Maggie's Refrain Read online

It occurred to Maggie that it might be Sissy, calling to check up on him.

  “Well, she looked like she’d recovered alright. Yes, I went to check in on her after I got you and Gwennie out of that party. I felt better ending my day after knowing she was okay.” He looked over at Maggie and shrugged. It wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t exactly lying. Maggie just shook her head, smiling, while continuing to drink her coffee.

  “Oh, that’s good,” Sissy said, as she paced her living room. “I guess I got a little worried when you didn’t call. I figured you’d let me know how she was doing after you saw her.”

  “Sis, you’ve got her number, you could have called her yourself,” Joe said, giving Maggie an exasperated expression that said the last thing he really wanted to be doing at that moment was explaining his whereabouts to Sissy.

  “Yes, you’re right,” Sissy said. “I’m just glad she’s fine.”

  “Was there another reason you called, Sissy?” Joe asked in an impatient tone that caught her off guard. He quickly softened. “I mean, you mentioned you tried to phone me. Is Gwen okay?”

  Sissy let out strange, fluttery laugh. “Of course she is! In fact, the reason I was catching you this early was to see if you wanted to grab the twins from your mother’s and go get some breakfast. I think the Pancake Pantry’s actually open today even though it’s New Years. The kids love it there.”

  Joe made a sucking sound with his teeth, “Oooh, that sounds tempting, but I’ve got some things I’ve gotta do in the office Second semester’s just a week away, you know.”

  “Well, darn,’ Sissy said, truly dejected. “And to think, I was gonna invite Maggie too. I know the kids would love to see her.”

  “Again, you can feel free to give her a call,” Joe said as he winked at Maggie. Maggie’s face took on a quizzical look as Joe continued. “When I talked to her last night, she didn’t mention that she had any plans; and you’re right, I’m sure she would love to join you.”

  Maggie’s eyes opened wide to Joe as if to say, “How dare you?” She stuck out her tongue at him and shook her head in disapproval, while he did everything he could not to laugh out loud.

  “Uh huh, yep, uh huh, sure, Sis,” he said, desperately trying to end the conversation. “I promise I’ll give you a call. And thanks so much for taking all three of the rug rats today. You didn’t have to do that, but I’m glad you are…you’re kindness never ceases to amaze me.”

  “And I shall never cease desiring to be kind,” she replied daintily.

  “Okay, yes…well, um, I’ll speak with you later this evening,” he said, now thoroughly uncomfortable.

  “Sorry to have troubled you so early, Joe. We’ll speak later. Bye”

  “Bye, Sis.”

  Joe ended the call and stared out into space for a moment. “You know, I’m beginning to wonder if my mother wasn’t right about her,” he said thoughtfully.

  “What, that Sissy’s got it bad for you?” Maggie asked.

  “You think so too?”

  Maggie gave him a look of disbelief and laughed out loud, “Ya think?” was all she could say.

  Joe frowned. “You know what? I don’t think I wanna talk about Gwen Hammond any longer.”

  “Alrighty then. What do you want to do?”

  Joe took a sip of his coffee before putting the mug on the table. He leaned over, and began rubbing Maggie’s feet softly. “What I want to do…ain’t gonna happen,” he said. “At least not this morning. What I have to do, is look like a dork once I put my dress shoes back on with these sweats and head home. I do have to get to the office and churn out some stuff today. I hope you don’t mind that I need to leave in a minute.”

  Maggie gave him a loving smile. “Nah, I think I’ll survive. Seriously, though, I really appreciate your being here. Thank you for everything you did, and didn’t do for me.”

  “You’re welcome. Now,” he said has he pulled her closer to him, “I’d like to kiss you one more time before I go, if that’s alright.”

  “I dunno,” she teased. “Oh, alright, if you must.”

  As he pressed his lips to hers, Maggie wondered if she would ever get tired of embracing this man. She decided to save that thought for another day.

  Joe stood at the door with his suit over his arm, looking as comical as he predicted with his dress shoes poking out from under his sweat pants.

