by Kathryn Shay
“So,” he asked when the woman left, “what do you want to know about me?”
“Well, I know you like old movies, you work at a computer firm in Camden Cove, and that you have a dog you love.”
“That’s on my profile. What else?”
She’d given this some thought. “What makes you happy, Jason?”
“Long walks in the park.”
Her face blanked.
“Gotcha, there.”
She laughed at the cliché. A sense of humor in a guy was a good thing.
“I like riding my bike in the morning. I love Italian food, red wine—” he held up his glass to prove it. “And I want a family. I didn’t put that down, so if you don’t, we can enjoy our drinks and part on friendly terms.”
“I want a family. I didn’t put that down either because the notion scares men away.”
“Yeah, parenting isn’t for sissies. I know that term isn’t PC, but it fits the bill.”
“Do you have any kids?”
His eyes crinkled. “A hoard of nieces and nephews.”
“Ah.”
“Do you have any? Kids or other little ones in your life?”
“No. There’s only my sister and me. She has no children either.”
When Alessia, Seth’s sister, had been in her life, she had her adorable little ones to spoil.
They traded more likes and dislikes, and at the end of the hour Julianne had set for herself, she reached down and picked up her purse. “Thanks for meeting me tonight. I enjoyed your company. I hope you felt the same.”
His eyes widened. “Do you have to leave now?”
“I’m afraid so.” She stood. “I have a strict rule for first online dates.”
“Have you had many?”
“No. You?”
“You’re my first.”
“I’m honored. I’ll be in touch.”
“I hope so, Julianne.”
“Thanks. Good night, Jason.
What she didn’t see as she walked away was Jason’s hand fisted, the dark scowl on his face. Nor did she hear the mumble arrogant bitch come from his mouth.
Chapter 2
* * *
“Hello.”
“Hello. May I speak to John Cordello.”
“This is Johnny.”
Seth settled back into the chair at a desk in the den of his mother’s house. “I’m Seth Casella from Legal Aid.”
“Oh, thank God. I really need your help.”
“I can see that from your application. Let me first tell you that I’m conducting phone interviews before we can decide which cases to take.”
“Oh, no.” The boy’s tone went from relieved to despondent in sixty seconds. “I thought—”
Seth jumped in quickly. “You have a good chance of getting our services, John. Just answer my questions.”
“Okay.”
“The first is to confirm your living situation. Your application says your parents kicked you out at 16 but you’re now 21. Is that correct?”
“Yeah, they disowned me because I told them I’m gay. Said I was a pervert.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He waited only a second to say, “I don’t think so. No one at Legal Aid will, either, so you can be assured there’s no prejudice in our decisions.”
“That’s cool. Wish the people in charge felt like that.”
John had gotten a phone interview, but after the Office of Children and Family Services did a background check, they denied him saying only that he wasn’t suitable.
“You’re living with your grandmother?”
“Yeah.”
“And you want to foster two children who used to live next door.”
“I do.”
“Your application says here they practically lived at your house after they moved in two years ago. The parents were drug users.”
“Uh-huh. Me and grandma wanted to protect them from what was goin’ on over there.”
“And what did their parents think about that?”
“They were glad to get rid of them. To give ‘em credit, the Torres’s knew we loved the kids.”
“That’ll be important.”
“Mr. Casella, nobody else is gonna want them but us. Juan and Marcy both got chronic asthma.”
“I see.”
“Look, I’m not doin’ this for myself. I can’t live with the thought of them being in the group home when they could be with us.”
His antenna went up. “Some specific reason about the home?”
He was silent.
“John? Is there violence involved?”
“Not physical. But the Craigs lock them up in dark places. Closets.”
“As a punishment?”
“Mostly. Sometimes just to get rid of them. People are like that, Mr. Casella. I know. I was in foster care for two years.”
It was then that Seth decided to take this case for himself. “I understand people can be cruel.”
“So, am I gonna get help?”
“I’d like you to. But I have to check with my boss at Legal Aid in order to take your case.”
“When will I know I’m gettin’ help?”
“Today. I promise I’ll get back to you.”
“Thanks.”
When they disconnected, John’s story sunk in completely and Seth’s heart hurt for him. His brothers told him he had to be tougher, not take his cases so personally, but he couldn’t help his feelings.
He punched in another number. “Hey, Ellen, it’s Seth. I’ve got the cases half prioritized but one of these needs attention, like yesterday.”
“Seth we can’t—”
“I’ll take it.”
“You’re not back at your job for another two weeks.”
“But I’m well enough to work from home.”
“Well, we allow outside lawyers who take pro bono cases to work outside the office. But not full-time employees.”
“Ellen, I didn’t make a fuss about getting hurt at the office when we’d all asked for more security. I think you owe me this one.”
A pause. Then, “If you get a doctor’s note that you’re well enough, the case is yours. And Seth, I appreciate that you didn’t sue. You might have gotten this office closed down.”
“And the people we help would suffer. In any case, thanks for letting me have this one.”
