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"And it's clear she inherited the Walker blue eyes," George says with a smile. "I called your father's eyes 'babe magnets' when he and I were younger. Until he met you, Carmen. From the moment he saw you, he was in love."
The smile my mother shows is genuine—something I have seen little of these last years.
Piano music streams into the room—catching everyone's attention. My lips curl as I recognize Samantha's playing. I've become accustomed to it; it's a unique combination of richness, delicacy, and liveliness.
"Piano music?" my mother says with a tight voice.
"Does Dad's old piano still stand in the other room?" I ask.
She nods. George, who's a professor at Berklee College of Music, is the first to stand and move towards the sound. I follow him, and soon every person stands and wanders towards George, who is standing in the doorway, completely in awe of what I presume is Samantha playing. Pride floats through my veins as I stop behind him and watch Samantha's fingers glide over the keys. Protectiveness joins it when I see Victor standing next to the piano, looking at my girl.I'm watching you, young man.
George turns his head and mumbles, "My lord, Cole. She has it too?"
I nod. "Yes, she does. So, is Samantha Berklee material?"
"What is she playing?" he asks, still staring at my daughter.
"Oh, it's a piece she arranged herself."
My grin widens when George's mouth opens and closes a few times before words come out.
"Jesus, Cole. She's no Berklee material."
My brows knit together.
"She's Julliard material," he clarifies.
I hold my breath at his words. "For her, showing this much talent at this age needs encouragement and nourishment with the utmost care and guidance from an expert."
Alisha touches my hand. "Cole, you need to check on your mom. She hurried out of here, crying."
I shrug. "Oh, she'll be fine."
Jeremy clears his throat and crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Please tell me you didn't intend to shock your mother with the news of her granddaughter inheriting the piano gift?" When I don’t respond he sighs. "Cole, your mom has changed a lot in the last few years. Please talk to her."
I raise my brow at his surprising words. I glance back at Samantha, who's playing her last notes.
"You go to your mother. I'll stay here with Samantha and the others," my girl offers while giving my hand a short squeeze.
I let out a tired huff, but nod and stroll towards the kitchen. Why is Alisha worried about my mother when she doesn't treat her with the respect she deserves? And Jeremy, since when is he choosing my mom's side? I halt when I step over the threshold. I shake my head to be sure my eyes are correct in their observation—but they are.
My mom's standing near the kitchen sink. Her shoulders hang, and her eyes are glassy with layers of tears. They drip from her eyelids as she blinks and roll down her cheeks. She bites her bottom lip tightly to hide any sound trying to escape. When she sees me, her lower lip quivers as words make their way out of her mouth. "She…" she begins, yet what follows comes with a tremor. "S-She can play. Why did you lie when I asked you?"
I snort at her accusation. "She has kept it hidden until recently. Her mother told her it could upset her father and his family, and she made her promise to hide it until she was eighteen."
"What?"
"When I met Jessica, I told her about my talent, and I explained to her that if my child would have a gift for playing an instrument, I would protect it from my family and other controlling people."
A new flood of tears slides over her cheeks, as she walks my way. My heart throbs in my throat when she hugs me and whispers, "I'm so sorry, Cole."
My mind deals with surging perplexity. One moment, she's the distant mother I've had most of my life, and the next, she transforms into an emotional being, who is crying and hugging me. I swallow a few times to remove the lump in my throat.What am I supposed to do?My body ignores my chaotic mind and reacts by placing my arms around her.
Hugging my mother like this is foreign, but I've longed for this simple act of endearment and closeness since I was a child.
"I'm so sorry, Cole. I did it because I love you."
My body temperature rises at my mom's weird words. "What do you mean? What are you sorry for, Mom?" I ask.
