[Second Chances 02]California Dreams

by Morris Fenris

  Jane couldn’t believe he had just put her finger in his mouth! Taking a shallow breath, she stepped away from him and tried to get her racing heart to settle down. She liked Samuel. A lot. But she wasn’t ready to deal with the emotions and feelings that he brought to the surface yet. Not yet. She needed more time to figure out where her life was going before she decided to open that can of worms!

  *****

  “Mommy, I’m ready to get out of the tub, now,” Daniella shouted to Grace.

  Grace smiled and grabbed the little girl’s nightclothes and walked into the connected bathroom. “You are? Did you wash behind your ears?”

  “Of course I did. Princesses always have clean ears. How else will we be able to hear our loyal subjects when they cheer for us?” Daniella was still in princess mode, and Grace had dutifully brought the pink and purple nightgown with the ruffled hem and screen-printed Disney Princesses adorning the front.

  “Well, I think I know of at least one little princess that has had a very long day and needs her beauty rest. Come on, up you go.” Grace held onto her small arm as she stood up in the draining tub. Lifting her up, she placed her on the bath mat, handed her a small towel to dry her face with, and then used a larger towel to help her dry her body off.

  As she ran the towel over her back, she noticed a faint bruising over her spine, “Daniella, did you bump into something while we were visiting Aunt Sara?” She lightly brushed her finger over the bluish skin, puzzled at how she could have sustained a bruise in that particular place and not cried or complained about it.

  “No, momma. I didn’t knock over anything. I’s was real careful.” Daniella was so sincere, Grace chuckled and chalked the bruise up to another one of the mysterious marks that often found their way onto her daughter’s skin.

  Daniella yawned and Grace hurried to finish drying her hair, helped her put her nightgown on, and then brushed her hair out before braiding it down the back of her head. “All through.”

  She bent and picked the little girl up and carried her to her bed, noticing that she was already half asleep. The trip really wore her out!

  After tucking her in bed and making sure her nightlight was on, she left the door ajar and headed towards her own room just across the hall. She stretched and ran her own tub of water. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was barely 9 p.m., but that didn’t matter. Daniella was out for the night. Jane had a key and could let herself back in the house. There’s no reason I can’t have an early night as well.

  Grace took a quick bath and then readied herself for bed, looking over her planner for the next several weeks before turning off the light. She had a planning meeting in the morning about the upcoming semester’s programs, and right after New Year’s, Daniella was scheduled to start her new preschool classes.

  The call that an opening had become available had come weeks before their lives had been disrupted. The preschool was one of the few places where children could be tested at the end of May for Kindergarten readiness, regardless of when their birthdays were.

  If they were found ready, they could start Kindergarten at the age of four, instead of waiting until they turned five. With Daniella’s birthday falling in December, she would have to wait another year before she could attend the public schools. She was already too smart for her own good and another year might make her a nightmare for a Kindergarten teacher. She had begun to start sounding letters out and could read simple words already.

  Grace was firmly convinced that she was going to be ready for Kindergarten come August, but the only way to insure that happened, was to attend this preschool and then test into their Kindergarten classes. The private school was expensive, but after her husband’s death, Grace had saved most of his life insurance so that Daniella would have these types of opportunities in the years to come.

  Her schedule running through her brain, it was almost thirty minutes before she finally fell asleep, but it felt good to be back home and in control of her life once more.

  Chapter 11

  “I shouldn’t be more than a couple of hours. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Grace asked Jane one last time.

  Jane smiled and shooed her out the door, “Go. Princess Daniella and I have a tea party to attend, don’t we sugar?”

  “Yes. But first, you promised we could make finger sandwiches.” Daniella got a funny look upon her face and skirted around Jane to reach her mother, pulling her hand until she leaned down. Daniella whispered, loudly, “Mommy, she’s not really going to put fingers in sandwiches, is she?”

