Return of the Song

by Phyllis Clark Nichols

  By this time tomorrow evening, her reason for coming here would be fulfilled. The recital would be over, and she would be winding down instead of gearing up. Her thoughts would turn again toward Moss Point. But for tonight, she could still look forward to tomorrow.

  Surprise in Pink

   Roderick knew that Thursday would bring an ­avalanche of activity starting early. Like an experienced maestro, Lilah would direct the caterer, the florist, and the men setting up tables and chairs. His plan was to stay out of her way.

  While pouring himself a cup of coffee, Roderick saw Caroline drinking her tea on the balcony across the courtyard. He hugged Lilah and told her not to worry about breakfast. He would handle it himself. He walked out the door and across the courtyard. “Good morning, Caroline, and is your world—let’s see, how did you say it?—still nigh on to perfect this morning?”

  “You remembered; and to answer your question, it might even be a shade past perfect this morning.”

  “Would you mind some company?”

  “Depends on whose it is.”

  “What about mine?” He stood in the middle of the courtyard.

  “You mean you’re not miffed at me for catching more fish than you yesterday?”

  “I was, but I’m over it.”

  “Oh, I remember—when things don’t go as planned, you pout for half an hour and then turn your attention to something else.”

  “Aha, you remembered too.”

  “We seem to be developing a pattern of early morning shouting matches across the courtyard.” She patted the cushion next to her on the wicker sofa as an invitation.

  “Is that your way of saying you wouldn’t mind my company?”

  She smiled and motioned again for him to join her.

  He climbed the mossy steps. “I need to get someone out here to clean these steps,” he mumbled.

  “Oh, just think of the moss as part of Rockwater’s charm.”

  “I think of it as a potential lawsuit.” He leaned against the balcony wall, looking at her. “Well, today’s the big day. How are you feeling?”

  “I feel really wonderful, like I’d rather be here than Carnegie Hall. What does your day look like?”

  “Like staying out of the way. Lilah has everything under control. Sarah and George are coming out about lunchtime, and they’ll spend the afternoon and the night. We’ll catch up on business and their activities. Would you join us for lunch? Sarah would really like to talk to you about Bella.”

  “I’d like that very much, and besides, I’m anxious to meet Sarah.”

  “And how do you see your day shaping up?”

  “I . . . I think I’d like to practice this morning, and then rest some this afternoon. I’ll do this morning and just be this afternoon. I don’t get to be very often.”

  “Sounds good. What about some breakfast? I make a mean omelet.”

  “You’re on.” She followed him down the balcony stairs to the courtyard and across to the kitchen door.

  Lilah was in the butler’s pantry stacking dishes when she heard them come in. “Are you sure I couldn’t fix you some breakfast?” She peeked around the doorway into the kitchen.

  “Roderick just offered to fix a mean omelet. Am I safe?”

  “You’re safe, but he’s not if he makes the kind of mess he usually does.” Lilah laughed.

  Caroline picked up the dishtowel. “You go on about whatever you’re doing, Lilah. I’ll clean up his mess.”

  Roderick and Caroline chatted as he broke eggs, grated cheese, chopped onions, and sliced ham. Caroline tried not to be too bothered when Liz appeared and offered to help. Lilah stepped out of the pantry just in time to hear Roderick assure Liz they had it all under control and instruct her to go on about her work.

  When Caroline sat down at the piano to practice, she had a ritual of doodling. Like someone with a pencil drawing geometrical shapes and loops, she sat at the piano and allowed her fingers to move where they wanted to go. Often, her fingers played hymns or variations of simple melodies, or an improvisation of an old song—whatever came to her mind and fingers at the same time. This morning it was “David’s Song.”

  And this time . . . new phrases came to her like the very first phrases had eight years ago.

  Where did that line come from? It works even with the change in key. She repeated it, and another new phrase followed. Where is my manuscript paper when I need it? I must remember these phrases and the key change. They work.

  She played and stopped, played and stopped, repeating new phrases, etching them into the groove of her memory.

