Brown eyes watched from across the desk as Julian Bernstein Lowe signed her name to the letter she’d just dictated. If there was one thing Julian did with flair, it was sign her name with the old Mont Blanc fountain pen that was her favorite. In Darlene’s opinion, it was the only flamboyant thing about her boss, who in all other arenas was a little shy and a lot unassuming.

The problem though, was that no one else shared that opinion. Julian was the kind of person other people just loved to admire or loved to hate depending on their disposition. The hate part of the equation came not because she was obnoxious or a bitch, but because Julian had a golden touch. More than one financial and business magazine had called her a modern day Midas, and it was an accurate accolade. During her short tenure at the helm, the Lowe shipping empire and name had returned to the prestige it had when her grandfather sat in the big leather chair in the president’s office. It was as if she’d used the old wood and brass ship’s wheel at the corner of the two glass walls to steer them back into profitable waters.

"Will that be all, Ms. Lowe?"

"Yes, thanks, Darlene. Take off and feed your husband and all those cats you have, and for God’s sake, call me Julian." The thick linen page scraped along the desk as Julian picked it up and handed it back. "I get to call you Darlene, so I think it’s only fair." She pulled the letter back a little as if something had just occurred to her. "Unless you don’t want me to call you by your first name? I’m sorry I never thought to ask before now. Would you prefer Mrs. Rampling?"

"I like that you care, but Darlene is fine. It’s a cliché to say this, but Mrs. Rampling is my mother-in-law, and if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not be compared to the woman."

"She sounds lovely," teased Julian.

"To a yeti in heat maybe, but the woman is the walking definition of misery and how to inflict it on others. So we’ll make a pact, you don’t call me Mrs. Rampling and I’ll start calling you Julian. Deal?" The petite, middle-aged woman held her hand out and smiled. Julian’s return smile reminded her of a young Sebastian Lowe the day he came to work for his father and introduced himself to his new secretary, Darlene Rampling. Julian had inherited his personality and gentleness, along with the family business.

"Deal, now get out of here before your husband makes you quit because he thinks I’m a slave driver or something." She waited until the door clicked closed behind Darlene before unlocking the top drawer of the big desk.

Alone on the thirty-fifth floor of the Lowe Building, Julian put away the papers scattered on her desk and pulled out a leather bound journal. As always the date went on the top left of the page and she sat back to think before writing anything down. A long time before, her grandmother had told her that writing things down would help keep the demons away and it had become a something of a ritual at the end of her business day.

She stopped and turned the chair around to look out the wall of windows that took up half her office. The view was stunning as were the antiques scattered around the room, most of which came from the old country as her Nanna liked to tell anyone who asked. When her attention finally wandered back to the page, Julian had to let out a laugh.

It’s when I do re-read paragraphs like that one that I sometimes wonder if Nanna isn’t full of crap. Or maybe I’m just an idiot. No one talks like that, much less really believes the horseshit that is love and happily-ever-afters that romance novelists like to go on about. Or maybe I can indulge in one whimsical thought a year without beating myself up. It can be my birthday present to myself. I can be Julian, sentimental asshole before I go back to being Julian the working asshole. The workaholic part of myself I at least understand.

The journal entry wasn’t much, nor very deep in her opinion but it was enough. Sometimes it was just enough to hear the sound of the pen on the paper when she wrote without thinking of the words she put down. It was February thirteenth, a day before her thirty-fifth birthday. Other children got parties and cake; Julian had always enjoyed lunch with her Nanna Lowe and then a trip to the cemetery. Nothing like the constant reminder of what else happened the day you entered the world to put you in a festive mood.

Sebastian Lowe IV had been the only child of Sebastian and Eugenia Lowe, and the next great leader of the vast Lowe holdings. He had done everything asked of him. He had been a good son, a good student throughout his academic years, followed by a good husband just before he turned thirty. During his last year at Tulane in New Orleans while he was working on his master’s in business, he’d met a young woman who had slowly made it impossible for him to live without her. The one story Nanna loved to tell more than any other was when it finally hit Sebastian that he had fallen helplessly in love.

Roberta Bernstein, or Birdie to all her friends, was an art major working on her own master’s degree when she literally ran into Sebastian on the Tulane campus. The petite redhead was no match for the one time starting wide receiver who was too busy clowning around to watch where he was headed. She later admitted that she would have put him in his place had it not been for the hypnotic blue eyes and wind blown jet hair. For weeks after that they were seen together at sporting events and art openings.

They cared for each other a great deal but after school was over their paths spilt and they ended up on two different continents, but still they committed to not letting what they had die. Sebastian’s future was to learn the Lowe company structure so that he could eventually take his father’s place, and for Birdie it was art. Because of her experience, Birdie had been offered a once in a lifetime chance to work as a curator at the Louvre. For three years the long distance romance continued over vacation breaks and long telephone conversations at least every couple of days. It was Sebastian that had cracked first.

It was after he’d been working for his father for a while that Sebastian decided he couldn’t live another day without Birdie at his side, and it was time to do something about it. After work he visited a jeweler, bought a ring, then drove to the airport and bought a ticket to Paris. The long distance romance ended when he showed up on the doorstep of her flat as she was getting ready for work and dropped to one knee. Wedding bells rang four months later.

Julian opened the door of the private bath in her office, stripped off her clothes and threw them in the hamper in the closet. There were more casual clothes hanging above it and the hangers rattled a little as she pulled out a new outfit. In the office, the door opened again and someone let themselves in without asking permission first. The older gentleman closed the journal and placed it back in the desk drawer without ever looking at the page. He would never betray Julian’s trust with idle curiosity.

