Legacy of Silence

by Flo Fitzpatrick

  “Both. And Spero the dog truly is a magician in many respects.”

  Miranda wanted to ask if Spero was a service dog but wasn’t sure if that would be offensive. As if Russ had read her mind he said, “Spero’s trained to help me manage my hearing loss.”

  Russ reached down and patted the dog on his head. Spero’s tail thumped wildly in response. The dog began to excitedly nuzzle Miranda’s knee in an unabashed attempt to receive more affection. She gave it readily, squatting back down and hugging him. Just the act of feeling warm fur and inhaling the faint doggie odor made her feel safe and comfortable.

  She looked up into Russ’s hazel eyes. “What kind is he?”

  Russ’s small smile grew a bit broader. “No one knows. Including his vet.”

  “Well, he’s a sweetie.”

  “He is.”

  They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

  Miranda moved first by giving a thumbs-up and pointing to the house, which she hoped he’d figure out meant, Are you up for this? Inventory? Tonight?

  “I’d give that a yes if you mean am I ready to work. We’re here. We might as well get started. The sooner we finish this, the better.”

  He held the door open for her. Or, Miranda thought with amusement, for Spero, who trotted ahead of Miranda and made himself at home on the nearest chair.

  Russ pulled a notebook out of his backpack, then grabbed the nearest box, opened it and began to write.

  It was going to be a long night.

  CHAPTER SIX

  MIRANDA AND RUSS spent the next forty minutes opening boxes, taking quick peeks inside, then labeling the outsides with the stickies Miranda had brought. Russ jotted notes regarding larger items such as furniture and mirrors and oddities like the umbrella stand and the hat rack filled with Fedoras from the 1940s.

  Then there was what Miranda considered the most incongruous item for a ninety-five-year-old former seamstress to own. Miranda started laughing when she uncovered a state-of-the-art laptop computer from under an antique quilt covered in cat hair. Russ was buried nearly waist deep into a box so she tapped him on the shoulder.

  “What?” he growled.

  “Look! I had no idea she was this high-tech.” She stopped. There was no way Russ was going to lip-read that last comment, so Miranda lifted the computer to where Russ could see it. “Cool, huh!”

  The corners of Russ’s mouth turned up just long enough for Miranda to take advantage of the slight thaw in his icy attitude. He even responded. “Virginia was an avid online shopper. I believe she was on a first-name basis with customer service at the three largest booksellers.”

  Miranda smiled. He might well shut her down in an instant but she had to try. “How did you meet Virginia?” she asked, attempting to find actions that would fit the question. She reached out to shake his hand as though greeting someone.

  Russ grasped her hand in his and a shock zapped through her body. The kind of electric tingle one gets after scraping one’s feet on carpet. Except that they were both standing on hardwood. Russ immediately dropped her hand as though he’d felt it, too. His next words started tumbling out like random clothes from a dryer.

  “I...she...we met...” He paused and took a deep breath. “I was giving an afternoon lecture at her synagogue. Five years ago. The topic was the nature of linguistics, which was my specialty when I taught at Samford. Ironic, considering my current circumstances.” He closed his eyes for a brief second then continued. “Anyway, Miss Virginia introduced herself at the reception afterward. We immediately hit it off. She asked very insightful and intriguing questions about the politics of language and culture. We spent a good hour talking until the rabbi was ready to close down. She asked if we could go somewhere for coffee or tea and continue the discussion.” He looked at Miranda. “She explained that she didn’t get out much. She wasn’t able to drive at night, cabs were expensive and she said she’d always been a ‘stay at home’ person.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Miranda muttered. “Can we say one step from agoraphobia?”

  “What?”

  She waved her hand in the air and shook her head. “Nothing. Go on?”

  “Our tea turned into dinner and that dinner turned into regular visits. I’d come over here sometimes after I’d taught my classes. Or if there was an event I thought I could encourage her to attend, like a concert or play or a showing at a gallery, I’d drive.” A broad smile suddenly brightened his face and Miranda’s pulse quickened. “I practically converted to the Jewish faith since I drove her to quite a few Friday-night services at the temple.”

  Miranda grinned, remembering the day she’d met Cort and told him that Virginia had been able to charm the few people she allowed into her life into doing just about anything she wanted.

  “We got to be friends,” Russ said. “Good friends.”

  Miranda couldn’t stop herself. “But still—why you?”

  “What?”

  She pointed to him and then waved her hand around to indicate the whole house. “Why you?”

  “Oh. You want to know why Virginia wrote the second will replacing you and making me her heir?”

  Miranda grimaced but nodded. “Well, yeah.”

  His eyes suddenly pierced hers. “Perhaps she felt the house should go to someone who was there for her instead of someone who couldn’t be bothered to visit for six years. Someone who didn’t even make it down for the funeral.”

  Russ’s statement held no malice. Just cold facts that hit her the way a frozen drink causes a brain freeze. She swallowed. She started to protest that she hadn’t known about Virginia’s death until after the memorial service. But that excuse sounded feeble even to herself.

