Page 111 of The Rules We Broke
When we finished, the room erupted into a standing ovation.
“We need to bow,” I instructed her.
“That’s silly,” she replied.
“That’s how all great pianists do it.”
We bowed dramatically. Our tiny audience clapped even louder. Brady beamed at me—I winked in return.
Aunt Lu turned and looked at Brady. I could see it in her eyes—she was trying to figure him out, wondering how this man might fit into our family.
Brady joined me at the piano.
Caroline hopped over to sit beside my aunt, who clearly preferred her new seatmate.
I chose “Breath of Heaven” for the next piece. Its lyrics were tender, and the accompaniment fit my range perfectly. Most importantly—Aunt Lu loved it.
“Can I sit on your lap?” Brady asked, low and cheeky.
“No, but I’ll sit on yours later,” I murmured back.
“Much better plan,” he groaned, just for me.
“Okay, lovebirds, knock it off and start the show,” Benjamin called.
Brady and I chuckled, and I began to play.
I’d forgotten how much I missed performing. And this—this was my favorite crowd.
When I finished, I glanced at Aunt Lu. She looked like the proud momma she always had been. She blew me a kiss—just like she did after every performance. Even tonight.
I loved it.
Caroline clapped like her tiny hands were powered by sugar. Her parents followed, just as enthusiastic.
Brady and I stood together. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.
I couldn’t have been happier.
Or more hopeful.
Chapter Twenty-One
Wewereonthecountdown to Christmas—ten days to go. And I still didn’t know what to get Brady. I knew what hewanted, but we kept coming up empty during Sunday dinner.
My aunt still refused to call him Brady. At least she hadn’t referred to him asthat Jackson boylately. Her new tactic seemed to be avoiding his name altogether, expecting he’d just know when she was talking to him. I supposed that was something.
She was happy to be home. But she didn’t like me fussing over her. She wanted to be independent again—still the caretaker, not the one being cared for.
So, I let Doris tend to her. That seemed to strike the right balance. It didn’t impinge on her dignity, and she got to feel like herself.
We spent our afternoons working on puzzles and writing Christmas cards. She also helped with my fan mail, which nowcame to her house. I think it gave her real joy to read those treasured notes and help me respond.
She signed every letterAunt Calliope.
Tuesday was show-and-tell. Brady met me at Caroline’s school—which happened to be our old grade school.
Brady and I met in the parking lot and walked in together. On the way, we reminisced about our own days there—the days we weren’t allowed to speak to each other, let alone be in the same class.
