Unfinished Business

Annie worked her way through one of her beloved Madonna’s compositions. She had to admit it was a catchy tune, bold and sly by turns. She’d had to simplify it a bit for Annie’s inexperienced fingers, but the heart was still there. And that was what counted.
    Perhaps the improvement in Annie’s technique wasn’t radical, but there was improvement. And, as far as enthusiasm went, Annie Crampton was her prize student.
    Her own attitude had changed, as well, Vanessa admitted. She hadn’t known she would enjoy quite so much influencing young hearts and minds with music. She was making a difference here—perhaps only a small one so far, but a difference.
    Then there was the added benefit of the lessons helping her keep her mind off Brady. At least for an hour or two every day.
    “Well done, Annie.”
    “I played it all the way through.” The wonder on Annie’s face was worth the few sour notes she had hit. “I can do it again.”
    “Next week.” Vanessa picked up Annie’s book just as she heard the front screen slam. “I want you to work on this next lesson. Hi, Joanie.”
    “I heard the music.” She shifted Lara to her other hip. “Annie Crampton, was that you playing?”
    Braces flashed. “I played it all the way through. Miss Sexton said I did a good job.”
    “And you did. I’m impressed—especially because she could never teach me anything beyond ‘Heart and Soul.’”
    Vanessa placed a hand on Annie’s head. “Mrs. Knight didn’t practice.”
    “I do. And my mom says I’ve learned more in three weeks than I did in three months up at the music store.” She flashed a final grin as she gathered up her books. “And it’s more fun, too. See you next week, Miss Sexton.”
    “I really was impressed,” Joanie said as Annie slammed out the front door.
    “She has good hands.” She held out her own for the baby. “Hello, Lara.”
    “Maybe you could give her lessons one day.”
    “Maybe.” She cuddled the baby.
    “So, other than Annie, how are the lessons going? You’re up to, what—?”
    “Twelve students. And that’s my absolute limit.” She pressed her nose against Lara’s and had the baby giggling. “Absolutely. But, all in all, they’re going fairly well. I’ve learned to check students’ hands before they sit at the piano. I never did figure out what Scott Snooks smeared on the keys.”
    “What did it look like?”

    “Green.” She laughed and bounced Lara. “Now we have an inspection before each lesson.”
    “If you can teach Scott Snooks anything other than murder and mayhem, you’re a miracle worker.”
    “That’s the challenge.” And she was beginning to enjoy it. “If you’ve got time, I can defrost a can of lemonade.”
    “Miss Domesticity.” Joanie grinned. “No, really, I only have a couple of minutes. Don’t you have another student coming?”
    “Saved by the chicken pox.” With Lara in tow, Vanessa moved to the living room. “What’s your hurry?”
    “I just stopped by to see if you needed anything in town. Dad and Loretta will be back in a few hours, and I want to see them. Meanwhile, I’ve got three dozen errands to run. Hardware store, grocery store, the lumber place. I still can’t believe Jack sweet-talked me into that one.” She plopped into a chair. “I’ve spent most of the morning picking up behind Lara the Wrecking Crew as she single-handedly totaled the house. And to think I was thrilled when she took her first step.”
    “I could use some sheet music.” Vanessa gently removed Lara’s grasping fingers from her necklace. “I tell you what, I’ll write down the titles for you, and in exchange I’ll baby-sit.”
    Joanie shook her head and rubbed a hand over her ear. “Excuse me, did you say baby-sit?”
    “Yes. As in you-can-leave-Lara-with-me-for-a-couple-of-hours.”
    “A couple of hours,” she repeated slowly. “Do you mean I can go to the mall, alone, by myself?”
    “Well, if you’d rather not—”
    Joanie let out a whoop as she jumped up to kiss Vanessa and Lara in turn. “Lara, baby, I love you. Goodbye.”
    “Joanie, wait.” Laughing, Vanessa sprang up to grab her arm. “I haven’t written down the titles for the sheet music.”

    “Oh, yeah. Right. I guess I got a little too excited.” She blew her hair out of her eyes. “I haven’t been shopping by myself in…I forget.” Her smile faded to a look of dismay. “I’m a terrible mother. I was happy about leaving her behind. No, not happy.