“Yes. Many people don’t ever find true love.” She pulls her hood up and draws a deep breath. “Go pick up the twins.”
I step out of the back and walk back around as Tilda heads for her car.
“Lori?”
I turn, and she’s stopped, looking back, but with no part of her face showing. “Yes?”
“Thank you for putting this into perspective for me. Mari tried, but her perspective was still that of a vampire. Max will also live several hundred years and could only advise me to mind my own business. What you said…it made your point of view more understandable. You didn’t owe me that, but I appreciate it.”
“I’m glad I could help. Maybe we can all have Thanksgiving together in a couple of weeks.”
“That would be nice.” She turns and gets into her car with its windows all darkly tinted. A moment later, she drives away.
After my encounter with Tilda, I’m wary when I arrive at Mari’s house to pick up the twins. I’ve barely finished knocking when the door opens.
Mari is dressed in black, which is typical for her. “Good afternoon, Lori. I’m happy to see you.”
“Are you?” I ask before considering whether it’s polite.
She smiles and invites me to enter. “We’ve been practicing a new song and the girls would like to perform it for you.”
I walk to the den where Mari has her piano.
Dotty is seated, and Livi stands next to her, facing me. Dotty looks over her shoulder and grins. “Mommy, sit down.”
Mari shows me to an armchair, and I sit.
“What’s up, girls?”
“We’ve been working really hard.” Livi tugs on her blue sweater and shifts from foot to foot.
Walking so that Dotty can see her and the piano at the same time, Mari commands both girls’ attention. She nods.
Dotty’s fingers move across the keys, and a lovely and familiar melody about being a part of a bigger world rings through the house. A moment later, Livi’s sweet voice joins in with perfect tone. She sings about trinkets and other glorious things that she wants to explore.
I’ve never heard her sing so confidently. It’s always Dotty dancing and singing for all the world to hear, but today, my shy baby pours her heart into this song from an animated fairytale about a mermaid.
The piano is perfection, and the singing is beautiful. I’m weeping by the time they reach the last notes. I leap to my feet and clap as loudly as I can. “That was wonderful.”
“Why are you crying, Mommy?” Livi’s eyes widen, and she fists her little hands.
I open my arms wide. “Because it was so beautiful, baby.”
She runs into my arms, and a second later, Dotty joins the hug.
Mari steps into the kitchen and returns with a glass of water for me. “I thought you could use this.”
Taking the glass, I nod. “Thank you. And thank you for the mini concert. It was wonderful.”
“They are getting quite good. Olivia plays just as well, and Dorothy’s voice is lovely. I enjoy teaching them. I can tell they practice daily.” Mari ruffles Dotty’s hair.
Filled with joy, I’m bowled over by how differently this visit went compared to what I expected. “They do not sing like this at home, and they always wear headphones when they play the keyboard. I’m completely shocked and delighted by today.”
“I’m glad we could surprise you.” Mari’s expression is filled with pride for her students.
The front door opens before I can thank her, and Ion steps inside.
“Mr. Ion,” the girls cry at once and run into his arms. They rapid-fire information at him about school, singing, piano, and something about a mean girl at the after-school program I have them in when I have to work in the afternoon.
