The Gift of Goodbye

by Kleven, M. Kay

  “I remember and I’m holding you to it.”

  “Well, we’d better be going.” Chase chuckled. I need to check in at the newspaper to see if I still have a job.”

  “Good to see you, Chase. And I’ll see you in the morning, Anna Louise.” Thomas hugged me one more time.

  “See you in the morning,” I said, following Chase out the front door.

  Mara was off with Daniel, so that evening I sat alone on the sofa, looking through the photos I’d brought back from Wisteria with me. In most of the pictures of me, I appeared sad, never smiling.

  In the family photo that I’d brought back, Mom stood on one end, then Charlotte, then me, then Grant, and finally Dad stood on the other end. Everyone had a smile on their face, except me. I couldn’t look at any more pictures, so I opened the white, velvet box that held the pearl necklace and earrings. I remembered how my mom had worn them whenever she’d gotten dressed up to go out to one of Wisteria’s grand events with dad. I snapped the box shut and stuffed it back in the bag with the photos and began to cry. All of that seemed like a lifetime ago to me.

  Someone was buzzing from the entry. I jumped up, wondering who it could be. It was Chase. I buzzed the door open and ran into his arms as he came into the apartment. “I’m glad you came by tonight,” I cried.

  “I wanted to see how you were doing. I guess not so hot, huh?”

  “I just finished looking through the family photos I brought back from Wisteria and a pearl necklace and earring set of Mom’s that Dad gave to me.”

  “Can I see the pictures and jewelry, Anna Louise?”

  “I guess so, if you want to.”

  “I want to. They will help me to know you a little better and I can place you in and outside of your family.”

  “Would you like a cup of freshly brewed coffee while you scan through the photos?” I asked.

  “Sure. Let me carry the cups into the living room for you.”

  “Thanks, Chase.”

  We sat close to one another on the sofa as I handed him the photos, not really wanting to see them again myself, but as he paged though them, I ended up explaining to him what was going on in each of the pictures.

  “That Anna Louise in the pictures seems nothing like the Anna Louise I know today. You’ve made a remarkable recovery from how your mother treated you. You’ve become an accomplished young woman today. It’s simply amazing!”

  “Thank you, but I owe it all to Mr. Cutler and what he did for me once he hired me. I would guess he knew something bad had happened to me, but he focused on my talent of playing the piano and not on my insecurities. He encouraged and gave me confidence around every corner, and I didn’t want to disappoint him. I miss him so much. But, Thomas has done the same thing for me and now his family has even adopted Savannah as their own. I feel blessed having the Cutler family in my life.”

  “They are a wonderful family, and I’m glad Mr. Cutler hired you the day you went in the store for a job. We both found out where we belonged that day. Everything is going to be all right, Anna Louise.”

  Chase held me in his arms and let me cry until I fell asleep. When Mara and Daniel came in, I woke up and walked Chase down to the entry where he’d catch a cab back to his apartment. “Thank you for coming by tonight, Chase. It meant the world to me.”

  “My pleasure, Anna Louise. I’ll talk to you soon.” He wrapped me in his arms and held me tight until the cab arrived.

  Then, I watched as Chase walked away, knowing he’d captured my heart.

  ~ ~ ~

  The air was buzzing with chatter and laughter as the crowd began to fill the theater at the New York University. It was opening night for Streets, the script written by Mr. Cedric Benson and his team with the musical score written by Ms. Anna Louise Armstrong. The play and music had been advertised all over Manhattan for weeks now. What an honor!

  Mara and I were being escorted by Chase tonight. Daniel, of course, had the lead male role in the play. Entering the theater area, all three of us were ushered down the aisle to the front row.

  As we made our way, I spotted Ms. Thompson and leaned in to give her a little hug. “This is it, Ms. Thompson. I hope all goes well for Daniel and Mr. Benson. I’m sure you’ll be listening to the music as closely as I will. I had Mara design you another special invitation for tonight’s opening performance. Hope you received the invitation.”

