“That’s a great idea!” Pete agreed.
Anne hesitated, wondering if she was about to make another gigantic mistake. What if Ashley’s father turned out to be like Mitch’s father? “No. I don’t think I should.”
Ashley clasped her hands in front of her face, palms together as if praying. “Oh, please! Please come and save me from healthy food hell,” she begged. “Maybe we can all sneak out some night and get a pizza.”
“Okay, you win,” Anne surrendered finally. “I’ll do it for the sake of friendship. And pizza.”
“Wait a minute,” Emma said, as an idea came to mind. “Ashley, is there a piano there?”
“Yes, a Steinway grand.”
“Then take your flutes and music along. I’ll accompany you and bring my music, too. We can give a concert for your family.”
“That would be totally awesome!” Ashley agreed. ”I have the music for Vivaldi’s ‘Concerto in C Major’ for two flutes. We could play that and our exam pieces.”
Anne finally warmed to the whole idea. “It’ll be good practice for both of us. Kind of like a dress rehearsal for the juries.”
Ashley had chosen the “Hungarian Pastoral Fantasie” to play as part of her final exam. The next day she played it for Emma and Anne, hoping to calm her anxiety about performing for her father and eventually in front of the faculty.
“What do you think?”
“It was technically flawless,” Emma commented with some hesitation.
“Yes,” Anne agreed. “The beginning was fluid, with beautifully shaped phrases. But the last section has no fire. You have to think of Gypsies dancing wildly in the moonlight. It should make the jury want to get up and dance with them.”
Ashley gave them a doubtful look. “What if that happens?”
“Well if it does, you’ll know you’ve crushed it,” Emma told her with a satisfied grin. “You’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand.”
A car and driver picked them up the next Saturday morning. Anne kept to herself most of the trip, fearing the unknown and wondering what kind of a reception Ashley’s father and stepmother would give her.
By contrast, Emma and Ashley were in high spirits. “I can hardly wait to introduce you to my dad,” Ashley said, bubbling over with anticipation.
“And I can hardly wait to save you from healthy food hell,” Emma replied, grinning at the thought. “We’ll pool our crafty resources and make the great pizza caper happen.”
They arrived in Kenilworth a half hour later. Ashley called ahead to let her family know they were almost there.
As they pulled in the drive, Anne took note of the Montgomery home, a large two-story limestone structure. “How many other homes do you have?” she asked.
“Well, there’s the house in Florida, one in Hawaii, one in Palm Springs and of course, the one in Vail.”
Ashley’s father and his wife stepped outside to meet them. As Mr. Montgomery gave his daughter a hug, he fixed his gaze on Anne’s suitcase. His scrutiny only increased her anxiety level.
Ashley quickly jumped in to introduce everyone. “Dad, Kara, these are my friends, Anne Clark and Emma Kowalsky.”
Anne studied Kara, looking for signs of rejection but saw no evidence of it. Kara wore a tunic top and jeans. Her shoulder length blonde hair was trimmed in layers to frame her face and accentuate her topaz blue eyes. “So nice to meet you at last,” Kara greeted, with a nervous smile.
Mr. Montgomery finally emerged from his trance. “Yes, yes. Glad you could come. Let’s get out of the chill and go inside.”
Kara led the three girls upstairs to a suite with two adjoining rooms and bath. “We thought you would enjoy being together. Hope this is okay.”
Emma glanced around with obvious approval. The larger room had twin canopy beds, a walk-in closet, sofa, television and audio equipment. “This is great!”
The smaller room contained a double bed, a spacious closet, end tables and a dresser. A computer sat on the large corner desk, along with a printer and scanner.
“I’ll let you unpack. Lunch in an hour,” Kara told them as she breezed out the door.
Anne and Emma settled in the larger room. Ashley chose to sleep in the computer room.
They headed down for lunch and found the table was set and waiting. Kara brought out a huge bowl of green salad with grilled chicken strips and vinaigrette dressing. They exchanged knowing smiles.
Emma raised her water glass, nodding toward Ashley. “To friendship.”
“And pizza,” Anne whispered. All three giggled in unison.
Ashley’s father joined them, staring at Anne from time to time across the table during lunch. She’d learned to read people at an early age as a matter of survival but couldn’t begin to read this man.
Kara still seemed nervous and overanxious to please. “What do you like to do for fun? We have a game room and a home theater. Of course, you can always play computer games.”
“Actually,” Emma said, assuming the role of spokesperson, “We like to make music. So, if you don’t mind, we want to play for you this evening.”
“Oh, we’d love it!” Kara gushed. “Wouldn’t we, Richard?”
Later when Emma and Anne were alone, Anne voiced her concern about Ashley’s father. “Emma, I don’t think he likes me. Did you notice the look he gave me when we first got here? Probably saw that old suitcase and decided right away I’m trash.”
“Anne, you’ve got to start believing in yourself. You’ve come a long way. Don’t forget that.” Emma paused, giving the matter more thought. “Actually, from what I saw, Mr. Montgomery looked like he was in shock, like he’s just seen a ghost or something.”
Anne sighed deeply in frustration. “Which leaves more questions than answers.”
