From the Heart

Brahms with precision and disinterest.
    No more empty eyes, she thought and reached out to touch the girl’s hair. What would it be like to have a child of her own? she wondered. She shook her head. She was becoming too sentimental and much, much too attached.
    “Terrific,” she told Alison when she had finished. “You learn quickly.”
    “Will I ever play as well as you?”
    “Better, soon.” Kasey smiled and packed the guitar in its case. “I’ve an affection for music. You’ve affection and skill.”
    “I didn’t think so before.” Alison sat down at the piano and began to finger the keys. “I can play things on the piano and the guitar now.”
    Kasey grinned. “Alison, I have to go shopping. Want to come with me?”
    “Shopping?” Alison’s attention was arrested. “Christmas shopping? I’ve finished mine, but I’d like to help you with what you have left.”
    “Have left? I haven’t started yet.”
    “None at all?” Alison’s eyes widened. “But there are only ten days left.”
    “That many?” Kasey rose and stretched. “Well, I suppose I can start early. I usually wait until Christmas Eve. I love the confusion.”
    “But what if you can’t find what you want?”
    How like Jordan she was, Kasey thought. “That’s the challenge,” Kasey told her. “I drive the sales clerks crazy.” The thought made her grin. “In any case, I need a dress. We can grab a hamburger, too. There must be a McFarden’s around somewhere.”
    “McFarden’s?” Alison brought her brows together. She was intrigued and cautious. So like Jordan, Kasey thought again. “I’ve never been to McFarden’s.”
    “Never been to McFarden’s?” Kasey gave her a look of exaggerated astonishment. “That,” she said, “is positively un-American.” Grabbing Alison’s hand, she pulled her to her feet. “You need a lesson in patriotism.”
    Some time later, Kasey eased into a parking space. “I told you I’d find one.” Switching off the ignition, she dropped the keys into her pocket. Alison climbed out, and Kasey locked up carefully.
    “I hope Uncle Jordan won’t mind that we borrowed his car.”
    “He told me I could use it whenever I liked.” Kasey skirted around the Mercedes’s hood.
    “But Charles usually drives everyone except Uncle Jordan.”
    “Why should we drag poor Charles around?” Kasey countered. “We must have gone to a hundred and thirty-seven stores.” She pushed through the glass doors. “I’m starving. Do you realize how long it’s been since I had a hamburger?”
    Alison looked around her and became caught up in the crowd and the noise. “It smells wonderful.”
    Kasey laughed and pulled her into line. “Smelling’s not eating. I have a craving for French fries.”
    Alison stared up at the menu that hung above the counter and zeroed in on a picture of a hamburger. “I’d like one of those. Is it good?”
    “Fantastic.” Kasey laughed. “You have big eyes, Alison. Let’s hope you have an appetite to match.”
    “It is big,” Alison stated when they found a table. She took a bite and grinned. “And it’s good.”
    “You have very discerning taste.” Kasey dug into her own. She closed her eyes and sighed. “It’s been too long. Do you think we can talk Francois into trying his hand at one of these?”
    “You could,” Alison stated and wolfed down a French fry.
    “Why do you say that?”
    “You could talk anybody into anything.”
    Kasey laughed and shook her head. “Perceptive little squirt, aren’t you?”
    Alison grinned and sampled her milk shake. “I’ve never seen anything like the present you got for Uncle Jordan.”
    “The shaman’s rattle?” Kasey chewed thoughtfully on a French fry. “It was quite a find.” It had been elegantly carved and painted. Apache. Kasey had been thrilled enough to comeacross it that she hadn’t even thought to bargain. “It’ll help him ward off evil spirits.”
    Alison was bulldozing her way through the hamburger. “I liked the dress you bought, too. Green looks beautiful on you.”
    “I don’t usually wear it. It’s so obvious with my coloring.” She sat back with her own milk shake. “Then, I don’t mind being obvious now and again.”
    “It’s very stylish,” Alison told her and took another bite of her hamburger. “And slinky.”
    Kasey grinned. “I did like that other one, though. You know, the smashed velvet.”
    “Crushed velvet,” Alison corrected and giggled.
    “Whatever. Would you