Chapter 2
As I walked in the front door of the Piano Emporium on Monday morning, Mr. Cutler looked up from his computer when he heard the entry bell chime, and smiled at me through the window in his office.
“Good morning, Anna Louise,” he said, stepping around the corner. “Follow me. I’ll show you where you can hang and store your things in the back entryway, then I’m sending you out with my piano tuner to one of the mansions here in New York whose mistress is planning a big shindig this weekend for some of the wealthier folks around the city.”
My big brown eyes grew even bigger. “You have to be kidding.”
He laughed, then said, “Fasten your seatbelt, Anna Louise. You’re going to be in for the ride of your life if you love music as much as I think you do.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cutler. I’m ready to learn everything I can from you. And on my way home from work this afternoon, I’m going to stop by that music school you told me about the other day.”
“I’m glad,” he replied. “Thomas is waiting out back in the SUV. Hurry along now.”
“I’ll see you later, then. Bye.”
Opening the back door of the Emporium, I stepped outside and smiled as Thomas jumped out of the SUV and came around to open the passenger door for me. “Thank you,” I said. “I’m Anna Louise Armstrong. Guess I’m going with you this morning to observe while you tune a piano.”
“Nice to meet you, Anna Louise. I’m Thomas. Hop in, then sit back and enjoy the ride. If you’re new to New York, you’ll be surprised at how far we need to travel and at the sights you’ll see along the way.”
I stared out the window as we drove along, taking in everything I could. After a while, I asked, “Was it hard learning how to tune a piano?”
“Not really. I grew up watching my father do it for years. Before Pop opened the Emporium, he used to tune every piano for miles around, working out of our home. Between the two of us we’ve gotten to know a lot of New Yorkers, most of them a lot wealthier than they were years ago.”
“You’re Mr. Cutler’s son?”
“The one and only. Hang on. The road ahead has a whole lot of curves in it before we get to the house on the top of the hill.”
“The view of New York from up here is extraordinary!” I said excitedly. “Never thought I’d ever get to see anything like this. There’s the Statue of Liberty.”
Parking the SUV in the driveway, Thomas hopped out. “Follow me. You’ll do fine.”
After grabbing his brown leather bag out of the back, Thomas rang the doorbell. As the door opened, a trim, glamorous woman appeared. “Good morning, Olivia,” Thomas said, “I’ve brought a helper along today. This is Anna Louise Armstrong.”
“Nice to meet you, Anna Louise. Come on in. I’ll walk with you to the piano.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” I replied. “This is my first day at the Piano Emporium and I’m so excited.”
“Mr. Cutler and Thomas are two of my favorite people and the Emporium is one of my most guilty pleasures when I’m out shopping in the neighborhood near Times Square.” She stopped next to a beautiful grand piano. “Here we are. I’ll see you a little later.”
“Thanks. We’ll get busy,” Thomas replied, setting his bag of tuning instruments down next to the piano.
I watched in awe for the next couple of hours as Thomas worked away tuning the piano. His hands moved smoothly and gracefully over the keys and tuning pins, as if he were doing it with his eyes closed. Toward the end, with everything back in place, Thomas asked if I’d like to try playing something.
“Oh, I couldn’t,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Sure you can. Pop says you have a good ear.”
I sat down on the piano bench and began to play a song I’d written while still in high school. I couldn’t believe I was actually playing on such a magnificent musical instrument. It felt surreal. I raised my hands up off of the keys.
“Keep playing, Anna Louise. I want to listen to be sure everything is in tune.”
He watched and listened as my fingers glided over the keys once again.
“Whatever that song is, it’s beautiful. I hope you have it written down because one day Pop and I’ll produce it for you.”
“Produce it for me?” I had to pinch myself to believe what he was saying. I guess Mr. Cutler was right when he told me to fasten my seatbelt for the ride ahead.