"Rudy, is that you?"

"Who else would it be at this time of night? I swear just because the old woman gave you the big chair, it doesn’t mean you have to close the joint down every night. It’s not like they’re going to fire you." His suit as always looked freshly pressed and the shoes were shiny enough so that you could comb your hair in them. Those were the things you could count on about Rudy, along with his feisty personality.

The leather sofa creaked when Julian sat down to put on a pair of boots that went better than the Italian loafers she’d had on with the business suit. "You don’t want my Christmas bonus to be smaller this year, do you?"

"You tell Eugenia Lowe you want a Christmas bonus and she’ll take you out back of the building and have you shot. Or does the Jewish religion have folks who do exorcisms if you catch Christianity?"

"You’re not buying that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior at lunch?"

"Finish getting dressed, trouble maker, and I’ll bring the car around."

The second boot slipped on and Julian stood. "You go on without me, Pops, and I’ll see you at home later. Tell Rebecca not to hold dinner for me. You guys go on ahead and eat and I’ll see you in the morning."

He stepped a bit closer to her and tried to read her emotions by looking closely at her face. "Are you sure? She made your favorite tonight."

Julian accepted Rudy’s help with the suede coat in her hand and kissed his cheek when they were done. For a couple who had wanted nothing but children and couldn’t have them, Julian had been the child of their hearts. They had started their careers with Eugenia but followed Julian when she felt it was time for her own place. Now Rudy drove her whenever she had some place to go and his wife Rebecca ran the household staff. They were both paid well, but if necessary, they would have stayed just to stay close to Julian.

"Everything Rebecca makes is my favorite, but I just feel like a walk tonight. Don’t worry, I just have some things to think about and need some time to clear my head."

"Just something only J.J. can help you with, huh?" asked Rudy, referring to Julian’s old college friend who now owned a nearby bar.

"You make me sound like a lush, old man." Julian took his arm and walked him to the door. About twice a week the president of Lowe Inc. left the office dressed in jeans and walked out the front door to the bar five blocks away. On the days she did, J.J. left the bartending to her other employees and spent her time talking to Julian. Considering J.J. always listened without ever passing judgment or questioning Julian’s life except as a friend, it was like having a shrink who poured a mean glass of scotch.

"Nah, if I didn’t have to get my ass home I’d go with you. Have fun and tell her ‘hi’ for me. Just don’t stay out too late. It doesn’t matter if you’re on your way to forty, Rebecca doesn’t go to sleep until she hears you walking around upstairs, and knows you’re safely home."

The button for the elevator lit up under her finger and she kissed Rudy one last time before tugging him on after her. "Thanks for caring and tell her not to worry. She should save it for facing Nanna in the morning."

"I’ll make sure I have some cloves of garlic up front with me before we ride over there to pick her up. Your grandmother could put the fear of God into anyone."

The elevator stopped on the first floor and Rudy held the door for her. "Who are you kidding? If it wasn’t for Rebecca you would’ve run off with Nanna years ago."

"Girl, go have your drink before I have to put you across my knee."

The night watchman assigned to the front door waved before buzzing her out. Since Julian had started her treks to J.J.’s the guy at the front door had always waved and disengaged the lock. They had never spoken and in reality he thought she was one of the underlings from the bottom floors. On the nights she left with Rudy, she rode to the basement with him where the car was parked.

A slew of dead leaves blew past her as a strong gust of wind came off the river. Poydras Street in New Orleans was lined with tall buildings owned by various corporations that were mostly oil field related, the Superdome at one end, the Mississippi River at the other, and the federal court building right in the middle. It was a canyon of brick and cement that became almost eerily silent at night except for the few nightspots that could be found every so many blocks.

Julian turned up the collar of her barn jacket and started toward the Superdome. J.J.’s bar was just a block shy of the largest building in the city. On game days you had to be a regular to get into the place that was regarded as just an old fashioned joint. To Julian that meant there were plenty of dartboards, pool tables, comfortable barstools and not a fern to be found.

Her nose was frozen by the time she got to the door and one of the three waitresses took her coat to store in the back office. "Thanks, Boo, how’s it going tonight?"

"There’s enough guys in here running up monster tabs to keep us in pantyhose and peanuts. I’m glad you showed up tonight, the boss has been waiting for you."

The tall brunette laughed imagining what J.J. might have on her mind. During their college days the even taller blonde had talked Julian into more than one stunt that had landed them in the Dean’s office. The word expulsion had been used more than once. Their friendship had been forged for life when Nanna had pronounced J.J. a bad influence.

"What’s your pleasure, sailor?" asked J.J.

"Small blondes in the moonlight, but if there’s a shortage of those I’ll have a beer."

"Beer? What, you got a pay cut I don’t know about?" It was said in a teasing voice but J.J. reached into the cooler behind her and pulled out a green bottle. She twisted the top off with her bare hand and put it on the bar without a mug to go with it.

"No, I just don’t want to have a hangover tomorrow. I’m having lunch with Nanna and I don’t want to make promises I won’t want to keep just because I’m experiencing a moment of weakness due to alcohol."

"Y’all’s annual drive to visit the folks huh?"

"This one will be a little different than all the others, and it isn’t only annual thing for me anymore."

