Chapter 3-1
1095 Words
CHAPTER 3
Brooke took a bite of her sandwich, searching YouTube for recordings of Kenneth singing. She found a student recital and clicked on it, relaxing to the sound of his gorgeous voice.
Inside her desk, her cell phone began to chime.
Brooke sighed, paused the music and went digging for it, catching it just after the ringing stopped. Glancing at the screen, she realized it was her sister, so she quickly pressed the button to return the call. Autumn answered on the first ring.
“Hi, Sis,” Brooke said. “Sorry about the delay. My phone was in my desk.”
“I figured,” her sister replied, and Brooke could practically see her tossing her long mane of thick blond hair over her shoulder. “That’s why I didn’t go anywhere. I know your schedule pretty well by now.”
“I’m sure that’s true,” Brooke agreed. “So, what’s up, Sis?”
“Nothing much with me. Work. Spending time with Dad and River, dating a bit here and there but nothing serious. However, I had a feeling I needed to call you because something important had changed, so mainly I called to ask what’s up with you?”
“Huh.” Brooke took another bite of her sandwich, savoring the flavor of ham, cheddar and tomatoes. Psychic sister strikes again. Nothing has changed though. She swallowed. “I went to the opera last night.”
“On a date?” Autumn asked hopefully.
“With my students,” Brooke replied. “They really enjoyed it, or so they said. I know I did. I’m lucky to live in a city where so much incredible music is happening.”
“There’s music in Texas too,” Autumn pointed out, sounding deflated. You know you can do something other than work once in a while, right?”
“I do,” Brooke replied. “Going to the opera wasn’t work. I enjoyed it. I also sing in the symphony chorale. That’s just for me.”
“Why do you?” Autumn asked, and Brooke could hear that probing note in her voice that meant she was about to do something spooky.
“Why do I sing? Sis, you know I love to sing.”
“Yes, I know.” Autumn sounded even farther away, like she was inside a tunnel. “You love to sing with… him. Him who, Brooke?”
“Stop being spooky, Autumn,” Brooke exclaimed, rather louder than she should have given that Nancy was sitting in the next office with her door open. “There is no him.” She could hear the lie in her own voice.
“Ha, now I know there’s someone. Why, Brooke, are you in love?”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “In love is a bit much. I don’t even know the guy. We only introduced ourselves yesterday. It’s just that he’s really handsome and a fabulous singer. I guess you could say I have a little crush. But listen, he’s a rising star in the local opera scene. I’ve heard rumors he’s taking off for a European tour with them starting after Christmas. He’s like a celebrity. Celebrity crushes are no reason to break out the champagne.”
“Wow, you sure said all that fast. Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Autumn asked, a hint of a chuckle lingering in her voice. “Anyway, I wouldn’t assume you’re as safe as you think you are. You sing in an ensemble with him. You say you introduced yourself last night? You may see him as a celebrity, but I’d be willing to bet he sees you much more as an equal. Don’t rule anything out.”
“I introduced myself because I chased away a couple of social justice warriors who were killing his concert buzz. I also wanted my students to get a chance to meet him. He was really encouraging to them.”
“You? Quiet Brooke? Chasing away people due to an overheard conversation? That’s not like you.”
“It is too,” she replied. “I chased bullies away from you all the time.”
“Yes, from me. Your family. I think you have to admit you see him as more than a handsome, musical stranger, at least in your heart.”
Brooke opened her mouth to protest but found herself unable.
“There, you see?” Autumn told her gently. “It’s easier if you don’t fight yourself. What’s this music god’s name?”
“Kenneth,” Brooke replied. “Kenneth Tyrone Hill. He has a whole page to himself on the opera website if you want to take a look. Great headshot.”
She could hear some clicking sounds on the other end and knew Autumn had taken the bait.
“Oh, wow,” her sister breathed a moment later.
“Handsome, right?”
“I had no idea you liked his type.”
“What type? Do you mean because he’s black? You know I don’t restrict my attraction by race. Jordan’s Asian, and remember Juan back in high school?”
“I mean the teddy bear type,” Autumn replied idly. “He looks nice to hug. Also, there’s gentleness around his eyes and humbleness to his expression that tells me he’s not nearly the big star in his own mind. If you decide to go after him, I bet he’d be receptive.”
“Come on, Autumn. I can’t do that. What would Dad say if I got together with another musician?”
“Brooke, you have to stop making decisions based on what Dad would say. He doesn’t mean any of it. He just likes to give you a hard time. If you stand by your convictions, you’ll realize that he may bluster, but he actually respects it.”
“That’s hard for me,” Brooke told her sister. “Besides, I have no idea whether Kenneth is even interested.”
“He is,” Autumn said. “I can feel it. I’ll run a tarot spread later on if you’d like.”
“No cards,” Brooke replied. “You know I don’t believe in that.”
“It’s real whether you believe or not,” Autumn reminded her, “but I respect your decision. Take care, Sis, and don’t sell yourself short. You have a lot to offer, and Mr. Kenneth Tyrone Hill would be lucky to have you, not just the other way around.”
“Maybe, but that’s not what I’m looking for,” Brooke replied.
Autumn paused for a long moment. At length, she sighed. “I don’t believe that either, but it’s clear, for the moment, that you do. I won’t push. Only, if your feelings change, don’t fight them. Let life happen to you once in a while.”
“I’ll think about it,” Brooke replied noncommittally.
“All right. I’ll go now. Have a good day, Sis.”
“You too.”
Brooke ended the call quickly, but the feelings elicited by her sister’s words lingered with her.
Throughout the day, a sense of something she couldn’t name teased the back of her mind. It left her unsettled, but not in a bad way.
The next day, and the next, images of Kenneth popped up frequently in Brooke’s mind. The memory of his face, of his voice, the scent of his cologne, the electric sizzle of his touch, all lingered with her.
- Writer