“Sure. We’ll record it with the sound of an orchestra in the background so everyone who comes into the store can hear you playing.” Thomas glanced over at me from under the lid of the piano. “Maybe some big music mogul will come in and want to buy it,” he chortled.
“You’re joking, right?” His comment could’ve knocked me over with a feather.
“I never joke about great music, young lady, and that song may just be award winning.”
Back at the store, Thomas told his father about our day tuning the piano on the hill. When he was finished, Mr. Cutler gave me a sly smile and a wink. “I think you’re going to be a real asset to the Emporium, Anna Louise.”
~ ~ ~
Exhausted, but happy, I flagged down a cab and gave the driver the address Mr. Cutler had given me for the music school where he said I could sign up for piano lessons. As the cab pulled up, I saw a weathered sign with black letters hanging on the front of a big, old, brick building, at least three or four stories high, that said The School of Musical Arts on it. He’d also told me the school was run by a Mrs. Kristina McKenzie and that only those students the teachers felt were talented enough to go on to become accomplished pianists were accepted into the program. Not too much pressure!
I was beyond nervous, but I rang the doorbell and waited. Slowly, the huge front door opened and I was greeted by a cheerful face smiling at me. She was an attractive woman, who appeared to be about the same age as my mother. Her eyes were a lively blue-green and her hair reddish brown. I liked her already.
“Hello, miss,” she said. “Can I help you?”
“I’ve come to ask about piano lessons. Mr. Cutler from the Piano Emporium sent me.”
“Yes, do come in. I’m Ms. Sara Thompson.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Anna Louise Armstrong.”
Ms. Thompson led me down a long hallway, then turned into one of the rooms. There, in the middle of the room, stood a stunning baby grand piano. The light from the windows set it aglow. It was hard to believe I might be taking lessons on something this spectacular.
As I glanced around the room, Ms. Thompson began to speak. “Mr. Cutler called ahead to let us know you’d be coming. He said you haven’t had any prior lessons, but he was sure you would turn out to be one of the best pupils we’ve ever had, so on his recommendation, the school is going to accept you into the program.”
“I didn’t know about any of that, but I’ll do my best to live up to his recommendation. Thank you.”
Ms. Thompson walked over to the piano, picked up two music books, and returned. Handing them to me, she asked, “When would you like your lessons to begin?”
“Oh, as soon as possible,” I replied. “I can hardly wait to get started.”
“Okay then, today is Monday. Let’s set up your first lesson for one week from today. In the meantime, if you’re able to practice, this first book will teach you about the keys on the piano and some chords. And once you feel comfortable with those, I’d like you to practice the first two songs in the second book.”
“Thank you, Ms. Thompson. I work until five o’clock each day, so what time would you like me to be here?”
“Could you make it by five-thirty?”
“I could. See you next Monday, then.”
“I’ll walk you out so you don’t get lost,” Ms. Thompson said.
I felt ten feet tall as I stepped out of the big, brick building. I thought my heart was going to burst. Mr. Cutler had said I could practice after hours on one of his used pianos until I could afford one of my own, from the Emporium, of course.
Suddenly, it dawned on me, I’d forgotten one very important question. I hurried back up to the front of the building and rang the doorbell. Ms. Thompson answered again.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “but I forgot to ask how much the program is going to cost me.” My hands were shaking so much I thought I might drop the music books.
“For now you’ll be on a scholarship sponsored by Mr. Cutler in memory of his wife, but after a year you’ll need to start paying and we’ll talk about that when we get there.” Ms. Thompson had a wide smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. “You’re a lucky young lady. Mr. Cutler seems to really like you.”
“I don’t know how to thank you or Mr. Cutler. I’m almost certain I wouldn’t have had the money to be in your program otherwise. I’ll be sure to thank Mr. Cutler right away in the morning. Goodnight, Ms. Thompson.”
“Goodnight, Anna Louise. See you next Monday.”
~ ~ ~
It was after six o’clock when I climbed out of the cab in front of the Blue Sky Apartments with my backpack and music books, not only tired, but hungry too. I reached up to open the door.