J.J. leaned closer and looked at her best friend. For all they had been through, she never really thought that anyone, including herself, knew the real Julian Lowe. That one part that defined her and her true self was always hidden from the world. The bar owner could only come up with one explanation. It was the sense of loss the woman always carried with her that kept her from reaching out to anyone. How would I have dealt with being an orphan from the minute I came into the world? The question ran through J.J.’s head and there was no way to answer unless you had walked a mile in Julian’s shoes.

"Why, pal? It isn’t healthy for you to keep dwelling on this. Tomorrow will mark thirty-five years, so don’t you think it’s time for you to start living in the here and now? I never met them either, but I’m guessing they would’ve wanted you to enjoy your life. Hell, Nanna and I have never seen eye to eye on anything, but I think this is the only thing we agree on." She pointed her finger inches from Julian’s face and prayed she wouldn’t snap it off.

"If there’s one thing life has taught me, it is that you and Nanna get smarter with age. I go not because I dwell on their death, but because I find the place peaceful. I love my job, but sometimes it gets to be too much and I need someplace where I can go and the phone’s not ringing and no one’s telling me we’re behind schedule on our next tanker." Julian took a sip of her beer and pointed back. "Besides I waste more time here with you than I do at the cemetery where my parents are buried."

"You know what you need?"

"Will hitting you over the head with this bottle be the only why I can stop you from answering that question?"

"Not unless you want to arrive at Eugenia’s with a black eye tomorrow." J.J. pulled out two bottles when Julian drained the one she’d been drinking. "What you need is a nice girl to go home to, or at least to keep you company and get you out of the house every so often. I love spending time with you, Bernie, but goddamn it, will it kill you to be just a little social?"

"Now you’re sounding more and more like my grandmother. I swear if you say ‘I know this nice Jewish girl I want you to meet,’ I’m walking out of here and never coming back."

"You’re the only Jewish girl I know, so put your fears to rest. I just don’t want you to end up alone and bitter."

"Then maybe I should wish for that when I blow out my candles tomorrow."

J.J. held up her bottle and waited for Julian to tap hers against it. "Then here’s to birthday wishes, may all yours come true."

From there the talk turned to sports and some of the memories they loved to relive whenever they had occasion to talk about them. At midnight Julian stepped out and hailed a cab and headed for home. Behind her J.J. looked toward the ceiling of the bar and offered up a rare prayer to whoever might be listening for her friend.

************************************************************************

The front door of her house clicked closed softly behind Julian, since she didn’t want to wake Rebecca and Rudy if they were sleeping. One of the reasons she’d picked the place, even though it was really too big, was the suite it had downstairs just past the library. It gave the older couple plenty of room and privacy since Julian used an office adjacent to her own rooms on the second floor.

A stack of mail drew her attention after she’d locked up and set the alarm, so she didn’t see them standing in the foyer close to the staircase. When Rudy cleared his throat, envelopes flew in every direction.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Julian held the one piece of mail that hadn’t escaped her grasp pressed against her chest. "What are you two still doing up?"

Rudy and his wife had moved to the door when they heard the key go into the lock from outside. They felt comfortable enough around Julian to have their pajamas and robes on.

"Sorry, Julian, it’s just that we wanted to wait up and see what arrangements you made for the morning," said Rebecca. Her face looked slightly different because of the rollers in her hair. They were rolled so tight it gave her a sort of frozen expression.

"You waited up to ask me about my breakfast order? That’s a little over the top even for you."

"Did you talk to someone named Deanne Lightener today?" asked Rudy.

"I vaguely recall the conversation. She’s someone I went out with a few times years ago." She snapped her finger as it all came back. "Yeah, she called and said she was heading to Europe for awhile and she wanted to leave something with me for safe keeping. Strange request but I didn’t see any harm in saying yes. If someone dropped it off, just throw it in a corner somewhere."

"She tell you what it was?" asked Rebecca, wondering if Julian had enjoyed one too many beers or had zoned out while she was on the phone with the woman after her answer.

"I had a meeting so we didn’t get into details. Why, it isn’t something weird like a snake or something is it?"

"Not a snake, no," answered Rudy.

"Then put whatever it is in the wall safe in the study if you think its valuable and we’ll give it back whenever she returns. I just hope she remembers it’s over here." Julian was on her knees picking up mail so she didn’t see Rudy and Rebecca exchange looks.

"I don’t think she’d appreciate that, and from now on ask lots of pertinent questions when someone asks for a favor." Rudy’s comment caused Julian to look up as she grabbed the last piece of mail.

"Have you two been in the liquor cabinet or something?" Julian had just finished her teasing question when the mail fell from her fingers again. At the top of the stairs was someone she didn’t know looking down at them. "Someone want to explain?"

"It’s all right, sweetheart, you can come down," said Rebecca to their guest. "This was Ms. Lightener’s delivery, and I doubt seriously if we can keep her in the wall safe or the corner until she gets back. She didn’t happen to mention when she’d be returning, did she?"

Julian shook her head as she watched the slow progress down the stairs. "What’s her name?"

The little girl heard the questions so she stopped on the bottom step and held up four fingers. "I’m Summer and I’m four." Four of her fingers came up as high as she could hold them in case Julian didn’t understand, as she walked across the floor and looked right into the blue eyes. "My mama said you’d take care of me and not send me away. You promise to?" It was close to one in the morning and Julian wondered if children were always this perky. "This is Binky," continued Summer pointing to the rabbit under one arm. "I can’t sleep without him so you hafta promise not to send him away either."

"Ah…," was the only thing Julian could get out as she stared at the really short blonde who was giving a running commentary about herself.