  Miranda turned around and headed for Virginia’s kitchen. Russ didn’t follow. She attempted to remove cups and saucers from the cabinets in an effort to keep from crying, but her hands were shaking so badly she was afraid she’d drop the non-shatterproof antiques.

  She stiffened. “Stop it, Miranda. You were working nonstop for six years. You sent letters. You called every chance you could. You were not an evil person.” She wasn’t going to let Russ get into her head, even if his statement had hurt her like a claw hammer ripping off a bandage. She took a few moments to do some deep breathing and then returned to the living room. Forcing a serenity she didn’t feel, she grabbed a box at random and sank to the floor. She almost put it back with the other boxes when she realized it was loaded with notebooks.

  Two of the books turned out to be filled with recipes. Great. Something else to remind her that she often acted like a brat around Farrah and that she’d hurt her father by not attending their wedding the year before, because, naturally, she’d been working. She’d just been cast in Illumination and couldn’t fly down for one night. Pile on that guilt, girl.

  She tried to keep her expression neutral as she methodically printed the dates of the books onto labels. After about ten minutes she glanced up. Russ was staring at her.

  What now? Is he going to tell me Virginia not only changed the will but warned him to make sure all the cats were safe before I entered so I wouldn’t be tempted to turn them into tennis strings?

  “What?” she asked, thankful he couldn’t hear the combined quiver and anger behind the one word.

  He shoved a journal at her. “You might want to read this.”

  She glanced at the first page and blinked back tears. Virginia had carefully noted the names and the date right below a photo that depicted three children.

  November 1, 1994

  Amber Shapiro, age twelve. Jillian Shapiro, age twelve. Miranda Nolan, age seven.

  Last night I met someone who will be a special friend. She is the same age as my precious son the year he was murdered in the camps. She knocked on my door with two other children, all of them dressed in their H
alloween costumes. I invited them in for pastries and hot chocolate and to meet other children in the neighborhood. Americans are odd in this way. Children meet in their schools, sometimes in their churches, but often do not know their own neighbors. This night I was amused to see the mix of costumes. There were spacemen and superheroes and witches and blue creatures they called Smurfs. There were goblins and other characters from cartoon shows. But this little girl stood out because she and her ballerina costume were both so pretty.

  She came inside with her older friends but instead of joining the children who were eating cookies she walked up to me with no fear and said, “Want to see me do a pirouette? That’s French for spin. I have to warn you, it’s not very good yet but I can do one without falling down.”

  I told her I would love to see her pirouette. She very carefully set down her bag of Halloween treats and solemnly got into position. When she finished, she curtsied and I applauded and truthfully said she was wonderful!

  “Do you want to be a ballerina when you grow up?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “Nope. First off, I’m going to be too tall. I love ballet but I also love to sing and act. I’m going to be a triple threat.”

  Miranda couldn’t help but smile even as her heart constricted. More than twenty years had passed and she remembered that night with absolute clarity. She positioned herself so her back was comfortably resting against the sofa, then closed her eyes. She could hear Virginia’s gentle voice, a voice that had retained a slight accent even after fifty years in America.

  “Triple threat? My, my! That sounds quite scary but very important. What is your name, young lady?”

  “Miranda Nolan. What’s yours?”

  “People call me Miss Virginia.”

  “That’s pretty. It’s also a state. I learned that in school. Its capital is Richmond but I visited Williamsburg last year with my dad and it was neat. We had the best gingerbread ever and we watched these guys making lutes and violins. I want to go back someday.”

  “What grade are you in, Miranda?” Virginia had asked.

  “Second. We’re learning cursive and I’m terrible. But I’m going to be a Native American princess for our Thanksgiving play at school.” Miranda still recalled how upset she’d been when she told Virginia, “My teacher wants me to do a dance to ‘This Land is Your Land.’”

  “Are you worried you can’t do it?”

  Miranda had been scornful. “Oh, no! I can do it. It’s a really easy dance! It’s just... Well, Native American princesses didn’t do ballet back then and that song wasn’t written until the 1940s. I looked it up. I’m not stupid just because I’m seven.”

  Virginia’s composure had never broken although now, as an adult, Miranda realized the elderly lady had doubtless needed to stifle a laugh or two over Miranda’s serious attempt to resolve her dilemma—the desire to perform versus anachronisms and reality. Virginia had quietly steered the young Miranda into a solution that helped set Miranda’s career in theater in motion.

  “This is a fantasy play, Miranda. It is not historically accurate. After all, I do not think the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe sat down to a turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry jelly and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.”

  Miranda had giggled. “Bet they would’ve liked that more than eels and gooseberries! My teacher said that’s what they probably ate. Icky!”

  Before she and Virginia could continue the conversation, one of Miranda’s friends had called out, urging Miranda to try a cupcake. Miranda had again curtsied with the grace of a budding ballerina, then thanked Miss Virginia and run to join her friends.

  Miranda opened her eyes and continued to read the journal.

  As they were leaving I asked if I could take a picture. Miranda and the twins all posed for me in their costumes. Amber and Jillian went outside, but Miranda stopped and again carefully set her bag on the floor. She hugged me.

  “Will you come to my Thanksgiving play, Miss Virginia?”

