Unforgettable by Linda Barrett (story reading .TXT) 📖

to be low-key, especially when with the family, but she appreciated it that day. She suspected his motivation was for her sake. The rest of the introductions were made before Jen saw Tony heading their way. “Oops. He wants payback pretty quickly, it seems.”

“Hi, folks,” he said, “glad you made it.” He homed in on Jen. “Are you ready? It’s July 4th, so something patriotic to start, hmm? Come on, we’ve got a full house and more coming later.”

“Later? Oh, no, Tony. I’m not staying all night. Besides, you’ve got a live band today, and from what I’m hearing, they sound pretty good.”

He winked. “Only the best for Maguires. But I had to test the waters with you. Ya’ don’t know until you try.”

“So, right,” said Jen, waving him off. “I’ll see you in a few.” She glanced around the table. “How about we order some drinks first.”

“Only a soda for me,” said Eve, “with caffeine. I’m back on duty at midnight.” She glanced at her folks. “Sorry. That’s just the way it works.”

Eddie leaned forward, glancing at Mike and Lisa. “She’s a doctor, you know. Very smart. Works very hard.”

“I’m sure you do,” said Mike, addressing Eve. “Long hours are normal for some of us.”

Eve’s face brightened. “You’re making me feel better. I’m not alone!”

Mike and Doug both smiled. “You can always call me at midnight,” said her brother, “if you want to feel less lonesome. I’m usually at the computer.”

“See, Eddie,” said his wife, “we’re the only ones here who are asleep at midnight!”

Their server approached, took their drink orders and gave Jen a heads-up from Tony. “Band’s on break now, but they’ll be back in five.”

“Got it,” said Jen, checking her watch.

“You said you sang a little,” said Eddie, nodding. “Bet you can earn some nice change here. Tips and all. A social worker’s salary can’t be much.”

The expressions on her sister and Mike’s faces…priceless.

“Does anyone have duct-tape?” asked Doug in a quiet voice.

“I’m outta here,” said Jen. “We’ll straighten it out later.” She leaned over to kiss Doug. “You can always stick him with the whole check,” she whispered. “And order me a steak!”

“Genius.”

##

“Start with something peppy and patriotic so that the diners can join in,” said Tony, “but then switch to solos where they just listen. We don’t want them to stop eating and drinking.”

“Gotcha,” said Jen. “Business is business with music on the side.” Perfectly reasonable.

She looked at the band leader, gave him her key and a few titles she’d thought about in advance. “Can we do this?”

“Sure can.”

She took the mic from Tony and welcomed the diners to join in singing It’s A Grand Old Flag. What could be more patriotic than a George M. Cohan tune? Enthusiasm almost raised the roof.

“You did a fabulous job,” said Jen to the happy audience at song’s end. “You must all have had voice lessons sometime in your lives. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it alone!” She bowed, waved, and invited them to sit back, eat, drink and relax while she celebrated some of the country’s cities and states.

Looking at the band, she nodded and drifted into John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads, a celebration of West Virginia. The applause hadn’t died down before she began Arlo Guthrie’s City of New Orleans.

When she finished, she waved, blew a kiss, wished them a happy Fourth. And arrived back at her table in time to see salad being served.

“Better than ever,” said Doug. “Every time, you always amaze me.”

“I have a lot of fun,” said Jen. She glanced at her sister. “Remember when…”

Lisa’s hand went up like a traffic cop’s. “Don’t go there. I’m having a good day, no crying, no exhaustion. I don’t want to look backward.”

“You’ve got it,” said Jen

“I don’t know what any of you are talking about,” said Eddie, turning toward his son, then looking directly at Jen. “But I do know that she’s a keeper!” He paused a moment before saying, “Be fair now, Jennifer. You told us you ‘sing a little.’ Is that what you call a little?”

“Yup,” she said, nodding. “It’s a wonderful hobby. I enjoy it maybe because it’s not my job. And…in all modesty…I guess I’m pretty good at it.” She immediately felt heat creep up her neck. Her own fault. Since when did she compliment herself?

“Pretty good? You’re great!” Doug’s praises had her blushing harder.