"Come on, Summer, it’s time to go back to bed," said Rebecca holding her hand out to the little girl. "We’ll have plenty of time to talk about how we’ll handle this in the morning," Rebecca said to Julian. "I put her in the room next to yours upstairs so pull out some really nice pajamas tonight."

"Who in the hell leaves their child with someone they haven’t seen in years?" Julian asked Rudy once the child was out of hearing range. "And the saddest part is she didn’t leave a number where I can find her."

"Maybe that was her intent, but it’s done now and there’s no sense in bitching about it."

Rudy’s words were ringing in her ears as she climbed the stairs to her room. There was one thing left to do before she went to bed and over the years it had always helped her fall asleep the night before her birthday. In her office next to her room, placed in a location where they could safely burn until the next night, were two candles. One for her father and the other her mother. Yartzeit candles that would burn in remembrance of their lives and the light they had brought into the world when they were alive. As Julian struck the match like her grandmother had done earlier in her own home, she thought of all the stories her Nanna had told her over the years. She had never felt their light but she was a product of what they had meant to each other and Eugenia had always told her it was a comfort to realize what true love could create.

"May your light shine eternal," was all she said as she finished her prayers.

************************************************************************

As the dawn broke through Julian’s windows it silhouetted the small body looking out at the back yard. From the large bed Julian was surprised to find the child in her room and wondered what was weighing down someone so young. Julian looked at her for quite a while before opening her mouth. Studying Summer reminded her of herself, the only difference was that she had never had to try so hard to fit in. From their short talk when she had gotten home, Julian knew the toddler was very unsure of her place in the world.

"Good morning," said Julian, making Summer jump and clutch Binky to her chest. "It’s all right, there’s no reason to be afraid. No one in the house is going to hurt you." The girl still looked frightened so Julian softened her voice a little more. "Will it help if I promised again to not send you away and take care of you while you’re here?"

"You didn’t do it."

Long fingers ran through the dark hair as Julian tried to figure out what Summer meant. She swung her legs over and rested them on the floor. When she couldn’t deduce what the child meant she had to ask. "I didn’t do what?"

"Promise, you didn’t promise."

Julian patted the mattress next to her and smiled. In only four years Summer Lightener had gotten really smart. "How about you join me and I’ll do just that." Summer handed over Binky so she could climb onto the canopy bed, eager to get attention from someone. Julian held out her hand and waited for Summer to take it so they could shake. "I promise you’ll be fine until your mother comes back and we won’t send you anywhere you don’t want to go. You want to shake on it?"

Summer shook as hard as she could but she was looking in awe as her hand disappeared into Julian’s fist when she closed her hand. "You got really big hands and big feet."

"If I were a man just think of the catch I’d be," said Julian with a laugh. She wanted to laugh harder at the blank expression on the kid’s face but didn’t want to add to her confusion. "Never mind about that now, now we have to get ready to go. Do you have any clothes?"

The little girl nodded and looked to the bed coverlet, feeling like Julian was getting ready to dump her somewhere. "Yeah, my mama brung my stuff with me."

Summer’s mournful look continued through Julian’s birthday breakfast and all the way to the office. With a quick glance to the back of the sedan, Rudy wondered what Julian had in mind. He couldn’t see her as she was hidden behind her paper, and not for the first time he thought she was much too set in her ways for someone so young.

"Let’s stop at the front of the building today, Rudy, then I’ll call you when I’m ready to meet Nanna. We may have to change our plans for lunch and the trip to the lawyer’s office."

"You got it." He turned onto Poydras from St. Charles Avenue and decided to keep his promise to Rebecca. "Do you want us to keep Summer today?"

"Nope, I’ll take care of daycare today. It was, after all, my idea to open one in the building for our employees. I’m thinking they’ll let me use the services."

A few people recognized Julian on the way in and tried to engage her in conversation, pleasantly surprised to have all their points and questions answered. She inserted her identity card into the slot in the elevator and pressed the button for the fourth floor. This security system had been put in place to keep anyone from wandering into the childcare area who didn’t belong there.

At the front desk there was a flurry of activity with parents removing coats, gloves and hats. In the middle of it all was a woman on her knees welcoming all the children back for the day with a hug. She stood up when she noticed Julian and Summer just standing as if waiting their turn.

"Can I help you?"

"I need to sign Summer here up to spend some time with you. What’s involved in doing that?" asked Julian.

"Do you work here? It’s the only way to be able to sign your little girl up."

Julian looked down at what had to be the most relaxed employee in the building at that moment. The jeans, sweat shirt and running shoes would’ve had you physically removed from the top floor if you’d had the nerve to try and come to work that way.

"No I just was walking by and this seemed as good a place to leave her as any. I didn’t realize there would be rules."

"Either you’re an idiot or a smart ass, give me a few more minutes and I’ll let you know my decision," said the woman as she stood on her toes to be able to reach Julian’s ear so Summer wouldn’t be able to hear her. "Wait here and I’ll go get your paperwork."

"And your name is, or should I just call you mistress?" asked Julian not caring who heard her.

"My name is Katherine, but my friends call me Kiki. Feel free to call me Katherine." She laughed as Julian put her hand over her heart and grimaced as if she was wounded.

"How does this look?" asked Julian of Summer. She put her briefcase down and lowered herself down to one knee as she waved her arm toward what they could see of the play area.

When she’d gotten the idea to shuffle around some of their offices and open up the fourth floor for this project, Julian had stocked it with everything she could think of to make every kid in there happy. There were computers loaded with games and educational material for the nerds among them. And for the more hands on, there was every conceivable toy to keep their interest. Once the daycare had opened Lowe’s employee absentee rate had dropped dramatically.

