##

Maybe Doug was right, in theory. Not in reality. Not a babysitter, but a coach?

A week later, Jen sat behind the wheel of Mike’s car, heading west on the Mass Pike toward the Tanglewood Music Center in Lennox. She darted a glance at Doug, who sat next to her.

“Emily’s awfully quiet back there,” she whispered. “Will you take a look? A subtle look. She’s sensitive.”

“Sure,” said Doug, twisting in his seat. “Hey, Emily. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Geez. I said subtle!” said Jen.

“You can probably tell what’s going on,” said Emily. “I’m an open book.

Everybody can read me. I wish…I wish I was stronger, like you, Jen.”

“Oh, Emmy. I’ve got my own issues…as Doug likes to remind me. But you?

You’re terrific. Just consider how you’re spending this summer! You’ve earned a fantastic opportunity.”

“You mean by my audition?”

“And the recommendations from your teachers, and getting all the paperwork in on time.”

“…and convincing Mike to let me out of his sight for the summer with no adult supervision. I guess I’m an adult”

“Yeah, a bit overprotective is our big brother.”

“He always says if my head weren’t attached to my shoulders, I’d forget where I put it. And he may be right. Like..uh…right now. Jen, I forgot my money!”

“What?” Typical. Which was why Jen was still Lisa’s deputy.

“I forgot the credit gift card Mike gave me to use at Tanglewood. It’s on my desk at home. It was for lunches and other ‘incidentals’ that aren’t included in the program. He said the safest thing to do is use a gift card. I think it was for five hundred dollars.”

Great. She had only twenty dollars in her wallet. Her mind raced for solutions, but Doug’s laughter interrupted her thoughts. She glared. “What’s so funny? Do you want her to starve?”

“Just watching you think,” he replied with a grin. “You’re very expressive when problem-solving.” He turned to look at Emily. “Not to worry, honey. Your sister has a knack for rescuing people.”

“Oh, come on. This one’s actually a no-brainer. Even you could figure it out.”

She waved her fingers at her sister. “We’ll just stop at an ATM, and I’ll withdraw enough from my account to keep you going for a week. There’s no way, however, that I’m giving you five hundred in cash.”

Emily sighed a big sigh. “I don’t blame you. I’d probably lose it.”

“Amazing how you never lose your violin,” said Doug, a meaningful note in his voice.

“Doug! I’d never, ever do that.” Emily’s indignation now had both Doug and Jen laughing.

“I believe you. Just teasing,” said Doug.

“But…you know…money will be an issue real soon. Do I have any money of my own, Jenny? You know, like from Mom and Dad?”

If only. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I thought you already knew that from when we discussed it with the boys.”

“So Lisa and Mike pay for everything?”

“They sure do. Before I started my career, I had some scholarship money, and I worked part-time in school,” said Jen. “But Lisa and Mike provided our home and food and clothing. So why are you asking all these questions now?”

“It’s a violin thing. I’ll figure it out.”

Jen’s mind filled with possibilities. “Do not ask Mike to fund a Stradivarius or any other rare instrument. Hear me, Emily? Do not. Enough is enough! And that’s way beyond a normal expense.”

“I might not be-be worthy of one anyway.”

“Do you want to be?” asked Doug.

“More than anything.”

“Then you’ll get there. First, however, make the most of the summer. You’ll be with true professionals, and they’ll have some good advice.”

“I can’t wait to see Maestro Perlman again,” said Emily, addressing Doug directly. “He really wanted me to go to Julliard in New York, where he teaches master classes,” she told him, shaking her head. “But I was too scared to leave Boston.”

Silence resonated for a moment. “Sounds awfully familiar…” The deep voice next to Jen offered thoughtfully. “Staying home seems to run in your family.”

“You had lots of options, Em,” said Jen. “But The New England Conservatory is a fabulous school, too. You’re not being cheated.”

“The Maestro said the same thing when I told him at music camp last summer.

He understands me, and he said when I was ready to fly, I should let him know.”

“I have a feeling,” said Doug slowly, “that when the time comes, your violin issue will take care of itself.”

“Doug’s probably right. And I’m beginning to feel like the most ordinary person in this car!”

The bit of levity lightened the mood, but Jen continued to think about her sister’s dream. The “violin issue” wouldn’t take care of itself. Nothing ever resolved itself, except a common cold. She had to come up with a future plan.

##

“Your sister is going to have a fabulous summer,” said Doug as he and Jen headed back to the car after waving goodbye to Emily.

“I think so, too. At least she can’t complain about the campus. Hundreds of acres surrounded by scenery an artist would paint. I just hope it’s everything she

dreamed it would be.”

“Dreams take a lot of work. And sometimes, as the song tells us, we get what we need instead of what we want.”

“I suppose. But none of us are willing to settle…at least not yet. And that includes you!” Jen took out the car keys and offered them to Doug. “Feel like driving? Suddenly, I’m wiped.”

He took the keys and kissed her. “Sometimes being a big sister is hard work. I don’t think I gave Eve an ounce of concern compared to how you guys act.