Shattered Hearts

by Coral McCallum

  “And where are you going to find someone?” demanded Maddy, her tone straight and to the point.

  “Maddison, I’ll find someone,” replied Jake, fixing her with a steely stare.

  “You have until December 31st,” she advised. “If you haven’t found someone by then, Jethro and I will hire a replacement for Todd.”

  Leaning back on his seat, Grey commented casually, “And what do we do if Todd doesn’t want the gig?”

  “Let me talk to him about it,” said Jake, instinctively protecting his protégé. “He’ll be anxious about it but I’m confident he’ll do it. He won’t leave us in the shit.”

  “He’s a good kid,” added Paul, twirling a pen idly through his fingers just as he would a drumstick. “He’d walk over hot coals to please Jake.”

  “I think those days are over,” commented Jake with a wistful smile. “But let me talk to him first.”

  “Fine. We need an answer by Thanksgiving,” advised Maddy sharply. “If it’s a no, then we need an alternative musician in situ by Christmas.”

  “Maddison, he’ll do it,” stated Jake firmly, trying to keep his frayed temper in check. “Just let me talk to him.”

  “Let us know how you get on, son,” said Jethro smoothly. “He’s coming to the show on Friday night so you can speak to him over the weekend.”

  Jake nodded.

  “Perfect,” said Jason before referring back to the agenda on the table in front of him.

  The next item to be discussed was the artwork for the album.

  Without being asked, Jethro got to his feet and walked across to the flipchart stand.

  “Mz Hyde only submitted one option on this occasion,” revealed Jason. “Not her remit but, having seen the finished design, I think she has created something that is perfect.”

  “Praise indeed,” muttered Jake half under his breath.

  “Jethro, will you do the honours please?”

  Carefully, the band’s silver-haired manager removed the cloth.

  Grief pierced Jake’s heart as he saw the artwork for the first time. Beside him, he sensed Paul too was wrestling with his emotions. Grey had bowed his head while tears were openly gliding down Maddy’s cheeks. Fighting back the tide of emotions, Jake studied the design. It was simple. Planked decking ran across the drawing on an angle. In the bottom left corner, a torn wooden heart was impaled in the wood, its fibres visible between the two ripped halves. A shadow was cast in from the top right. It was unquestionably Rich’s shadow. With a sad smile, Jake noted that the Silver Lake dragon knot was incorporated in one half of the shattered heart.

  “Does everyone approve?” asked Jason after a few minutes.

  “Gets my vote,” said Grey without looking up.

  “And mine,” added Paul quietly.

  “Jake?” checked the Englishman.

  Not trusting himself to speak, Jake could only nod.

  “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  Aware a discussion around dates for the album launch was going on about him, Jake could only sit and stare at the album cover. In the simplest way, Lori had captured the sense of pain and loss that they were all still feeling but she’d also appreciated Rich’s presence on the album. Her artistic observations were absolutely on point. The late guitarist was still watching over them and casting a shadow on things.

  In his heart, Jake knew that Rich would have wholeheartedly approved of Lori’s design.

  In his mind, Jake could hear Rich saying, “Perfect. Absolutely fucking perfect.”

  “Mr Power,” commented Maddison sharply. “You still with us?”

  “Sorry,” apologised Jake, his mind returning to the discussion going on around the table.

  “Are you in agreement that we launch Shattered Hearts on February 16th? Or, would you prefer Friday 13th?”

  “Friday is the better day,” he conceded. “But how much bad luck are we going to attract by launching on Friday 13th?”

  “To hell with superstition!” stated Grey bluntly. “Let’s go with the 13th.”

  “Unless,” countered Jethro, twiddling with the end of his long white braid. “We play this a bit cute. Let’s release it just a minute or so before midnight on 13th. That way it’s on the cusp of Valentine’s Day. We can have a launch on the Friday night with a late set from the guys and end proceedings with the launch.”

  “That could work,” mused Grey, looking thoughtful.

  “Inspired,” declared Jason enthusiastically.