“Lisa and I used to….” She stopped herself, glanced apologetically at her sister. “I forgot. Sorry.”

The server appeared and removed the salad plates before Helen spoke up. “About the music — I imagine it’s soothing after dealing with all the hard cases you must have. Homelessness, child protection…gosh, what area are you in?”

Jen ignored her family’s stupefied expressions and glanced at Doug in appeal. He leaned toward his parents. “Let’s step back a bit. You may have concluded that Jen’s a social worker, but if you think back, she never claimed to be. What she said was, ‘I help people, particularly with budgeting.’ You both assumed social work was what she meant.”

“Oh.” A pink tint stained Helen’s face.

“Well then, why the mystery? What do you do for a living?” Eddie’s confusion reinforced his wife’s.

Jen took a deep breath. “I do help people,” she said. “Just in a different way. I help them manage their money.” She waved toward the door. “In a building not too from here. Fidelity Investments.”

The silence around the table was broken by Eddie’s deep laughter. “Financial consultant! Oh, boy.” He pointed at his son. “Good work. I said it before, this one’s a keeper. You picked a real winner who’ll help you stay out of trouble.”

##

His father’s words crashed against Doug’s ears and tore his last nerve. He flew to his feet and loomed over the man. “You listen up, Ed Collins, and listen well. You may not believe this, but I’m making a good living as a playwright.

“And as for Jennifer, she was a keeper from the first moment I saw her. From the time she was eighteen. From the time I read her first essay and saw into her heart. She’s not only smart, she’s beautiful inside and out. Why do you think I came back to Boston? She’s everything I want and everything any sane man would want for a lifetime, would want for…a wife.”

His voice dropped to a whisper, and he spun toward Jen. Tears were running down her cheeks, and he caught them with shaking fingers. “Oh, my God, Jen. I love you so much. I wanted it to be romantic, on a cruise, or at the beach, but—” He gazed blindly from side to side, unfocused on everything but the woman in front of him.

“Jennifer…” he whispered like a prayer, “will you…”

“Yes! Yes!” Her arms came around his neck and in the tiny space between tables he picked her up, never breaking his glance until he kissed her—-finally—before lowering her to the ground.

He felt her arm around him while she sought her sister’s eyes across the table. But Lisa and Mike were already coming over, hugging, kissing, shaking hands with him.

“Welcome to the family,” said Mike. “I couldn’t be happier…because Jen is happy. Make sure she stays that way.”

Doug studied the other man’s features. His last words carried more concern than threat. “I will do my very best.”

“Despite the legal definitions,” Mike continued, “I’ve been in loco parentis since she was sixteen….”

“Thank you for that,” said Doug. “It couldn’t have been easy, but you did a magnificent job. She’s perfect.”

“Now that’s a man in love!” Mike laughed and gathered his wife to him. “Looks like we have a wedding to plan.”

Lisa stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband. “You mean, Jen and Doug have a wedding to plan.”

“Plan is the word,” said Doug, shaking his head. “You’re off the hook on this one. But who knew that Maguires would be…”

“Perfect,” said Jen. “Good memories here, and you just added to them.”

A deep voice added, “You should thank me, son. Without me, you’d still be hemming and hawing.”

“Get the duct-tape,” sighed Doug.

“My father can be…ah…trying at times.” Evie leaned over to kiss Jen. “I’m so glad about this. Doug’s never looked happier. And that you’re right here in town is great. If I ever have five minutes again…”

“Absolutely,” said Jen, glancing at Lisa. “We know how to do sisters, don’t we?”

“We certainly do. Welcome to the family, Eve.”

Maybe if the best-laid plans often went astray, they left room for the unexpected events to work out well. Doug had no complaints as they made their way to the Charles River Esplanade for the concert. Jennifer’s hand was snuggled in his, and he supposed they had a pair of dopey smiles on their faces.

“Hey, Jen?

“Yes?”

“Independence Day, huh?”

Her delightful laugh sprinkled the air, and Doug wanted to capture it forever. And he would. With the rough patches behind them, the road ahead would no doubt be smooth.