Chapter 6
Daniel
I have now spent a month at my sister’s place, claiming my need for home cooked meal and closeness to Cara made me stay, but deep down I know it’s a chance to see Ms K.
The attraction I feel towards her hasn’t subsided, though I hope every day that it will.
I work late hours to keep from thinking about the woman that occupies my thoughts.
Maybe it’s best I try a new tactic, like staying away longer. Maybe I will forget her.
My phone rings and I see its Cara.
"Uncle Dan," she cries, her voice trembling with desperation. I am immediately alert, picking up the frantic tone of her voice.
"Cara, please slow down and tell me what is going on." I appease
“Mom has a bad cold.” I got home late last night and didn’t see Maggie.
I didn’t think much of Cara not being in bed.
I just thought Maggie was allowing Cara to stay up a little late, since school was out.
“I need to be at the center with Ms K and mom can’t take me.
Dad is too far away. Ms Lisa can’t drive.
Uncle Dan, please can you come and take me?
” I let out a relieved sigh, easy fixable problem.
“Why do you need to be at the center?” I ask
“Ms K teaches the band kids; they have a concert in three weeks. She said I can come and practice with them, but I won’t perform with them and if I miss two practices, Ms K won’t let me practice with them again. Please Uncle Dan, can you get me there?” she pleads
“Okay, what time do you need to be there?”
“Four.” she quickly answers.
I look at my watch and see it’s two pm.
“I have to be there at least by three thirty pm,” she adds.
“Let me wrap up a few things up and I’ll come and get you. Be ready.”
“Thank you, Uncle Dan.”
“Is your mom there? Can I speak to her?”
“She’s in bed. She doesn't want me to go near her. Can you call her phone?”
“Okay, I will and see you at three, be ready.”
“Love you, Uncle Dan”
My sister picks up after three rings.
“Hello?” Her voice is low and weak.
“Hey, Cara just called me. What’s going on with you?”
“I heard her talking to you, thanks for agreeing to take her. I have Covid, so I can’t take her.” She coughs. “It means so much that you can take her. She never wants to miss a chance to practice with Ms K.”
“You rest and take your meds. I got Cara. Send the center address and all the information.”
“Thanks, Daniel” she says. I hang up with her, and a wash of relief overcomes me. I get to see her, and might have enough excuse to talk to her. A window has opened.
I call Patrick in to discuss the items that may need my immediate attention and let him know about the new turn or events for the next two weeks.
Once we are done rearranging my schedule to fit Cara in, I call Zack, my driver while I’m here in Chicago, to let him know we have a new set of events for the next two weeks.
Truth is, I can have Zack take Cara for this event and not have to be there, but I want to see Ms K and it’s my perfect opportunity to highjack the situation for my own personal intentions.
At two thirty sharp, I’m heading towards the elevator, Zack is most likely ready and waiting.
I run into my cousin, Aaron, who’s also an attorney at this firm and don’t tell him much. He can be a bit of a whiner and start to pull unnecessary situations out of thin air. I just tell him that I’m grabbing lunch with a friend.
Zack weaves through the traffic to Maggie’s place and I look through information about the center. I read everything and there’s no mention about Ms K or the event Cara is talking about but knowing how peculiar my sister and my niece can be, something is happening that’s not publicized.
Soon as I pull up at the house, Cara races out with a box in hand. I bet she was waiting and watching by the window moment as I texted her that I was on my way. She hops right into the back seat next to me. “Hi, Uncle Dan! Hi Zack!” She’s excited, that’s for sure.
“Tell me about this community center,” I ask.
“Ms K teaches kids at the community center for free, and they are trying to raise money for instruments and more music teachers.”
I’ve touched her subject of interest. She starts talking fast. “So, they are having a fund-raising banquet in three weeks, and the band kids are going to perform. Ms K says all her students can join in the practice with the band kids. I get to practice my violin with them.”
“I thought she only taught you piano.”
“Yes, but I also play the violin, and I like to play music with Ms. K and this way I get to practice more.”
“Okay, but the band practice is not listed on the community center website.”
“It’s a program Ms K is running alone. She said she will keep it going, but if it doesn't raise the funds needed, then she won’t repeat it, and she might leave Chicago.”
What!?
“Why would she leave if the program doesn’t succeed?”
“I don’t know, but she said, if she doesn't raise the money needed then there’s no need for her to be here.”