  “Oh, just go to the office like that,” Maggie said with mock seriousness. “I see a whole new fashion trend starting.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t think that plan all the way through. I’ll call you later?”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Joe stopped before walking out the door. “I just want you to know - last night was really important to me, Maggie. I don’t know what Sissy’s thinking. She might just be playing the role of family protector out of some sort of loyalty to Grace. But whatever the case may be, as far as you and I are concerned - I like where this seems to be headed. I really do.”

  Maggie stood in the center of the room, hugging herself, partly from the cold coming through the open door, but mostly because Joe’s words sent a rush through her soul so intense that she feared she’d pass out from sheer elation.

  “I like where this seems to be headed too,” she said softly.

  There it was again: that innocent expression, that soft, girlish voice. It was too much for Joe to stand. He dropped his suit and met her in the middle of the room, enfolding her in his arms, never wanting to let her go.

  Leaning back just enough to take in her face, he was touched by the fact that Maggie’s eyes were wet with emotion.

  “Joy?” he asked. “Please tell me I’m looking at joy.”

  “Joy,” was all she could say as a tear bubbled over and spilled down one cheek.

  One final kiss and another goodbye then Joe reluctantly pried himself away and returned to the doorway. He pointed at her and smiled. “I am definitely calling you later,” he said.

  Maggie’s countenance was radiant as she softly said, “You’d better.”

  Chapter 10

  Maggie hid her nervousness as she entered Lanie’s apartment. As she handed Beth her coat, she heard a gentle humming from her cell, signaling that some sort of message had come in for her.

  “Can I interest you in a mineral water,” Beth asked, pushing up her glasses yet again.

  Recalling the mineral water she drank during her ill-fated meeting with Deana and Charles, Maggie began to politely decline as Beth said brightly, “Or, we have some coffee. How does that sound?”

  “Coffee sounds great. Cream and sweetener?”

  “Coming up.”

  With Beth gone and Lanie yet to arrive, Maggie chose that moment to sneak a look at her text:

  How’s it goin’? Remember, you’re already a star-Call me later. Xoxo J.

  Smiling as she returned the phone to her purse, Maggie decided to take in her surroundings. Sleek, sophisticated and silver was the theme: The walls, the accents, the light fixtures. Everything was silver with little pops of color throughout.

  “Of course, the kitchen’s stainless steel,” she breathed with a small laugh. A two-sided fireplace provided a division between the living and dining areas. Floor to ceiling windows not only offered a more than adequate amount of natural light, they also offered one of the most spectacular views of the Nashville skyline she had ever seen. As she marveled at how an apartment could actually have a staircase leading to another floor, Maggie could hear music - her music - coming from a room up there.

  “Ms. Hoyos will be down momentarily,” said Beth, from somewhere behind her. Maggie put her hand to her chest, closed her eyes and swallowed hard. That girl needs a bell or a theme song or something, she thought. She turned to face the small brunette with the kind smile, coffee cup on saucer in hand. Maggie took the cup, thanked Beth and followed her into the living area.

  Just then, the doorbell rang. “Excuse me,” Beth said.

  Maggie had no idea that anyone else was
going to be taking part in this meeting. As she heard muffled conversation down the hallway, her attention was directed to the top of the stairs, where Lanie was preparing to descend.

  It was the simplest of outfits - jeans and a plain white long sleeved shirt - but somehow Lanie gave it style. Perhaps it was her mane of glossy, coal black curls, still, all over the place, and at the same time perfectly ordered. Perhaps it was her makeup - barely there and perfectly applied. Perhaps it was the fact that she didn’t so much walk as she glided. No, it was almost as if she floated on some sort of ethereal plane. Maggie fought every urge within herself to want to be this waif-thin vision of austere beauty.

  With a look of thoughtful contemplation, Lanie slowly made her way toward Maggie. “Well then,” she said. “I have just one question for you, Maggie West.”

  Another pause.

  “Where have you been all of my life?”

