Shadows on the Lane Read online

  Jessie looked at Bryce. She could tell he was excited but trying to be calm.

  “I saw you that day, tossing the ball.” Jessie said. “But I don’t know the boy.”

  “The ball had two colors and it was big but not heavy,” Sunny said.

  “It was a beach ball,” Bryce said. “Red and white. This is great! Wait till Dad hears.”

  “But it doesn’t tell who hit me,” Sunny said. “Maybe I’ll never know.”

  Jessie sat on the step next to Sunny. “I think you will. Remembering anything is just the beginning.” She took her hand. “I’ve been reading up on amnesia at the library. The books call this a ‘breakthrough..’ I guess it’s like pulling a thread on a sweater—you get it started and the rest just comes along.”

  Sunny said, “You mean my brain will unravel?”

  Everyone laughed and Phillip laughed loudest, though Jessie was sure he didn’t know what was so funny.

  “Let’s go back to the house,” Bryce said. “I want to call Dad and tell him what’s happened.” He took Sunny’s arm and tried not to go too fast for her.

  Jessie walked with Tina and Phillip. “This is amazing, isn’t it? I just knew we could get her memory going with the music.” She smiled at the babies in the buggy. “Do you think Sunny will remember any more?”

  “Oh, yeah,” said Tina.

  “I’ve been trying to think of a way to get Sunny out to Mrs. Livingston’s farm,” Jessie said.

  “Uh-oh,” said Tina. “I can’t wait to hear this one!”

  * * *

  That night, when Jessie’s father heard what had happened, he visited the Petersons to have a talk with Sunny. Jessie waited impatiently for him to come home and tell her everything.

  “Dinner’s ready,” said her mom through the screen door. “Standing on the porch won’t get your dad here any faster.”

  Jessie went inside and found Phillip in the living room sitting on the piano bench. “What are you doing?”

  He didn’t look at her. Gingerly, he touched a white key with his tiny finger. “Play?”

  Jessie crossed to the piano and sat next to him on the bench. “Okay, we’ll play together. Push down on some keys.”

  Softly he pressed a key. She could barely hear the tone. “You can make it louder if you want to.” She held his hand and played a key with his finger. “Go ahead, Phillip. Make some music.”

  He struck the keyboard with all ten fingers. Jessie forced herself not to wince. “See, that’s good! We have to eat now, but will play together later. Okay?”

  He looked up at her, beaming. “Okay.” He jumped down and ran to the dining room where she settled him into his booster seat. The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” she said. It can’t be Dad. He wouldn’t ring the bell.

  Jessie looked through the screen door and was surprised to see Bryce. Why is he here? She took a deep breath and stepped out onto the porch. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He smiled. “I have a message from your dad. When he left our house, he was going to the police station. He’ll be home later.” He took her hand. “You’re not only pretty but you’re smart too. Your idea worked, Jessie. I’m positive our little concert revved up Sunny’s memory.” He squeezed her hand. “I’d better go. I know it’s dinnertime.” He started down the steps. “See you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll come over. Probably Phillip too,” she said.

  He waved, ran across the street and disappeared into the shadows.

  She couldn’t go inside yet. Jessie knew her mother would be wondering what happened to her, but she had to have this sweet moment alone. “Pretty?” Prettier than Cami? She felt like she was dreaming.

  An hour later, Jessie heard the garage door open and close. She ran to the kitchen to meet her dad. Thank goodness Mom’s giving Phillip his bath. I’ll have Daddy all to myself. When he came through the door, she reached up, gave him a kiss and followed him while he set down his briefcase and went into the dining room. “Mom told me to get your dinner for you. I’ll be right back.

  In the kitchen, she pulled out his plate of food, staying warm in the oven, and grabbed a salad from the refrigerator. Back at the table, she set the meal down in front of him.

  He smiled at her. “Such service. Why do I have the feeling you want something?”

  She sat at the table. “You know what I want. Details. Every little one.”

  He laughed. “I’m starving. Just let me have a few bites first.”

  She ran back to the kitchen, fixed a glass of iced tea, brought it to him and forced herself to keep quiet until he was ready. Her mom would be mad at her if she found out Jessie had bugged her dad while he tried to eat.