  Grace and Jane both struggled to contain their laughs as Grace answered her daughter, “No, Dani. They’re called finger sandwiches because they’re little and you eat them with your fingers.”

  Daniella seemed to think about that for a moment and then smiled, “Okay. I gots it.”

  “You do?” Grace asked, wondering what exactly was going through her daughter’s head. “Explain it to me so I’m sure.”

  “Well,” Daniella told her, placing a hand on her hip and pointing with a finger of the other hand, “If you eats it with your hands, it’s okay as long as you call it finger stuff. Like, finger pizza, or finger carrots. But we wouldn’t want to eat finger cereal.” Daniella made an icky face and shook her head. “No, that would just make a mess.” Turning to look at Jane, she instructed her, “You’s got to use a spoon for cereal. Not a fork, cuz that makes a mess too.”

  Jane couldn’t contain her laughter anymore and asked, “Tried it huh?”

  Daniella looked saddened as she nodded her head, “Yep! Forks have holes in them.”

  “That’s about right.” Looking at Grace, she nodded at the clock, “You’re going to be late if you don’t head out right now.”

  Grace gave her daughter one last hug with a reminder to “Be good for Aunt Jane.”

  As she drove into the arts center, she thought about the upcoming semester and all of the things that needed scheduled. I hope we got our new funding.

  The San Diego Center for the Performing Arts was a non-profit organization that helped promote the musical arts. Grace was in charge of the Vocal side of the center, not only coaching and directing several ensemble groups, but she was also in charge of the Southern California Children’s Choir – or SCCC.

  The SCCC was a choir designed especially for children in grades two thru eight and was an audition-only group. The choir had been started to give talented kids a place where they could learn and develop their talents long before entering the public school higher education classes.

  The three hundred voice choir met from September thru May every year, with the season broken into two semesters. The second semester would begin in only two short weeks, and Grace was still undecided about the songs they would be performing this semester.

  She arrived at the center to see many cars she recognized, as well as a few she didn’t. She made it to her office without seeing anyone, and then realized that the meeting was ready to start. She hurried to the theatre, entering from the back and taking note of everyone present.

  Derek York, the director of the center, was surrounded by people she didn’t know, and she smiled as she approached.

  “Good morning, Grace. I trust you had a pleasant trip to Montana?”

  “Yes, I did. But, it is good to be back home.”

  “We’re glad you’re back as well. Let me introduce you to our guests. This is David Simpson and his wife Deirdre. You might have heard of her husband’s endeavors in education with the Simpson Preparatory Academy?”

  “Why, yes! In fact, my daughter is slated to begin preschool there on Monday.” She shook hands with Deirdre, a very stately looking woman with a kind face and the gentlest touch.

  She turned to shake hands with David as well, “My daughter is very excited about joining your son’s class.”

  “Ah, you’ve already met Brad then.”

  “Not yet. We’re scheduled for a tour this afternoon.”

  “Well, be warned. I hear his wife Ter
esa is planning to bring the newest litter of kittens by the school later today.”

  “Kittens?” Grace asked, already envisioning how much trouble she was going to be in when she would have to refuse her daughter’s tearful pleas for one.

  “Yes, but don’t worry, your little one will forgive you. Mine always did.”

  Grace smiled, “Let’s hope you’re right. We haven’t had to fight the ‘I want a pet’ issue yet.”

  Deirdre grinned, “Oh, you are so in for it tonight. I remember whenever my boys would take it into their heads that they needed a new pet. I always said ‘No’ right away because I knew who would ultimately end up taking care of the poor animal. My husband however, always left the door open just a teensy bit so they thought there was still a chance.”

  “I didn’t want to completely crush their dreams,” David said with a laugh.

  “No, you left that to me.” Deirdre gave him an indulgent smile. A loving smile.

  “Well, since I’m the only parent Daniella has, I guess I won’t have to worry about that. How many other children do you have?” Grace asked, making polite conversation while Derek dealt with a problem a few steps away.

