Seth (Casella Cousins #2) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,28
when I worked at Cook, Coldwell and Cramer. These are yours and Finn’s birthday presents from me.”
As they made their way down the aisle and found the row, Julianne was awed by the vast orchestra seating section, and three balconies, topped by a soaring dome. She said to Paul, “Thank you so much for including me. I can’t wait to hear the score.” With her music background, the show probably meant more to her than the rest of them.
She pulled her wool scarf around her, she watched others find their seats. People glittered in their fancy dresses and suits, but she noticed there were others here in jeans and boots.
She read in the Playbill that the scaffold set was symbolic of the new country being built and growing. Staircases on either side served as entrances for the main characters. The brick wall was raised during the course of the acts of the play to represent the growth of the country.
When the music began Julianne was enthralled with the combination of hip-hop, rap, jazz and R&B as well as the Broadway tunes. The fact that the entire dialogue was in song was mind-boggling, like Les Miserable or Evita had been.
She laughed at Washington’s wife naming her cat Hamilton because Hamilton was such a tomcat, aka, ladies’ man.
She got enwrapped in the high-concept plot: its dramatic peaks and valleys, covering the revolution, a sex scandal, blackmail and a duel with the U.S. Vice president. She wondered if she’d learned in school that Hamilton had laid the foundation for the American government and finance.
When it was over, they went to a pub down the street and chatted vigorously about the musical over cocktails. Julianne had missed socializing with friends late at night. It hadn’t happened since she and Seth’s last break-up.
She pushed down the thought. This was a new beginning.
* * *
“Hi, Liliana.”
“Hi, Jules. Thanks for calling. I’ve been thinking about you. Is everything okay?” Liliana had a sixth sense about Julianne, especially when something was wrong.
“Not exactly. I thought I’d wait to see you in person but I decided to call instead. Some things have happened to me. A break-in at my house and my car was keyed.”
“Oh, dear God in heaven! Tell me the details.”
Julianne gave her as much information as she had.
Afterward, Liliana asked, “Do you want me to come to Hidden Cove?”
“Of course I would, but not for that reason. We don’t see each other enough, spend enough time together. These incidents made me realize some things and that’s one of them.”
“Yeah, I know we don’t see each other enough. I’ll send you some dates I could visit and you pick something. Then, in person, we can make more plans.”
“I’d love that. Now, tell me how you’ve been.”
“Busy, as usual. The governor is dealing with the budget so a lot of it falls on me.”
Liliana gave her a condensed version of her life since Jules had last talked to her. When she finished, she said, “What’s in your life that’s good?”
“I have enough private lessons to keep me afloat. I’m just starting with the school kids and I have to get going soon.”
“Any dates?”
“Why don’t we cover that when you come here. I’d rather chat in person and I have to go now to get to the elementary school on time.”
“One more thing. Did you tell Mom about what’s happened?”
“Not yet. I’ll call her soon. She can handle this.”
“Yeah, I agree. I’m so sorry about the whole thing. Try to think good thoughts.”
“I will, I promise. I love you, Liliana.”
“I love you, too, hon.”
When Julianne disconnected, she immersed herself in the warmth of her sister’s affection. She also took Lil’s advice. She wasn’t going to think negative thoughts so she chose to re-live in the memories of the weekend and her time with Seth.
Julianne arrived at school before ten o’clock, spoke briefly with the music teacher then checked the room. These kids had difficulty in the drum lesson when there were no desks, but today they’d need them. So, she set up five of the ones stacked in the corner. She had paper and pencils for each of them, but she didn’t put them out yet.
She greeted the kids at the door. “Good morning. Take any seat.” When they settled down, she smiled at them. “I hope you’re all well.”
Five faces stared at her and said nothing.
“I’m going to play you a story today.”
“What kind?” Perry asked. His dark hair fell into his eyes, but he didn’t brush it