Then he turns his attention to Samantha and takes her hand."Sweetheart, is piano playing still what you want to do?"
"Yes," she says with determination.
Cole inspects her, then nods."Okay, then let's go," he notes, squeezing Samantha's hand and guiding us through the hallways.
Whatwasthatabout?
34
COLE
Warmth through my chest seeing Jeremy, sitting in between my mother and Alisha, listening to my girl, who talks about her work.It's as if he's protecting her from my mom.I don't doubt she expressed her dislike of Alisha to Jeremy.But she better get used to her because my Alex is going nowhere.
When I lived here, Jeremy always knew how to uplift my mood.He listened to me, and tried to get me to express my emotions.Growing older, he encouraged me to speak up and give my parents my genuine opinion."You can't live their lives, Cole.You deserve to live your own life," he once told me.
As I take the last bite of roasted vegetables, I pay attention to my mother, who's talking with Beatrice.When I was young, I had to sit at this table for hours while the adults spoke about music, my father's, and later about my piano career.Even on the days my parents and I were alone, we discussed my grades or the next performance at the dinner table.
My eyes drift to the open door that leads to the room where Samantha and Victor are eating.My brain has a hard time believing my mom invited Victor, only to make sure her granddaughter would not get bored.
"How's the business going, Cole?"George asks.
I snap out of my musings and make eye contact with the man who's sitting opposite me.The last time I saw him, he didn't have the thinning hairline in front, and he weighed a few pounds less.Now his belly is pushing against the buttons of his dress shirt.But his sincere smile has remained.
"You're a hard-working businessman these days.You and your friend, Mr.Brown are a talented team."
I grin."Yes, we're an excellent duo, and life has been busy.""And how is fatherhood treating you?"
"It was challenging at first, but thanks to this woman," I say, placing my hand on Alisha's shoulder, "it turned out good.I had a lot to learn about teenagers and women’s stuff.She has helped me so much."
"You would have managed alone," my mom remarks.
My eyes snap to her."No, not in this way.Alisha has been my savior.She's been the best thing coming into my life, Mother."
Alisha places her hand on my upper thigh and squeezes while changing the mood by speaking her unique mind."Cole is doing well after I educated him on which tampons to buy, and which chocolate he had to store in the apartment when it’s that time of the month."Everyone except my mom bursts out into laughter at Alisha's explicit clarification.God,Ilovethiswoman.
"Oh, George, remember how we struggled when we brought Victor home after the adoption?Parenting can be a challenge.But Samantha is a kind young lady, so my compliments to you, Cole."
"Thank you, Beatrice."
"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'mwatchingyou,youngman.
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.
