Pieces of the Heart by Karen White Read Free Book Online Page A

attention to her.
    Drew lifted up the piece of furniture in two parts and brought them in from the porch at her mother’s direction, declining her offer of help and making two trips. The furniture came to rest against the blank wall below Jude’s drawing and next to the closed-up piano. Curious, Caroline followed them into the great room.
    Both Drew and Margaret were looking at her with expectant expressions. Her mother spoke first. “Well, what do you think?”
    Curious, Caroline stepped forward, looking closely at the piece of furniture for the first time. It had short, squat legs that had been carved to resemble crescent moons. The top and sides were made of a dark-colored wood, with an inlaid checkerboard pattern marching around the perimeter. But the pediment intrigued her the most. Across the top were what appeared to be ocean waves in different sizes, like the surf rolling forcefully to shore. It was nothing a machine could ever have made. She knelt before it, awed, and slid her hands across the smooth wood. It made something inside of her spin, as if the connection between artist and viewer had been firmly made. She used to get the same feeling when listening to Jude play the piano. “It’s beautiful.”
    And then she wished she hadn’t uttered a word, because it sounded so inadequate. She’d worked in the furniture manufacturing business her entire career and knew what to look for in a quality piece of furniture. This was simply art.
    “It’s exquisite,” she said as she stood.
    “Thank you.” Drew bent down and retrieved a shelf that he’d brought in from the porch and placed it inside.
    Caroline looked at him in confusion. “Where did you buy it?”
    “I didn’t.” He picked up another shelf and put it in place.
    She rolled her eyes. “Okay, so where did you steal it?”
    Her mother laid a hand on her arm. “Caroline, don’t be silly. He made it—that’s what he does. He makes furniture. It’s for all your swimming trophies.”
    Caroline wasn’t sure which bit of news stunned her more—the fact that Drew What’s-his-name had the carpentry skills of a master craftsman or that her mother even remembered that she had won any swimming trophies.
    Margaret continued. “I’ve been keeping your trophies all these years, hoping to find someplace wonderful to put them. I thought they’d look great here, in this house, since this is where you learned to swim. When Drew showed me some of the pieces he was working on, I knew immediately that he’d be the one who could make something special.” She smiled broadly. “I’m glad you agree.”
    Caroline couldn’t say anything, so she reached out and smoothed her hand over the top of the cabinet again, smelling fresh-cut wood and stain. Awe, surprise, and anger seemed to swirl around in her head, making her heart beat faster. She concentrated on taking deep breaths while she stared at the waves racing across the top of the cabinet. I’ve missed the water, she thought again, remembering the loon and the way her body had ached as she’d looked out onto the lake.
    Drew was no longer staring at her hair and was now looking into her eyes. He had nice eyes, dark blue and clear with few creases around them, as if he didn’t spend a lot of time laughing. “My daughter, Jewel, wants to try out for the swim team—but I’m making her sit out this year and work on her confidence. She’s a good swimmer, but she needs to build some strength and stamina. I think it would be too dangerous just to put her in the water before she’s ready. Maybe you can coach her and give her some pointers.”
    She dropped her hand. “I don’t swim anymore. I haven’t for a long time, so I don’t think I’d be able to help.” She drew her robe closer around her body and pulled her lips away from her teeth to resemble a smile. “I need to go get dressed now.” She hurried from the room, eager to get away before anybody could see her cry.

    May 16, 1985
     
    Jude is