Love in E Flat (21 page)

“Uh…” Lou said, turning bright red for some reason.

“We were talking about tomorrow,” Agata said. “I have to practice and so does Dmitry.”

“Ugh,” Ana said, then let out a small screech. “You’re sitting on Brown Bear!”

Agata and Lou quickly stood as Ana whisked the stuffed animal out of harm’s way from underneath Agata.

Lou breathed a sigh of relief as they sat. “That was close. He…” She gave Ana a curious look. “She…?” Lou continued when Ana nodded. “She could have been smooshed. That would have been awful.”

Ana giggled and cuddled the bear close.

“Ana, for tomorrow. You do not want to sit all morning and listen to me and Dmitry practice, do you?” She watched Ana, who emphatically shook her head and Brown Bear’s, as well. “Then how would you like to go with Edie and go to the stores by the water?”

“With Eathie? Can we get McNuggets?”

Agata laughed. “I am sure Edie would buy you McNuggets, but you must remember to say the magic words please and thank you.” She stood and gently pulled Ana with her.

“I will.”

“Good girl. Now say good night to Lou. You must get your rest if you want to eat McNuggets all day.”

“Good night, Lou. Kiss Brown Bear.” Ana shoved the animal in Lou’s face.

“Good night, Ana. And…” Lou kissed Brown Bear on the head. “Good night, Brown Bear.”

Lou watched as Ana held on to Agata’s hand as they walked to the bedroom. “Lou kissed Brown Bear’s ear,” she whispered to Agata.

“That is all right, Ana. I do not think Brown Bear cares.”

Lou laughed as she gathered her coat. In a moment, Agata quietly closed the bedroom door. “You are leaving?”

“Yes. It’s getting late,” Lou said. “And I love the disappointment I hear in your voice.”

Agata grinned and buttoned Lou’s coat. “Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, not looking at Lou.

“Try and stop me.” Lou took Agata’s hands and kissed them. “I will call you in the morning at a reasonable hour. Edie will be thrilled.”

“Good night,” Agata whispered, pulling on the lapels of Lou’s coat.

“Good night,” Lou said. The kiss was warm and soft and not nearly enough. Lou pulled Agata into her arms and deepened the kiss. Before Lou’s wayward hands got the better of her, she ended the kiss and pulled away from Agata. “Okay, then,” Lou said, licking her lips; she laughed nervously.

Agata laughed, as well, as she ran her fingers through her hair. “You better get out of here.”

“I don’t think I can walk.” Lou opened the door. She turned back for a quick kiss. “Sorry, had to steal at least one.”

Agata raised an eyebrow and pushed her out the door. “You stole nothing, Comrade.” She leaned against the door and smiled when she heard Lou’s laughter fade away.

Chapter 15

“You told her?” Edie asked, completely stunned. John came into the kitchen, buttoning his coat. He kissed her and grabbed a piece of toast off her plate. Edie raised a shaking fist. John laughed and kissed her again.

“Gotta go. Have fun with Ana,” he whispered, then called into the phone, “Morning, Lou.” Then he dashed out the back door.

Edie watched as he pulled away and smiled. “Big dope stole my toast.”

“True love.”

“So where were we?”

“I told Aggie everything.”

“Everything?”

Lou swiveled in her chair, tossing the pen on the desk. “Yeah.”

“And she’s still letting me take Ana for shopping and didn’t find you repugnant or repulsive or…?”

“Very funny. I get it. I just…I’m not used to talking about it. But it came out far easier than I ever thought possible. I think it’s her voice.”

Edie laughed. “It’s not just her voice. I think she likes you. I know that sounds so high school-ish.”

“I loved high school.” Lou quickly sat forward. “Why would you say that?”

“I don’t know. Usually when I’m interviewing someone, I ask the questions. But she asked a few pointed questions about you. I know I joked about your being adolescent, and at the time I didn’t think anything of it, but now that you two are spending more time together, I think she was interested in you at the interview.”

“Really?” Lou grinned. “Oh, shit. I forgot. I called her this morning. She left tickets for you and John for tonight’s performance. We can all go out for dinner afterward. How about it?”

“That sounds fine. We’ve nothing planned for tonight.” Edie was quiet for a moment.

“I hear hesitation, Mrs. Trent. What gives?”

