Winds of Heaven (29 page)

Jeffrey walked up and whispered to Casey, who immediately stopped playing. She nodded and stood. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll take you and
Shortround
out for lunch.”

Liz gave her a supportive smile and wink as she disappeared through the doors.

“Okay, the next sound you hear,” Niles warned, and they all heard the bang of a cymbal. Heads turned as Skye was standing by the drums with a stick in her hand.

“I paying, Mama…” she called out and Niles laughed as Liz turned five shades of red.

“You won’t be laughing if she put her foot through one of those drums, Niles,” Liz said honestly, and Niles made a dash for the curly top…

“Casey, what are you doing here so early?” Suzette asked and slipped off her coat.

“Suzette, we have to talk.”

She turned to Casey and gave her a seductive grin. “So had enough family? Come to your senses have you, Ms. Bennett?” she asked coyly and put her hands around Casey’s neck.

Casey quickly took her hands away and walked away from her.

“I guess not,” Suzette said. “So it’s over between us. Is that it? I understand. You and I have had no commitment. It was fun while it lasted,” she said and Casey looked at her.

“Suzette, we had to get another second-chair cellist. I’m sorry. You’re just not getting it.”

Suzette looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “W-what?”

Casey sighed and rubbed her forehead. “You heard me. All three of us agree. I thought it right that I tell you. You’re a talented musician,” she said, knowing it was a lie; Liz’s comment on diplomacy ran through her mind. “This score just isn’t for you. Trust me, you’ll find—”

“Don’t give me that shit!”

“Suzette,” Casey said, and the cellist picked up a high-heeled shoe and threw it in Casey’s direction. Quick reflexes allowed Casey to sidestep the hurled missile.

“Okay. You’re upset, I understand,” Casey said as the other shoe flew across the room. Casey ducked too late, and the projectile hit the mark. Right on the nose, it stunned Casey, who staggered back against the doors and stumbled through them and into the studio. She fell backward, blood seeping from the cut on the bridge of her nose. “Goddamn it!”

Suzette flew after her. “You think you can fuck me, then just toss me aside?” she bellowed. “What the shit is this?”

Niles and Jeffrey whirled around when Casey made her entrance. Liz’s eyes flew open and Skye pulled at her mother’s pants leg. “She say a bad word, Mama.”

“You ain’t heard the last of it, Goddess...” Niles whispered and put his hands over her ears.

“Suzette, I’m not tossing anyone aside. It’s your music…” Casey tried to explain, albeit nasally.

Suzette, breathing heavily, stood there looking like a crazed woman.

“Suzette, for
chrissakes
,” Niles exclaimed.

Skye’s eyes widened. She frowned and looked at Casey, who was bent over and holding her nose. “
Cafey
hurt!” she exclaimed and ran for Casey.

Niles and Jeffrey ran after her. Liz went as quickly as she could.

Skye stood in front of the woman with her hands on her hips. “You hit
Cafey
. Not nice...” she cried and pushed Suzette’s leg.

Suzette stumbled backward and looked down at the blond girl. “What the hell is this? Your fucking daughter, Casey?”

Casey growled, trying to blink the painful tears out of her eyes.

Liz now saw red. She pushed past Niles, grabbed Skye, and pushed her daughter behind her. Niles quickly took the child and held her as she struggled.

“
Lemme
go. She hurt
Cafey
.”
 

“Skye…” Liz said firmly.

Skye stopped and looked at her mother. “Mama. Bad lady hurt
Cafey
.”

Liz looked down at her daughter and smiled. “I know, sweet pea…” She motioned to Niles, who gently picked up the feisty three-year-old.

Casey was blinking, trying to focus while holding her nose.
Blood was seeping through her fingers. “Suzette...” she said nasally.

Liz was looking at Suzette. “Casey, sit down and put your head back, sweetheart.” She made sure she emphasized the last word.

Suzette glared at her, breathing like a bull.

Casey heard Liz’s calm voice and got extremely nervous.

“Suzette. May I call you Suzette? Now I’m sure you feel Casey has wronged you, and you may be right. However, if you ever attempt to harm her again, I assure you, though I may not look like it, I will make it my life’s mission to make your life a living hell. Don’t ever think of hurting Casey or our daughter again.”

Casey shot a look up at Liz as she said “our” daughter. She blinked and wiped the blood on her sleeve. She walked over to Liz and put her arm around her shoulder.

Niles smiled and set Skye down. She ran to Casey and stood between her and Liz; Skye wrapped her arm around Casey’s leg.

Casey looked down and easily lifted Skye into her arms. “I am sorry, Suzette. This is not about what you and I may have been. It’s about your music. You’ve been paid through the end of the month. I think that’s more than fair. Goodbye,” she said and started to walk away. She then turned back.

“Oh, and don’t ever talk to my daughter like that again. You need to watch your language around children.”

