“How long have you had this place?” asked Grey’s mother as she followed Lori through the dining room to the kitchen.
“I think it must be about twelve or fourteen years,” replied Lori, trying to work the dates out in her head. “Maybe a bit more. It was the first property I bought in my own name.”
“Nice first apartment,” laughed Annie, gazing round.
Deciding not to say she had meant the building, Lori agreed with her guest, adding, “My dad taught me well.”
“Grey told me you own a property business. I always thought you were an artist.”
“I’m both,” replied Lori, filling the kettle to make some herbal tea for them both. “Art and music memorabilia were and are my first loves. I gave up the memorabilia wheeling and dealing after my accident. I still dabble occasionally if the right piece turns up. I inherited Hyde Properties when my dad passed away. I try to stay close to things but it’s not easy. I have an excellent team running it though.”
“And that’s who you’re here to see tomorrow?”
Lori nodded, “Three or four times a year I need to attend the board meeting, particularly if there’s an acquisition deal on the table. I’ve still to finish reading the reports for tomorrow but we’re discussing buying over another firm. It’ll increase the portfolio by around twenty per cent and see us venture south into North Carolina for the first time.”
“Sounds all a bit like Monopoly to me,” laughed Annie.
“I guess it is,” giggled Lori. “I need to be at the office for nine but the diner is on the way. Do you know your way around the city?”
Annie shook her head, “I’ve never really explored New York. I’ll use the map app in my cell. We’ll be fine. Where do the kids like to visit?”
Pouring water into the two mugs, Lori said, “They both love Central Park and the National History Museum. They’ll want to say “Hi” to Dum Dum. Don’t let Melody talk you into going to the American Girl store. I’m taking her there on Friday but its surprise. She doesn’t know yet.”
“I’m sure we can spend the day in the museum and the park if it’s not too cold.”
“If you want to play tourist,” began Lori. “You could go to the Top of the Rock.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Thanks for doing this, Annie. I really appreciate it,” said Lori warmly. “Normally….”
“I know, honey,” interrupted Annie, sensing the emotions surging within Lori. “Things will be back to normal soon if you talk to each other.”
Fighting back unexpected tears, Lori nodded, “I’m not sure he knows we’re here. I’ll see him at Garrett’s show on Friday night though.”
“I may be speaking out of turn,” began Annie, choosing her words carefully. “I’m not saying he hasn’t done wrong here but Jake lives for you. I’ve known him a long time. He’d never deliberately hurt you. He loves you too much to do that.”
“It’s complicated,” whispered Lori, gazing down into her mug of tea.
“It’s only as complicated as you make it, honey.”
“You could be right there.”
Shortly before nine the next morning, Lori entered the foyer of Hyde Properties. She’d left Annie and the kids in the diner, each working their way through a stack of pancakes. Both children had promised to be on their best behaviour for Grey’s mom. In return, Lori promised to take them to the Hard Rock Café for dinner, if they toed the line all day. It felt like bribery but she knew how much they enjoyed visits to that restaurant and prayed it was incentive enough to ensure an easy day for Annie.
Entering the elevator, Lori caught sight of her reflection in the mirrored back wall. Despite purchasing a new maternity business wear outfit, there was no disguising her baby bump. As a precaution, she had brought both of her canes, aware that the extra weight was already adversely impacting her balance. Almost as if it sensed she was thinking about it, the baby began to kick furiously.
“Sh, little one,” she said, rubbing her swollen belly. “Save the dancing for tomorrow night’s show.”
“Jake, I can’t!” sobbed Riley, tossing the lyrics sheets to the floor. “I can’t do it! What if I mess up like that in front of hundreds of people?”
“Breathe,” said Jake calmly. “Slow, deep breaths.”
“I can’t do it!”
Laying his guitar down on the couch beside him, Jake got to his feet and crossed the room. Placing his hands on Riley’s trembling shoulders, he said, “Look at me, Miss Riley.”
Tears filling her eyes, the young songstress looked up at him.
“We all forget lyrics from time to time. If I had a dollar for every lyric I’d forgotten over the years,” began Jake warmly.
“You’re already a millionaire!” protested Riley, tears flowing freely down her pale cheeks. “This is so important to me. This is my ticket out!”
The passion in her voice brought Jake up short.
“Pardon?”
“This show is everything to me,” sobbed Riley. “It’s my ticket out! My chance at a fresh start.” The teenager paused then whispered, “It’s my chance to get away from that drunk that calls himself my father.”
“Things that bad at home?” asked Jake, drawing her into a fatherly embrace.
He felt Riley nodding as she sobbed into his chest.
“What about school?” asked Jake, rubbing her back in the same way he would Melody’s.
“I can transfer or quit.”
“And where would you stay?”
“I’ve got my car.”
Something about the teenager’s tone told him she was deadly serious.
“We can talk about that later,” said Jake calmly. “Right now, you need to focus. Let’s take a break for ten minutes then we’ll start again. Garrett wants a full set run