* * *
“That was beautiful, Terrance. You’re so talented.”
He winked at her. “I know.”
Julianne practically cringed. Sure, the nineteen-year-old was cute with his slim runner’s build and a full head of dark hair. And other students she taught flirted with her. But there was something about him…
“Do you think the pointers I’m giving you are helping?”
“I hope so. I’m only here for that.”
As the spoiled son of very rich people, Terrance felt entitled. But he was practically a virtuoso and his parents had chosen Julianne to give him lessons for the last year, even though he was enrolled at a private conservatory.
Turning away, she started toward the stereo system against the wall. “I’d like you to learn a new piece.”
“My favorite thing. We should’ve done it sooner. I killed the last one.”
She bit her tongue at his vanity. “Debussy, Violin Sonata in G Minor.” She went to press the recording, but his words stopped her.
“You know, I don’t like listening to these other people play the piece I’m learning. It kinda ruins putting my own stamp on it.”
She turned. Raised her brows. “I told you before that this is my method. I’m afraid you don’t have any choice.”
“I got a choice not to come.”
Somehow, she kept herself from flushing. She needed private students in order to keep her studio open. Still, she said with a blank face, “That is yours to decide. What will it be?”
His eyes narrowed on her. “I’ll listen, Ms. Julianne.”
Relieved when he left a half hour later, Julianne lock
ed the door, and headed into the break room off to the side. She fixed herself some tea. The area held a recliner, another stereo system, a small microwave and an under-the-counter fridge. She turned on Clair de Lune, sat in the chair and sipped her Earl Grey’s. She’d do what she had to do to keep helping troubled kids through music therapy, even endure the likes of Terrance Chandler.
Meditation to music helped clear her head of the obnoxious young man. When she opened her eyes, she saw ten minutes had passed. Her next client was due at six and the girl was late. Oh, Lord, she hoped this one didn’t cancel.
Just as she walked out into the studio proper, there was a rap on the door. She hurried over, peeked out the window and opened it. “Madison, welcome back to the new school year.”
“Sorry, Ms. Ford.” She waved at her father in the car so he could leave. “My dad was late picking me up.”
“Well, you’re my last lesson tonight, so we can have a full hour.”
“You’re so nice.” She hid behind her reddish hair that fell into her forehead. “You, um, could charge me extra, but I’m not sure Daddy has the money for that.”
“No extra charge. Text your dad and tell him to come at seven thirty and he won’t have to pay more.”
Julianne knew Logan Rogers was a single parent and sole support of the family. On her sliding scale, she charged Maddie less. Her goal in establishing this music studio was to help students who couldn’t afford private lessons and also troubled kids in the schools.
Madison had a lot of potential and she was an excellent student. She could course correct immediately and had made major progress because of that. She sat down at the piano, went through her scales and other warm ups, then began to play a difficult concerto by Mozart. She made mistakes but this piece was tough. After forty-five minutes, Julianne said, “It’s time to stop, Maddie. You did a great job tonight. You probably won’t learn much after that workout, so we’ll approach it again next time with fresh ears.” She glanced at her watch. “Fifteen minutes till your dad gets here. Shall we work on your application?”
The girl nodded.
They sat at a table off to the side near the built-in shelves that covered one wall. When she pulled out the girl’s file, and saw the letterhead Julliard School of Music, she felt warmth rush through her. After college, she’d gotten a fellowship/grant to attend Julliard to get her Master’s Degree. She’d totally enjoyed her time there. But her little charge seemed less enthusiastic. Her green eyes held concern. “What’s wrong, Maddie?”
“I’m trying not to get my hopes up for a scholarship, and even if I get one, I’ll need some other money that Daddy can’t afford.”
“You’ll qualify for a student job, like I did. I worked in the staff daycare facility. I had music time with little kids which was so much fun.”
“I could do that! I want to. All right. I’m going to try to be optimistic.”
“That’s my girl.”
At 7:15 a knock sounded on the door. “It’s Daddy.” She rushed over.
“Don’t open the door. We have to check who it is.”
Indeed, Logan Rogers stood outside on the stoop. “Hello, Mr. Rogers.”
“Please,” he said with a smile. “I sound like that TV neighborhood guy. I told you last year to call me Logan.”
His face lit up when he caught sight of his daughter. “Hi, sweetheart. How was your lesson?”
“Great.”
He turned back to Julianne. “Thanks for being flexible. I couldn’t get away from a client to get here on time for the lesson.” Maddie had said he sold insurance.
“No worries. Would you like some tea?” Last year, occasionally, when he picked up Maddie, and Julianne had no more lessons, he stayed a bit.
He looked to his daughter. “Are you in a hurry to get home, Madison?”
“Nope. I can do homework here.” She patted the table where she was sitting.
While he saw that his daughter was settled, Julianne made tea in the back room. Soon, he came in and took a seat at the small table. When he sipped the chamomile drink, he said, “Hmm. Very soothing.”
“After a long day it soothes me, too.”
“Don’t you start at three when kids get out of school?”
