The Gift of Goodbye

by Kleven, M. Kay

  “Feel better now?” Mara asked.

  “Immensely,” I replied.

  “Great! Let’s go shopping, then,” Mara exclaimed.

  Chapter 14

  Not once did Mara mention, while we were out and about on Sunday, that my birthday was the next day on Monday. Had she forgotten my birthday now that she spent most of her time with Daniel? Oh, well, I’d probably survive turning another year older without anyone noticing. Dad was the only one back home in Wisteria who ever remembered my birthday. He knew I liked Alabaster’s, so we always went there for fish and shrimp, then he’d take me shopping, letting me pick out something I’d been wanting all year. Last year right before I graduated from high school, I picked out luggage, knowing I’d be leaving Wisteria within a week or so.

  By mid-afternoon on Monday, things had quieted down at the Emporium, so I decided it would be a good time to talk to Thomas about him taking a vacation and maybe me taking one, too. As I was about to step into Thomas’s office, Chase sauntered in with that wicked grin on his face. My heart took a leap and started to flutter.

  “Happy Birthday,” he called out as he strolled up to where I was standing.

  “You remembered,” I replied, then glanced over at Thomas as he came out of his office.

  “How come I didn’t know?” Thomas said with a blank look on his face.

  “Guess you never read my application.” I laughed, turning my attention back to Chase.

  “Well, I did know and I’d like to see if the lady would like to have dinner with me tonight to help celebrate her nineteenth birthday on this tenth day of May.” Chase’s green eyes lit up as he sang out, “There will cake with candles later on, too.”

  “Lady, huh?” I laughed. “How could I resist an invitation like that from such a handsome young man? I’d love to have dinner with you Chase, but I have my piano lesson with Ms. Thompson at five-thirty.”

  “Well, that being the case, could you meet me at the Vintage Garden restaurant at about six-thirty?”

  “I can do that, if these clothes are okay for the evening.”

  “You look fabulous to me, as always.” He gave me a wink.

  “Thanks,” I said as my face began to feel warm. “I’ll see you at six-thirty, then.

  “Nice to see you, Thomas,” Chase said with a nod.

  “You too, Chase,” Thomas replied.

  As Chase strolled out of the store, Thomas gazed over at me. “Chase appears to like you. Thought you were seeing Mara’s brother, the pianist.”

  “Chase is a friend. And I don’t know how I feel about Mara’s brother. He’s off playing concerts in France and Italy right now. He also has his studies at Julliard.”

  “You’re young, Anna Louise. It’s okay to have some fun while you’re still single. Things change in a hurry once you’re married and have children.”

  “Speaking of having fun, Mara told me that she and Daniel are going to California this summer for a week. I think you deserve to go on a vacation this summer, too. What do you say, boss?”

  “If I did, could you and Daniel run the place for a week?”

  “I think we could. I’m sure Mara would be willing to help, too, along with Bob and Carl.”

  “I’ll talk to Beth and see what she thinks. We could take the rest of the kids with us. I bet Savannah doesn’t even know what a vacation is.”

  “I’m sure she doesn’t. Just let me know. Once I finish my program with Ms. Thompson and the musical score for the play, I may take a few days off, too, if that’s okay with you.”

  “It’s more than okay with me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you when Pop died. I’m glad it’s been busy around here, and you’ve helped with that because of your talent on the piano. Recording your music and having Mr. Benson come in from the college sure livened things up around here.”

  “Maybe we can take turns and everyone can have some time off this summer. A little fun in the sun time.” I gave him my best smile.

  “Sounds good to me,” he replied, putting on his best happy face.

  ~ ~ ~

  Chase seemed a little antsy as we took our seats at the Vintage Garden. He pulled out my chair, then sat in the one beside me, making it feel more intimate. A chimney-covered candle surrounded by vintage pink roses burned in the center of the table. I looked around taking in the ambiance of this quaint New York restaurant.