  Her father wiped his mouth with a napkin and took a sip of the tea. “I think your idea of replaying the music really worked, Jess. The Petersons are most grateful.” He clinked the ice in his tea back and forth in the glass. “You are a little wonder. I hope you plan on doing something special with that brain of yours.”

  She basked in the praise. It wasn’t often he said such things. But she still didn’t know what had happened when he talked to Sunny. “Thank you, Daddy.” Suddenly she felt bashful. “Bryce came with your message and thanked me.”

  He nodded. “Bryce is a nice boy. I see why you like him.” He folded his napkin and stood. “Let’s go out on the porch.”

  Jessie picked up the plate and glass, raced into the kitchen and ran them under hot water in the sink. She found her dad on the swing and sat down beside him. “So?”

  “Doctor Adams saw Sunny today and thinks she’ll start to remember things quickly now.” Her dad put his arm around her shoulders. “He’s going to speak with her every few days and try to nudge her along. I spoke to the police and they’re encouraged. The investigation was beginning to grow cold.” He stood up. “Everything’s in place to make an arrest when Sunny can identify the driver.”

  * * *

  That night, Jessie barely slept. Her mind whirled. First she’d relive the Bryce moment. Then she’d work on the plan she’d discussed with Tina. In the morning, she was sleepy and out of sorts. The morning practice session was hopeless. She couldn’t concentrate.

  “Hey, Phillip,” she called up the stairs. “Want to go to Sunny’s?”

  Her mother looked down from the upstairs landing. She was wearing a summer dress and had her brown curly hair pulled back behind her ears.

  “Are you leaving?” Jessie asked.

  “Oh. I forgot to tell you. Phillip has an appointment for a check-up with Dr. Adams today. So you’re on your own. She turned to Phillip, standing beside her, and took his hand. “Are you going to Sunny’s?”

  “Yeah, for a while,” said Jessie.

  She walked out of the house with her heart thumping. In a minute I’ll see Bryce and start implementing the next step for getting Sunny’s memory back.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Jessie rang the Petersons’ doorbell and couldn’t wait to see Bryce. She was prepared. She’d be relaxed and have an easy conversation with him this time. The door opened. It was the housekeeper. Disappointment washed over her.

  “Hi, Mrs. Nelson,” Jessie said. “I’ve come to visit Sunny.”

  “Oh, she’ll be happy to see you!” said the housekeeper. “Come in. She’s in the living room.” She closed the door. “You didn’t bring your little brother today.”

  “He and my mom have plans,” said Jessie. She looked around for Bryce.

  Mrs. Nelson must have read her mind. “Bryce is at the museum with his father today. A shipment of artwork came in and they’re unloading it.” She led the way to the living room. “Look who’s here to see you, Sunny.”

  Sunny was sitting at the piano. “Hi, Jessie. Did you come to unravel me some more?”

  Jessie laughed. “No. I thought we could practice our duet.” She sat on the bench next to the girl. “Then, maybe you’d like to go to my next lesson and we could play it for Mrs. Livingston.” She looked at Sunny. “You’ve met Mrs. Livingston haven�
��t you?”

  “Yes. Right after I got to Fairfield, I went with Bryce and my dad. They were setting up Bryce’s violin lessons.” She found the duet music on the rack and opened it. “I guess I’ll be taking piano lessons from her too.”

  “So, what do you think? Do you want to go with me?” asked Jessie. “It’s Saturday at two o’clock.”

  “Sure. I’ll check with my dad. I don’t think we’re going anywhere.” Sunny began to play her part and Jessie joined in.

  * * *

  Later that day, Jessie sat next to Tina on the park swings. “I just know Rita hit Sunny. But the police can’t search for the car on their farm without a good reason.”

  “Uh huh,” said Tina. She pumped her swing and flew past Jessie. “Let me guess—you’re going to give them a good reason to search.”

  “You’re very fast,” Jessie said. She worked her swing to match her friend’s. “Sunny’s going to my lesson with me on Saturday. We’re going to play our duet for Mrs. Livingston.”

