Unforgettable, Linda Barrett [books to read to be successful TXT] 📗
- Author: Linda Barrett
- Performer: -
Book online «Unforgettable, Linda Barrett [books to read to be successful TXT] 📗». Author Linda Barrett
“Want company? I grew up nearby and know exactly where it is.”
She needed to think. “Will you turn it into a family visit as well?” Funny that she’d never met his parents during their four years of undergrad school. They lived far away, and she hadn’t thought too much about it then. But now she wondered.
“Probably not.”
“Axe murderers?”
He laughed, his eyes gleaming. “Not quite that bad, but not up to your standards. Or mine, either, for that matter.”
She stopped walking. “My standards? I’d never judge them.”
“Oh, yes, you would, but it doesn’t matter.” He faced her then, took her head gently between his hands. “They don’t matter. This is about you and me. Not the extra players on the set. Because in the end, when you go to sleep at night, only one person will be sharing your pillow.”
Her breath caught on the truth of his words. Only one person…or, it seemed, no one.
He leaned over and touched his mouth to her lips. One touch, and whatever fire she’d tamped down through the years blazed again. She kissed him with a hunger that surprised her. Stunned her. But filled her with well-being.
His embrace tightened. “Jen?” He pointed at her building. “You know how I feel about you, but it’s your call.”
My call. Only a man who cared for her—perhaps really loved her—would toss that ball into her court. Living in limbo had to end. It seemed she’d put her life on hold for five long years. “Maybe I’ve been waiting…all this time,” she whispered, as she took his hand and led him inside. Together, they ran up the one flight to her door. And to her bed.
##
The right decision. Afterward, amid the tossed blankets and clothes, amid the renewed and new knowledge of one another, Jen cuddled next to him, one arm around his waist while his lay around hers. “So glad you came back,” she murmured, “home to Boston, home to me.”
“Home,” he sighed. “A simple word that’s sometimes not so simple.”
“It is now. You’re here.”
He grinned. “I am. And maybe my love story has found its ending after all,” he said.
“Huh?”
“The new play I’m working on. The ending hasn’t been clear.”
Surprised, she tipped her head to see him better. “I thought you had to know the ending before starting the first page.”
“You remember me saying that?”
“I-I remember too many things….” His quick smile, the lick of hair he brushed from his forehead, the spicy fragrance of his aftershave…the study sessions at school. And singing together one Christmas in her hometown. Doug had mentioned it weeks ago. That memory had stayed with them both.
He brushed a kiss on her temple. “You sound sad and I’m sorry.”
She twisted positions so she could see him. Slowly, she stroked his cheek.
“Doug…I’m happy you’re here. Don’t doubt it for a moment. But we need to go slowly.”
He grinned. “I think it’s a little late for ‘slow.’”
She waved her hand at the room and down at the bed. “You and I…? We have a history, and this—this is only one part of it. We were happy then, and it’s easy to fall into old ways.”
“We were simply interrupted, Jen, but I hear you. If you want slow, then okay. What are you doing tomorrow night?”
She laughed. “That’s your idea of slow?”
“Weekends don’t count.”
“Oh, Doug. It’s all so familiar, and yet so new. I need to get to know you again.”
“I haven’t changed. Still ambitious, still love what I do. And still…”
She read the unspoken thought in his eyes. Eyes that shone with love for her. She squeezed his hand.
“The thing is…I need to know not only you, but myself a little better, too. How can I give my heart if I don’t know what’s in it?”
She heard him draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Maybe,” he began, “you’ve been spending too much time taking care of everyone else and forgotten about yourself.”
A week ago, she would have protested. She would have argued loudly. Tonight, she let his words sink in.
A new beginning with Doug. She wanted it and she wanted it to be right this time. But too much introspection always made her nervous. Those diary entries she was forced to make, and that shrink they’d gone to…all good for the others, but none of it did a thing for her. She’d just gone through the motions and coped by keeping herself busy.
Like now. She extended her hand to her first clients of the day, a couple about her parents’ age when they’d died, and prepared to assist them, explain options and help them plan for a secure financial future.
Her siblings and she had inherited nothing after the accident. Just a house with a mortgage. Not even a car. Tough when the supermarket was two miles away. Lisa had dropped out of law school and gotten a teaching job as a way to earn a salary, while Jen worked out a budget. And six months later, Mike and Lisa had married. For all their sakes. God, why was she thinking about this now?
“Let’s talk about your goals,” she began, “and the type of investments you’re comfortable with.”
“Not too much risk,” said the woman. “Someday one of us will be alone, and we don’t want to be dependent on anyone, especially not on our kids.”
Jen had been dependent. Sixteen years old and caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. Her friends couldn’t handle it and had stopped coming by. She’d wanted to run away…had a plan to emancipate herself. But Lisa and Mike had stopped that.