  “Three boys in all. You know Brad runs the preschool program at the school. Michael is physician that believes homeopathic and natural remedies can work side-by-side with modern medicine, and then there’s Mark who is currently on location somewhere in the Middle East on an archaeological dig site.”

  “Wow! You must be very proud of your boys.”

  Deirdre smiled, “Yes, we are. I only wish the younger two would settle down and follow in Brad’s footsteps.”

  “Dear, they’ll settle down when they’re ready. Sorry, she’s been wanting grandchildren for some time now. I hear you’re the miracle worker with the children’s choir.”

  Grace blushed and nodded, “Well, the kids do all of the work, I just help them keep together.”

  David chuckled, “I don’t believe that for a moment. Derek here was just telling us that you have a wonderful season planned out.”

  Grace looked at Derek who was still talking to some staff but gave her a thumbs up. She nodded in recognition of the sign, and turned her attention back to the Simpsons, “It looks like Derek might be tied up for a bit. Have you already had a tour of the facility?”

  “Yes, dear. We were actually just waiting around to meet you before we took off. Now that we’ve done that, please tell Derek that he can expect to receive a sizable check in the mail. What you’re doing here is wonderful and we would be honored to help underwrite your spring semester.”

  Grace was floored, “Really?! I mean, Thank You!” Stumped for anything else to say, she shook their hands again.

  “We would love to come by and watch you work with the children,” Deirdre said with a smile.

  “Of course. Anytime. Really. We start meeting the second Monday in January and you are more than welcome to come and watch.”

  Deirdre smiled at her and patted her on the arm, “We’ll plan on it.”

  “Come along dear, we’ve taken up enough of Grace’s time.” David pulled his wife away with a small wave and Grace then watched as David escorted his wife out of the theatre.

  Derek came up behind her, “Well that makes our jobs a lot easier.”

  “Derek, he said he’s going to underwrite the entire semester. Does he know how much money that comes to?”

  Derek smiled and nodded, “Yes, because I told him.”

  “How did they find out about us? Did you ask?” Grace was still in shock. I don’t have to fundraise this semester! Yeah!

  “They helped their son chaperone his preschool class when they attended your fall concert. They were very impressed.” Derek pulled her into a half-hug and then made an announcement to the other staff members who were waiting for the planning session to begin. “The Children’s Choir has all of it’s funding for the next semester.”

  Cheers went up from her co-workers, and Grace grinned and cheered with them. It looked like this year was going to be a good one.

  Chapter 12

  As soon as Grace could, she left the center and headed home, calling Sara in Montana using the hands-free feature in her car, “Sara?”

  “Grace! How is everything going?” Sara sat down in the overstuffed chair next to the fireplace and curled her feet beneath her. Trent had gone into town to take care of some sheriff’s business and she had just been thinking about her sister and niece.

  “Great! You’re not going to believe what just happened.”

  “Tell me.”

  “When I got to the arts center this morning, Derek was just finishing up a tour with an older couple. Their son is the director and teacher of the new preschool where Dani’s going Monday. Anyway, he brought his class to a fall concert and his parents helped chaperone the outing. Now they’ve decided to underwrite the entire semester!”

  “What?! But that amounts to almost one hundred thousand dollars, including salaries and such.”

  “I know. I asked Derek if he had discussed numbers with them, and he did. I can’t believe it.”

  “I can’t believe that in a city as large as San Diego, your daughter’s new preschool teacher, and his parents have both become part of your world. Don’t you find that strange?”

  “Well, maybe. But not really. It’s not that unusual for people who are involved in private schooling to also be heavily involved in the arts. They kind of go hand-in-hand.”

  Sara thought of that and agreed, “I see your point. Well, congratulations. That means you won’t have to fundraise with your students, and can just concentrate on music.”

  “Oh, you don’t know what a blessing that will be. I hate fundraising, as you well know.”

  “Yes, I do know. How’s Jane doing?” Sara asked, changing the subject.

  “Spending lots of time with Samuel.”

