Unforgettable by Linda Barrett (story reading .TXT) 📖

the scouts, who knows where they’ll end up? They’ll need a car anyway.”

She took a breath before saying, “I know where they’ll end up. They’re staying right here in Boston. They’ll play for the Red Sox!”

The boys cheered. Lisa laughed. Doug said, “Hear, hear!” The tension was cut.

“But that’s not the way it works,” said Mike, the only one who’d been through a professional draft experience. “And there’s no use speculating. The only rule in this family is that our kids graduate first. And that’s not debatable.”

“Definitely,” said Jen quickly. “Can’t take a chance on being sidelined with a broken arm or something worse.” Like never getting drafted by any team. Without her degree, she’d be nowhere. Their hardworking parents had pushed education, had wanted a better life for their kids. And then Mike, the boys’ legal guardian, had picked up where her folks had left off. He was determined her brothers understand the importance of backup plans.

“Besides,” said Mike, throwing his arm around Andy, “they’re not ready to go pro. They need a little more meat on their bones. Eat, boys, eat!”

Jen glanced at Doug. “You were skinny at their age, too.”

“Live in the present, Henny-Penny. Can’t call me skinny now.”

He had her there. “Not going to argue. I guess time has a way of changing things.” She looked at the ones she loved, her personal crowd—and the truth of her statement slammed into her like a runaway train.

“My God,” she said, suddenly shivering. “Our lives really are changing. I don’t like it!” She took a deep breath, her gaze slowly moving from one beloved person to the other. “I can’t stop any of you from growing up and branching out, but one thing must not change. We will always be the Delaneys! The Delaney-Brennan clan. We stick together no matter what, because if we don’t, we might disappear like…like”—she waved her fingers—"ashes in the wind.”

“Promise me.” she added, her voice cracking. Her chin dropped.

Silence followed, broken in a moment by a cacophony of voices. Familiar, reassuring voices. Mike’s protective tone, her brothers’ tentative expressions, Lisa’s sympathetic hugs. But only one voice registered.

“Let it go, Jen. Let the damn fear go!” Doug leaned in, his forehead touching hers. “Your family’s not going anywhere, and they don’t need a babysitter. Not anymore. Now, it’s your turn. Do what the song said and spread your wings. It’s time.”

##

Maybe Doug was right, in theory. Not in reality. Not a babysitter, but a coach?

A week later, Jen sat behind the wheel of Mike’s car, heading west on the Mass Pike toward the Tanglewood Music Center in Lennox. She darted a glance at Doug, who sat next to her.

“Emily’s awfully quiet back there,” she whispered. “Will you take a look? A subtle look. She’s sensitive.”

“Sure,” said Doug, twisting in his seat. “Hey, Emily. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Geez. I said subtle!” said Jen.

“You can probably tell what’s going on,” said Emily. “I’m an open book. Everybody can read me. I wish…I wish I was stronger, like you, Jen.”

“Oh, Emmy. I’ve got my own issues…as Doug likes to remind me. But you? You’re terrific. Just consider how you’re spending this summer! You’ve earned a fantastic opportunity.”

“You mean by my audition?”

“And the recommendations from your teachers, and getting all the paperwork in on time.”

“…and convincing Mike to let me out of his sight for the summer with no adult supervision. I guess I’m an adult”

“Yeah, a bit overprotective is our big brother.”

“He always says if my head weren’t attached to my shoulders, I’d forget where I put it. And he may be right. Like..uh…right now. Jen, I forgot my money!”

“What?” Typical. Which was why Jen was still Lisa’s deputy.

“I forgot the credit gift card Mike gave me to use at Tanglewood. It’s on my desk at home. It was for lunches and other ‘incidentals’ that aren’t included in the program. He said the safest thing to do is use a gift card. I think it was for five hundred dollars.”

Great. She had only twenty dollars in her wallet. Her mind raced for solutions, but Doug’s laughter interrupted her thoughts. She glared. “What’s so funny? Do you want her to starve?”

“Just watching you think,” he replied with a grin. “You’re very expressive when problem-solving.” He turned to look at Emily. “Not to worry, honey. Your sister has a knack for rescuing people.”

“Oh, come on. This one’s actually a no-brainer. Even you could figure it out.” She waved her fingers at her sister. “We’ll just stop at an ATM, and I’ll withdraw enough from my account to keep you going for a week. There’s no way, however, that I’m giving you five hundred in cash.”

Emily sighed a big sigh. “I don’t blame you. I’d probably lose it.”

“Amazing how you never lose your violin,” said Doug, a meaningful note in his voice.

“Doug! I’d never, ever do that.” Emily’s indignation now had both Doug and Jen laughing.

“I believe you. Just teasing,” said Doug.

“But…you know…money will be an issue real soon. Do I have any money of my own, Jenny? You know, like from Mom and Dad?”

If only. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I thought you already knew that from when we discussed it with the boys.”

“So Lisa and Mike pay for everything?”

“They sure do. Before I started my career, I had some scholarship money, and I worked part-time in school,” said Jen. “But Lisa and Mike provided our home and food and clothing. So why are you asking all these questions now?”

“It’s a violin thing. I’ll figure it out.”