I nod. Guess I need to find out how much she needs for her to stay.
We pull up at the center and Cara can barely wait for the car to be in park to jump right out.
I see other kids running towards the door as well, each child hauling their instrument with them.
I follow the herd, and we go past the boys playing volleyball and open a door that leads into a narrow path, down a stairway and into a spacious room that’s louder with kids and a few adults moving stuff around. There are lots of musical instruments.
I watch as parents go to speak with Ms K and she acknowledges each of the kids with a smile.
Some hug her, while others offered fist bumps or high fives as they moved to their respective places.
She’s wearing an oversize silk shirt and skinny jeans, stud earrings with light make up, but it’s clear this is her territory despite how casual and beautiful she looks.
Cara races to hug her as another kid gives her a fist bump before moving on.
Most of the parents turn and leave, waving at the kids.
Not only do I feel overdressed, I also feel out of place.
I move closer to Ms K, her glossy lips are calling me for a taste and my nostril catches that same scent she wore at the wedding.
“Hi,” I say, putting my hand for a handshake. She looks at me, surprised, but takes my hand anyway. Her hand is warm and soft, her handshake firm, just as I would have expected, only I feel it again. Damn it
“Hello, Uncle Dan. Thanks for bringing Cara.” Her smile is bright and beautiful. She drops my hand, and I miss the feel and tenderness of her touch. Control, I mentally mantra to the guy below.
“Just Dan.” I smile. “Happy to step in when my sister is sick.”
She nods.
“Hope she gets better soon. The practice will be over at six, but I always request parents get here by 5.50 pm so they can hear the instructions for the kids.” she states.
“I’ll just wait.”
She looks at me, surprised.
“You want to hear the kids out of tune instruments?”
“I get to see the behind the scenes and I also want to talk to you about Cara and her summer schedule,” I say just as more kids fist bump and high five her, moving around us.
“I can’t change the rules for Cara, if she takes the time off, I will replace her with someone else on my wait list.” I hear the firm tone.
“I’m sure there’s something we can work out.”
“I doubt that.” She smiles but her tone is stern.
Before I can counter, the room bursts into a loud roar of excitement.
I look around to see what caused the uproar and I see a tall black guy in all black clothing, black Tee, cargo shorts and dark shades that he removes.
The kids are excited at seeing this guy.
I look for Cara, and she's practically glowing with happiness.
Who’s this guy? He comes straight to Ms K and pulls her into a bear hug. Every hair on my body stands. I dislike him instantly. Then, he tries to kiss her, which she avoids and pushes him away. I hear her say “I have no idea where that mouth was last night on Andrea” in a hush tone.
A woman I didn’t notice before comes forward to hug her as well. “Did he try to kiss you?” she asks Ms. K quietly.
“Yep, and like I told him, I have no idea where his mouth was on your body last night,” she replies quietly with an eye roll.
“Girl, it was everywhere, and I enjoyed it,” she says with a grin as Ms K rolls her eyes at her.
“He’s still betting on your extra quick reflex, only a man you grant the will to kiss you can get a kiss.
No matter how fast some may try.” the woman says.
Sounds like trying to kiss Ms K is a bet, that I fucking dislike.
“I brought the dresses. I need you to try them, then we can pick which one will be the dress.” The woman says
“Great, the dress to auction me off.” She doesn’t sound happy about the auction.
“Girl, you are our prized mare on display. I’m going to leave the dresses in your office.” The lady teases, earning a smack from Ms K.
“Go away, I don’t like you anymore.” The lady who I’m guessing is Andrea, laughs.
The guy goes to fist bump the kids. I stand there, watching. I’m not done and I’m not leaving. Just then a loud bell rings, and I watch in amazement as the kids move to their places and pick up their instrument. The Andrea lady turns on her heels towards the door. I look lost, all eyes are on me.
Ms K moves closer to me. “You must leave and wait outside now,” she whispers.
“I’ll wait by the door,” I say and turn towards the door.
“It’s practice time. No parents allowed.” I hear her stern tone
“Not a parent.” I shrug.
“Well then no guardians allowed.” She says raising a brow at me.
I want to tell her that I just want to look at her, but a scowl takes over her face.
“You need to leave,” she says firmly to me. I want to challenge her, but everyone is watching. Even the guy is quietly watching. I turn and leave, I don’t like it, but I didn’t stand a chance against her stance.