  “Really? That’s good, right?”

  “Yes. Those two were made for each other, if they just quit circling around each other and admit they might have feelings for one another. I think maybe they’ve discussed it, but Jane hasn’t brought the subject up and I don’t really know her well enough yet to ask.”

  “Just ask her. She’s one of the easiest people to talk to I’ve ever met,” Sara told her, thinking back to her arrival in Castle Peaks and how easy talking with Jane had been.

  “Maybe I’ll give it a try. Hey, I should probably go. I’m getting ready to jump on the interstate and you know how much I hate that.”

  “Hang up now. I’ll talk to you a little later in the week. Oh, and we’re sending Jane flowers for her birthday. They should be arriving sometime the afternoon of the 29th. Congrats.” Sara took the decision to hang up away from her sister, disconnecting the call on her end.

  It sounded like things were going well in California and she smiled. Trent and she were both hoping that Jane and Samuel would figure out they were meant to be together, but both of them were very stubborn and fairly reserved. Sara had instructed Grace to keep them informed and if need be, they’d do a little matchmaking to ensure a relationship was on the agenda.

  *****

  Grace arrived home to find Jane and Daniella just cleaning up after having a lovely tea party. “Hello.”

  “Mommy, Aunt Jane, and I had a tea party, and played dressed up, and we made finger sandwiches, and…”

  “Whoa! It sounds like you and Aunt Jane had lots of fun.” Grace told her daughter, glancing over at Jane who thankfully was still smiling.

  “We did! Is it time to go to school?”

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s why I’m here. Run wash your hands and face and then we’ll change your clothes.” Grace shooed her daughter down the hallway, laughing as she skipped away.

  “You seem happy. I guess your meetings went well?” Jane asked, finishing putting the tea cups back into the cupboard.

  “Oh, I still can’t believe it. An older couple was at the center when I arrived. They are the parents of Dani’s new te
acher and the founders of the Simpson Preparatory Academy.”

  “Well, that’s a coincidence. Isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but it gets better. They saw a Children’s Choir show last fall and want to underwrite the entire semester.”

  “Wow! That’s great. No wonder you’re in such a good mood. That should take some pressure off.”

  “You don’t know the half of it. My assistant director, Katelin, and I spent half of our time fundraising last semester. Katelin was just as happy as I was.”

  “I’m really happy for you. So, little miss there seems excited about meeting her preschool teacher.”

  “I’m know. We should probably head out. What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  “Samuel just called. He has a meeting to attend at the courthouse and then he’s coming to get me for dinner. Would you and Dani like to join us?” Jane asked, sure Samuel wouldn’t mind in the least.

  “No. Now that I don’t have to fundraise, I want to spend some extra time choosing music to do this semester. Dani and I will go meet her preschool teacher and then stop for pizza on our way home. You have fun with Samuel.”

  Jane blushed and was about to respond when Daniella came rushing back into the room wearing her purple princess gown and tiara. “I’m ready to go!”

  Grace shook her head, “Daniella, we talked about this last night. That is not what we decided you were going to wear. Please go put on your sundress, or bring it here and I will help you.”

  Daniella stomped her foot, “No! I’m going to meet my new teacher and he needs to know that I’m a princess. How will he know that if I don’t wear my tiara and princess dress?”

  “Daniella…,” Grace stopped, unsure of how to proceed with her daughter. Their appointment with the school was in twenty minutes and it was at least a fifteen minute drive. Getting Daniella to back down once she was in princess mode normally took a minimum of thirty minutes; time they just didn’t have today.

  Jane whispered to get her attention, “What could it hurt just this once?”

  Grace gave in with a sigh, informing her daughter how things would be from here on out, “Fine, you may wear your princess dress to meet Mr. Simpson. But, you will dress like a little girl, in normal clothes, for the rest of the school days. Mr. Simpson is a teacher and won’t need to be reminded every day that you are a princess. He’ll remember that I’m sure.”