"You’ll come back and get me, right?"

"I promise I will as soon as I’m finished working. You know what the best part of this place is?" Summer shook her head and didn’t say anything. "I work here," Julian pointed her finger up, "Right above here."

"Really?"

"Really, so you can have someone call me if you need to talk to me about something." She put her hand on the little girl’s shoulder and smiled. "So what do you think?"

"It kinda looks like fun."

"Good girl, now go over there and have a seat while I fill out all this stuff," said Julian as Katherine loaded her down with paper.

"What’s your name, honey?" Katherine asked Summer. It never hurt to try and get the new children to feel welcome as soon as you could.

"Summer Lightener." The little girl gave her a small smile. "And this is Binky."

"Nice to meet you both." Katherine took her by the hand and led her to the play area where everyone was getting a morning snack. "Everyone this is Summer and her friend Binky. Can everyone say good morning and welcome?"

A din of "Hey Summer!" could be heard from all the children sitting in the dining room by the windows outfitted with tiny tables and chairs. Katherine found her a seat next to a little boy named Tiger, confident that he would loosen Summer up quickly with his gift for gab.

"Summer, this is Tiger and if you want he’d like to be your friend." One of the other workers brought out another blueberry muffin and a glass of milk. "You ok?" she asked Summer getting a nod. "Ok then, I’m going to go see how your mom’s doing with the registration. Katherine stood up before Summer could correct her.

"You need any help with the big words?"

Julian looked up and wondered if this woman was this sarcastic with everyone who stepped out of the elevator. All that was left to do was sign her name at the bottom and hand it back. After she did, her favorite pen was capped and went back into her jacket inner breast pocket. With a little smirk she handed the papers back over to Katherine and sat back and crossed her arms waiting for her to review it. Sometimes it was good to be a Lowe.

"I think I spelled everything correctly, but you could always grade me on penmanship."

Katherine wasn’t really in a position to flirt, but there was something about this woman’s edgy humor that made her want to. It didn’t hurt that she was also the best looking person to ever walk into the nursery. The daycare worker had always played a mental game when meeting or coming across new people. It was one her father, a detective with the New Orleans Police Department, had taught her from an early age.

"Just look at a person, Kiki, and you can learn a lot about them before they ever open their mouths," Katherine could remember him saying. So now she studied people and made up stories in her head to strictly entertain herself. The tall woman sitting there with her arms crossed with the twinkling blue eyes looked like someone who was always in complete control of herself and the world around her. It was the pose that gave that away. The coat, suit and spotless shoes spoke of someone who took time with her appearance, but the lack of jewelry except for a nice watch said she wasn’t consumed by it. The pen that had been so lovingly put in a place over her heart instead of the slightly battered leather bag was something she valued. The overall picture made Katherine want to get to know her better.

Realizing she was staring, Katherine snapped her eyes closed for a second before turning her attention to the form in her hand. She had printed the whole thing in the neatest handwriting Katherine had ever seen, but a majority of it was left blank. Aside from Summer’s name and age, there was no other personal information.

"Don’t you want to put her birthday and stuff on here? We give the kids a party and some treats when it rolls around. Nothing fancy, just a cake and some ice cream, but they love it and I’d hate for Summer to be left out."

"This cake, you buy that with company funds?" asked Julian with a bit of a stern voice.

Why do they have to be such assholes when they’re this good looking? The question made her click her mouth closed from the dressing down this idiot needed, since Katherine didn’t like to do that in front of the children. "I make the cake myself and the staff chips in for the ice cream. Don’t worry we’re not costing the Lowes any money. You can look at our paychecks if you don’t believe me."

Having her joke backfire, Julian stood up and started for the elevator. "I left my extension on there if you need me for anything. What time does this place close?"

"We’re here till six thirty, if you have to stay later than that then I suggest you complain to your supervisor," answered Katherine, shoving the forgotten application under her arm. "Because from experience the asshole that runs this place doesn’t give a damn how late you have to stay."

"I’ll tell her you told me to if it comes to that since I’ll be seeing her in just a little while. Have a good day, Katherine." Before Julian made it to the exit, there was a slight tugging on her coat. When she looked down Summer was pulling at her pocket.

"You won’t forget about me, right?"

"I’ll be back in a little while, don’t worry. Have fun ok."

"This is my new friend Tiger," Summer pulled him forward presenting him to Julian.

Julian held her hand out and instantly found the little boy’s pressed against it. "Nice to meet you, Tiger. Take good care of Summer today, ok?" As she waited for the elevator to open Julian heard part of the conversation the two had on the way back to the table.

"She’s got big hands, huh?" Summer asked a nodding Tiger. "She’s got big feet too and she said it would make her a good catch if she’d been a man."

"What’s that mean?" asked a confused Tiger.

"I didn’t ask that."

The doors closed to Julian laughing so hard she was wiping her eyes. An incredulous Katherine finally remembered the application and looked to see who the hell would tell that to a four-year-old.

Julian had scratched through parent and replaced it with the words temporary guardian. "That explains the lack of information," Katherine muttered to herself. She twirled a piece of blonde hair around her index finger like she had from an early age. It was when she got to the name right after that, that she came close to tugging a chunk of her hair out from shock. She read it five times before the name, Julian B. Lowe registered in her head.

"Della, what’s the name of the company CEO?"