  Maggie blinked as the question took shape in her mind. Lanie gave her a sly wink, and Maggie realized that a joke was being made, and the two women laughed aloud.

  Through her laughter, a sound of sheer relief escaped Maggie’s throat. “You really like it?” she asked.

  “Sweetie, let me tell you, this is some of the most refreshing material I’ve heard in a while. I think we could do something revolutionary with this stuff.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Look, I realize that we live in an age where we’re always worshipping youth,” Lanie said, tossing her hair back with one hand as she strolled further into the living area. “Ugh, my colorist and my dermatologist would be first in line to tell you stories.”

  Come on...Maggie thought. ‘Fess up to the botox…’fess up to the botox…

  Moving on from her internal opinion, Maggie confessed aloud, “Well, to be honest, I’ve been told that my music’s too…um,” she paused for a moment before continuing. “I’ve been told that I’m too old to be trying something like this. That’s why I’ve always been a bit hesitant to play my stuff for anyone.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m talking about” Lanie broke in excitedly. “We’re gonna get your age, your experience, your reputation and that magnificent voice, to work for you. I’ll get your music directly to a more mature audience.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Of course I can. Let the other labels look for the next fetus to sign on the dotted line. Your music is for grownups, pure and simple.”

  Maggie felt herself once again hurled back in time; suddenly seated at the piano at her parents’ home. Floating through the intricate chord progressions, Maggie sang one of her very first songs for Grace; who sat silently on the couch, eyes closed, drinking in the sound.

  The final strains of the song hung in mid air, and Grace remained silent, as if savoring the final bites of a sumptuous meal. At a rare loss for words, Grace simply let out a low sound of approval from her throat. “Stunning, Mag. Just…stunning.” Her eyes were wet with emotion. “It’s the kind of song that only the person who lived life could really understand, ya know?” Grace said softly. “It’s like…music…for grownups…”

  “…do you know what I mean, Maggie? Maggie?” Lanie snapped her fingers to jar Maggie back to the present.

  “Oh wow, I’m so sorry…I was just trying to take all this in. What were you saying?”

  “Baby Boomers,” Lanie said. “I’m talking about Baby Boomers. They’re getting hip to the technology, to social media, and they are creating a rather unique opportunity, ‘cause they’ve got the cash to spend. So even though what we’re planning is a sizeable risk, I have every confidence in you. You are a sure bet, Maggie West. Your voice is absolute money. I honestly can’t believe you’ve not been picked up and utterly exploited sooner.”

  Maggie chuckled at Lanie’s candor. “Well, I think I have been, but…”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t follow,” Lanie said, confused.

  Pushing the recollection of her conversation with Deana and Charles from her mind, Maggie smiled sweetly. “Never mind. Anyway, you’re totally making my day with this.”

  “You’re welcome. Ah, our third party has finally arrived. Now we can get things going…”

  “Sorry I’m late, darlings. Hello, Maggie.”

  “Sis…um, I mean, Gwen. Hi…”

  With her usual brusqueness, Sissy swept into the room, tucking away her cell at the conclusion of a phone call on which she’d been when she arrived. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been about 30 minutes behind all day. But I didn’t want to miss out on being in on the ground floor of something this special. So, bring me up to speed.”

  Annoyed by Sissy’s hyperactivity, Lanie turned her attention back to Maggie. “Gwyneth and I have been going over a strategy to get you out there, and as soon as she cools her jets, we’ll lay it out for you,” she explained in a slow, pointed tone.

  Realizing her faux pas, Sissy blushed.

  “Again, I’m sorry. I suppose I’m just excited.”

  “Indeed,” said Lanie. She motioned for Sissy to take a seat.

  Lanie chose a lux club chair on the north end of the marble coffee table; the other ladies positioned themselves in opposing seats on either side and faced her. After stretching her arms to the ceiling and taking in a deep breath, she exhaled; folding one long leg over the other, her eyes still shut. For Sissy and Maggie, it was prolonged, awkward silence. But for Lanie, this was how her battle plans came to fruition.