  “I did,” she replied, glancing over at Mara. “Nice to see you, too, Chase. Enjoy the play, my dears.”

  “Thank you,” all three of us chorused in unison.

  As we took our seats, Mara and I noticed that Thomas, Beth, and the children were sitting next to us in the front row. Mara was sitting next to Thomas, so I just leaned over and waved to all of them. Chase sat on the outside near the aisle. The longer we waited, the more nervous Mara and I became. She for Daniel and me for the music that would be played tonight.

  As the heavy, maroon velour curtain began to rise, a hush came over the theater.

  Mara poked me when Daniel appeared on stage. I turned to her and smiled. As he began to speak and act, I could tell Mara was glued to her seat with her eyes on Daniel. He had a deep baritone voice that rang out over the crowd. He and the other cast members made it easy for the audience to know exactly what was happening with the brother and sister throughout the play. When Aiden and Elizabeth were killed at the end, you could hear the women in the crowd crying heartfelt tears. The people clapped and clapped when the play was over. The whole cast took several bows before finally leaving the stage.

  I noticed Mara was crying. “Are you all right?” I asked.

  “I’ve seen plays before, but nothing like this one. Daniel played Aiden perfectly and his voice made my heart beat faster. It felt like he was speaking directly to me.”

  “He probably was. I agree that Daniel was the star of the show tonight. Let’s go congratulate him.”

  Daniel’s family and Savannah were right behind us as we made our way backstage to find him. Thomas and Beth had the look of very proud parents on their faces. Mara ran into Daniel’s arms when she saw him. “You were amazing,” I could hear her say over all of the noise.

  “Thanks, my love,” I heard him reply. “Opening night is behind us.” He greeted his family, then Chase and me.

  We all chatted for few minutes, then his family left. Mara, Chase, and I were taking Daniel out on the town to celebrate the first successful night of Streets.

  Chapter 21

  After all that had happened in the last few months, it seemed good to spend some relatively quiet time back at the Emporium. Thomas and I kept things running pretty smoothly from day to day. He tuned pianos while I kept the customers happy. Daniel flew in and out as needed, usually hand in hand with Mara.

  I missed Ms. Thompson. I’d never had a chance to tell her about my mother’s death and I wanted to. Maybe I’d go to the school to see if I could visit with her. But, before I could find the time to go, I received an unbelievable invitation from the Chamber Orchestra. The conductor wanted to present me as the guest pianist at Carnegie Hall during the Christmas season. Mr. Anderson would be in touch with me.

  I gasped so loud when I read the invitation, Thomas came rushing out of his office. “What’s happened now, Anna Louise?”

  I handed the invitation to him and watched the expression on his face as he read it. “You’ve made it to Carnegie Hall. My father would be so proud. I’m sure he has a huge smile on his face right this very minute.” Thomas threw his arms around me and hugged me tight.

  “It seems unreal to me now that’s it’s actually about to happen. I just hope I can make Mr. Cutler proud during my performance. I’m happy, too, that it’s happening during the holiday season. I think he’ll be looking down and blessing all of us that evening.”

  “Knowing you, Anna
Louise, your performance at Carnegie Hall will be flawless and my father would be the proudest man in the hall if he were here to experience the music for himself.”

  “All I know for sure is that I will request the concert programs bear the inscription In Memory of Mr. Samuel J. Cutler on the cover in large letters. “Thank you, Thomas, for taking me in.”

  “My father took you in, and then you became family to the rest of us. We will all be there to watch your dream of playing Carnegie Hall come true.”

  “I don’t know what to say. All I know is that I love the Cutler family with all my heart.”

  The front door opened and in walked Mr. Anderson. Thomas passed the invitation back to me and I held it up for Mr. Anderson to see. “I received it today,” I cried out.

  “Wonderful. Then, if you have time, I’d like to go over a few things with you.” I glanced over at Thomas.

  “Go ahead,” he said. “I think I can handle the store for a few minutes.”