"I would imagine it’s a Lowe but I’ve never met any of them so I really don’t know," answered one of her co-workers.

"I got that from walking in here every morning with the name in big blue letters stretched out across the top of the building and all, which Lowe?"

"Julian, is the current head tuna at the moment," chimed in Chris, another of their workers.

"Please tell me Julian is a man," said Katherine with her hands pressed together as if in prayer, crumpling the application between them. "You would make me feel so much better than I feel right at this moment if you tell me he’s a he."

"Tall, good looking, but I’m sorry, definitely not a man," said Chris. When the other two looked at her like she was crazy she cocked her head to the side. "I don’t know her but she was in the company newsletter last month standing next to Sam’s dad, you know the guy from up on fifteen, and you know how tall he is. Well this chick topped him by at least a couple of inches. It was her picture that made me read the article. Julian Lowe is different looking, but in a good way if you get my meaning. I could only imagine what she would look like if she’d really smiled for the camera."

"I’m so dead," said Katherine now banging her hands against her head. Of all the people to call an asshole this morning, it had to be the head asshole.

"What’d you do, hit her car this morning or something?" asked Della.

"Or something, so if security comes and tosses me out don’t act surprised."

"Come on, it can’t be all that bad. Whatever it is I’m sure she’ll forget about it before lunch so I wouldn’t worry about it. Actually you won’t have time to worry about anything."

Katherine stopped her smoothing of the papers in her hand and looked at Chris like she’d already heard of her being fired for being so pissy. "Why, I have to go home already?"

"No you have sixty little people ready for your undivided attention." Chris pointed to the room where the kids were already heading for their favorite toys. They had to be vigilant since the morning was when the little turf wars over stuff were the most common. By ten everyone was happily playing with whatever was handy.

"What, everyone else is going home instead and I’m on my own?" asked Katherine pulling out her supplies for her group’s first project.

"Today’s sing along day, so we all get to participate, so go put your paints away for awhile, Madame Picasso."

************************************************************************

"Good morning, Darlene, how’s the cats and the husband?"

"Good morning, they’re all fine and happy birthday," answered the secretary as she followed Julian into the office. When Julian turned around from hanging up her coat she found Darlene tentatively holding out a small box. "I’m horrible at shopping but I thought you might enjoy this."

"You didn’t have to do that, but thank you." The paper was ripped through and Julian found an antique sterling bookmark in the shape of an old cruiser. Since boats were their business, she collected ship memorabilia. "This is great, thank you for thinking of me."

"You’re quite welcome, I hope you have a great day. Your grandmother called this morning and wants you to call her back. Do you have anything pressing you want me to do this morning before I start on the stack from yesterday that we didn’t get to?"

Julian saw Darlene’s trusty pad come out before she opened her mouth. "I need two things actually before you worry about anything else. First, use whatever means you have to and find Deanne Lightener. She should be somewhere in Europe by now if what she told me yesterday was true, but start with wherever she lives state-side."

"Deanne Lightener, got it, what else?"

"Access the personnel files from everyone working down in the daycare, including salary information, then have the head of human resources call me in about fifteen minutes."

It was a strange request but Darlene had found success as an assistant after she learned a valuable lesson. Never under any circumstances question your boss about anything, even when it seemed like they had lost their minds. There was that and the fact she kept meticulous records and backed up all her work. "I’ll get right on this, but I’ll start with the easy one first. It shouldn’t take any time at all to access the personnel records so I’ll email them to you for review, unless you want the hard copies."

"Mail is fine, thanks."

After she reviewed her messages from the morning, Julian took off her jacket and tossed it in the visitor’s chair across from her desk before picking up the phone. A friendly sounding staff person picked up the phone on the other end making Julian smile at the perkiness despite the woman’s age. "Good morning, Alice, how are you?"

"If it isn’t the birthday girl. Happy birthday, love, I got you a little something so don’t forget to find me when you come to pick up her highness."

"You never do forget, Alice, and that’s one of the many reasons I love you. But speaking of the old woman, is she up yet?"

The long time Lowe housekeeper laughed and looked around before answering. "If you’re not good I’m going to tell her you call her that behind her back, but she’s up, let me go find her."

"I already know what she calls me behind my back, woman, so give me the phone." Eugenia stood in the doorway of the kitchen in her robe with a slight frown on her face and her hand out, but her old friend knew it was just for show. If there was one person on the planet the matriarch of the Lowe family would learn to do back flips for, it was Julian.

If there was such a thing as knowing each other’s thoughts, it could be said of Julian and her grandmother. As she grew up, Julian had a lot of people who cared about her, even though they were paid staff, but Eugenia took on most of the child raising duty, and even though Julian loved to tease her Nanna, she still couldn’t imagine an existence without her as the rock that anchored her life.

"Hello, Bernie, happy birthday."

"Thanks, Nanna, pretty soon I’ll catch up with you." Eugenia laughed at the jibe since it was a well-known fact around town that the last birthday she acknowledged was when she’d turned fifty-nine. It wasn’t that she was fond of the number; she just didn’t feel like counting any higher than that.

"Well you’ll have millions of reasons to remember this one, sweetie. What time do you want to come by and pick me up?"

"Any more talk like that and I’ll ask you to be my Valentine."

"That’s just one more religious day that went horribly off track. I eat chocolate all the time, I don’t need to set aside a special day for it, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want great grandchildren and a granddaughter-in-law to help keep you in line." Eugenia took a sip of her coffee so that she could keep up the constant lecture of finding someone for Julian to share her life with. "Since it’s your birthday you should know that you aren’t getting any younger. You need to find a nice Jewish girl and make babies." It had been a shock to her when Julian had told her she was gay, but Eugenia had taken it all in stride and embraced her granddaughter for being honest with her instead of trying to hide what was such an important part of her life.