Jen’s mind filled with possibilities. “Do not ask Mike to fund a Stradivarius or any other rare instrument. Hear me, Emily? Do not. Enough is enough! And that’s way beyond a normal expense.”

“I might not be-be worthy of one anyway.”

“Do you want to be?” asked Doug.

“More than anything.”

“Then you’ll get there. First, however, make the most of the summer. You’ll be with true professionals, and they’ll have some good advice.”

“I can’t wait to see Maestro Perlman again,” said Emily, addressing Doug directly. “He really wanted me to go to Julliard in New York, where he teaches master classes,” she told him, shaking her head. “But I was too scared to leave Boston.”

Silence resonated for a moment. “Sounds awfully familiar…” The deep voice next to Jen offered thoughtfully. “Staying home seems to run in your family.”

“You had lots of options, Em,” said Jen. “But The New England Conservatory is a fabulous school, too. You’re not being cheated.”

“The Maestro said the same thing when I told him at music camp last summer. He understands me, and he said when I was ready to fly, I should let him know.”

“I have a feeling,” said Doug slowly, “that when the time comes, your violin issue will take care of itself.”

“Doug’s probably right. And I’m beginning to feel like the most ordinary person in this car!”

The bit of levity lightened the mood, but Jen continued to think about her sister’s dream. The “violin issue” wouldn’t take care of itself. Nothing ever resolved itself, except a common cold. She had to come up with a future plan.

##

“Your sister is going to have a fabulous summer,” said Doug as he and Jen headed back to the car after waving goodbye to Emily.

“I think so, too. At least she can’t complain about the campus. Hundreds of acres surrounded by scenery an artist would paint. I just hope it’s everything she dreamed it would be.”

“Dreams take a lot of work. And sometimes, as the song tells us, we get what we need instead of what we want.”

“I suppose. But none of us are willing to settle…at least not yet. And that includes you!” Jen took out the car keys and offered them to Doug. “Feel like driving? Suddenly, I’m wiped.”

He took the keys and kissed her. “Sometimes being a big sister is hard work. I don’t think I gave Eve an ounce of concern compared to how you guys act. Guess I wasn’t a great big brother.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. From what you’ve told me, you were trying to cope with some family dynamics yourself.”

“You may have a point,” he said, kissing her again. This time she blushed, and his heart filled. “Let’s go. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to reevaluate.”

With her hand on the door, she tilted her head back to see him. “What do you mean?”

“Want to take a little detour to chez Collins?”

Her eyes widened, a grin started. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

They headed east and left the Mass Pike at the next exit. Doug had no expectations, but felt his stomach tighten. Despite his protestations to the contrary, was it possible he still sought approval from the people who should have been his natural cheerleaders? He’d thought he was beyond caring about his folks’ opinions.

“They might not even be home,” he muttered.

Jen massaged his shoulder. Sweet. “It’ll be fine,” she said. “Either they’ll confirm your beliefs, or you’ll have a happy surprise. Regardless, you won’t have to wonder anymore.”

True. “I love your analysis,” he said, “realistic with a hint of optimism. And I hope you still feel that way if this is a total bust.”

And there was the crux. He wanted Jen to know the good, the bad and the ugly. He’d been honest in all other ways—school, career, relocation—but somehow, his family had remained hidden. He reached for her hand, and she tucked it into his.

“This time around,” he began, “I want everything in the open. Maybe you’ve never given my family a second thought. But I’m in deep with you, Jen, and now I want no secrets.”

She pulled her hand away. “I hear you, believe you, but Doug…I’m not quite ready. You’re moving too fast.”

His breath caught; his thoughts spun. Jen’s mind continued to rule her heart. Fear still nipped at her, and she clung to a safety zone. In total contradiction to when he held her in his arms. In her bed, she’d received him lovingly, with heart and soul. He breathed again.

“Take all the time you want, Henny-Penny. I’m not going anywhere.”

##

Doug drove down one of the town’s main streets, turned right for several blocks and approached the neighborhood of one-story, wood-sided homes where he grew up. He gazed at the familiar setting. As usual, some front lawns were well-tended, uniformly green and trimmed; others needed weeding. And yet other homes needed a paint job.

“It all seems both familiar and strange,” he said. “I know every street, but basically, I feel like an outsider, evaluating the area like a Realtor would. And yet, I lived here for eighteen years. A long time.”

He felt Jen’s hand on his thigh.

“I feel the same way about Woodhaven. It’s—it’s a place I used to know. Mike’s parents still live across the street from my old house.” Her voice faded. He pressed her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“I wouldn’t imagine you enjoy visiting there.”

“I don’t, but I also don’t like to disappoint Aunt Irene and Uncle Bill,” she said, “the senior Brennans. Fortunately, we celebrate most holidays in Boston. Mike’s brother lives in town, too.”

“Good. That’ll make it easier going forward.” He pulled to the curb a block from his parents’ home and reached for his cell phone.

“A surprise might not go over well,” he said as he connected. Then, “Hey, Dad…Yeah, it’s Doug. I’m in the area and thought I’d stop by…”

“…Okay, ten minutes. See ya then.”

He put the phone down. “My mom’s in the shower. They’re meeting friends for dinner, so this will be a quick visit. Better that