  I took Mr. Anderson into my little office and offered him a chair. He glanced around the small room, then went over the music I’d be playing and what would be expected of me as the featured pianist during the Chamber Orchestra’s performance at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Anderson finished with all of his instructions shortly before closing, so after showing him out the front door, I locked it and shut off the lights, following Thomas out the back door. “See you tomorrow,” he said as he climbed into the SUV.

  “I’ll be here,” I replied, slipping into a waiting cab.

  “Where to, miss?” The driver asked, glancing into his rearview mirror.

  “Oh. The School of Musical Arts, sir,” I replied, snapping out of my Carnegie Hall world.

  I knocked on the big, front door of the school and waited for someone to answer. I didn’t recognize the person who answered the door, but she introduced herself as Ms. Abigail Hunter. “Is Ms. Thompson here? Is she busy? If she’s not busy, I’d like to speak with her.”

  “She’s with a student at the moment, but if you’d like to wait, I believe she’ll be finished in a few minutes,” Ms. Hunter replied.

  “I’ll wait for her, then,” I said.

  “Come on in and I’ll show you to the waiting area.”

  It wasn’t long before Ms. Thompson appeared in the doorway of the waiting room. I stood and rushed over to her, giving her a big hug. I had so much to tell her, some bad and some good. “It’s so good to see you, Ms. Thompson.”

  “I sense some sad vibes coming from you, but also some good vibes, too.”

  “It always amazes me how you can read me. You’re exactly right.”

  “Let’s take a little walk down the hall to my office where we can hear ourselves talk. Would you like something to drink? I believe there’s coffee or tea available.”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

  Once in Ms. Thompson’s office, she encouraged me to tell her what was on my mind. I told her first about my mother becoming ill and going back to help my father until after her death. How I had played at her funeral. “I wrote a new song for my mom’s funeral. I played it during the service for her.”

  “I hope you were able to find some sort of peace regarding your mom during your stay.”

  “I did, Ms. Thompson. My mom never said a word to me, even when she knew I was in the room with her, but forgiveness came to me and I was able to release her with love right before she died.”

  “You are free, then, my dear.”

  “I am,” I replied. “But the good news is that I’m going to be playing Carnegie Hall as the guest pianist with the Chamber Orchestra right before Christmas. I want you to be there, of course.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, but I’m sure I’ll need a ticket for a performance at Carnegie Hall.”

  “Oh. I hope to get tickets for you, my father, Chase, Mara, and the Cutler family for sure,” I exclaimed. “I’ll send you a ticket as soon as I can. I’ll be meeting with Mr. Anderson and the orchestra next week to start practicing the pieces I’ll need to learn for the concert.”

  “I’ll be watching for the ticket, then.” Ms. Thompson rose and came around to me. “I wish you only the best, Anna Louise. When we believe in ourselves, dreams do come true.”

  ~ ~ ~

  As soon as I’d said goodbye to Ms. Thompson, I hailed a cab and headed home to SoHo. I couldn’t wait to tell Mara about Carnegie Hall. Quickly unlocking the door, I shouted, “Mara, I’m going to be playing Carnegie Hall with the Chamber Orchestra during the Christmas season.”

  Hearing the news, Mara went ballistic. “Oh! Anna Louise, that means we’ll have to go shopping again. Something that’ll go with the Christmas theme.” She ran out of the kitchen and hugged me tight.

  “I’m worried about learning the music for such a great honor and you’re worried about what I’ll be wearing.” I hugged her back, laughing.

  “Someone has to worry about what you’ll be wearing because I know you won’t.” Mara quirked one eyebrow. “You’ll have to excuse me. I was adding the pasta and vegetables to the soup, when you came bounding through the door. Oh, the soup will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I’m starving,” I replied, making my way down the hallway to my bedroom to change into my usual jeans and a sweater. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.

  A couple of days later I received my allotted number of tickets for Carnegie Hall. I immediately sent one off to Ms. Thompson, enclosed in another creative invitation designed by Mara, then I called my father.