  The cool reserve of Elaine Hoyos was undeniably her trademark. Preferring contemplation to conversation, she’d honed that reserve early on; surviving the egomania and chauvinism of her peers along the journey.

  In the beginning, for a very brief period, her beauty kept her from being taken seriously. The covers of glossy magazines and the catwalks of Europe were, for some, the ultimate goal. For Lanie, they were stepping stones that guided her all the way to a Wharton MBA.

  In her second year as an assistant to the Director of Accounting at a fledgling label called Star Records, she used her silent powers of keen observation to become the architect of what would turn out to be a multi-million dollar acquisition of two mainstream labels and three independent imprints to raise Star to the ranks of the majors…inking the deal three days before her 35th birthday.

  Always on her own terms, Lanie was a power player’s power player who single-handedly ushered Star into its golden age, where bands and artists of every stripe and genre made it their aspiration to make Star their musical home.

  Maggie loved her immediately. Her tough exterior/soft interior reminded her of Joe’s mother Elise; someone who took no prisoners, and suffered no fools. And just like Elise, once you had earned her loyalty, a more formidable ally could not be found.

  Beth surreptitiously arrived once again with more coffee, notes for the meeting and paperwork that needed attention.

  “Thank you Beth, dear.”

  “Can I get you anything else, Ms. Hoyos?”

  “I’m sure you’ll think about it before I do, darling,” Lanie said. “But we’re good for now. Let us know when lunch has arrived.”

  “Absolutely,” Beth said with her usual unadorned pleasantness. “I took the liberty of speaking with the chef at Watermark. They will be here in about half an hour with your usual favorites.”

  “Genius as always,” Lanie said.

  “Anything else?” Beth asked.

  Lanie wrinkled her nose and gave a slight shake of her head. During one of the few times Beth was actually seen making her exit, Lanie leaned in and said to the other two women, “She’s the daughter of one of my dearest friends from college. Loves the business, is completely devoted to me.” She sipped her coffee as she stole a glance to see if the girl was nearby.

  “She is absolutely indispensable…always two or three seconds ahead of me. But I’ve gotta get that sweet thing a bell or something. Sometimes she scares the crap outta me with those silent entrances of hers. If I didn’t love her like a daughter she’d totally creep me out.”
>
  Lanie’s admission nearly made Maggie laugh out loud. She wanted to reveal her similar assessment, but chose to keep her mouth shut. She sipped her own coffee silently as Lanie dove into her game plan.

  The three chatted amiably about song selection, photo shoots, stylists and plans for a star-studded showcase. By the time their lunch had ended, a clear direction and goal had, to Maggie’s amazement, been mapped out.

  “I just love it when the women get together,” Lanie said as they walked to the foyer of the apartment. “We know how to take care of business in just over hour!”

  “Ladies, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this,” Maggie said as she donned her coat. “And you,” she said to Sissy. “It’s so cool that you’d want to help me out like this.”

  Sissy’s smile was slow, and to Maggie’s way of thinking, slightly more solicitous than necessary. “Well, there’s no denying your talent, Maggie,” she said, the silken nature of her voice confirming Maggie’s suspicion with chilling accuracy. Sissy walked over to Maggie and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “And, as I’ve said on more than one occasion…you’re like family.”

  It was an oft repeated sentiment from Sissy, and until that very moment, Maggie could never understand why it always felt more like disingenuous sarcasm than a compliment. But it finally dawned on her: It was that small word that created a separation: “You’re like family.”

  It was a backhanded affirmation that said no matter how warm and accepting the Hammonds and the Buchanans might be toward Maggie, she was not truly one of them. And as far as Sissy was concerned, never would be.

  It didn’t matter that Sissy had spent the past decade and a half living 2,500 miles away, forging her own existence; leaving her baby sister to cultivate a bond with her classmate and next door neighbor. Sissy was a Hammond. Maggie was merely a welcomed guest.

  While Maggie would have once simply cowered and hid under such a revelation, she was in no mood to buy into it on this day. There was too much good that was ready to unfold for her in her life and career. She chose to look past it all.