Chapter 21
After all that had happened in the last few months, it seemed good to spend some relatively quiet time back at the Emporium. Thomas and I kept things running pretty smoothly from day to day. He tuned pianos while I kept the customers happy. Daniel flew in and out as needed, usually hand in hand with Mara.
I missed Ms. Thompson. I’d never had a chance to tell her about my mother’s death and I wanted to. Maybe I’d go to the school to see if I could visit with her. But, before I could find the time to go, I received an unbelievable invitation from the Chamber Orchestra. The conductor wanted to present me as the guest pianist at Carnegie Hall during the Christmas season. Mr. Anderson would be in touch with me.
I gasped so loud when I read the invitation, Thomas came rushing out of his office. “What’s happened now, Anna Louise?”
I handed the invitation to him and watched the expression on his face as he read it. “You’ve made it to Carnegie Hall. My father would be so proud. I’m sure he has a huge smile on his face right this very minute.” Thomas threw his arms around me and hugged me tight.
“It seems unreal to me now that’s it’s actually about to happen. I just hope I can make Mr. Cutler proud during my performance. I’m happy, too, that it’s happening during the holiday season. I think he’ll be looking down and blessing all of us that evening.”
“Knowing you, Anna Louise, your performance at Carnegie Hall will be flawless and my father would be the proudest man in the hall if he were here to experience the music for himself.”
“All I know for sure is that I will request the concert programs bear the inscription In Memory of Mr. Samuel J. Cutler on the cover in large letters. “Thank you, Thomas, for taking me in.”
“My father took you in, and then you became family to the rest of us. We will all be there to watch your dream of playing Carnegie Hall come true.”
“I don’t know what to say. All I know is that I love the Cutler family with all my heart.”
The front door opened and in walked Mr. Anderson. Thomas passed the invitation back to me and I held it up for Mr. Anderson to see. “I received it today,” I cried out.
“Wonderful. Then, if you have time, I’d like to go over a few things with you.” I glanced over at Thomas.
“Go ahead,” he said. “I think I can handle the store for a few minutes.”
I took Mr. Anderson into my little office and offered him a chair. He glanced around the small room, then went over the music I’d be playing and what would be expected of me as the featured pianist during the Chamber Orchestra’s performance at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Anderson finished with all of his instructions shortly before closing, so after showing him out the front door, I locked it and shut off the lights, following Thomas out the back door. “See you tomorrow,” he said as he climbed into the SUV.
“I’ll be here,” I replied, slipping into a waiting cab.
“Where to, miss?” The driver asked, glancing into his rearview mirror.
“Oh. The School of Musical Arts, sir,” I replied, snapping out of my Carnegie Hall world.
I knocked on the big, front door of the school and waited for someone to answer. I didn’t recognize the person who answered the door, but she introduced herself as Ms. Abigail Hunter. “Is Ms. Thompson here? Is she busy? If she’s not busy, I’d like to speak with her.”
“She’s with a student at the moment, but if you’d like to wait, I believe she’ll be finished in a few minutes,” Ms. Hunter replied.
“I’ll wait for her, then,” I said.
“Come on in and I’ll show you to the waiting area.”
It wasn’t long before Ms. Thompson appeared in the doorway of the waiting room. I stood and rushed over to her, giving her a big hug. I had so much to tell her, some bad and some good. “It’s so good to see you, Ms. Thompson.”
“I sense some sad vibes coming from you, but also some good vibes, too.”
“It always amazes me how you can read me. You’re exactly right.”
“Let’s take a little walk down the hall to my office where we can hear ourselves talk. Would you like something to drink? I believe there’s coffee or tea available.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
Once in Ms. Thompson’s office, she encouraged me to tell her what was on my mind. I told her first about my mother becoming ill and going back to help my father until after her death. How I had played at her funeral. “I wrote a new song for my mom’s funeral. I played it during the service for her.”
“I hope you were able to find some sort of peace regarding your mom during your stay.”
“I did, Ms. Thompson. My mom never said a word to me, even when she knew I was in the room with her, but forgiveness came to me and I was able to release her with love right before she died.”
“You are free, then, my dear.”
“I am,” I replied. “But the good news is that I’m going to be playing Carnegie Hall as the guest pianist with the Chamber Orchestra right before Christmas. I want you to be there, of course.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, but I’m sure I’ll need a ticket for a performance at Carnegie Hall.”
“Oh. I hope to get tickets for you, my father, Chase, Mara, and the Cutler family for sure,” I exclaimed. “I’ll send you a ticket as soon as I can. I’ll be meeting with Mr. Anderson and the orchestra next week to start practicing the pieces I’ll need to learn for the concert.”
“I’ll be watching for the ticket, then.” Ms. Thompson rose and came around to me. “I wish you only the best, Anna Louise. When we believe in ourselves, dreams do come true.”
~ ~ ~
As soon as I’d said goodbye to Ms. Thompson, I hailed a cab and headed home to SoHo. I couldn’t wait to tell Mara about Carnegie Hall. Quickly unlocking the door, I shouted, “Mara, I’m going to be playing Carnegie Hall with the Chamber Orchestra during the Christmas season.”