"Out of what, gingerbread? I don’t need to find a nice Jewish girl, Nanna, I have you."

"Julian, honey, I’m almost seventy years old and my tits are all shot to hell. It’s not a pretty sight I tell you, so think younger yet with all my endearing qualities."

The leather chair Julian was sitting in creaked as she leaned back and laughed. Being born on the one day most of the world set aside for romance had always been a bit of a bore, but it had its high points, like no one really making a fuss over something as silly as turning another year older. She had never come out and admitted it to anyone, but falling in love and putting her heart on the line was not something Julian ever intended to do, no matter how incredible the girl was. Julian loved Eugenia without reservation, but unconditional love for someone else was a gamble, and if life had taught her anything it was that life always seemed to be stacked against you. The death of her parents had been the prime example of that.

"Therein lies the problem, Nanna, where am I ever going to find anyone like you?"

"Ok, enough kissing ass, you’re getting your trust today no matter what so there’s no need. Come by in an hour and I’ll be ready to go, then we can head out and have lunch."

"You got it, buttercup, and dress warmly, it’s cold out today."

The soft beep of the intercom on the phone scared Julian as she replaced the receiver. "Julian, I have Ms. Lightener on line two for you. I took the liberty of assuming you wanted to talk to her," said Darlene from the outer office. Julian’s computer also softly chimed indicating an incoming email. When she looked it was the files she’d requested.

"I think you deserve a raise you’re so efficient. If something ever happens to me I’ll recommend Nanna hire you for my job."

Darlene glowed at the compliment. "No thank you, I see the hours you keep."

Releasing a deep breath, Julian answered the phone. Not that she minded taking care of Summer for a short while, but her life had gone strangely off kilter the day before and she wanted to know why. Why would someone she barely remembered have entrusted her child to her care?

"Deanne, care to tell me where you are?"

"You could say hello first before you start screaming," said Deanne in a curt voice.

"I’m not screaming, I just want to know where you are and why your daughter is now my responsibility. Since it’s not like watching a lamp or a book until you get back I think I have the right to know."

Deanne waved an impatient hand toward the cab driver waiting on her and tried to sound friendlier. She wanted to take some time off from her life and Julian was the safest person she could think of to leave Summer with, at least that’s what she remembered of her when they had gone out those couple of times. "I’m in London at the moment, but I’m on the run so we have to make this quick."

"No, not quick, we need a lengthy conversation so let’s get cracking."

"Look, Julian, I’ve got some stuff happening in my life right now and I need your help, that’s why I called you yesterday. Summer was sort of a surprise four years ago and I’ve never really recovered from the experience of motherhood. A friend of mine invited me to go on a trip with her and I felt I deserved some time to find myself."

Julian was up and pacing wondering what in the world she had ever seen in this woman who walked around campus with a cat in her book bag. Anyone who had anxiety separation from her pet should have sent up a big red flag with whacko written on the back. "I understand you might be having a rough time of it, but how do I fit into that equation?"

"I trust you, Julian. I trust you to keep Summer healthy until I’m ready to come back."

Till I’m ready to come back? Danger Will Robinson, danger! The alarms went off in Julian’s head that this could turn out to be a long-term arrangement as far as Deanne was concerned. "How long do you plan to be gone?"

"It could be two weeks, or it could be two years. You can’t put a timeline on finding yourself, Julian, you should know this."

"I know exactly where I am, so don’t compare us, and any more time than two weeks is unacceptable."

"I have to run, Julian, someone’s waiting for me. I promise to call you soon," said Deanne as if Julian had never spoken.

"Wait!" screamed Julian into the receiver hearing only a dial tone in return. "For the love of God, why do I always attract the strangest people walking around out there?" Every bad date she’d been on came flooding back and it was another set of reasons never to settle down. "Darlene, see if you can do the impossible and track that nutcase down again. If it takes me flying across the big pond and dragging her back here by her hair, then that’s what I’ll do." Her finger came off the intercom as she dropped back in the chair. Her eyebrows hiked when she opened the file Darlene had sent.

"I was able to catch her at the front desk of the hotel she’s staying at, so give me a little bit more time now that she’s on to the fact I work for you, and it seems like she doesn’t want to talk to you." The burning desire to ask Julian what was going on was great but Darlene tried to control the urge to blurt out any questions. "But don’t worry I’ll keep working at it."

"Thanks, and thanks for the information." Julian rolled the track ball on her mouse and scanned down the file she’d opened and looked for the name Katherine. She found it toward the middle of the page.

Katherine X. Breaux, was twenty-eight years old, wasn’t married and had one child. She lived in the cusp of the French Quarter, which Julian quickly surmised was insane, and she had a master’s degree in child development. Katherine had been one of the original employees hired to man the daycare and had only missed three days of work in two years. Overall her annual personnel assessments had all been excellent, and she had gotten more letters praising her efforts with the children from the rest of the Lowe employees who had children enrolled than almost all of the others combined. The one thing that did stick out, and Julian wondered why since she tried to pay competitive wages, was the salary of everyone working on the fourth floor.

"Sorry to bother you with so many bizarre requests in one day, Darlene, but could you call Simpson from H.R. and get him up here right away?"

"You can request bizarre things all day, that’s what I’m here for."