  When she finished, she played through the night’s program from start to finish. The movers, the caterers, the florist, and Lilah stopped whatever they were doing and applauded when they were certain she was finished. Caroline thanked them and rose from the bench. She made it as far as the staircase before she stopped, turned around, and went back to the piano to play the new phrases in “David’s Song” one more time before heading upstairs away from the activity.

  Lilah came to her room about eleven thirty and knocked respectfully. “Caroline, Sarah and George are here, waiting in the morning room. Would you like to come down? I’ll be serving lunch shortly.”

  Caroline opened the door and took Lilah’s arm. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

  “And Sarah’s anxious to meet you. She’s more than curious about the young woman here to play the piano.”

  Since Roderick was caught on an international call, Lilah made the introductions. Sarah looked so much like Roderick—thick brown hair, big brown eyes, and a smile that immediately put her at ease. She was slightly taller than Caroline and had on navy pants and a crisply ironed, tailored blouse like Caroline. George, of medium build, had light brown uncombed hair with graying temples and a graying moustache. He wore horn-rimmed glasses. She imagined him in a university classroom or at a patient’s bedside.

  They were deep into conversation when Roderick made his way into the morning room. “I see you’ve been waiting for me to introduce you.” He shook George’s hand and gave Sarah a brotherly hug and kiss on the cheek before smiling at Caroline. He felt inordinately pleased when she smiled back. “Sorry I’m late. Business called.”

  “We’ve been getting acquainted,” Sarah responded. “And the conversation’s been so interesting, Rod. We didn’t even seem to mind that Lilah’s quiche is getting cold.”

  “Oops.” He grinned at Caroline. “I think that’s my older and wiser sister’s way of getting us to our plates.”

  The meal was served, and the getting-to-know-you conversation continued around the table until Sarah asked about Bella.

  Sarah put her fork down. “Caroline, Roderick has given me some sketchy information about Bella and about how she entered your life. I’d really like to hear that from you if you don’t mind.”

  “Oh, I want you to know every detail, and I’ll be grateful for any insight or direction you have for me. I feel that I have been handed a rare gift, and I so want to treat it properly.”

  For the next half hour, Caroline explained how she had come to know Bella. She described in detail Gretchen’s story and how she and Bella lived their lives. No one interrupted Caroline with questions. In hearing the story, Roderick learned that kindness, goodness, and a strong sense of responsibility pumped through Caroline’s veins. He heard it in the way she talked, and he saw it in her eyes, and he liked it.

  When Caroline finished, Sarah asked, “And so, Caroline, how do you see yourself fitting into this picture?”

  Caroline sipped her iced tea. “Do I need to lie on your sofa to answer this question?”

  Sarah smiled. “Only if you’d like to.”

  “Well, honestly, that’s the question I’ve been asking myself. All this came about as I’m contemplating a life-changing decision.”

  Roderick’s antenna perked up. He had been fearful of probing too much too soon about the university opportunity.

  Her face was serious. “I believe
there’s a reason Bella came into my life. I don’t know what that reason is yet, but I know that Gretchen trusts me.”

  “How does this fit with the big decision you’re considering?” Roderick knew that Sarah wouldn’t miss his interest in Caroline’s answer.

  Caroline picked up her fork, turning it over and over. “Well, I’ve told you that I study piano with Dr. Annabelle Martin at the university. She’s offering me a position in the fall to teach at the University of Georgia while I work on my doctorate. That would be a big change for me, and I was seriously considering the offer before I met Bella.”

  “You’d be moving from Moss Point to Athens?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes. That’s what makes this so difficult. I love my life in Moss Point, but I know eventually I need to make a change. I’m just unsure if the change should come this year. In some ways, it would be good for Bella. Dr. Martin has introduced me to Dr. Wyatt Spencer, a young professor at the university who’s extremely interested in testing and studying Bella.” She paused.

  Roderick remembered Wyatt Spencer’s call before they left Moss Point. Something about it niggled at him as he watched Caroline, and he imagined Dr. Spencer might be interested in more than Bella. The question was how Caroline felt about that, if it was true.

