“Definitely,” said Jen quickly. “Can’t take a chance on being sidelined with a broken arm or something worse.” Like never getting drafted by any team.
Without her degree, she’d be nowhere. Their hardworking parents had pushed education, had wanted a better life for their kids. And then Mike, the boys’ legal guardian, had picked up where her folks had left off. He was determined her brothers understand the importance of backup plans.
“Besides,” said Mike, throwing his arm around Andy, “they’re not ready to go pro. They need a little more meat on their bones. Eat, boys, eat!”
Jen glanced at Doug. “You were skinny at their age, too.”
“Live in the present, Henny-Penny. Can’t call me skinny now.”
He had her there. “Not going to argue. I guess time has a way of changing things.” She looked at the ones she loved, her personal crowd—and the truth of her statement slammed into her like a runaway train.
“My God,” she said, suddenly shivering. “Our lives really are changing. I don’t like it!” She took a deep breath, her gaze slowly moving from one beloved person to the other. “I can’t stop any of you from growing up and branching out, but one thing must not change. We will always be the Delaneys! The Delaney-Brennan clan. We stick together no matter what, because if we don’t, we might disappear like…like”—she waved her fingers—"ashes in the wind.”
“Promise me.” she added, her voice cracking. Her chin dropped.
Silence followed, broken in a moment by a cacophony of voices. Familiar, reassuring voices. Mike’s protective tone, her brothers’ tentative expressions, Lisa’s sympathetic hugs. But only one voice registered.
“Let it go, Jen. Let the damn fear go!” Doug leaned in, his forehead touching hers. “Your family’s not going anywhere, and they don’t need a babysitter. Not anymore. Now, it’s your turn. Do what the song said and spread your wings. It’s time.”
##
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.”