“Let me get that for you. Looks like you have your hands full.”
Chase looked amazing, like he’d just walked out of a Calvin Klein ad. He had to be at least six feet tall. His shiny, black hair was combed straight back. And, as usual, his friendly green eyes seemed to be filled with questions. No wonder he wanted to be a journalist.
“I’d whistle if I knew how. You look like a fashion model in your news reporter duds.”
“Why, thank you, Miss Armstrong. I’ll take that as a compliment. You appear to have had a long day.”
“I have, but in a good way. Would you like to come by for a green salad and red grapes topped with grated cheddar cheese, some garlic breadsticks, and chocolate mousse for dessert while we talk about our first day on the job?”
“Um. Not exactly my kind of food, but I accept your invitation. Give me twenty minutes to shower and change, then I’ll be over.”
“Knock three times and come in. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.”
“You’re pretty trusting, young lady. I’ll knock three times, but please lock your door.”
“Okay. I forgot I’m living in the big city now. See you in twenty.”
By the time Chase rapped three times, I had the table set and was busy putting the salad together. The grated cheese rested on the cutting board as the breadsticks browned in the oven.
“You’re out of breath,” I said, opening the door. He had one hand behind his back.
“Just raced up three flights of stairs so I wouldn’t be late,” Chase replied. “Oh, these are for you.” He handed me a bouquet of white daisies with bright yellow centers in a clear vase.
“I’ve never received flowers before,” I sang out, taking the vase. “They’re beautiful. Thank you. Come on in.” He followed me into the kitchen. I set the bouquet in the middle of the rickety, old, chrome table that stood along one wall accompanied by two bent up chairs with red plastic seats. They left a lot to be desired, but at least I had them for now.
“Have a seat,” I said. “The breadsticks will be ready in a second.” As I set the salads down on the table, Chase asked me about my first day of work in New York.
“How much time do you have?” I asked.
“All night. Lay it on me.”
Returning with the breadsticks, I grinned as I began to recount my day. “The minute I walked into the Piano Emporium this morning Mr. Cutler sent me off with Thomas, who I found out is his son, to tune a piano. We drove for miles and miles before stopping in front of a mansion on a hilltop. Are you bored yet?”
“Not in the least. Maybe after you’ve become famous, I’ll be able to use this day in a front-page story about you.” Getting this devilish look in his eyes, he snapped a picture of me on his phone. “By the way, this salad and these breadsticks are delicious, considering I’m a cheeseburger kind of guy.”
“Thanks,” I said, frowning at him for taking the photo. “But anyway, I watched Thomas tune the piano for a couple of hours. I learned so much. Then he actually asked me to play something on this fabulous grand piano so he could hear if all of the keys were in tune. It seemed impossible, but I sat down and played one of the songs I’d written during high school. I already knew the keys on a piano, but it was like magic playing one of my own songs out of the blue.”
“You should see the look on your face, Anna Louise. When you talk about pianos and music you light up like the New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square.”
“Funny you should mention Times Square. The Emporium is located only a couple of blocks away from the pedestrian walkway along Times Square. I’ve watched the ball drop for years on television, but never dreamed I’d be working nearby.”
“I’m happy for you, Anna Louise. I can see you love your new job.”
“I do, but the most amazing part of the day came when I signed up for my first piano lesson at The School of Musical Arts. What do you think my chances of becoming a concert pianist are, never having taken a lesson before now?”
“Invite me to your first recital and I’ll tell you afterward.” Chase leaned back in his chair, sipping his iced tea, as he stared at me through those quizzical green eyes of his.
“That could be a while. You may have moved out of the Blue Sky Apartments by then.”
“I doubt it. I have a feeling you’re an exceptionally quick study. I’d say you’ll be ready for your first recital in three months or less.”
“Wow! Are you psychic or what?”