  “Everyone happy to go with Jethro’s suggestion?” quizzed Maddy, already visualising the launch event in her mind’s eye.

  “Works for me,” agreed Jake.

  Both Grey and Paul nodded their agreement.

  “Excellent,” said Jason. “Now, onto the proposed tour schedule.”

  Despite her best intentions to leave early for New York, it was almost eleven o’clock when Lori finally pulled into the underground garage and into Bay 16. Both kids had long since fallen asleep in the back of the car.

  “Home sweet home,” she said to Annie with a weary sigh.

  Beside her, Grey’s mother smiled, “Do you know, I think this is the first time I’ve been here?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” said Annie, unfastening her seat belt. “I’m excited to see your apartment. Becky has raved about it so often over the years.”

  “Well, come on then,” laughed Lori. “Let’s figure out how we’re getting the kids upstairs and you can see it for yourself.”

  “What about the bags?”

  “I’ll have them brought up,” said Lori as she climbed down awkwardly from the SUV. “Can you grab their backpacks, please? I’ll waken Miss M but I guess I’ll need to carry Jesse.”

  “Be careful, honey,” cautioned Annie, her voice echoing with motherly concern. “He’s kind of heavy for you.”

  “Just not sure I’ll get him wakened,” said Lori, reaching into the back seat.

  Gently, she shook her young daughter awake, whispering quietly in her ear.

  With a yawn and a stretch, Melody wakened up enough to get out of the car and take Annie’s hand. Reaching back in, Lori unbuckled Jesse from his car seat. The little boy whimpered as she started to ease him out of the seat.

  “My do it. My do it,” he whined sleepily “Not a baby.”

  “That’s my boy,” said Lori, more than a little relieved that her son was wanting to get out by himself. “Take my hand, buddy. You’re a little bit sleepy to do this on your own.”

  Reluctantly, the little blonde boy let her help him down from the SUV. With his favourite plush shark tucked under his arm, he took Lori’s hand and allowed himself to be guided towards the elevator.

  When they stepped out into the brightly lit lobby, the duty concierge, Tyler, looked up.

  “Mrs Power,” he greeted her politely. “I was beginning to get worried. I was told to expect you around nine.”

  “That had been the plan,” sighed Lori, suddenly feeling bone tired. “We were held up leaving the shore.”

  Passing him her key fob, Lori continued, “Can you please bring the bags up? There’s three in the trunk plus my laptop bag.”

  “Certainly, Mrs Power,” he replied, moving across the foyer to press the elevator call button for them. “I’ll be up with those in a few moments.”

  “Thanks, Tyler.”

  Small table lamps had been lit in the penthouse apartment’s hallway and lounge making it feel homely as Lori ushered her children inside.

  “Downstairs, kids,” she said firmly. “Straight to bed.”

  “Wanna play,” whined Jesse as he started to make his way down the wide oak staircase.

  “In the morning,” stated Lori calmly. “Let’s get some sleep then you can show Annie where the park is.”

  Keeping half an eye on her children, Lori turned to Grey’s mom and said, “Go on through to the lounge. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Obediently, both children
staggered into their rooms, getting ready for bed without complaint. Thankful that she had had the foresight to leave clean pjs in the apartment, it didn’t take Lori long to get them changed and into their beds. Jesse was asleep almost the second his head hit the pillow. When Lori went through to tuck Melody in, she found her little girl sobbing.

  “Hey, why the tears, angel?”

  “I miss Daddy,” confessed Melody as she hugged her mommy. “He always comes here with us.”

  “Not always,” corrected Lori softly. “I’m sure he misses you too.”

  “Will we see him soon?”

  Lori nodded, “Yes. Soon. Now, get to sleep. I need to show Annie where everything is. Do you want to take her to your favourite diner for breakfast tomorrow?”

  Melody nodded, “Can I get strawberry pancakes?”

  “You can get whatever you want, baby girl,” promised Lori, kissing her gently on the forehead. “Now, snuggle down. Sweet dreams, angel.”

  “Night night, Mommy.”