  “I will. But only if you come back and perhaps show me a preview of your wonderful dance.”

  Miranda beamed at me. Her young blue eyes sparkled. “I’ll do more than that. I promise to come and visit and show you my dances from my studio, too. And sing if you’ll play the piano. I’m taking lessons but I’m not very good. My teacher says my talent is in my feet and voice, not my hands.”

  Miranda couldn’t stop herself. She glanced up at Russ even though her eyes were now moist. She’d kept that promise to Virginia—to come entertain her neighbor throughout her own childhood. High school had slowed down the visits but Miranda had still dropped by to sing or dance or ask Virginia to run lines with her. During Miranda’s years in college the visits became far fewer and once Miranda moved to New York, they’d stopped completely. Miranda’s failure to make it home and see the woman who’d been like a mother must have hurt. No wonder Virginia had made Russ her family.

  Russ was still staring at her but his expression seemed to have softened slightly. He appeared puzzled.

  Miranda squared her shoulders. She rose and handed the journal back to Russ. She didn’t know how to sign but she figured this was an easy phrase. She tapped her watch.

  “Time to go.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “YOUR TIMING IS PERFECT. I have teachers for acting and music. I have a designer. I’m directing the show, but I do not have a dance teacher. Are you sure you want to spend the next few weeks with a bunch of rowdy kids?” Bonnie Hamil, owner and director of the Masquerade Children’s Theater, grinned. “The age range is from five to eighteen, and the talent runs from zero to awesome. It’s just summer camp, so we’re not doing anything elaborate. Think back to your days with us when you were in junior high. Not much has changed but the space—and of course the pay is pitiful. Miranda, seriously, we’d be grateful for your time and expertise. Still interested?”

  Miranda nearly shouted, You better believe I’m interested! while doing a happy dance around the room, but chose to simply say, “I’d love to help. I need something to occupy my brain and get me out of the house so I’m not forced to listen to Farrah explain the intricacies of fondue or a good salmon mousse.” She shuddered. “I really hate salmon. And my time is wacky since I have to wait for Russ and his work schedule before we get to the inventory. Bonnie, this is perfect. Just to double-check—you finish before July Fourth, right?”

  “Yes. Our big production this year will be on the second. So, I’ll see you a week from Monday?”

  “Definitely. Again, thank you.”

  “Hey, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Wow! A real, live Broadway actress and movie star helping out at our camp. Our little performers will be thrilled!” She assumed a look of innocence. “Having your credentials plastered all over our brochures looks impressive and should also help with our grant funding.” Her expression changed to pure imp “It proves to the money people that a local children’s theater can attract solid citizens as instructors.”

  Miranda hugged Bonnie and repeated her thanks before heading out. The year-round children’s theater had always focused more on process than product, which Miranda liked. The summer program was about the right amount of time to teach some basics to the beginners and challenge but not exasperate the advanced kids. The small show at the end of the session was more for fun than anything else.

  She got into her car and gazed for a few moments at the old warehouse, which was currently being renovated by Masquerade. Bonnie had told Miranda that once the work was complete, the company would have its own tech and costume shops and better equipment for each classroom, including Studiofoam panels for the music room and mirrors for the dance studio. She’d added, “Just be glad that you’ll be teaching on the stage since it’s a real wood floor and not concrete like every other space here.”

  Miranda was proud of herself for a
chieving two of her scheduled tasks before lunch. She’d called Dave Brennan’s office that morning to arrange for a security system to be installed at Miss Virginia’s house and been assured by a concerned Cort Farber that the matter would be handled immediately. He’d also said that Russ had spoken with Brett. Both law firms usually hired a local security firm, Tomlinson Alarms, who could install the system that day to ensure the house stayed secure during the probate process.

  Next on the agenda had been getting reacquainted with Bonnie Hamil at the children’s theater. Farrah had awakened Miranda at 7:00 a.m. to tell her that a friend of a friend had heard Miranda was in town and word was that Bonnie was in desperate need of a dance instructor for the summer theater camp. Miranda had immediately phoned Bonnie and set up a meeting.

  Miranda opened her combination organizer/GPS tracker to make certain she had the correct address for her next visit. There were three schools in Birmingham that taught ASL classes. One advertised classes that started every two weeks. It was only about four miles from Tim and Farrah’s house and offered a Super Crash Course, which would be held over the next three weekends. Miranda chided herself that she was crazy to even think about learning a language when she had inventory to deal with and teaching duties, but she still clicked on the address in the tracker. “I can check it out. No harm in that. And it’s good for the brain to learn new things.” She smiled wryly. “Miranda Nolan, you are lying, lying, lying to yourself. For shame. Learn new things, my foot. You know exactly one person who communicates this way and that person doesn’t care one single whit if you learn ASL, Urdu or Swahili, which makes you the prize cuckoo bird of the century.” She exhaled. “Fine. Let’s do it, then.”

  She started the car, rolled down the window and was about to back out when she heard the sound of brakes screeching, followed by the slam of a car door. Miranda glanced out at the street and was immediately horrified when she spied a small Border collie standing in the middle of traffic. The dog had obviously just been shoved out of the car that was peeling off, sailing through a red light.