“Do you think Agata will want me to keep Ana all day or just for shopping?”

“Hmm. Well, I’ll be here for the next few hours, then I have an interview early this afternoon with the coach from St. Rita. Ask her when you pick up Ana at Orchestra Hall. You can see what Aggie wants you to do.”

“That sounds good.”

Lou heard Edie’s pensive tone. “Okay. Something else is wrong.” It then struck Lou. “How are things, with John? Ya know…”

Edie sighed. “They’re okay, thanks. It’s just sinking in now. John went to another doctor just for a second opinion and got the same answer. He feels awful. Like it’s his fault.”

“I know that feeling.”

Edie nodded. “That’s something he’s going to have to deal with. I can only tell him I love him and always will. We’ll figure out what to do about adopting when and if we decide.”

Lou heard another pensive sigh; she waited for Edie to continue.

“We both agreed if it’s meant to be, we’ll know. God will let us know. In the meantime, John is out in the garage keeping busy. I hear the power saw going and pray he doesn’t bring down the garage and come back missing a finger or two.”

Lou laughed. “He’s a handy guy and a carpenter. It’s not like me with a power saw. Or Luke…”

Edie laughed along. “I can’t even imagine Luke in dusty blue jeans and a sweatshirt and work boots.”

“Well, I gotta get back to work, and you have to go pick up Ana. She was so cute last night. Couldn’t wait for today.”

“I know. I can’t wait, either. It’ll be fun for her, I hope.”

“It will be. Now scram. Some of us have to work for a living.”

*******

Edie pulled her coat up around her neck against the wind as she ran to the stage door of Orchestra Hall. A young man whirled around when the door opened with a bang. “Sorry,” Edie said, slamming the door. “The Chicago wind. It’s getting really chilly out there.”

“I know,” he said emphatically. “I had to walk four blocks in this. You here to see Madam Karetnikov?”

“Yes. How did you know?” Edie asked, slipping off her gloves.

“She said she was expecting someone. And since she’s about the only one here right now…” He shrugged and motioned with his head. “She’s right down the hall. Room on the right. You can’t miss it. You’ll hear them playing.”

“Thanks.”

Edie walked down the dark hall and heard the piano music. She smiled immediately, getting a mental picture of Dmitry sitting at the piano, concentrating on his music. She tentatively poked her head in and saw just that. And Ana sitting in a chair by the window. Edie nearly laughed out loud. Ana was talking to Brown Bear, as she held him—or her—on her lap. Agata was not far away, looking over some sheet music, her cello nearby on its stand.

She leaned against the door for a moment, unnoticed. As Dmitry continued, Ana walked over to him, stood next to the piano, and set the stuffed animal next to Dmitry, who glanced at Ana, shaking his head. He said something to her, which Edie could not make out. Ana pulled a face, then took her bear and presented it to Dmitry, who leaned over and obediently kissed the stuffed animal on its head. Ana then went back to her place and sat down with a huff.

The affection between brother and sister melted Edie’s heart. So much sadness, she thought as she watched. But how they love each other. She glanced at Agata, who waved her hand as a conductor would, as Dmitry played and she read the sheet music.

“Excellent, Dmitry,” she said in a low encouraging voice.

“Brown Bear is bored!” Ana called out.

Dmitry stopped. “Perhaps he would like to take a ride out the window?”

Edie laughed, figuring it was an opportune time to make an appearance. “Good morning.”

Ana beamed and ran up to her. “Eathie, you’re here. Brown Bear was so worried.”

“He was? Aww.” Edie crouched down to Ana’s level. “I am so sorry. Am I late?” She smiled as Ana shook her head and presented Brown Bear; Edie kissed the animal on the tip of its nose. “Good morning, Brown Bear.” She then did the same to Ana. “And good morning to you. Are you ready to shop?”

“Yes. And eat McNuggets,” Ana announced, then glanced back at Agata, who narrowed her eyes. “If it’s okay with you.”

“It’s more than okay, sweetie.” Edie stood. “Good morning, Dmitry, Agata.”

“Good morning,” Agata said. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She motioned to Ana. “It could be trouble.”

“I’m sure,” Edie said, lightly running her fingers through Ana’s curls. “It’ll be a girls’ day out. With McNuggets for lunch.” She looked over at Dmitry, who watched with a cautious eye. “Dmitry, you played beautifully.”

