Page 18 of Just Like Home

“Jules always performed a solo to close out the night,” Brinley said. “And Connor always performed a number with Amelia.”

Charlotte’s stomach twisted. How were they going to make that happen? “Let’s worry about that later—can you reach out to the parents and secure a new date with the theatre?”

“I can do that,” Brinley said. “We’ll bring the students back in and the other teachers and I will refresh their memories on the recital dances and push the performance date to late July or early August? Would that be enough time?”

Charlotte thought it over. It was barely June. Plenty of time. “I can make it work,” Charlotte said.

“And you’ll perform?” Brinley appeared to be holding her breath now. “For Jules?”

“I’ll think about it,” Charlotte said, knowing full well that at this point, she’d do anything for Jules.

Brinley took out a notebook and walked over to the front counter. She opened the pad and began writing furiously.

“What are you doing?” Charlotte asked, peering at the sheet of paper. She tried—failed—to read the scrawled words Brinley was writing.

“Making a list of people to contact. Everyone loved Julianna. I think a lot of people are going to want to be involved. If we get the people here, could you choreograph something for them—maybe three or four numbers? We could have groups or couples.”

“I’m not a ballroom dancer,” Charlotte said.

“Well, you’re a lot better than everyone else in town, so I doubt anyone would care.” She tapped her pen on the paper. “I know a lot of people are going to want to be a part of this tribute. The high school football team. Julianna’s friends. Hildy and Steve, the people who run Haven House?”

She said it like Charlotte should know what it was.

“Jules told you about it, right? It was pretty special to her.”

She hadn’t, in fact, told Charlotte about it.

Brinley sighed. “I bet she never in a million years thought her own kids might end up there.”

Charlotte frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Haven House is this great transitional home, run by this sweet older couple who’ve been taking in kids for decades. Basically, it keeps kids out of the system if their parents are going through a hard time. So, say Connor realizes he can’t function and isn’t able to take care of his kids for a few weeks—he can take them to Haven House and they’ll give them everything they need until he’s ready.”

“And if he’s never ready?” What would keep people from dumping their kids at this place and taking off?

“Sometimes that happens, I think, and then the state gets involved. But mostly Haven House just provides a little bit of help when parents hit a rough patch. Julianna volunteered there every week. I’m sure Hildy and Steve will want to be a part of this. They were like family to her.”

Charlotte glanced down the hallway, then back at Julianna’s assistant. “You really think her kids might end up there?”

Brinley shrugged. “If they do, it will only be temporary. Connor loves those kids, but . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“But . . . ?”

“It’s a lot without Jules. Did you ever see them together?”

Charlotte shook her head, not counting the time they came to see her inCinderella. “Not really. She met Connor after she left the ballet, and that’s when things started picking up for me, so I didn’t really get the chance.”I didn’t really make our friendship a priority.

“As far as Connor was concerned, Jules hung the moon,” Brinley said. “I mean, they were so in love it was disgusting. But you know, in the best way.”

Charlotte’s heart sputtered. She’d never loved anyone like that, and she’d certainly never been loved like that. She couldn’t fault Connor for treating her the way he had—she couldn’t imagine how painful his loss must be. As it was, her own loss felt heavy enough.

“I’m sure it will all be fine,” Brinley said. “I’m betting there will be lots of people reaching out to make sure Connor and the kids are okay.”

“Like, her brother?”

Brinley nodded. “Cole loves those kids. And Jules has lots of friends. And like I said, Haven House is there for them if they need it.”

Charlotte’s mind wandered back to her visit with Connor. He certainly seemed to be struggling. Would this recital help bring some closure to this horrible tragedy?

---