Liz rolled her eyes and led Casey away, putting a protective arm around her waist.

Niles and Jeffrey quickly intervened and guided the irate cellist through the door. “Suzette, darling, there is an opening at Orchestra Hall. I’ve made an appointment for you…” His voice trailed off as the doors closed.

Casey set Skye down, standing her on the piano bench. Liz took out a hanky from her pocket and put it against Casey’s bleeding nose.

“
Cafey
hurt?” Skye asked.

“No,
Shortround
, I’m fine,” Casey said.

Liz pinched the bridge of her nose just a little too hard. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Liz asked sweetly.

Casey winced, then looked down at her. “No, I probably deserve this.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about any more irate women now, do you?” Liz asked and batted her eyes at Casey.

“Only you, my love. Only you...” she said dryly and picked up Skye. “Hey,
Shortround
, thanks for standing up to that bully for me. You’re getting to be a big girl saving me like that.”

Skye grinned happily. “Did it by
mineself
. She hurt
Cafey
.”

“Let’s get out of here before you two get into another fight,” Liz said and led her two feisty women out of the studio.

Casey was holding Liz close as she stared into the darkness. That afternoon was a telling experience. She was shocked when Skye stood up to Suzette; then she was astonished when Liz called Skye “our daughter.” Never had Casey felt so much a part of life. She knew she was forever in love with Liz and loved Skye as her own. However, at that moment, Casey felt loved and needed.

Her life was changing with every passing minute. She could not remember her life before Liz and Skye. It was only a few months earlier. How could that be? How could she love so deeply? She had no clue, nor did she care to delve into it.

She only knew the winds of heaven sent these two... well two and a half and nothing would ever take them away from her.

“How’s the nose?” Liz mumbled sleepily.

Casey groaned and felt the Band-Aid on her nose. “Okay. I hope it’s not broken.”

“Well, my darling, it may be an improvement.”

“Very funny. I love you, too,” Casey whispered and kissed her forehead. “I am sorry, Liz.”

“For what?”

“My past seems to be haunting me.”

“Forget the past, Casey,” Liz whispered. “Do you have to be at the studio tomorrow?”

“Not really. What do you want to do?”

“Well, it’s Halloween soon. I thought, well, if you’re not busy, we’d go get a pumpkin.”

“Wow, Halloween already.
Shortround
would love it. Sure,” Casey said.

Liz let out an exasperated groan and started to get up.

“The baby sleeping on your bladder again?” Casey yawned and gave her a gentle nudge.

Liz laughed as Casey propelled her out of bed. “You’re getting good at that, Ms. Bennett.” She groaned as she waddled her way to the bathroom.

Casey laughed and watched her in the darkness. Then she put her hands behind her head and said a prayer of thanks as she sighed happily.

“This is like the Oneida County Fair,” Liz said as she looked around the pumpkin patch.

“Help yourself,” an older man said as he folded the money. “They’re stacked according to price. Pick your own and pay me.” He smiled and walked away.

Liz took a deep breath and licked her lips. Casey saw it and shook her head. “Okay, what do you want?”

“A brat with mustard and sauerkraut,” Liz replied quickly.

Casey laughed and walked away. Skye was examining the mound of pumpkins when Casey came back with the sausage for Liz and a chocolate-covered pretzel for Skye. She noticed Liz eyeing it. “Don’t worry. I got one for you, too.”

Liz laughed as she took a big bite. Casey grimaced and looked away. “I can’t watch.” She turned to Skye, who was still looking over the pumpkins. “See one you like,
Shortround
?”

“That one,” Skye said and pointed.

Casey followed her direction. Of course, she wanted the one on the top of the pile that was completely out of Casey’s reach. “How about this one,
Shortround
? It’s the same size.”

“No, that one,” Skye said. “Peas,
Cafey
?”

“Okay.” Casey looked up at the pumpkin in question. “I guess I’m climbing.”

Casey started to maneuver around the mound of pumpkins; she heard Liz’s voice, muffled by a mouthful of sauerkraut, say, “Be careful.”

“Be careful,” Casey said, and as she got a foothold between two pumpkins, she slipped and fell headlong into the pile of them. She vaguely heard Skye and Liz’s screams as the pumpkins came tumbling down, pelting her in the head. She covered her head as they rained down upon her. When it was over, she opened her eyes to see Skye picking up the pumpkin she wanted.

“Thank you,
Cafey
.”

Sitting amongst the pumpkins, Casey winced and pulled one out from under her, stem first. “You’re welcome,
Shortround
.”

“Are you all right?” Liz asked.

“I’m just fine, but I’ve either wet my pants or I’m sitting on a squashed pumpkin.”

Liz laughed and offered her hand, which Casey waved off. As she stood and shook her leg, the owner walked up to them and looked at the mess.

“I’ll pay for any that were damaged,” Casey said. “I know of at least one.” She pulled at the seat of her pants.