Luis stood by the car and waved them in. “Now we’ve got the whole family back. Mr. Brennan likes summertime the best.”
“So do I,” said Jen, as she entered the car after Emily. “Even if my bros drive me a bit crazy.”
But Doug could see the love for them in her laughing eyes as she teased. A good big sister, and he’d bet the boys counted on her. Or took her for granted. He was in no position to ask questions, but maybe he could do a good turn for Jen’s little sister.
“Hey, Emily, you got me thinking about what you said about Mozart. I feel like that too. Sometimes, I get lost in my writing. Sometimes, I don’t know where the
words come from. Is Mozart your boss? Or does his music carry you away, until you’re lost and just play it from your heart? You’re right about it being complicated—especially when you’re really talented like you—but it’s also very satisfying.”
“Yes,” said Emily. “It just feels…good!”
“Mike’s his own boss,” said Brian. “And the team leader. He keeps practicing until he’s better than anyone.”
“He loves the game,” said Andy slowly. “In all ways—heart, mind and body. He calls the plays, but he’s also part of the team. When you think about it, everything really is complicated.”
“Even Mike can’t play such a tough game forever,” said Emily slowly. “But I want to make music forever.”
They were quiet for the few more minutes it took Luis to reach their destination.
When the car slowed to a stop, Doug looked out the window. “We’re here.”
“Wow, I didn’t have time to be nervous,” said Emily, “until right now. Good conversation.”
Luis opened the door and they scrambled out, each thanking the man. Emily led the way. “I have to use the side door, but I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck.” Jen hugged her. “We love you no matter what.”
“Yeah, just don’t throw up,” said Brian.
“Like you used to,” added Andy.
She rolled her eyes. “They never forget anything!”
“As we theater-people say,” said Doug, “break a leg.”
Emily grinned and disappeared into the building.
“Whew,” said Jen. “We did it. It took all of us, but we did it.” She glanced at him. “Thanks for distracting her with that conversation.” Then she gathered her
brothers, one on each arm. “Love having you both back from school.”
Doug saw it on her face, heard it in her voice. When she loved, she loved hard.
And he wanted that.
She stared at him then, head tilted, eyes bright. “Now, do you understand?” she asked quietly.
“I do understand. And if that was the whole point of today’s visit, then you’ve wasted your time. I’m not in competition with your family. But you have to figure that out.”
##
After the concert, Luis took Emily and the twins home, and dropped Jen and Doug downtown. As they started walking toward their apartments, Jen found her hand resting in Doug’s, as though it were the most natural place to be. Had Doug been right earlier? Had she wanted him to see how close her family was so…so she didn’t have to feel guilty about the past anymore? Oh, yeah, Jen. Still trying to prove you were right?
“Emily was amazing, wasn’t she?” Jen said.
“I’d say. Standing-ovation kind of amazing. I had no idea she’d be a featured player. A major one.”
“She’s going to Tanglewood in a couple of weeks,” Jen said, “the summer home of the Boston Symphony. She might be the youngest there, only eighteen and playing with the best. She used to spend summers at a music camp run by Itzhak Perlman and his wife. She had to audition to get accepted.”
Doug’s long, low whistle reassured her.
“Tanglewood’s across the state,” she said, “and I’ll probably drive her. Emily doesn’t have a license yet—it’s never even come up in conversation!” She shook her head and sighed. “I swear she lives in the clouds. The girl needs a keeper!
But I can’t see Mike leaving Lisa and the kids to chauffeur her. And Luis has a vacation planned. So, I’ll go.”
“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.”