  Caroline put her fork down gently. “This may be a way to get Gretchen and Bella away from Mr. Silva and to get her the help she needs. But these are heavy issues to solve in the next month.”

  Sarah sat quietly, listening to every word. “Well, you’re right. You have some big issues and a mountain of details to consider in making this decision.”

  Caroline asked, “Any advice?”

  “Just a word of caution. There are people—well-credentialed people—who would move mountains for an opportunity to work with Bella. Some are well meaning, and some are not, and they will use Bella to further their own careers—even to the point of exploiting her.”

  “I fear that, but I don’t know what to do.” Caroline’s face showed her concern.

  “Just remember, Bella is a person. A very rare person, but she’s still a person. No one should treat her like a freak in a circus sideshow.”

  “Oh, and how will I know? I trust Dr. Martin and her recommendation of Dr. Spencer. He’s young and extremely knowledgeable and anxious to start testing Bella. I’m sure that Dr. Martin has told him of the possibility of my being at the university in the fall. I just wish I had a clearer sense of what to do.”

  “Has Roderick told you we’re moving from Boston to North Carolina?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes, he told me George would be teaching at Duke.”

  “In fact, we’ll be going there tomorrow to look for a house. I tell you this because I’ll not be teaching full-time, and it will be a while before I can establish a practice again. I’ll have time on my hands. And you know, North Carolina isn’t that far. I’m not sure at this point what I can do, but . . . I want to help you and Bella,” she said with conviction.

  “Oh, Sarah, you’re so generous. You just tell me what I need to do to get you together with Bella and Gretchen, and I’ll do it. You can’t imagine how this relieves me. Thank you.”

  Roderick had never been more grateful for his sister.

  Caroline retreated to her suite. Sarah’s reassurance made for a sweet, restful nap. When she woke, she tried to read. Too much nervous energy. A walk would be good. As she passed the library, she saw George stretched out in the window seat with pillows propped behind his head, either reading or napping. No sign of Sarah. She made it through the maze of activity to find Lilah in the kitchen. “Lilah, excuse me. Could I please get a bottle of water? I think I’d like to walk back down to the trout stream.”

  “Let me get a nice chilled bottle for you. You sure that won’t tire you out too much?” Lilah headed for the butler’s pantry.

  “I actually think it would help get rid of some nervous energy and give these butterflies in my stomach a chance to fly away to a beautiful place. Would you tell Roderick where I went if he asks?”

  “I will, for sure, just as surely as he’d be asking if he couldn’t find you.”

  “Thank you for the water and for everything, Lilah.”

  Caroline walked out the kitchen door. After a quick meander, she reached the large boulder where she and Roderick had picnicked the afternoon before. Realizing the climb was easier holding someone else’s hand, she took great caution, knowing that today was not the day for a fall.

  At the top she looked all around her. Green’s never been greener. And you, old stream, you just never hesitate on your journey over those stones, do you? You just keep moving and reflecting the sky.

  She finally sat and opened her water bottle for a drink. Perhaps a Cherokee woman along this stream had drunk water from her cupped hands and settlers sipped from tin cups. And now here she sat, enjoying the same stream but drinking bottled spring water from who knows where. Knowledge and technology had made their impact, but human beings still needed water.

  She thought about her own life and her own needs as she watched an oak leaf floating in the still water in the pool below. The current swept the leaf to the bank and then out into swifter water until it was out of sight.

  My life’s been like that leaf, floating, waiting for the current to pull it long. It’s time to stop waiting, to make some serious, conscious decisions. I may get into rough water, but no rougher than I’ve seen. Couldn’t be. And at least I wouldn’t be drowning in stagnant nothingness. Better to be swept away. I’m feeling swept away.