  “This is beautiful, Chase. Thank you for bringing me here, especially on my birthday.”

  “Your welcome. Once you’ve eaten here, you’ll never forget how delicious the food is. Even though the menu is somewhat limited, they do have fish, steak, and several salad bowls. Would you like a glass of ice water with a lemon twist to start with?”

  “That would be nice.”

  Soon a waiter in black tails appeared at our table. “Good Evening. How may I assist you tonight?” he said, smiling at me, then Chase.

  “We’d both like a tall glass of ice water with a lemon twist,” Chase replied. “We’ll order in a minute. Thank you.”

  We both chose salmon, and, like Chase had said, the flavor, as the fish melted in my mouth, would stay with me forever. “I’ve never tasted anything this delicious. Wonder what spices they use and how they cook it into such a perfect entrée.”

  “I think it’s a secret, Anna Louise. They have other fine entrées, too.”

  Seeming nervous again as we finished eating, Chase said he’d like to go back to SoHo to finish celebrating my birthday with me. I didn’t know what he was up to, but went along with what he said. He hailed a cab and we headed toward SoHo, stopping in front of my apartment. Mara had said she was going to be with Daniel, so I knew we’d be alone in the apartment.

  “I won’t stay long,” Chase said. “I have a little gift for you in my pocket.”

  Taking my hand, we entered the elevator and I tapped the button for the third floor. Then, as I unlocked the door, “Happy Birthday” rang out all around me. Balloons filled the room and a huge cake surrounded by gifts and a lovely bouquet of purple lilacs sat on the island in the kitchen. There stood Mara next to Daniel and Thomas next to Beth. Lucas, Benjamin, Ashley, and Savannah were there, too. Ashley and Savannah jumped up and down. “Surprise! Surprise!”

  “Thomas,” I cried out. “You knew it was my birthday today even before Chase came in this afternoon shouting ‘Happy Birthday,’ didn’t you?”

  “Let’s just say Mara called me the other day and Daniel filled me in on the details. Happy Birthday, Anna Louise. It’s been fun for all of us trying to keep the party a surprise.”

  “Welcome to SoHo, everyone. Maybe Ashley and Savannah would like to shop the boutiques with Mara and me one day.”

  “Yes, Yes,” the girls shouted.

  Then, giving Mara the evil eye, I went over and hugged her. “Thank you, my friend. I can always count on you to know where the fun is. Daniel must have been your co-conspirator this time. Usually, in the past, I would be the one in on your pranks.”

  “You’re right, but never fear. There’ll be more pranks for you and me in the future.”

  “Chase, now I know why you appeared so nervous tonight as we ate dinner. I’d never seen you that nervous.” I gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  “Me, nervous?” Chase said, putting his hands around my waist. “I think it’s that hug and kiss you just gave me that has me all nervous. Hope there’s more where those came from.”

  I punched him in the arm, making Ashley and Savannah giggle.

  “Let’s eat and then have Anna Louise open her gifts,” Mara announced. “The cake is chocolate, of course, and I sampled the frosting. It’s delicious. There’s vanilla ice cream to go with the cake, if anyone would care for some.”

  Mara and Daniel served as the hostess and host. There w
as coffee, tea, and lemonade to drink along with the cake and ice cream. We all sat around telling weird birthday tales from years past. Thomas told us how his mom and dad would always take him out on his birthday to the place of his choice. “My birthday is right around Halloween, so you can guess how many haunted houses my parents saw over the years. Pop was brave, but my mom would always scream and yell as we walked through or road through on a trolley, cobwebs accumulating in our hair.”

  Chase told how his mom would take him and his younger brother to a baseball game at the high school for his birthday. “Then, in high school, I actually played for the Maryville Mavericks. We had a good team. My younger brother plays for the Mavericks now. After graduation, I went off to college, leaving all thoughts of baseball behind. But now, because of the New York Times, I’ve been able to attend an occasional Yankees game, along with the sports reporter, which has been a dream come true for me.”

