Page 37 of Vinny

“Dad, I told you that I’m staying with a friend for right now until my apartment is released.” Tony had allowed her to tell others that her apartment had been burglarized, but to not give any details. She had made it seem like teenagers broke in and the manager was going to repaint the apartment.

“Friends? What friends? Who are you staying with?” Stewart O’Brian asked.

“I…I’m staying…with one of um…Mr. Alvarez’s men,” she said, knowing what was coming. And she was right.

“You’re staying with some man you just met. Tell me you haven’t gone half-mad and convinced yourself you’ve fallen for some rescuer?”

“Dad, I’m…not going to discuss this…um…situation. I’m safe and getting ready to call Maurice. I’ll be back to practicing in no time.”Please let that satisfy him.

“Speaking of practicing, do you have Easnadh?” he demanded.

“No, but I was told that I may have it later today. Mr. Alvarez?—”

“Don’t give me excuses,” he interrupted. “You sentEasnadh on a different plane and Alvarez Security hasn’t heard the last of me yet.”

“I told you that I was too scared to get back on a plane then,” she said, but knew he would never understand.

After a few more minutes of listening to her father’s tirade, she finally managed to get him off of the phone.No ‘gee I’m so sorry you had to go through this’. No ‘wow, honey, I sure am glad you’re okay’.She tossed the phone onto the coffee table, leaning forward placing her head in her hands.Has it always been this way?

Picking the phone back up, she dialed Maurice.“Hey, I’m back,” she said.

“Oh, my goodness, you have no idea how I’ve been worried and waiting for you to call,” the older man exclaimed. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes,” she laughed. “I’m fine. Just taking a day to recuperate, that’s all.”

“My dear, when I heard that you had been delayed because of an airplane problem with a rough landing and then that you had to travel with the security man…well I just couldn’t believe it. All I could think about was that you must have been scared.”

“It was really fine and it’s over now. I’m hoping to be able to practice today if she’s returned to me.”

“Do you want to come to my studio? I would love to see you and have a chance to check Easnadh out.”

“I don’t know when I’ill get my hands on her and,” she hesitated, thinking about Vinny’s warning. “I really should stay in today. But I’ll plan on seeing you tomorrow, if that’s okay.”

“Absolutely, my dear. You stay in and rest today. Are you at your apartment?”

“Um, no. I’m staying with a friend.”

“Oh, that’s good. You enjoy yourself,” he said.

“I…um…will, I’m sure,” she replied, her face blushing at the thoughts of this morning’s enjoyments.

Disconnecting with that phone call, she realized for the millionth time how comforting it was to be able to have someone in her life who seemed to really care about her. Smiling, she looked back down at the phone.One more call to make.Dreading this call almost as much as her father’s, she quickly punched in the numbers before she changed her mind.

“Todd Levine, Musical Management Services. How may I direct your call?” came the efficient voice of his assistant.

“Hi Erica, this is?—”

“Oh my God, if it isn’t the little-lost lamb finally returned,” her snotty voice came back. “Do you have any idea how much your vacation has cost Mr. Levine?”

“Va…vacation?” Annalissa asked, not understanding.

“Trip detour, going off on your own, not being able to be reached. You know, the least you could have done was kept the man who made your career in the loop.”

“Is he available or not, Erica? Sparring with you after my…my…vacation is not what I want to do,” she asked, hands shaking in anger. She heard voices in the background and then was connected to another line.

“Annalissa?” Todd asked. “Are you back? Do you have your harp? I had arranged for you to play for the Governor’s wife. She’s having a little soiree andthought your music would be the perfect entertainment.”

“Um, hi Todd. Nice to hear from you too,” she said, sitting up straighter.

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