Dinner proved to be a pleasant surprise. Kara served roast pork tenderloin, baked beans, applesauce, salad and dinner rolls. “I know it’s kind of a humble dinner, but it was a favorite with my family. Hope you don’t mind.”
Anne assumed a haughty pose and nodded to Ashley and Emma. “Well, when you can have steak every night of the week, sometimes...”
“Beans taste fine!” all three chorused with a laugh.
“That was my mother’s favorite song,” Richard commented with a puzzled frown.
“We know,” Emma revealed, with a twinkle in her eye.
After dinner they went upstairs to get their music and flutes. Just as Emma took a seat at the grand piano in the living room, Kara hurried in with a music stand.
“Figured you’d need this.”
Anne and Ashley agreed to play the Vivaldi duet concerto first to help with Ashley’s performance jitters. Afterward, Ashley brought out the music for the “Hungarian Pastoral Fantasie.” She played the fluid melody with its rapid passages in the beginning section with ease while Anne turned pages for her. Ashley’s interpretation of the lively dance at the end was full of fire, finishing with a grand flourish.
“Yes!” Anne cried out. “You nailed it. I almost started dancing.”
Ashley grinned from ear to ear with pride, knowing it was true.
Anne glanced toward Richard Montgomery to gage his reaction and was surprised to see tears in his eyes as he was applauding.
Emma performed Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” She began with the familiar strains of the slow section, followed by the playful middle and finishing with the energetic, technically difficult third section.
Kara stood up and applauded with enthusiasm afterward. “Wow! I can’t believe the talent in this room. That was awesome!”
Emma smiled back at her. “The secret is you have to play the first movement with the tenderness of a woman, the second with the lightheartedness of a child and the third with the strength of a man. So says my teacher.”
“Oh, there’s more to it than that,” Kara replied
with a rueful expression. “When I took lessons, I never got beyond ‘The Elf and the Fairy.’”
Anne finished the program with the Chaminade “Concertino.”
Ashley raised her thumb in the air and returned Anne’s earlier compliment. “You crushed it!”
The atmosphere in the house relaxed after that but Anne kept having the feeling Ashley’s father had something he wanted to say to her. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. She hoped he’d keep his silence. The visit was going so well.
The next evening Richard Montgomery had dinner with his business associates in the city.
“It’s time for the great pizza caper,” Emma declared, hoping to take advantage of this window of opportunity.
The three girls claimed they weren’t very hungry and would rather grab a snack when Kara offered to serve them dinner. They found the nearest pizza place in the phone book and called in their order.
Emma nodded to her co-conspirators. “Okay, now we have to figure out how to intercept the delivery guy before he rings the doorbell.”
Ashley volunteered. “I can do that.”
A few minutes later, Ashley donned her coat, hat and gloves. She almost made it to the front door when Kara appeared.
“You’re not going outside, are you? It’s only in the thirties out there.”
“I’m just going for a short walk. The crisp air is good for you. My father always said so.” Ashley snickered as she closed the door behind her and found a hiding place behind the blue spruce in the front yard. The pizza van appeared soon after and a young man got out, checking the paperwork to be sure he had the right address.
Ashley rushed up to meet him. “I’m here to pick up our order.”
The man appeared doubtful. “Delivery for Ashley?”
“That’s me!”
“Okay, that’ll be thirty dollars.”
Ashley pulled out fifty dollars. “There you go. This should cover the pizza and your tip.”
“Whoa! Wait a minute. Are you sure?” He stared at the money in his hand like it couldn’t be real. “Uh, thank you! I don’t know what to say. I’ve never had this happen before.”
“Well, neither have I!” Ashley bubbled over with laughter, carrying the box to the house. She stealthily opened and closed the door, tiptoeing across the entryway.
Kara caught her again. “Oh God, that smells heavenly! Could you spare a piece for me?”
Ashley shrugged, a bit surprised at this turn of events. “Sure. Why not? We ordered an extra-large.”
“I’ll get some sodas and meet you upstairs.”
The four of them sat on the floor, pulling pieces right from the box. “I haven’t had this much fun since college,” Kara said, grabbing another slice.
That night after they all turned in, Anne silently said a prayer for the first time in years. Please! For once in my life, don’t let anyone spoil this!
The next evening after dinner, Ashley came to their room and singled out Anne. “My dad wants to see you.”
Anne’s heart sank. “What for?”
“He didn’t say. I’m sure it’s nothing. He probably just wants to get to know you better. I’ll take you to his office.”
It was all Anne could do to keep from running in the other direction. Not again. This can’t be happening.
Ashley walked in the office with Anne but her father sent her out again. “I need to see Anne alone.” He closed the door. “Have a seat.”
Anne took a deep breath, sat down and stared at the floor, grimly determined to deal with whatever came next.
“I have something I need to tell you. I just don’t know where to begin. It won’t be easy.”
Anne looked up and straightened her back, ready to do battle. “Sure it’ll be easy! It always is. You want to tell me I’m not good enough for your daughter and that I should stay away from her. Am I right, here?”
“No! You’re dead wrong!” he argued. “That is the last thing on earth I would want.”