  “What duet? You must be getting pretty good to be able to play the piano with Sunny.” Tina’s hair ruffled in the breeze as she pumped higher. “I’ve heard her play.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not that good—yet. I have the easy part,” said Jessie. “Sunny’s being kind to put up with me.”

  “She is so cute,” Tina said. “I wonder how they keep her from being stuck-up with that pretty face.”

  “It must have been their mom. I think Bryce is modest too,” Jessie said.

  “Anyway, what comes after the duet performance for your teacher?” Tina asked. “Oh, wait a minute. Let me guess!” She slowed down. “You’re hoping Sunny will see Rita at the farm and remember!” She stopped and jumped off the swing. “You better be careful. You might do some damage if Sunny remembers too fast.”

  Jessie was silent. She stopped swinging and they started to walk. “I read up on this at the library. None of the articles talked about that. It was never mentioned.”

  “Well, I guess you know more about it than I do,” said Tina. “We’ll just have to hope it’s okay. Anyway, if there’s a problem, you can always call my dad.”

  The next two days, Jessie and Sunny played their duet and Bryce was the audience. Each time, when they finished, they stood and bowed. Jessie knew by his smile and his clapping that he was proud of her. She didn’t tell Bryce her scheme.

  Saturday morning while she was practicing, Jessie began to feel guilty. She realized she had to let Bryce in on her plan. If he vetoed the idea, she wouldn’t do it. She dialed his number. “Hi, it’s Jessie.” She took a deep breath. “Can we take a walk? I need to talk to you.”

  Jessie sat on the porch step, waiting for Bryce. He came running across the museum lawn looking tan and handsome. She met him by the curb and they started down the sidewalk.

  “Does Farley get to come home now?” asked Jessie. “I miss that big sheepdog.”

  Bryce stopped walking and put his hand on her arm. “You called me to ask about my dog? We’ll pick him up next week.” They started off again. “What did you really want to talk about?”

  “Okay. I’m thinking about doing something else to jog Sunny’s memory. But I’ve decided I won’t do it if it’s not okay with you.”

  He took her hand. “What is it you want to do?”

  Oh, fine. I’ll probably get tongue tied again. She told him her idea. “Please tell me what you really think. I’ll do whatever you say.”

  Bryce walked beside her, thinking. “It could work. Oh, so that’s why you’ve been practicing so much.” He laughed. “Boy, Jessie, you’re something.” He stopped and faced her. “Go ahead with it. But I’m coming to your lesson too. Just in case Sunny gets upset.”

  Jessie could have hugged him. But she was sure all the neighbors were watching them from their windows. “I could hug you, Bryce,” Jessie whispered.

  “It’s okay with me,” he laughed. “Why are you whispering? Oh, the neighbors.”

  “Another thing,” said Jessie. “Will you go with me while I tell my dad what we’re doing?”

  “Sure,” Bryce said. “He’ll probably think it’s a good idea.”

  At the Hansons’, Jessie and Bryce found her dad playing in the sandbox with Phillip. When he saw them, he stood, brushed sand from his jeans and said, “We have tasty sand pies right out of the oven. Would you care for one?”

  Phillip watched Bryce as he pretended to enjoy one of his pies. “Good?”

  “Delicious,” said Bryce.

  Jessie and Bryce sat on the ledge of the sandbox and patted sand into little balls. “Daddy, we wanted to ask your advice about something,” Jessie said.

  Her father helped Phillip pile sand into a high mound. “Oh?”

  “Well you know I’m suspicious of my piano teacher’s daughter, Rita. About the hit-and-run.”

  Her dad nodded and shaped the sides of the mound. It was beginning to look like a castle. “We talked about that. But, Jess, you just don’t have any basis for your suspicions.”

  “I was thinking I’d take Sunny to my lesson today and maybe if she sees Rita, she’ll remember her. If she doesn’t, then I’m wrong about what I suspect.”

  Her dad thought about that for a while. “That’s not a bad idea. I don’t see how it could hurt anything.” He looked at Bryce. “What do you think? She’s your sister. Could she handle it?”

  “I think it’s worth a try,” Bryce said. “But I’m going to the lesson too. Sunny and Jessie are playing a duet. That’s my excuse.”

  Her father stood up. “Great! I’ll pick you up after your lesson.”

