Chapter 41

Richie poked his head around and over Kara's shoulder to look down at Jake, "hey little man."

Jake tore his eyes from Kara and looked up, "Uncle Mookie, you're here too?" The confusion was evident on his little face.

"Jake" he turned his head at his father's voice, Jon scooped him up and flipped him over his shoulder, "you're not supposed to answer the door."

Jake's arms were dangling down Jon's back and he was giggling, "sorry dad."

Jon motioned for Kara and Richie to come in, "come on in guys, Richie you know where the closet it, hang up your coats."

Richie just shook his head and looked at Kara, "he's the hostess with the mostess, if you couldn't already tell."

Kara laughed, "this should prove to be an interesting evening."

He took her coat and hung it up, "how so?"

She smiled and took his hand, "I get to see you in your natural habitat." Richie's laughter rang down the hall ahead of them.

As they were sitting in the living room talking, Jake sidled up to Kara, "Ms. D'Angelo?"

She turned her attention on the handsome little boy, "yes Jake, what is it?"

He shifted his weight from one foot to another, clearly uneasy. "Did I do something bad?"

Kara's eyes widened, "of course not. Why would you think that?" The conversation in the room had quieted as everyone was trying to hear what Jake was saying.

Jake looked down at his feet and then back up at Kara, "well if I didn't do something bad then why are you here?"

Kara chuckled, "oh Jake, I'm here because your Uncle" she paused and looked at Richie with a question in her eyes, "Mookie? He invited me."

The relief Jake felt was written all over his face, "really?!"

Kara smiled, "really Jake. I'm not here because of anything you did at school." He smiled brightly, hugged Kara before he realized what he was doing and then ran off after the other kids to wash up. Kara turned her attention back to the adults, "Jon and Dorothea, you have wonderful children."

Dot nodded, "thanks, but you haven't seen them when it comes to chores and bedtime yet."

Jon and Richie turned their conversation toward music and Dorothea and Kara chatted idly about school and the kids. "Do you have any children of your own Kara?" Dot was trying to get a feel for how things could possibly go for her and Richie. She didn't miss the wistful look that crossed Kara's face.

"No, unfortunately. Maybe one day I will, but it just hasn't happened for me yet."

Dot looked at Richie and then back at Kara, "I'm sure it will."

After dinner the children took off in four different directions and the adults were left alone with their coffee and conversation. "Kara?"

She looked up from her cup to find Jon looking at her, "yes?"

He looked at Richie and and taking his slight nod as an okay continued, "will you do something for me?"

She smirked, "that depends on what it is you want."

Dorothea laughed and he raised an eyebrow, "I want you to sing for us."

Kara felt the color drain from her face, "you want me to what?" She turned to Richie "did you know he was going to do this?"

He shook his head, "nope, not a clue."

Kara took a deep breath, "you're going to hear me sing on Wednesday, can't you wait til then?"

He shook his head, "no, I want the sneak preview. Come on, you've been practicing, right? Think of this as just one more chance to perfect your performance."

She shook her head and looked at Richie and Dorothea, "does he always get what he wants?"

They nodded, "pretty much."

She sighed and looked at Jon, "I don't know. Do you happen to have a piano on hand?"

Jon stood and motioned for them to follow him. He led them into the next room and in the corner was the most gorgeous, glossy black baby grand piano Kara had ever seen. He looked at Kara, "will this do?"

She nodded blithely as she stared at the beautiful instrument. "It's beautiful. Do you play it?"

He took her over to it and had her sit down, "not as much as I should. Do you need music?"

She shook her head, "no." She ran a few scales before starting in on the song.

Someday, somewhere
We'll find a new way of living
Will find a way of forgiving
Somewhere...

There's a place for us
Somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere

Jon watched as she performed, he had heard her sing before, but he hadn't seen it. Now he knew; she had it. That same it that everyone told him he had. He had seen it before, but never up close like this. Richie had been right. She was going to be sensational.


There's a time for us
Someday there'll time for us
Time together and time to spare
Time to learn, time to care
Someday, somewhere

We'll find a new way of living
Will find there's a way of forgiving
Somewhere... somewhere... somewhere...

There's a place for us
A time and a place for us
Hold my hand and we're half way there
Just hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow...
Someday, somewhere...

Dorothea was the first to speak after Kara had finished. "Do any of the other teachers know you can sing like that?"

She shook her head, "no, I don't think so. Up until now, I haven't done much singing outside of teaching the kids songs for the Christmas program and the spring concert."

Dorothea shook her head, "well they're in for quite a shock on Wednesday night."

Richie nodded his head in agreement, "you're going to be great princess."

Kara felt her cheeks grow warm, "I hope so."