Tristan continued. “The doctor says you’ve got a mild concussion and you’ll be fine. No broken bones or internal injuries.”
“I tried to dive away from the boat.”
Tears rimmed Marissa’s eyes. “Don’t scare us like that again.”
Ty swallowed down his own. His mouth dry, he asked, “Is there any water?”
Eva quickly poured him a glass and helped him hold it. When his hand steadied, she backed away. “Thanks.”
A male nurse walked in with a small basin. “Excuse me, folks. You’ll need to leave. It’s time for the patient’s bath.”
Ty sat up. “I’ll take a shower.”
“Are you up for it? Any dizziness?” the nurse asked.
“I’ll stay with him while he showers,” Tristan offered.
The girls left along with the male nurse. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Come on, let me help you to the showers. It’ll remind us of college years.”
“I am dizzy,” Ty admitted.
“I could tell.”
The next hour Ty spent getting showered and settling down for an evening’s rest in the hospital. Every muscle in his body ached. He and Tristan talked about tomorrow’s wedding. So far, the girls hadn’t managed a replacement. Saturdays were hard to find a fill-in. And Tyrone only once had to bow out of a concert because of family needs back home.
“I’m feeling better,” said Ty. “I might be able to play tomorrow.”
“We can play without you. We’ll just pick some other pieces.”
“Seriously, I think I’ll be all right.”
“Okay, why don’t we just wait until tomorrow to decide. If,” he emphasized, “we don’t find a replacement.”
“Sure.” Ty wasn’t going to argue.
“Well, do you need me for anything further?”
“No, thanks. I’d like to get some sleep.”
Tristan looked at his watch. “Well, I’ve kept you up long enough, so I guess you can sleep now.”
Ty raised his eyebrows.
“Doctor’s orders.”
“Ah. Thanks again.”
“No problem, brother. That’s what we do for one another.”
Ty’s chest swelled with healthy pride. It was so good to be a part of this family. God’s family. Within minutes from Tristan’s departure, Ty found himself falling asleep.
Cassy stopped by her neighbor’s room to check on him before she returned home. She tapped on his doorway. “Hi.”
He pulled the covers up to his chest. She held back a chuckle. “Hi,” he replied.
She took a step into his room. The bed beside him was empty. His hazel eyes and hazelnut skin tone set the man apart. “Betty Ann said you came in last night, so I thought I’d check on you before I went home. Need anything?”
“No, thanks.”
“Hey, Ty.”
Cassy turned to see a man with olive skin and black hair walk into the room. He turned to her and extended his hand. “I’m Tristan, Ty’s partner.”
Cassy took the proffered hand and shook it. “I’m Cassandra Jones. I just moved into the same apartment complex.”
“Ah, the neighbor we built the sound wall for.”
Cassy looked down at her feet.
“I’d been meaning to build one anyway,” Tyrone offered.
Cassandra nodded and headed for the door. “I’ll see you around. Bye.”
She marched to the elevator and pushed the button. Why had she bothered to visit the man? Naturally, his only memory of her was her rude thumping on the wall and then complaining when he put up a sound wall she hadn’t even asked for. And Betty had said everyone in the apartment complex was nervous around her for that. I’ll just move again, she reasoned. Maybe I ought to just buy a house and not worry about neighbors.
At the apartment, she took a warm shower and readied herself for bed. She’d need a good rest before the wedding tonight.
Later that day, Cassandra slipped into a layered dress. The lower layer was a nice blend of satin in a rich plum color, the upper layer of fine, handmade, antique lace. A replica, of course, but nonetheless exquisite in its ivory design. She placed a teardrop pearl necklace around her neck and added the matching earrings. She let her hair down for the evening. Normally, she wore it in a tight bun or braid. It was easier that way when she was working. Tonight she was bound and determined to have a good time, giving no thought to neighbors or the problems she had with them, self-made or otherwise.
She should have gotten a date. The wedding invitation allowed for her to bring a guest but … who would she have asked? The only man that got her attention of late was her neighbor, but the first impression she’d made on him had been—well, less than perfect.
Cassy took one final glance in the car mirror and willed herself to enjoy the evening. In the hotel lobby, she followed the signs for Diane and Ken’s wedding reception. The hall was lavishly decorated with white fences covered with ivy and small white roses. Strings of miniature white lights draped around each section of fencing. Each table was elegantly set with fine white china and silver, with a centerpiece of off-white candles on a mirrored surface. Cassy sighed. It’s beautiful.
She heard the stringed quartet playing softly in the background and took her assigned seat. Others seated at the table made their introductions. Soon, she found herself engaged in light conversation and no longer felt out of place. When the bride and groom entered, Cassy stood and scanned the room. The quartet was dressed in black tuxedos and played the wedding march. Cassandra’s eyes stopped on the cellist, along with her heart. Tyrone, her neighbor. She scanned the other members and discovered Tristan was playing the viola. Her palms began to sweat. Oh, this is foolishness. You knew he was a musician. Tristan introduced himself as Ty’s partner. So why are you s
o shocked? she chided herself.
Reseated, she tried to get back into the table’s discussion, but her mind and her eyes kept returning toward the quartet. “They’re marvelous, aren’t they?” Mildred, an older woman who sat to her right, commented.
“Yes. They are.”
“I’ve purchased a couple of their CDs. I’ve been waiting for their newest.”
Cassandra focused on her tablemate. “CDs?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been listening to Classical Strings Quartet for the past eight years.” She straightened in her chair. “I hope I played some small part in their staying in Miami after they finished their European tour.”
Cassy blinked. Hadn’t he sounded like an amateur the first time she’d heard him?
Mildred rambled on for a bit about Classical Strings Quartet, and Cassy found herself caught up in the woman’s enthusiasm.
Suddenly there was a crash from the direction of the musicians, and the room let out a collective gasp. Cassandra ran over and discovered Ty lying on the floor. “What happened?” she asked.
“He passed out. I knew he shouldn’t have been playing.”
Cassandra took charge. She asked for a private room, and Tristan escorted the semi-lucid man to the secluded area. Cassy examined him as best she could. A doctor attending the reception came in and gave him a more thorough exam. “You say he was released from the hospital this morning for a concussion?”
“Yes,” Cassandra and Tristan answered in unison.
“He appears fine, but you’ll want to take him to his physician if he passes out again.”
“Thank you.” Tristan turned to her. “I hate to ask this, but could you stay with him? I’ll need to go back to the reception and let everyone know he’s all right. We should probably play a few numbers, also.”
“No problem. I’d be happy to.” Cassandra glanced over to her patient.
Embarrassed, Ty tried to sit up.
“Stay down,” Cassy ordered.