Hearing the news, Mara went ballistic. “Oh! Anna Louise, that means we’ll have to go shopping again. Something that’ll go with the Christmas theme.” She ran out of the kitchen and hugged me tight.
“I’m worried about learning the music for such a great honor and you’re worried about what I’ll be wearing.” I hugged her back, laughing.
“Someone has to worry about what you’ll be wearing because I know you won’t.” Mara quirked one eyebrow. “You’ll have to excuse me. I was adding the pasta and vegetables to the soup, when you came bounding through the door. Oh, the soup will be ready in about twenty minutes.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m starving,” I replied, making my way down the hallway to my bedroom to change into my usual jeans and a sweater. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.
A couple of days later I received my allotted number of tickets for Carnegie Hall. I immediately sent one off to Ms. Thompson, enclosed in another creative invitation designed by Mara, then I called my father.
“Hello?” I heard on the other end of the line.
“Hi, Dad. It’s Anna Louise. Even though I know Mom’s illness and death turned your world upside down, I hope you’re doing well. I’m sure the store and Grant are probably keeping you busy. I think of you often.”
“Good to hear from you, Anna Louise. It has been busy since you left Wisteria and flew back to New York.”
“I’m calling because I’m sending you a special ticket to hear me play as the guest pianist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall in a couple of weeks, celebrating the Christmas season. Do you think Mr. Jones would be able to free you up for a day or so to come to New York to hear your daughter play Carnegie Hall? There’s a front-row seat waiting for you.”
“Congratulations, sweetheart. I think I could probably arrange that with Albert. When is this big day?”
“I’m putting your ticket in the mail as we speak. Everything you need to know is right there on the ticket. Let me know as soon as you receive it and if you’ll be able to come. Mara, Daniel, and Chase will be there also, sitting right next to you.”
“It’ll be good to see them again, too, especially Mara.”
“I’d love for you to meet Ms. Thompson, the wonderful person who taught me how to play piano. She’s been my cheering section ever since I started taking lessons at The School of Musical Arts and continues to be even now that I’ve graduated from the program. Also, there’s my boss Thomas and his wife Beth—Mr. Cutler’s son and daughter-in-law. You’ve met Daniel, but their other sons, Lucas and Benjamin, will be there, along with their daughter, Ashley, and their adopted daughter, Savannah Walker. I’m sure they’d all like to meet you.
“Don’t know if I’m ready to meet so many people yet, but because they’ve done so much for my daughter, I’m looking forward to meeting each and every one of them.”
“Thank you, Dad. I’ll pick you up at the airport. And you can stay in my bedroom while you’re here. Mara and I will bunk together for a few days. Gotta go. Talk to you later. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Anna Louise. Bye.”
~ ~ ~
A few days later, I received an email back from Dad:
Hi Anna Louise,
Received the ticket, and it would be my honor to be seated there in Carnegie Hall when you play with the Chamber Orchestra. Never would’ve guessed in my wildest dreams that one day I’d be listening to my daughter play as the solo pianist in the great Carnegie Hall. I’ll be the one with bells on. I look forward to meeting Ms. Thompson and the Cutlers. They sound like amazing people, just like my daughter.
See you at the airport when I arrive.
Love,
Dad
~ ~ ~
“Come on, Anna Louise, we have to find you a dress and all that goes with it tonight. The concert is only a week away and your dad’s going to be arriving soon.”
“I’m coming, Mara. Just hold your horses.”
We hit all the main dress shops in SoHo and finally decided on a strapless, red gown with sparkling matching red shoes. Mara picked out a rhinestone necklace and earrings for me to wear with the dress.
“I’ll fix your hair for the big event, too. I can hardly wait. The last time we were at Carnegie Hall, Blake was playing.” Mara covered her mouth as she stared over at me.
“It’s okay. How is Blake these days?”
“Traveling, as usual. He’s just about finished with his studies at Julliard, too.”
“He’s so accomplished,” I replied. “Let’s go home. I’d like to talk to Chase before going to bed.”
“Just so you know, I think you and Chase are perfect for one another. You both light up when you’re together.”
“Thanks, Mara. I think you and Daniel are the perfect couple, too, but you’re both still in college, so don’t go getting any big ideas before you graduate. I’ll chain you to the kitchen table if I have to.”
“Chase loves you, you know. I can see it in his eyes whenever he looks at you.”
“I love him back, but we’re still so young yet.”
“Then, let’s all just enjoy the next few years and not get too wrapped up in this marriage thing.” Mara threw her arms, bags and all, around me as we stood on the corner waiting for a cab. I tried to return her hug, but my arms were overflowing with bags.
~ ~ ~
The next day at the airport, I spotted my father before he caught a glimpse of me, so I ran up behind him as he watched for his bags to come around—his computer bag over his shoulder—and hugged him tight. Even though he smiled up at me and hugged me back, I could tell we were both nervous. After he’d retrieved his bags, we made our way out of the airport and into a cab. “It’s good to see you, Dad. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, even though Carnegie Hall is certainly out of my comfort zone.”