He smiled slightly, pushing his glasses up on his nose. “Thank you.”

Edie thought how old and serious he sounded, and her heart ached for him. He was much too young to sound so old. She walked over to the piano and leaned down. “And I will take great care of your sister,” she whispered. “And Brown Bear.” Edie was glad to see the color rise in Dmitry’s cheeks as he chuckled along with her.

Ana had already struggled into her coat; she now pulled at Edie’s hand. Edie laughed along with Dmitry, but she saw a curious look on Agata’s face. Edie couldn’t put a name to it, but it nagged at her. It wasn’t a worried or apprehensive look as she watched Ana, but just…curious. That’s the only word that came to mind.

“C’mon, Eathie. Brown Bear needs to go,” she said, tugging on Edie.

“You be a good girl,” Agata said, still watching. She smiled then. “And do not pester Edie.”

“I won’t,” Ana said quickly. “Bye.”

“Should I bring her back here?” Edie asked as Ana continued her tugging.

“We will be here for most of the morning and afternoon,” Agata said, shaking her head. “Ana, you will break Edie’s arm. Why don’t you call the hotel when you are finished?”

“Great. Have fun,” Edie said.

And then they were gone.

Agata and Dmitry were silent for a moment as they stared at the doorway.

“I feel somewhat bad for Edie,” Dmitry said with a sigh.

Agata laughed as Dmitry turned back to the piano. “I do, as well. Now let us get back to it. Let’s try Saint-Saens and do him justice.”

Dmitry waited until Agata tuned her cello and nodded to him. He started, and for the next hour, they practiced. During that time, Agata glanced at Dmitry, who seemed to lack focus and had to stop several times. He would apologize and start again. Agata said nothing; she knew what it was like to lose concentration. She smiled and patiently waited.

Finally, Agata put down her bow. “Dmitry,” she said softly. “What is wrong?”

Dmitry frowned and looked down at the piano keys. “Nothing.”

“Something,” Agata gently urged. She set her cello on its stand and walked over to the piano. “Do you want to take a break?”

“We just started,” Dmitry said almost angrily. “I do not deserve a break.”

 
Agata made no move to go to him; she leaned on the piano. “We all deserve a break. Even you.”

Dmitry’s bottom lip quivered. “I miss them so much,” he whispered. “Why?” He looked up, the tears made his eyes so blue, Agata thought—so much like Inga. “Why did God do this?”

“I do not know, Demmi. I miss them, as well.”

“Ana is lucky. She does not remember Papa. I wish I did not remember them,” he said loudly and slammed the cover down on the keyboard.

Agata instantly sat on the piano bench, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “I do not know what to say to you. I am so sorry for both of you. But I promised your mother I would see to your happiness.” She pulled him close. “We will get through this.”

Dmitry took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “I know. I am like baby. Crying.”

“You are not. You are a strong young man who loves his sister.”

Dmitry snorted. “And her stupid Brown Bear.”

“Yes.” Agata hugged him tighter. “But do not call him stupid.”

“Her.” Dmitry reluctantly smiled.

“Whichever.” Agata kissed his head. “Would you like to step away from this now?”

Dmitry took a deep breath to calm himself and shook his head. “No. Let us continue.”

Agata stood and walked back to her cello.

“I feel…”

Agata turned to Dmitry. “What do you feel?” She sat and picked up her bow. She looked at Dmitry, who absently ran his fingers over the black and white keys.

“I feel close to them when I play,” he said in a quiet, almost reverent voice.

“
Da
.” Agata smiled. “I do, as well.” She raised her bow, trying not to cry. “Let us play for them.”

Dmitry nodded, but he hesitated for a moment. “Agata…”

“Yes.”

“Do…Do you like John?”

Agata wasn’t sure what Dmitry was going to ask, but this was certainly not it. “Yes, I do. Do you?”

Dmitry nodded once again and looked at her. “Is that all right?”

Agata understood now and smiled. “Yes, Demmi. Is all right that you like John and Edie and Lou. They are becoming good friends, I believe. Ones who care for us, yes?”

Dmitry’s broad smile caught Agata off guard. He almost looked relieved. “Yes, I believe you are right.” He continued to smile and lifted the cover on the keyboard. “Let us continue.”