“Some days. Other days I go into the schools to work with kids who have behavioral problems.”
“You’re a good person, Julianne.”
“Thank you.”
He picked up a book she’d left open on the table. “Are you reading this now?”
They both liked literature and shared their preferences. He was an excellent conversationalist. A good father. And, she thought today, very attractive with hazel eyes and dark hair. Hmm, she hadn’t noticed that last year.
* * *
Finn rang the bell at his aunt’s house and Seth opened the door. “Hey, buddy.”
“Hi, cuz. I’m sorry I didn’t get out here to see you again.” Finn had visited only once since his injury with Hayley, his sister and Seth’s best friend.
“No worries. Come on in.”
They walked to the kitchen that Finn remembered from his childhood. Homey. Warm. Loving. Smells of good food tinged the air. Growing up, his kitchens at home were cold and sterile and had been occupied by a paid cook.
“Want some coffee? We can take it outside to sit on the patio.”
“I’d love some.”
They sat under the umbrella table, and Finn stared out at the lawn with its myriad of flowers, oak trees and green grass. “I hate seeing summer end.”
“Yeah, I’m surprised you’re not at the marina today. You usually go out on the boat Fridays after work.”
“Not today. I wanted to see you again.”
“I’m honored to be chosen over an afternoon on the water.”
Finn punched him playfully in the arm. “Sure you are.”
“I am. You’re the only birthday mate I have.”
He and Seth were born on the same day, five years apart. When they were kids, they had double family birthdays. Though he was shy then, Finn had loved every minute of them. Sharing the date with his smart, out-going cousin was special.
“Speaking of that, I’m turning thirty-five. You’ll be thirty. Guess what Hayley wants to have?”
“A party for you and me. What about her birthday? It’s in two months.”
“Paul will do something for hers. She wants to do this for us, Seth, and she won’t take no for an answer.”
“Where would we have it.”
“At the apartment in New York. All my friends and yours, plus family.”
“Sure, then. I’m game.”
“Do you have time to talk about it now? Give me thoughts. Then Hayley can do her planning.”
They spent a half hour choosing a date, time, food and guests. When they were finished, Finn said, “I can stay a while longer. Tell me how you’re feeling.” He examined his cousin. “Your color’s better but did you forget to comb your hair today?”
“I bet I did.”
In truth, Finn envied Seth his casualness about his appearance. Finn had to look meticulous before he left the house.
“I’m going stir crazy,” Seth told him. “I can’t go back to the office for two more weeks, and I hate inactivity.”
“I’ll bet. You and Hayley are real go-getters.”
“Hey, you get things done. In your own way.”
“I do. But I move slower than most people because I’m… thoughtful.”
“I didn’t bring this up in front of Hayley, but Rafe told me you went after Ronan with lightning speed at the hospital.” Finn’s oldest brother had disappeared twenty years ago, but showed up when Seth got hurt. When Finn saw him, he punched his brother in the face. Ronan had left right after.
“Yeah, my anger and worry got the best of me. But I feel bad. Hayley was broken-hearted he left.”
“Have you heard from him again?”
“No, but Paul made the point that he had to be living close by, in New York maybe, to get
to the hospital so fast.”
“How would he know I got stabbed?”
“All he told Hayley was he gets alerts on us.”
“Look who’s here.” Carmella had come out on the patio and Finn was relieved. Talk about Ronan always upset him. He stood and hugged her. “Aunt Carmella.” He felt emotion well in him. This woman meant a lot to him.
She drew back. “It’s good to see you again.”
Someone spoke behind him. “I’ll put away these—Oh.” Julianne Ford stopped at the sliding-glass doorway. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
“Come on out and visit with us, dear. Leave the groceries and I’ll put them away later.”
Finn smiled up at her. “Hi, Julianne.” She’d been Seth’s friend then girlfriend who joined their happy band of cousins frequently.
“Hi, Finn.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. The last time he saw her was at the hospital. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for the incident in the waiting area. I’m apologizing to everybody who was there.”
“No problem. Emotions were running high.”
Seth stood. “Why don’t you stay and have lemonade with us? Catch up with Finn.” She and Seth were eleven and Finn was sixteen the last time they saw each other as kids.
“No thanks, I have some financial stuff to do for the school. Good to see you, though, Finn.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Seth had started around the table.
“Why?” she snapped. “I know the way.”
He held up his hands, arrest style. “Okay, okay. Goodbye.”
She nodded, hugged Carmella and left.
Finn said, “Am I missing something? She was as frantic as the rest of us at the hospital when you got stabbed.”
“She still loves Seth,” Carmella announced. “But she’s having none of him. I don’t know why.”
“It’s private, Mama.”
“I’ll let you two chat.”
“Mama, you don’t have to—”
“We’ll catch up before you leave, Finn.”
When she left, he said, “Why are you on Julianne’s shit list again?”
“Because I hurt her bad, and I don’t want to talk about it. Now, are you still writing? You used to be filling up journals the whole time we were growing up. You published some stories over the years.”