  I looked at the card resting among the gorgeous lilacs. ‘Happy Birthday, sweetheart. Love, Dad.’ He hadn’t forgotten my birthday or that lilacs were my favorite flower. I smiled through my tears. Next, I opened an envelope containing two Broadway tickets from Mara and Daniel to a current Broadway show she knew I wanted to see. Thomas, along with Beth and the rest of the family, gave me a special card, allowing me to order my own baby grand piano from the catalog at the store. “Oh my goodness,” I said. “That’s too much. I know how much a baby grand costs.”

  “But with the store discount, it’s not so bad,” Thomas joked. “We’d like to do that for you. One day you’ll probably move beyond the Emporium and we want you to have something to remember us by.” Thomas put his arm around my shoulder. “I hope it won’t be for a long time, but I know in the future you’ll be busy playing so many concerts you won’t be able to spend your days at the Emporium. Pop had always wanted you to have your own piano, even though he loved listening to you practice your lessons once the store had closed for the day.”

  I went around and gave each of the Cutlers a big hug, thanking them with all my heart. Savannah squeezed me extra tight. “Can I play ‘Chopsticks’ on your new piano with you when you get it? I’ll be able to use both hands.”

  “It would be fun to play ‘Chopsticks’ with you again. Actually, with two hands, you can play ‘Chopsticks’ all by yourself.”

  Chase moved in close to me and took my hand. Taking a bag out of his pocket, he said, “Open it, Anna Louise. It’s not much, but when I saw it in the store window, I knew I had to buy it for you.”

  I opened the box to find a white gold charm bracelet from Tiffany’s with a rhinestone studded baby grand piano hanging from it. My heart started to beat faster. Chase was the most thoughtful person I’d ever met. “Thank you, Chase. It’s beautiful. I’ll cherish it always.” I hugged him tight.

  “Thank you all for this night. I’ll never forget my first birthday in New York. But now I need to finish my program with Ms. Thompson and play at Carnegie Hall for Mr. Cutler as soon as I can.”

  “And we’ll all be there when it happens, Anna Louise,” everyone chorused.

  Thomas and Beth, along with the children, were the first to say goodnight. Then, I walked Chase out to the cab and kissed him goodnight. “I hope to see you again soon,” I said.

  “You will,” he replied.

  Back inside, Mara and Daniel sat side by side on the sofa. “Thank you both for celebrating my birthday with me. If it’s okay with you two, I think I’ll go to bed.”

  I gave them each a hug, then walked down the hall to my bedroom with a vase of sweet smelling lilacs in my hand.

  After setting the flowers on my dresser, I changed into my nightgown, sat cross-legged on my bed, and opened my laptop to write my father a thank you note and tell him about the night.

  I’d received nothing, absolutely nothing, from my mother or sister. But, still, it’d been the best birthday of my life.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Good morning, Anna Louise,” Thomas called out as I entered the Emporium the next morning through the back door. “Come look through the piano catalog with me.”

  “Good morning,” I replied, setting a tall hazelnut latté in front of him from Starbucks. “I can’t believe you and your family would really do that for me.”

  “Thanks for the latté. The aroma coming from the cup will wake up my dead brain cells this morning.” He handed me the catalog and sat back in his chair, enjoying each swallow of his hazelnut latté. “This sure beats the coffee from the coffee maker every morning. Thanks, again.”

  Setting my cup down on the credenza in Thomas’s office, I sat down in the extra chair in his office and started paging through the catalog of pianos when the phone rang. I carried the catalog with me as I stepped up my pace to answer the phone. “Piano Emporium,” I said.

  “Anna Louise,” came Beth’s hysterical voice. “Is Thomas there? This drunk, homeless-looking man showed up at the door a few minutes ago and said he was Savannah’s dad. I didn’t let him in, but he’s still sitting outside on our front steps right now.”