  When she entered the lounge, Lori found Annie standing at the window admiring the view of the city.

  “Impressive,” commented the older woman as she heard Lori approach.

  “It is,” sighed Lori. “That view never grows old. It’s better from the terrace but it’s a bit chilly out just now.”

  “Terrace?” quizzed Annie.

  “There’s a roof terrace out there with patio heaters. I’ll show you in the morning,” explained Lori, feeling the baby stirring restlessly. “I promised Miss M we’d go to her favourite diner for breakfast. Hope that’s ok with you?”

  “As long as they serve strong coffee, it’s good for me,” laughed Annie.

  Behind them, they heard the door open and Tyler call out softly.

  “Oh, thank you,” said Lori, limping out into the hallway. “Could I impose even further and ask you to take them downstairs for me?”

  “Certainly, Mrs Power.”

  “Thank you. Leave them in the lower hallway. I’ll take them from there.”

  As the concierge bade them goodnight, Annie commented that she felt out of place being waited on. With a smile, Lori said, “You get used to it very quickly.”

  “How long have you had this place?” asked Grey’s mother as she followed Lori through the dining room to the kitchen.

  “I think it must be about twelve or fourteen years,” replied Lori, trying to work the dates out in her head. “Maybe a bit more. It was the first property I bought in my own name.”

  “Nice first apartment,” laughed Annie, gazing round.

  Deciding not to say she had meant the building, Lori agreed with her guest, adding, “My dad taught me well.”

  “Grey told me you own a property business. I always thought you were an artist.”

  “I’m both,” replied Lori, filling the kettle to make some herbal tea for them both. “Art and music memorabilia were and are my first loves. I gave up the memorabilia wheeling and dealing after my accident. I still dabble occasionally if the right piece turns up. I inherited Hyde Properties when my dad passed away. I try to stay close to things but it’s not easy. I have an excellent team running it though.”

  “And that’s who you’re here to see tomorrow?”

  Lori nodded, “Three or four times a year I need to attend the board meeting, particularly if there’s an acquisition deal on the table. I’ve still to finish reading the reports for tomorrow but we’re discussing buying over another firm. It’ll increase the portfolio by around twenty per cent and see us venture south into North Carolina for the first time.”

  “Sounds all a bit like Monopoly to me,” laughed Annie.

  “I guess it is,” giggled Lori. “I need to be at the office for nine but the diner is on the way. Do you know your way around the city?”

  Annie shook her head, “I’ve never really explored New York. I’ll use the map app in my cell. We’ll be fine. Where do the kids like to visit?”

  Pouring water into the two mugs, Lori said, “They both love Central Park and the National History Museum. They’ll want to say “Hi” to Dum Dum. Don’t let Melody talk you into going to the American Girl store. I’m taking her there on Friday but its surprise. She doesn’t know yet.”

  “I’m sure we can spend the day in the museum and the park if it’s not too cold.”

  “If you want to play tourist,” began Lori. “You could go to the Top of the Rock.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Thanks for doing this, Annie. I really appreciate it,” said Lori warmly. “Normally….”

  “I know, honey,” interrupted Annie, sensing the emotions surging within Lori. “Things will be back to normal soon if you talk to each other.”

  Fighting back unexpected tears, Lori nodded, “I’m not sure he knows we’re here. I’ll see him at Garrett’s show on Friday night though.”

  “I may be speaking out of turn,” began Annie, choosing her words carefully. “I’m not saying he hasn’t done wrong here but Jake lives for you. I’ve known him a long time. He’d never deliberately hurt you. He loves you too much to do that.”

  “It’s complicated,” whispered Lori, gazing down into her mug of tea.

  “It’s only as complicated as you make it, honey.”

  “You could be right there.”

  Shortly before nine the next morning, Lori entered the foyer of Hyde Properties. She’d left Annie and the kids in the diner, each working their way through a stack of pancakes. Both children had promised to be on their best behaviour for Grey’s mom. In return, Lori promised to take them to the Hard Rock Café for dinner, if they toed the line all day. It felt like bribery but she knew how much they enjoyed visits to that restaurant and prayed it was incentive enough to ensure an easy day for Annie.

