Beyond the Reflection’s Edge by Bryan Davis Read Free Book Online Page A

me, Ms. Jackson.”
    Clara kissed Nathan on the forehead. “I think you’re in good hands.” As a tear inched down her cheek, she whispered. “I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly, but I have a lot to do.”
    “It’s okay. I understand.” Nathan wrapped one arm around her shoulders and hugged her briefly.
    “I’ll see you tonight.” Clara waved as she strode to the Jeep.
    While it backed out and zoomed away, Kelly stepped up to Nathan’s side. “So, you have a personal tutor? Must be fun.”
    “Yeah, it’s pretty cool, I guess.” He watched the Jeep as it turned onto the main road. His last attachment to the life he once knew was now gone. His throat sore and tight, he forced out a few words, hoping to end the questioning without hurting Kelly’s feelings. “I don’t have anything to compare it to.”
    She cupped her hand around his elbow and led him inside. “You tired?”
    “Sort of.” When the Jeep disappeared, the image of the trunk on the backseat flashed into his mind. He snapped his fingers. “I left the trunk in the car.”
    “A trunk? Is it important?”
    “Maybe … It’s kind of hard to say.” He stepped into the foyer, which opened up into a huge sitting room with a cream-colored leather sofa and loveseat on one side, a Steinway grand piano on the other, and a crystal chandelier suspended above. The dangling crystals sprinkled tiny shivering rainbows on the walls where they tickled the faces on a half-dozen framed portraits, mostly of pleasant-looking elderly folks who seemed to grin at the sudden attention.
    Nathan resisted the urge to whistle at the rich décor. Kelly’s mom must have been a pretty successful lawyer to afford all this stuff.
    The breeze from the open doorway nudged the chandelier, making the crystals sway. The prismatic colors seemed to converge on the wall and spin, and the sparkles tumbled in a kaleidoscopic merry-go-round. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the rainbows had scattered into their former chaotic pattern.
    Kelly closed the door and joined him in the piano room. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah. Sure.” He took in a deep breath. The aroma of polished wood blending with a hint of peanut butter carried a warm welcome message that worked to ease his tortured voice. “This place looks great.”
    “Thanks. My mother really knew — I mean, really knows how to decorate.”
    He caressed the piano’s glossy rosewood. “A Model B Victorian!” He glanced up at Kelly. “What is it? Seven foot two?”
    “Good eye.” She nodded at the matching bench. “Go ahead. My father told me you play.”
    “Well, I’m a lot better at the violin, but maybe I can remember something.” He slid into place in front of the piano and set the mirror at his side. After reverently pushing up the keyboard cover, he draped his fingertips across the cool ivorykeys. Then, with a gentle touch, he played the first measure of a Beethoven sonata. As he increased to forte, however, he fumbled through the piece, clumsily missing note after note. Heat surging through his cheeks, he stopped and cleared his throat.
    Kelly’s smile widened into an impish grin. “Yeah, this house is old, but it’s completely renovated. When did you visit the Taj Mahal?”
    “Taj Mahal?” he repeated while closing the keyboard cover. “Uh … my mom had a performance in New Delhi in April.” He squinted. “Why did you bring that up?”
    “You brought it up first.”
    Nathan rose to his feet, sliding the bench back. “
I
brought it up? What are you talking about?”
    “While you were playing the piano. You said you’re glad you made it to the Taj Mahal.”
    “No, I didn’t. I said I’m a lot better at the violin, but I’d try to play something.”
    Kelly closed one eye. “But after that, you said —”
    “I didn’t say anything after that.”
    As the chandelier’s sparkles passed across her face, she tapped her chin with a finger. “I’ll bet all the stress is getting to you. If you