  “Thomas. Come quick. It’s Beth and there’s a man at your house saying he’s Savannah’s dad.”

  Thomas’s face filled with fear as he took the phone and clicked the speaker button so I could hear too. “Beth,” Thomas shouted. “I’ll be there as quick as I can. Have you called the police?”

  “I didn’t know what to do,” Beth replied. “I’m just glad all of the children are in school right now.”

  “I’m on my way. Don’t open the door again. I’ll call the police if he won’t go away. See you in a few minutes. Bye, dear.”

  As Thomas hung up, I waved for him to go. “I’ll be fine. You go.”

  I laid the piano catalog back on Thomas’s desk and picked up my French vanilla latté before returning to the showroom. I uncovered the pianos and got ready for the day. All I could think about, as I tried to keep busy, was that some drunk, homeless-looking man couldn’t have Savannah after all she’d been through already. Time seemed to crawl by even though a few customers did come and go from the store. Finally, I heard the back door open and saw Thomas come in.

  Before I could say anything, Thomas said, “The guy is on his way to jail in a police car right now, but if he can prove he’s Savannah’s dad, we have a real problem on our hands. I have a feeling if he does prove to be her dad that what he really wants in money, not Savannah.”

  “Oh, Thomas. I never dreamed anything like this could happen. Savannah said she didn’t know who her dad was. Do you suppose he heard about Savannah’s mother dying and has now come out of the woodwork for money?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. The police said we’d be hearing from social services if this guy continues to claim to be Savannah’s dad.”

  “I’m sorry, Thomas. I can’t believe how my befriending this dear little girl has put your family in such an awful situation.”

  “No need to be sorry, Anna Louise. Beth and I are adults and we made the choice to become Savannah’s foster parents as a family.”

  “Are you and Beth going to tell the children and Savannah what transpired today?”

  “Not for now. But we’ll have to if this guy keeps up his claims and does indeed prove to be Savannah’s father. We won’t let Savannah go without a fight. She’s a Cutler as far as Beth and I are concerned.”

  “I’ll be fighting right alongside you and Beth. Savannah seems so much happier now that she’s with your family. I’m sure she’s beginning to feel safer, too. I can’t imagine her living anyplace else.”

  “Thanks, Anna Louise. I believe I have a piano to tune this afternoon, so let’s finish picking out a piano for you and then I’ll go.”

  “I don’t know what to say about the piano, but I’m so grateful Mr. Cutler hired me right there on the spot when I came in on that unforgettable day.
Thank you, Thomas. Like Savannah, I can’t imagine being anywhere else, either.”

  Chapter 15

  While Thomas was out tuning the O’Brien piano, Mr. Epstein came in the back door and greeted me before climbing up the stairs to his apartment. “Hi, Anna Louise. I’m a bit early today.” He was wiping his brow.

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Epstein?” I asked.

  “Everything’s okay. My son called to let me know he and his wife had their baby today. A sweet little baby girl. They named her Elena Marie, after my wife.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Mr. Epstein. Are you on your way to visit them in the hospital?”

  “As soon as I get cleaned up and can stop by the flower shop for a bouquet of pink baby roses and a balloon.”

  “I can tell she’s going to be loved a lot and she’s only just been born.”

  “My son sent me a picture of the three of them on my phone. Would you like to see my family?”

  “I’d love to, Mr. Epstein,” I said. “You sound like a proud grandfather.” Three smiling faces looked out at me from his phone. “What a beautiful family.”

  After slipping his phone back into his pocket, Mr. Epstein hurried up the stairs to get cleaned up so he could go visit his family in the hospital. When he returned, his tall, muscular frame looked dapper in his dark pants, white shirt, and dressy black vest. His thick salt and pepper hair curled around his ears as his deep-blue eyes sparkled through his dark rimmed glasses. “See you later, Anna Louise.” He turned and headed for the back door.

  “Congratulations,” I shouted, hearing the back door open and close.