  “Hello?” I heard on the other end of the line.

  “Hi, Dad. It’s Anna Louise. Even though I know Mom’s illness and death turned your world upside down, I hope you’re doing well. I’m sure the store and Grant are probably keeping you busy. I think of you often.”

  “Good to hear from you, Anna Louise. It has been busy since you left Wisteria and flew back to New York.”

  “I’m calling because I’m sending you a special ticket to hear me play as the guest pianist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall in a couple of weeks, celebrating the Christmas season. Do you think Mr. Jones would be able to free you up for a day or so to come to New York to hear your daughter play Carnegie Hall? There’s a front-row seat waiting for you.”

  “Congratulations, sweetheart. I think I could probably arrange that with Albert. When is this big day?”

  “I’m putting your ticket in the mail as we speak. Everything you need to know is right there on the ticket. Let me know as soon as you receive it and if you’ll be able to come. Mara, Daniel, and Chase will be there also, sitting right next to you.”

  “It’ll be good to see them again, too, especially Mara.”

  “I’d love for you to meet Ms. Thompson, the wonderful person who taught me how to play piano. She’s been my cheering section ever since I started taking lessons at The School of Musical Arts and continues to be even now that I’ve graduated from the program. Also, there’s my boss Thomas and his wife Beth—Mr. Cutler’s son and daughter-in-law. You’ve met Daniel, but their other sons, Lucas and Benjamin, will be there, along with their daughter, Ashley, and their adopted daughter, Savannah Walker. I’m sure they’d all like to meet you.

  “Don’t know if I’m ready to meet so many people yet, but because they’ve done so much for my daughter, I’m looking forward to meeting each and every one of them.”

  “Thank you, Dad. I’ll pick you up at the airport. And you can stay in my bedroom while you’re here. Mara and I will bunk together for a few days. Gotta go. Talk to you later. Love you.”

  “Love you, too, Anna Louise. Bye.”

  ~ ~ ~

  A few days later, I received an email back from Dad:

  Hi Anna Louise,

  Received the ticket, an
d it would be my honor to be seated there in Carnegie Hall when you play with the Chamber Orchestra. Never would’ve guessed in my wildest dreams that one day I’d be listening to my daughter play as the solo pianist in the great Carnegie Hall. I’ll be the one with bells on. I look forward to meeting Ms. Thompson and the Cutlers. They sound like amazing people, just like my daughter.

  See you at the airport when I arrive.

  Love,

  Dad

  ~ ~ ~

  “Come on, Anna Louise, we have to find you a dress and all that goes with it tonight. The concert is only a week away and your dad’s going to be arriving soon.”

  “I’m coming, Mara. Just hold your horses.”

  We hit all the main dress shops in SoHo and finally decided on a strapless, red gown with sparkling matching red shoes. Mara picked out a rhinestone necklace and earrings for me to wear with the dress.

  “I’ll fix your hair for the big event, too. I can hardly wait. The last time we were at Carnegie Hall, Blake was playing.” Mara covered her mouth as she stared over at me.

  “It’s okay. How is Blake these days?”

  “Traveling, as usual. He’s just about finished with his studies at Julliard, too.”

  “He’s so accomplished,” I replied. “Let’s go home. I’d like to talk to Chase before going to bed.”

  “Just so you know, I think you and Chase are perfect for one another. You both light up when you’re together.”

  “Thanks, Mara. I think you and Daniel are the perfect couple, too, but you’re both still in college, so don’t go getting any big ideas before you graduate. I’ll chain you to the kitchen table if I have to.”

  “Chase loves you, you know. I can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at you.”

  “I love him back, but we’re still so young yet.”

  “Then, let’s all just enjoy the next few years and not get too wrapped up in this marriage thing.” Mara threw her arms, bags and all, around me as we stood on the corner waiting for a cab. I tried to return her hug, but my arms were overflowing with bags.