“I understand exactly what you mean,” said Jen. “Financial planning means security. It’s not greed. It’s just smart. And I’d never want to be dependent on anyone, either.” Never again.
“So you really do understand. Did we give you our children’s names as beneficiaries?”
“Yes, you did,” said Jen, scanning her computer screen. “As well as their socials. You’re good parents.”
Her folks hadn’t left a will. They’d had a small life insurance policy that didn’t go far. Jen winced, annoyed at herself. Her folks had been wonderful in every other way. They’d left a legacy of music and laughter, of warmth and love. She blinked hard and forced her thoughts back to the computer.
By the time her clients left her office, Jen was smiling. She’d done a good job counseling the couple. They seemed much more relaxed than when they’d arrived, confident with their decisions. Just as important, however, she’d returned to being Jen, the consummate professional.
Thinking about the past caused emotional upheavals that wore her out. But what was that old saying? An unexamined life was not worth living. She supposed there was some truth to that, but she’d had enough self-examination for a while.
Now she was off to a rehearsal for the community concert coming up next Saturday. With a light heart, she made her way to the Commonwealth Theater, where she might run into Doug.
##
On the night of her concert, Jen looked out at the audience and quickly spotted her “people” in the second row. Every member of her family had come, even Lisa, who’d said she needed an outing in the real world. Baby Brianna and her big brother were safely at home with Mike’s doting parents. Her brothers came willingly, knowing they were headed out the next day to Cape Cod for their summer baseball teams and jobs. As for Doug — she peered into the darkening theater toward the back, where he was able to buy one of the few remaining tickets. Someone was waving madly out there. She giggled. Now, she conceded that all her people were in attendance.
That notion, as it popped into her head, made her realize that Doug’s place in her life had become ever more important. She supposed he was as unforgettable as the song of the same name she’d be singing that night, an unexpected second solo due to illness of the original singer.
She caught the eye of her Unforgettable partner backstage. “Are we good to go?”
“I should be asking you that question.”
Jen smiled. “I’m all set. The show must go on, right?”
And then there was no more time for chit-chat. Jen made her way to the risers and took her place. Excited for sure. But…happy as well. She stood taller and felt more carefree than she had in a long time.
She focused on the director, joined in the beginning medley of standards and knew the chorus had come through when she heard the initial applause. Duets, trios, and solos followed. She breathed deeply as her cue for “Summertime” drew closer. And then she was in the spotlight.
The familiar melody slid from her diaphragm, and as she continued, she felt herself smile, totally enjoying and losing herself in the words. She riffed on the melody, improvising and feeling free, as though she were the one in the song spreading her wings, flying away. The musicians followed her, and unlike a karaoke number, the music they made together was rare and so personal—so Jen! She reveled in it until the end…when it became too personal. The words weren’t true for her. Some things had harmed her. Her dad and mom could not stand by. They were gone when she’d still needed them. Even though she’d sung this lyric many times, tonight, emotion choked her and her voice broke. Her heart broke…again, while tears ran down her cheeks.
Thunder assaulted her ears. Confused, she carefully turned her head to the left, then to the right, and then, second by slow second, returned to reality. The audience was on their feet. Clapping, whistling, and shouting bravo, bravo.
Lisa and Emily were crying. She scanned for Doug and spotted him jogging down the aisle right to the stage. In his hand, a small bouquet.
“It was supposed to be for later, but timing is everything. No more tears, Henny-Penny. Take another bow. You’re a hit!”
The guy always managed to make her laugh.
##
“You were great, sis. Just great. We’re proud of you,” said Andy. “It was an unforgettable performance!”
“Very pun-ny. But very nice to hear from a younger brother.”
“We’re glad we came,” added Brian. “Timing was close since we’re heading out tomorrow.” His grin said it all, and Jen knew his mind was already on the pitcher’s mound.
“Thanks, boys. I’ve enjoyed my fifteen minutes of fame, but now reality awaits.”
She walked hand in hand with Doug outside the theater as their group looked for Luis and the car. “Actually, guys, I think I’m supposed to drive you to Hyannis tomorrow for your summer league. With all the rehearsals and night classes, I’m a bit confused. But I’m ready to go.”
“You can sleep late,” said Brian. “Mike bought us a car.”
“He what?” Jen exclaimed.
“It’s an almost-new second-hand Pilot,” said Andy, “so there’s room for our stuff.” He patted her arm. “The gas is on us.”
Totally baffled, Jen turned to her brother-in-law. “I could have driven them…why did—” Mike had done so much for them already. Regardless of his income, enough was enough.
“Both you and Lisa have busy lives. Neither of you can go and fetch them every time they want to come home.”
“But I would have…” she began to protest.
“He’s right, Jen.” Doug’s quiet voice caught her attention. “Your brothers are old enough to be responsible for a car. With the baseball scholarships they just told me about, and the attention they’ll get from
Comments (0)