Coffee Sonata (40 page)

Mike pulled out a tissue. She had guessed she’d become emotional, but to hear Vivian sing this song, this famous lullaby, to
her
, was almost too much. As if Vivian by some miracle knew exactly where Mike sat in the audience, she easily homed in on her, and Mike couldn’t look away for a second.

Vivian Harding, world famous and loved by millions, loved Mike Stone, unheard of and unknown, living in little East Quay. For a moment, Mike felt nervous, but Vivian’s tender version of the song melted her fears.

When the song was over, Mike was certain the applause would tear the roof off the old concert hall. She watched Vivian curtsey deeply several times, with perfect balance, before she turned to the right side of the stage and reached out. A handsome young man in a white tuxedo offered Vivian his arm, which she took and allowed him to escort her off stage.

The applause still boomed, and Vivian came out to thank the audience three more times, each time the young man accompanying her. Mike realized this fact alone, together with the remarkable performance, would create a buzz throughout the opera world.

Her palms stung from clapping, but this sign that Vivian was unashamed to let her disability show made Mike applaud even harder.

*

The sold-out concert had raised $700,000 for the new hospital wing, and now ticket sales to the cocktail party at the hotel added another $75,000.

Manon felt happy and content, primarily because of Eryn. A few curls framed Eryn’s face, and the rest of her abundant hair was secured with two large ebony pins. Manon remembered how Eryn’s locks had fanned out across the pillows as they had reached for each other numerous times during their first heated night together.
She’s sheer beauty and honesty. No secrets or hidden agendas.
Manon surreptitiously admired Eryn’s long sleeveless dress, hinting at her curves as the forest green fabric whispered around her.

Manon squeezed Eryn’s hand furtively as Eryn’s parents approached them. Manon had briefly met Harriet and David Goddard in the concert hall, and now they approached her and Eryn with careful smiles.

“Ms. Belmont,” Harriet said. “I hear we have you to thank for such a wonderful evening.”

“Not entirely true,” Manon said. “The late Mrs. Dodd Endicott contributed to it as well. I’m delighted you could attend. And please, call me Manon. Did you get to talk to Vivian?”

“We did,” David said. “And she was very gracious. She signed a CD for us to auction at the church and one she insisted we keep.”

Manon smiled. “I’m glad the evening was a success.”

“And most of all we’re glad to meet you,” said Harriet. “I’ve never seen Eryn this happy.”

Manon winced but knew this was just one of a series of tests she’d face while feeling her way with her lover. “That’s mutual,” Manon managed, and received a surprised and happy smile from Eryn.

When Harriet and David said good night, Eryn turned to Manon and scrutinized her through narrow eyes. “Well, now, Belmont,” she said slowly. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re sweet on me or something.”

Manon tossed her head back and laughed. “Or something. Oh, here come Mike and Vivian now. Guess Vivian could finally tear herself away from the fans. Mike was a good bodyguard, though.”

“Oh, damn,” Eryn sighed. “Mike looks fabulous in those black leather slacks.”

“Hey, there.” Manon smiled. “Remember who you’re talking to.”

“Yeah, I know. I intend to stick to brunettes in deep red evening dresses that leave
very
little to the imagination.”

When Mike and Vivian walked up to them, Manon saw traces of fatigue around Vivian’s eyes, but other than that, she was obviously thriving on her performance and the audience reaction.
Who can blame her? They worship the stage she walks on.

Mike, on the other hand, looked almost ill.

“You all right, Mike?” Eryn asked.

“Yes. I’m fine, thanks. Are you ready to leave? Vivian’s a little tired.”

Vivian waved her hand. “If you want to stay longer, perhaps Benjamin can make two trips?”

“No, I’m ready,” Manon said, and turned to Eryn. “How about you?”

“Whenever you want to, sweetheart,” Eryn said and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Manon couldn’t help but smile at Eryn’s dismay.