The catch in his voice caught her by surprise.
“When my wife died in that horrible accident, my daughter withdrew to a place none of us could reach. In an instant, our lives would never be the same. I hired the best psychiatrists, a governess and tutors. She emerged from her shell somewhat and excelled at her music lessons, but was never the happy child I once knew. At least, not until now. I didn’t know how to help her. Somehow you and Emma managed to do that.”
Anne had to smile to herself. This was not at all what she expected. “I guess, just like me, the music saved her. And of course, good friends and an awesome burger and fries.”
“I heard about Giovanni’s. But that isn’t why I need to talk to you.” He paused a moment, struggling to find the right words. “Anne, I know who you are.”
Indignation welled up inside her. “How could you? Nobody knows who I am.”
“When I saw your face, I dismissed the resemblance as a coincidence. Now I’m not so sure...”
“Oh?” Anne leaned forward, curious to find out where his story was heading. “Emma’s friend, Pete, has done some research. He showed me a picture of a woman who looks a lot like me. She played at a piano bar in the 80’s. Her name was Eve Dumont.”
“Actually, she also had a lovely singing voice,” he revealed with a sigh. “Eve Dumont was a stage name. Her real name was Evelyn Montgomery. She was my aunt.”
Anne started to say something but the words died on her lips. She couldn’t begin to make sense of what he was saying and how it might relate to her. “Like you said, it’s probably just a coincidence.”
“I was willing to believe that...until I saw your suitcase. My aunt had one just like it. She got in big trouble and knew she would have to give up her baby. She came to me after giving birth to a baby girl. I agreed to help her disappear and find a suitable home for her child.”
Anne folded her arms and gazed at him sideways. “I asked about my grandparents once. My mother told me her mother was involved with some guy and testified against him in court. I didn’t really understand what it meant at the time. When the Clarks took in my mother, it was the only information they were given about her background. Mom got pregnant at seventeen. Then my father was killed in a car accident. After Mr. and Mrs. Clark died, she went looking for my grandmother but couldn’t find her.”
“We had to be very careful not to leave any kind of trail. This is why she approached me instead of my father. He would be the first person Romero would suspect. I was just a young puppy then and nobody even noticed me. Your grandmother had nowhere else to go. She was sure Tony Romero’s crime family would find her and kill her. And maybe even her child. She had no faith in Witness Protection, because of all the political corruption in those days. The mob spread it tentacles of influence all the way up to the top of our justice system. Please believe me! It broke her heart to give up your mother but she had no choice.”
Anne flinched at the name but refused to comment. “Does this Romero know he had a child?”
“No. And I hope he never will. It’s for the best.”
“Is your aunt still alive?”
“I don’t know. We broke off all contact. I’ve heard nothing since then.”
“So, why in the world would she get involved with some sleazy guy like that in the first place?”
“Ah,” he sighed, “It’s a long story. Evelyn was a talented musician and had dreams of becoming a world class concert pianist. But her parents thought music was a waste of time. After she earned her bachelor’s degree, they refused to help her anymore with her education. She played in bars, hoping to pay for a Master’s Degree in Performance with the money she made. That’s where she met Romero. He promised he would send her through school and said he would use his contacts to make her dream happen. I’m sure his lavish lifestyle was very seductive, so she foolishly believed his lies.”
“He was a manipulative, controlling man, who promised her the moon and never followed through. He let her in on enough of his dealings to keep her in his grasp. When she was arrested, that was the turning point. They told her if she didn’t testify against Romero, she would go down with him. In the lower ranks of the mob it was common practice to inform on someone else to get a lesser sentence or even immunity. Evelyn was at the bottom of the food chain with no bargaining chip, and she’d just found out she was pregnant. She testified and Romero was convicted. They offered Witness Protection but she didn’t trust them. Evelyn was desperate when she came to me.”
Anne leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. “I really don’t see how all this could have anything to do with me.”
“Maybe not. Only one way to prove it. Go get that suitcase and we’ll find out together.”
Anne walked back to their suite. Without a word, she dumped the contents of her suitcase on the bed.
“What in the world is going on?” Emma demanded, staring at Anne’s scattered lingerie and socks.
“I don’t know,” Anne replied, trying to appear nonchalant. “But I guess I’m about to find out.” With that, she walked out the door and brought the suitcase to Richard Montgomery.
“Here it is. Not much to look at.” She placed it on his desk. “I can’t tell you how many times my mother threatened to dump it in the trash but we were always on the run from unpaid bills and her latest boyfriend. She didn’t get rid of it because she couldn’t afford anything better. I couldn’t throw it away, either. It was all I had left of my mother and the family I never knew.”
He opened the suitcase and felt the lining. “Yes. Here it is. I need to cut this open.”
“Go right ahead. You can’t do anything to it that hasn’t been done already.”
He cut along the edge of the lining and pulled out some papers. “This is your mother’s original birth certificate.”
Anne read the names over and over again. Rebecca Anne Montgomery. Born September 18th at 12:20a.m. Five pounds, eight ounces. Mother, Evelyn Montgomery. Father, unknown.
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