  “Oh, good!” said Jessie. “That way you’ll be there in case my idea works,”

  “Yep. And I think it’s about time I met Mrs. Livingston.” He turned his attention back to Phillip and the sand castle.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The rain beat a loud tattoo on the car’s roof and sent waves of water over the curbs and lawns. Jessie’s mom hunched forward at the wheel and squinted through the sweep of the windshield wipers. “Does Mrs. Livingston know you’re bringing guests to your lesson?”

  Jessie, seated in the front passenger seat said, “I called her.”

  The severity of the storm silenced everyone in the car. Forks of lightening shot across the black sky, followed by enormous cracks of thunder. Jessie turned and looked into the back seat. Phillip’s eyes were huge and full of fear. Sunny and Bryce sat on each side of his child seat and held his hands.

  When the car turned onto the country road, trees gave shelter from the downpour and muffled the beating of the rain on the roof. By the time they reached the barnyard, the storm was dying down.

  Jessie’s mom pulled up close to the porch steps to let them out. “I’ll be at Robyn’s birthday party with Phillip.” She leaned over and kissed Jessie’s cheek. “Your dad will pick you up at three o’clock.”

  Jessie, Bryce and Sunny ran up the steps where Mrs. Livingston held the door open for them.

  Inside the studio, they removed their raincoats and stood by the fireplace to warm their hands.

  “What a day!” said the teacher. “But a good day too!” She walked to the piano. “I finally will hear the duet you two have been working on.”

  Jessie took the music from her book bag.

  “All right, Jessie,” said the teacher. “When you perform, you must stand, face the audience and announce what you are going to play.”

  Jessie had practiced this in front of the mirror at home. “Today, Sunny and I will play a piece for four hands from the Dolly Suite by Gabriel Faure. It’s called Berceuse. That means ‘lullaby.’”

  Mrs. Livingston smiled her approval.

  Jessie’s hands shook. What am I thinking, doing this with Sunny? She glanced at her partner. Sunny looked calm. Probably because she didn’t know what was really going on.

  Sunny nodded at Jessie and they began. Concentrating on the score, listening to Sunny’s part and counting in her head took Jessie to another
place. Somewhere in her mind she could hear their music. It sounded really good. Once, she lost her focus and stumbled but Sunny covered for her and gave her time to find her place again. They ended together and stood and bowed.

  Mrs. Livingston and Bryce clapped their approval. Jessie glanced at Bryce who beamed with pride.

  Bryce and Sunny sat quietly on the sofa while Jessie finished her lesson and went over the material for next week. At three o’clock, the doorbell rang. That’s Daddy. I guess our experiment isn’t going to happen today. I’m kind of relieved.

  They gathered their books, music and coats then started down the dark hall behind Mrs. Livingston.

  Sunny chattered with happiness. “Wasn’t that fun? You didn’t even seem nervous, Jessie.”

  Jessie, Sunny and Bryce came to the dreary living room. In the gloom, Rita sat in a chair by the window. All at once, sheet music fell all over the floor and onto Jessie’s feet. She looked at Sunny. The child’s face was stark white. Sunny lifted her arm and pointed at Rita. In a shaky voice she said, “That’s who hit me!”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  A month after the duet performance, Jessie was raking leaves when she spotted Tina pushing the twins in a double stroller. She waved. “Hey! Get to work!”

  “You think this isn’t work?” She trudged up the sidewalk. The twins stared up at Bryce and his dad—high on ladders, cleaning out the rain gutters under the eaves.

  Farley, the Old English Sheepdog, ran across the lawn with Phillip and took a flying leap into the neat pyramid of leaves Jessie had piled together.

  “FARLEY! PHILLIP!” Jessie shouted. Phillip laughed and ran away, the dog at his heels.

  Mrs. Livingston, wrapped in a thick blue sweater, served hot chocolate from a tea table on the little front porch of her new Victorian house. She watched her helpers and laughed at Phillip and the dog.

  Red and gold leaves fluttered through the crisp October air and covered up the newly raked lawn. What is the point here? Jessie looked up at Bryce at the same moment he looked down at her. He smiled his special smile and suddenly it didn’t matter about the leaves. She smiled back.