“Don’t freak out, Eryn. You’re among friends.” Manon gestured toward the door. “Looks like we’re some of the last to leave, actually.”

Manon was relieved to get into the limousine, and she leaned back and closed her eyes briefly as Benjamin pulled out into the late-Saturday-evening traffic. When she relaxed, she realized she was exhausted.

“Manon?” Mike’s voice broke her out of her reverie.

“Hey, there, what’s wrong? Do you feel bad?” Manon reached out and took Mike’s hand. Vivian held on to the other, and now it was obvious that Mike was close to tears.

“I have something to tell you. Especially since I’ve been in the limelight several times now, kind of by accident, because I’m with Vivian.”

Manon, at a loss, kept Mike’s cold hand in hers.

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just tell you up front.” Mike looked at Vivian and then redirected her attention to Manon. “Stone is my mother’s maiden name. My name was Michaela Collins.”

“Yes? I knew that.” Manon slid over to the opposite seat and sat next to Mike. “What’s this about?”

“Surely you must understand…make the connection?” Mike whispered. “I’m Richard Collins’s daughter.” It was clear that she was bracing herself since she didn’t even blink once when she stared at Manon.

“I know that too.” Manon’s heart constricted painfully, but her tenderness for Mike grew.

“You do?” Mike croaked. “How…when and how long…” She stopped stuttering and stared at Manon.

“Oh, Mike,” Eryn murmured from her corner. “You never said anything.”

“I knew when you applied for a grant the first time, as soon as I read your file. Belmont Foundation conducts thorough research into the people we decide to help. I always cosign for grants of that size handed out to a single person.”

“And you still okayed the grants. Twice.” Mike squeezed Manon’s hand hard. “You—”

“I never, ever blamed you for what you father did,” Manon said, tears running down her cheeks. “Not for a second. You lost your father and ended up in an endless circle of foster homes. I lost my brother, and all because of senseless drinking and poor judgment. We both paid the price for your father’s irresponsibility.”

Mike flung her arms around Manon’s neck. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I used to hide as many of his bottles as I could, but—”

“You were a child. So was Jack. Both of you victims. You weren’t responsible.”

“I know that, intellectually, but it might take me a while yet to really feel it.” Mike clung to Manon. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t understand. I should’ve known better. Vivian told me to trust you. I’m sorry.”

Manon pressed her eyes together in a futile attempt to stop the tears that soaked Mike’s black satin shirt. She glanced over at Eryn and saw her wiping her eyes as well.

“We’re a sight,” Eryn said, between laughter and tears. “Why don’t we redirect Benjamin to the café and help Mike make us some killer lattes? We’re all too emotional to go home.”

“A brilliant idea, Eryn,” Vivian said.

Mike slowly let go of Manon and reached for Vivian’s hand. “I’d love to make four lattes. We close in a few minutes and will have the place to ourselves.”

“Excellent. I’ll tell Ben.” Manon sighed and anticipated the energy kick Mike’s coffee always provided. Moving back to sit next to Eryn, she laced her fingers with her lover’s. “It’s never too late for coffee, if you ask me.”

“I wonder if I should be concerned,” Eryn teased. “Since I know what caffeine does to you.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Goddard.” Manon smiled. “Coffee is energizing, and I just never know when I’ll need my energy.”

Surprised, Eryn hugged Manon. “My mother was right. I’ve never been this happy.”

Manon gazed into the depths of the sparkling eyes of the woman she loved.
Mon amour.
“Neither have I.”

Silence settled among the four women as Benjamin turned the car into the road leading to the marina. Manon studied the serene faces around her. She was so proud of Vivian, of how she’d mastered her fears and persevered. Mike was perhaps the one among them who’d come the farthest from where life had tossed her as a child.

And Eryn. Manon sighed and merely looked at her lover.
I adore everything about you. You’re the only one for me.

The limousine stopped and Benjamin opened the door. “We’ve arrived at the Sea Stone Café, ladies. Someone really buffed up this place.”