  So deep in thought she was, she failed to notice the sun-washed sky turning gray. A dark cloud loomed behind her, and the breezes whirling into strong winds blew her hair across her face and interrupted her thoughts. She rose quickly and started down the rocks and up the path to the house. The rain came, gentle at first and then hard. With only the distant rumble of thunder, she felt safe in sitting underneath the large hardwood tree to wait out the storm before walking home.

  Car lights appeared in the distance. She got up to see. It was Roderick’s truck. She waved, hoping he could see her through the rain.

  He did. He stopped and opened the passenger’s side door. “Need a ride?” He laughed at her. “Didn’t your mother teach you to come in out of the rain?”

  “What can I say? I guess I’m a slow learner,” she said as she hopped into the vehicle and gratefully accepted the towel he handed her. “How did you know?”

  “Lilah told me where you went. I own this property, Miss Carlyle, and I know about afternoon storms. You’re my guest, and my job is to take care of you while you’re here. Actually, I saw you leaving the house. When the clouds gathered, I figured there’d be a lovely damsel in distress somewhere down this way. I haven’t rescued a lady in a long time.”

  “Well, I hope the last one you rescued wasn’t as embarrassed as I am,” she said, wrapping the towel around her shoulders and wiping her face.

  “She wasn’t.” He took a right at the fork. “How about if I drive to the east side of the house and you can go up the courtyard steps to your suite and no one will know you’ve been playing in the rain except me and maybe Lilah? She’s worried about you.”

  “Oh, thank you. What time is it?”

  He looked at his watch. “It’s four thirty.”

  “Good, I have time for a warm soak before I get dressed. I promise not to leave my suite until your guests arrive.”

  He pulled up to the side of the house. “Here you are, madam. Go through that gate. The stairs are to your right.”

  She was surprised when Roderick took her left hand as she slipped toward the truck door. “You’re going to shine tonight, Caroline.”

  “Thank you, Roderick. You are indeed a gentleman.” She got out and closed the door and looked at him through the rain-spotted window. She smiled.

  I really want to shine tonight.

  Caroline entered her room from the balcony door and headed straight for the tea chest. She plugged in the pot, chose
a tea bag, and moved toward the bathroom. That’s when she saw the box on her bed. It was about the size of the boxes she used to wrap the ties she gave her dad for Father’s Day, only this one was sturdier and more elegant. It wasn’t wrapped, only secured with white silk ribbon.

  She pulled one end of the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. Moving the tissue paper aside, she picked up a piece of rolled parchment paper tied with a gold ribbon. Inside was the printed program for tonight’s recital. On the back were her picture and a biographical sketch. She had sent the titles for the program, but not this picture, nor this bio. It had been done without her knowledge but with the elegance she had experienced since her first introduction to Roderick Adair.

  On the front of the parchment was a handwritten note:

  Caroline, you will shine tonight.

  Remember, there’s music—when words aren’t enough.

  Roderick

  The water was boiling before she could put the printed program down. Her hot tea, her warm thoughts, and a half-hour steamy bath would prepare her to shine.

  The hour passed quickly. She had finished her hair and makeup and was about to take her dress off the hanger when her cell phone rang. She heard Angel’s voice. “Now, sweetie, I won’t keep you, but I just wanted to call and say we’re thinking about you. You just get all gussied up and be the beautiful woman you are, you hear me?”

  “Oh, Angel, I wish you were here. I’ve done my best to get my hair up like you said, and the pink sapphires—what can I say? They’re so lovely nobody will notice my hair.”

  Just before their goodbyes, Angel asked, “Have you danced yet?”

  Caroline paused. “No, but does a picnic count?”

  “That’s progress, my precious girl. That’s real progress. The dancing will come. Bye for now.”

  Caroline finished dressing and picked up the program one more time. It was six o’clock. She was ready and could sit no longer. She went downstairs to warm up before the guests arrived.

  Roderick wondered if Caroline had opened the box. He was grateful for Angel’s help with the picture and bio and her promise of secrecy. He guessed Annabelle Martin had helped Angel. Lilah had insisted the gift box would be a romantic touch. Romantic touches hadn’t been his specialty in a while. He hoped she was right.