  Entering the elevator, Lori caught sight of her reflection in the mirrored back wall. Despite purchasing a new maternity business wear outfit, there was no disguising her baby bump. As a precaution, she had brought both of her canes, aware that the extra weight was already adversely impacting her balance. Almost as if it sensed she was thinking about it, the baby began to kick furiously.

  “Sh, little one,” she said, rubbing her swollen belly. “Save the dancing for tomorrow night’s show.”

  “Jake, I can’t!” sobbed Riley, tossing the lyrics sheets to the floor. “I can’t do it! What if I mess up like that in front of hundreds of people?”

  “Breathe,” said Jake calmly. “Slow, deep breaths.”

  “I can’t do it!”

  Laying his guitar down on the couch beside him, Jake got to his feet and crossed the room. Placing his hands on Riley’s trembling shoulders, he said, “Look at me, Miss Riley.”

  Tears filling her eyes, the young songstress looked up at him.

  “We all forget lyrics from time to time. If I had a dollar for every lyric I’d forgotten over the years,” began Jake warmly.

  “You’re already a millionaire!” protested Riley, tears flowing freely down her pale cheeks. “This is so important to me. This is my ticket out!”

  The passion in her voice brought Jake up short.

  “Pardon?”

  “This show is everything to me,” sobbed Riley. “It’s my ticket out! My chance at a fresh start.” The teenager paused then whispered, “It’s my chance to get away from that drunk that calls himself my father.”

  “Things that bad at home?” asked Jake, drawing her into a fatherly embrace.

  He felt Riley nodding as she sobbed into his chest.

  “What about school?” asked Jake, rubbing her back in the same way he would Melody’s.

  “I can transfer or quit.”

  “And where would you stay?”

  “I’ve got my car.”

  Something about the teenager’s tone told him she was deadly serious.

  “We can talk about that later,” said Jake calmly. “Right now, you need to focus. Let’s take a break for ten minutes then we’ll start again. Garrett wants a full set run through toni
ght. There’s plenty of time to work through these songs.”

  “I don’t want to let either of you down,” whispered Riley, roughly wiping away her tears.

  “And you won’t,” he assured her. “I’m going upstairs to grab us both a coffee and some water. You work out what song we’re starting with when I come back.”

  Riley nodded then bent to pick up the fallen lyric sheets.

  “Riley,” said Jake as he reached the door to the dragon’s lair. “I know you can do this. I know what you’re capable of delivering. Trust me, you’re going to nail this.”

  A few minutes later, as he poured two coffees from the pot in the music store’s small kitchen, Jake heard Garrett approaching.

  “How’s our little songbird?” asked the older musician as he fetched a mug for himself.

  “Nervous,” replied Jake. “But she’ll get there. She won’t let either of us down.”

  “How nervous?” quizzed Garrett a little too swiftly.

  “Almost as nervous as you,” joked Jake. “I get the feeling this is more than just a show to her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She sees this as her way out,” revealed Jake. “Doesn’t want to go back home.”

  “She wants to stay here?”

  “Not necessarily here with you but she wants to stay in New York,” replied Jake, stirring the coffees on the countertop in front of him. “Kind of sad really. You could do worse than help her out though. Do what we did with Todd. Sponsor her through school. Pay it forward.”

  “Why in God’s name would she want to stay here with me?”

  “Because she’d do anything to please you,” stated Jake bluntly. “I’d best get back downstairs. Think about it though. Kid deserves a break.”

  The crystal clear vocal of Being Silent greeted Jake when he re-entered the dragon’s lair. He paused just inside the door, not wanting to disrupt Riley’s concentration. There was so much raw talent in her young voice that the teacher’s heart in him swelled with pride. She hit and held the long lingering final note of the song and he smiled.

  “Told you that you could do it,” commented Jake, causing Riley to whirl round. “You sing like that tomorrow night and you’ll be able to hear a pin drop. That’s spellbinding, Miss Riley.”