“Why, thank you, Benjamin.” Mike shot him an enigmatic grin. “What about a latte, or do you take it black?”

“Coffee? Yes, ma’am. Black and strong and sweet enough to float the spoon.”

They all laughed and entered the café as the last regular patrons left. Manon sat on a stool by the bar while Eryn stood with an arm around her shoulder.

“Like a second home, isn’t it?” said Eryn.

“Since you’re here,” Manon agreed, “I couldn’t agree more.”

One and a half years later

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer said, his voice indicating that the gathered crowd of East Quayers was in for a treat, “for the first time live in front of an audience, to commemorate the opening of this fantastic new state-of-the-art East Quay Memorial Hospital wing…” The man paused effectively, and there wasn’t a sound in the large hallway to the Marjorie Dodd Memorial Wing, where several hundred locals had gathered.

“A new group is going to play something I can guarantee you’ve never heard before. These performers need no introduction, so without further ado, here they are, the Chicory Ariose!”

Applause thundered, only to briefly falter when the audience realized who sat on the stool by the microphone.

Eryn grinned when she heard the whispers skitter among the crowd. “It’s Vivian Harding!”

Eryn plugged in her Les Paul and waited for Mike to settle in behind the drums and Manon to take her place at the digital piano. After another silence, Eryn knew just how to begin. She let her fingers caress the neck of her guitar, and then a softly climbing note filled the entire hallway, alone for a few shimmering seconds before another one followed, this time from the piano.

Eryn and Manon bounced the notes back and forth, followed each other in the dance, until Mike let the hi-hat join in. She caressed the melodies that Manon and Eryn created, and the music rose until it came to a full stop. The silence, which Eryn thought was beautiful in itself, reached a point where the listeners seemed to hold their breath, and then all three instruments and Vivian’s voice pushed toward the same goal. The notes rose and fell in harmonies, sometimes struggling, and at other times carrying each other.

Vivian’s voice had never been as full or charismatic. Without the restraint of having to form words, she created melodies that no one had ever heard or might never hear again, since they always improvised. They played music in the moment, which Malcolm thought was a great title for their first CD. It was going to be recorded in two months, when they played in Boston.

Twenty minutes later, Eryn let her guitar take the lead again, feeling that Vivian had given all she could this time. This was a special concert, emotional for all of them, since the hospital wing was ready just as Eryn’s biography of the Dodd women’s accomplishments through nine generations hit the stores.

Eryn slowed the tempo, drew Mike with her into a suggestive, almost buzzing melody that reminded her of an autumn forest in New England, when the maple trees burned against the blue sky. Soft high tones fell from Manon’s fingertips, like rain, as the music came to a fading halt when Mike let the cymbal crash ring out.

Eryn thought the applause was going to lift the ceiling of the already tall white and gold hall. Glass stretched all the way up the four floors so that many of the patients’ rooms had indoor balconies overlooking the entrance hall, as well as a breathtaking view of East Quay.

“Thank you, Chicory Ariose,” the announcer bellowed. “If you’re interested in buying the upcoming CD, you can register for a copy by the reception desk. All profits will go to the Belmont Foundation. On Monday these doors will open to staff and patients…”

The enthusiastic man continued, but Eryn tuned out his voice and walked off the stage with her friends. Manon waited for her by the small temporary stairs. “Think they like us?” She smiled and quickly brushed Eryn’s cheek.

“At first they were too stunned to like us, but after a while they were hooked.”

“You surprised me with the soft intro. That’s new.”

“It struck me that this is a hospital where hardworking people save other people’s lives, help them live better or die in peace. It just felt right.”

“I agree. It was so moving that I forgot to listen for a good place to join in. I just did.”

A blonde appeared next to Eryn. “Ms. Goddard? I’m Lisa Reardon, a reporter for KDL-TV. Would you and your group members do an interview for us? We taped some of the performance today and would like to do an exclusive, including showing some of our footage.”