Unforgettable by Linda Barrett (story reading .TXT) 📖

A new beginning with Doug. She wanted it and she wanted it to be right this time. But too much introspection always made her nervous. Those diary entries she was forced to make, and that shrink they’d gone to…all good for the others, but none of it did a thing for her. She’d just gone through the motions and coped by keeping herself busy.

Like now. She extended her hand to her first clients of the day, a couple about her parents’ age when they’d died, and prepared to assist them, explain options and help them plan for a secure financial future.

Her siblings and she had inherited nothing after the accident. Just a house with a mortgage. Not even a car. Tough when the supermarket was two miles away. Lisa had dropped out of law school and gotten a teaching job as a way to earn a salary, while Jen worked out a budget. And six months later, Mike and Lisa had married. For all their sakes. God, why was she thinking about this now?

“Let’s talk about your goals,” she began, “and the type of investments you’re comfortable with.”

“Not too much risk,” said the woman. “Someday one of us will be alone, and we don’t want to be dependent on anyone, especially not on our kids.”

Jen had been dependent. Sixteen years old and caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. Her friends couldn’t handle it and had stopped coming by. She’d wanted to run away…had a plan to emancipate herself. But Lisa and Mike had stopped that.

“I understand exactly what you mean,” said Jen. “Financial planning means security. It’s not greed. It’s just smart. And I’d never want to be dependent on anyone, either.” Never again.

“So you really do understand. Did we give you our children’s names as beneficiaries?”

“Yes, you did,” said Jen, scanning her computer screen. “As well as their socials. You’re good parents.”

Her folks hadn’t left a will. They’d had a small life insurance policy that didn’t go far. Jen winced, annoyed at herself. Her folks had been wonderful in every other way. They’d left a legacy of music and laughter, of warmth and love. She blinked hard and forced her thoughts back to the computer.

By the time her clients left her office, Jen was smiling. She’d done a good job counseling the couple. They seemed much more relaxed than when they’d arrived, confident with their decisions. Just as important, however, she’d returned to being Jen, the consummate professional.

Thinking about the past caused emotional upheavals that wore her out. But what was that old saying? An unexamined life was not worth living. She supposed there was some truth to that, but she’d had enough self-examination for a while.

Now she was off to a rehearsal for the community concert coming up next Saturday. With a light heart, she made her way to the Commonwealth Theater, where she might run into Doug.

##

On the night of her concert, Jen looked out at the audience and quickly spotted her “people” in the second row. Every member of her family had come, even Lisa, who’d said she needed an outing in the real world. Baby Brianna and her big brother were safely at home with Mike’s doting parents. Her brothers came willingly, knowing they were headed out the next day to Cape Cod for their summer baseball teams and jobs. As for Doug — she peered into the darkening theater toward the back, where he was able to buy one of the few remaining tickets. Someone was waving madly out there. She giggled. Now, she conceded that all her people were in attendance.

That notion, as it popped into her head, made her realize that Doug’s place in her life had become ever more important. She supposed he was as unforgettable as the song of the same name she’d be singing that night, an unexpected second solo due to illness of the original singer.

She caught the eye of her Unforgettable partner backstage. “Are we good to go?”

“I should be asking you that question.”

Jen smiled. “I’m all set. The show must go on, right?”

And then there was no more time for chit-chat. Jen made her way to the risers and took her place. Excited for sure. But…happy as well. She stood taller and felt more carefree than she had in a long time.

She focused on the director, joined in the beginning medley of standards and knew the chorus had come through when she heard the initial applause. Duets, trios, and solos followed. She breathed deeply as her cue for “Summertime” drew closer. And then she was in the spotlight.

The familiar melody slid from her diaphragm, and as she continued, she felt herself smile, totally enjoying and losing herself in the words. She riffed on the melody, improvising and feeling free, as though she were the one in the song spreading her wings, flying away. The musicians followed her, and unlike a karaoke number, the music they made together was rare and so personal—so Jen! She reveled in it until the end…when it became too personal. The words weren’t true for her. Some things had harmed her. Her dad and mom could not stand by. They were gone when she’d still needed them. Even though she’d sung this lyric many times, tonight, emotion choked her and her voice broke. Her heart broke…again, while tears ran down her cheeks.

Thunder assaulted her ears. Confused, she carefully turned her head to the left, then to the right, and then, second by slow second, returned to reality. The audience was on their feet. Clapping, whistling, and shouting bravo, bravo.

Lisa and Emily were crying. She scanned for Doug and spotted him jogging down the aisle right to the stage. In his hand, a small bouquet.

“It was supposed to be for later, but timing is everything. No more tears, Henny-Penny. Take another bow. You’re a hit!”

The guy always managed to make her laugh.

##

“You were great, sis. Just great. We’re proud of you,” said Andy. “It was an unforgettable performance!”

“Very pun-ny. But very nice to hear from a younger brother.”

“We’re glad we came,” added Brian. “Timing was close since we’re heading out tomorrow.” His grin said it all, and Jen knew his mind was already on the pitcher’s mound.

“Thanks, boys. I’ve enjoyed my fifteen minutes of fame, but now reality awaits.”

She walked hand in hand with Doug outside the theater as their group looked for Luis and the car. “Actually, guys, I think I’m supposed to drive you to Hyannis tomorrow for your summer league. With all the rehearsals and night classes, I’m a bit confused. But I’m ready to go.”

“You can sleep late,” said Brian. “Mike bought us a car.”

“He what?” Jen exclaimed.

“It’s an almost-new second-hand Pilot,” said Andy, “so there’s room for our stuff.” He patted her arm. “The gas is on us.”

Totally baffled, Jen turned to her brother-in-law. “I could have driven them…why did—” Mike had done so much for them already. Regardless of his income, enough was enough.

“Both you and Lisa have busy lives. Neither of you can go and fetch them every time they want to come home.”

“But I would have…” she began to protest.

“He’s right, Jen.” Doug’s quiet voice caught her attention. “Your brothers are old enough to be responsible for a car. With the baseball scholarships they just told me about, and the attention they’ll get from