“I know how you feel. I’ll never forget my first day in New York. Yikes!”
“I missed you from that day forward, sweetheart,” he replied.
“I missed you, too, Dad.”
Soon things relaxed between us and the air in the cab grew lighter. Mara and Daniel greeted us at the apartment. Chase was scheduled to arrive soon. We’d all have dinner together. I was cooking because I knew what my dad liked to eat. I had a chicken roasting in the oven, flavored with his favorite seasonings, along with mashed potatoes and gravy, French-cut beans with bacon, warm rolls, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert—a good-ol’ down-home meal.
When Chase buzzed from the entry, I ran down and greeted him with a big hug and kiss, knowing that would probably be the only chance we’d get all night. “Good to see you, Mr. Reporter Man.”
“Great to see you, too, Miss Piano Girl.”
Chase and my father shook hands as we entered the apartment. “Welcome, Mr. Armstrong. Nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you, Chase. Hope you’ll show me the newspaper while I’m here.”
“I’d be happy to. Maybe I could show you some of the landmarks around the city, including the Statue of Liberty, then make our final stop the New York Times.”
“I’d like that,” my dad replied. “This is my first trip to New York.”
“Come and get it,” I called out as I placed the basket of warm rolls on the table. “Dad, would you say grace, then carve the roasted chicken for us?”
“It would be my pleasure. Everything smells wonderful, Anna Louise.”
With prayers said and the carving done, we all dug in and enjoyed the food, as well as the comradery shared by everyone for the next couple of hours. Dad was the first to excuse himself and head to bed, but Chase, who’d brought a bottle of lime spritzer for those of us not yet twenty-one and himself, poured us each a glass over ice. “To Anna Louise and her premier performance at Carnegie Hall. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Chase clicked his glass, first with me, then with Mara and Daniel.
“To Anna Louise,” echoed Mara and Daniel.
~ ~ ~
Tonight was the night: Carnegie Hall. My dream of learning how to play the piano and to perform at Carnegie Hall was about to come true. I looked up toward the heavens. My red gown flowed and the rhinestones hanging around my neck and from my ears sparkled as I walked backstage to meet up with Mr. Anderson.
I knew Dad, Chase, Daniel, Mara, Ms. Thompson, and the Cutler family would all be sitting in the front row when the curtain rose on the orchestra in just a few minutes. The conductor had chosen the music for tonight’s concert. He and I had agreed on the solo number I’d play at the end of the program. Most of the songs had a Christmas flavor to them.
“Miss Armstrong. Are you ready for your big night?” Mr. Anderson whispered as he came up next to me backstage.
“Other than being a nervous wreck, I’m ready,” I whispered back.
“Let’s get the show on the road, then.”
With a wave of his arm, the lights went down in the hall and the curtain went up on the stage. The conductor raised his arms and the performance began. Playing with the orchestra felt like pure joy to me. Every note crossed my heart.
Then, as I played my solo piece, I leaned into the piano and with every ounce of love I had inside me, I sent the music out into Carnegie Hall. The audience was on their feet when I finally stopped playing. I could hear whistles and shouts throughout, but especially from the front row. The conductor had me take a bow, not once, not twice, but three times before the curtain came down on the orchestra. It was during the second bow I noticed Blake Holbrook sitting out in the audience with the same pretty woman I’d seen him kiss at the ball. Everything stopped for a second, but then, as I took my third bow, I couldn’t have been happier. The people I truly cared about were all sitting in the front row.
As I made my way to the front row, my dad and Chase both showered me with bright red and white bouquets of Christmas flowers.
Mara placed a banner over my head that said, ‘Miss Carnegie Hall.’ I laughed.
Ms. Thompson, who was standing next to my dad, gave me an amazing book about concert pianists past and present.
“Thank you. I can hardly wait to read it,” I said.
Then, Daniel and the rest of the Cutler family, along with Savannah, hugged and sang my praises, giving me a gift certificate to study for a semester at Julliard. I stared at the gift certificate in disbelief, then cried out, “Mr. Cutler, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Everyone knew what I meant.
The whole group, children and all, met back at SoHo to share some holiday treats and beverages, toasting one another as well as Carnegie Hall.
“Today, Miss Anna Louise Armstrong played Carnegie Hall,” Chase shouted as he released a cascade of red, white, and green confetti into the air, falling on everyone around the apartment.
“Thank you all for making my dream come true. But, Chase, what a big mess you’ve made with the confetti. I’ll collect on the clean-up charges later.”
“I’ll gladly pay up anytime.” He smiled his wicked grin.
After everyone, except Chase, had said goodnight and Mara and Dad had gone off to bed, I snuggled up next to Chase on the sofa and quietly reflected on my life since coming to New York. Not everything had been easy, and even though my mother had never loved me, my dream of playing Carnegie Hall in memory of Samuel J. Cutler had come true tonight.