“Nope. Just see a determined young woman in front of me who has had a big dream rolling around in her head for a lot of years. Now’s your time, Anna Louise.”
~ ~ ~
Unexpectedly, there came a loud knock on my door. “Wonder who that could be,” I uttered to Chase as more knocks rang out even louder. “You, the landlady, and her son are the only ones I know here.”
“Do you want me to answer it?” Chase asked. “You’re turning pale. Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. I’ll get it,” I replied, trying to be brave.
I opened the door to a strange-looking man dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt with a gold emblem on it, and a dark-brown leather bomber jacket that had seen its better days. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth and I caught a glimpse of a gun in his waist band. “Sorry, lady, but I left something of importance behind in this apartment. I just moved out before you moved in. I don’t want to get rough with you, but I need what I left behind.”
All of a sudden, Chase appeared behind me, staring the guy down. “Sir. The sounds you’ll be hearing behind you in a couple of seconds will be the police coming up the steps, so if you still want to come in, feel free.”
He turned around, glanced at the stairs, then pulled the gun out of his waist band and shoved Chase and me back into the apartment and slammed the door, locking it before the police could reach the third floor. “I’ll only be a second in the bedroom, then I’m out the window and down the fire escape. Done it before.”
Someone banged on the door, shouting, “Police.”
I quickly opened the door and pointed toward the bedroom. “He went in there, but I think he may have escaped out the window.”
Quickly checking the bedroom, they could see the closet had been turned upside down and the window was open. One of the cops stopped with his notepad to talk to Chase and me as the others rushed out the door and down the steps. “We’ll chase him down. If it’s who we think it is, he left drugs behind. Which one of you lives here?”
“I do, Officer,” I said, stepping forward. “My name is Anna Louise Armstrong and here’s my phone number.” I immediately jotted it down for him.
“I’ll be back in touch, so stay put for the next couple of hours.” The officer put his notebook back in his pocket, then flew out the door and down the stairs.
Before I could shut the door, the landlady appeared in the doorway. “What on earth is going on here!” she cried out.
“Guess your last tenant thinks partying and drugs is a way of life according to the police officer who just left here,” I responded with a quiver in my voice. “He had a gun. I’ve never seen a gun up close like that before. It was scary.”
“By nighttime I’m dead on my feet, so didn’t even hear them if they were partying all night. Sorry that happened to you two nice young people. I’m glad they’re gone if they were into illegal drugs.”
“I sure hope the cops catch him with the drugs, if that’s what he took out of my closet. I’m still shaking, but will be okay now.” I glanced over at Chase who stood close by, listening to everything.
“I gotta get back downstairs, but let me know if anything else happens, okay?”
“Will do.” Just then my phone rang. “Wait a minute. I may have some news you’d like to hear, too.”
“Hello. This is Anna Louise Armstrong.”
“This is Officer Brinkley. We caught the guy. He’s a well-known drug dealer, so thanks to you and the gentleman he’ll be off the streets of New York for a long time.”
“I’m so glad you caught him,” my voice choked out. “Thanks for letting me know.”
The landlady waved and disappeared back down the stairs.
Chase put his arms around me and held me close to him. “It sure was crazy there for a minute, but as soon as I heard him threaten you, I knew we needed the police.”
“Thank you, Chase, from the bottom of my heart.” I leaned my head on his shoulder and relaxed for the first time since opening the door to a bad-looking dude who turned out to be a big-time drug dealer.
Chase pulled me a little closer, then said, “You did everything right Anna Louise, but I learned tonight, too, that while we’re living here in the Blue Sky Apartments, neither one of us should answer our door unless we know who is on the other side of it.”
“Except you, Chase. I already know your three knocks. But my door will always be locked from now on.”
“Way to go, Anna Louise.” Chase lifted my chin and kissed me lightly on the brow before making his way out the door toward his apartment. “Lock your door. I’ll be listening for the click.” Chase turned and smiled at me, then waited until he knew I was safely locked inside my apartment.