About five minutes later a short, slightly over weight man with a buzz cut popular in the fifties knocked on the door. He could feel the sweat rolling down his back having gotten a call to report to Julian’s office. In all his twenty five years with the company he’d never stepped foot on the top floor, even when he’d gotten promoted to head of the personnel department.

"Mr. Simpson, I have to leave in a minute so we’ll have to keep this short. Why are we paying third world wages to everyone in the daycare? Are we having some sort of cash flow problem I don’t know about?"

Harold pulled on his collar like it had shrunk two sizes in the time it had taken Julian to ask her questions. "I thought I’d start low and see how they worked out before going up. They’re just babysitters after all, so I thought what I offered was fair."

The way Julian’s eyelids lowered a little was the first clue his answer was slightly off center of the target she was aiming for. "I see, and you know they’re just babysitters since you’re down there evaluating their performance weekly?"

"Hell no, I don’t really like kids so I send my assistant. She has her daughter down there so why suffer if you don’t have to is my motto."

"Funny thing, that’s my motto as well, so get up and get out."

"What?"

"It’s an easy enough request, Mr. Simpson. Leave before you make me suffer any more with your company." Her finger was back on the intercom button before he reached for the knob. "Darlene, could you step in here please?" The assistant stood back as if she found Harold offensive before walking to Julian’s desk. "Did you know Simpson is an asshole?"

"We’ve met and he does leave you with that impression doesn’t he?"

"Thanks for sharing. Anyone else I should call security about and have them escorted out of the building? You can write that down by the way. I want him out of here as soon as humanly possible. Then have his assistant come up here when you get the chance. If my assumptions are correct, she’s forgotten more personnel policy than Simpson ever knew."

"I’ve met her too, and all I can say is, you have the instincts of Eugenia Lowe," said Darlene with a smile.

"I hope that’s a compliment."

"Trust me, it is."

An hour later Lowe had a new personnel vice-president and everyone in the daycare had gotten a raise. Along with the expanded benefits Julian threw in, was a new purchasing account for birthdays and other treats the staff wanted to get for themselves and the children. Julian laughed when Darlene told her the staff in H.R. had stood up and applauded as Harold was shown the door.

She put her jacket and coat back on and called for Rudy to meet her outside. It was getting late and if she didn’t leave she’d be late picking up her grandmother. "Darlene, call me on my cell if you need anything. I have an appointment with Eugenia this morning then we’ll probably go and have lunch."

Translation, I have an appointment with the lottery office to collect my winnings, thought Darlene with a small laugh. "Sorry, I just thought of something my husband said. Have fun and tell your grandmother I said hello." The phone rang as Julian started for the door and Darlene had no choice but to snap her fingers to get her attention.

"I’m sorry, I know that’s rude but there’s a young lady on the line and she says there’s a Summer Lightener downstairs and she needs to see you before you leave. Should I tell her you’re already gone?"

"No, I think I can squeeze that in before I deal with Nanna."

I wonder if she’ll let me call her Kiki once she opens her next paycheck? Julian laughed at the thought, contemplating going down and handing out the next payroll herself.

************************************************************************

Summer was standing next to the counter when Julian stepped off the elevator. The little girl had her ever-present rabbit and she looked a tad upset. One of the workers Julian had yet to meet was standing next to her with her hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her.

"Hey there, it looks like you lost your best friend. What’s the matter?" asked Julian dropping down to her knees.

Chris looked at the two of them and smiled. Nowhere in the newsletter did it say that their boss had children. "She was playing and it suddenly hit her that she hadn’t seen you in awhile so we thought we’d call and see if you weren’t busy." She explained to Julian in case Summer was too choked up to answer.

"Testing me out huh, kid?" She didn’t want to grow attached, figuring she could get Deanne to come and get her before too much more time went by, but Julian couldn’t stand the lost look on Summer’s face. With a quick thump her briefcase hit the floor and she opened her arms, finding them full of tiny blonde as soon as she did. "I told you I was just a phone call away, sweetheart, so stop worrying. You’re going to get wrinkles before your time."

"I thought you’d forgotten about me." The statement was almost a mantra for the kid Julian noticed. She wondered how many times her mother had dumped her somewhere and forgotten about her in her quest to find herself. The concept was even more horrible than her own life. At least her parents were dead. What would it feel like to go through life thinking you weren’t wanted?

Julian leaned back and looked down at the sad little face. With gentle fingers she combed the fine blonde hair back and tried to get the green eyes to stay with her. It was amazing to feel how soft Summer’s hair was and how easily she accepted affection. If Deanne wasn’t careful that could come back to haunt her one day if she dumped her daughter with the wrong person.

"You know the only thing I forget all the time?" she asked Summer. Small fingers clung to the lapels of her coat and Summer just shook her head. "I forget to take my vitamins in the morning. That’s it, so don’t ever think I’d leave here and forget to come and pick you up. I just thought you’d have more fun here all day than sitting at home watching television and have only Rudy and Rebecca to play with. Don’t get me wrong, they’re both great, but I bet the folks here play a better game of go fish than they do."

"Tiger’s my best friend, he told me so."

Ok, that has nothing to do with the conversation we were just having, but let’s go with the flow. Julian put a serious look on her face and nodded. "He is huh? Well that’s a start. It’s only your first day and you already have a best friend. By tomorrow you’ll have enough people as your friends for a good game of poker."

Chris cleared her throat and shook her head. "That’s not one of the games in our daily routine."

"Shame, it’s lots of fun after a long day. Maybe I’ll teach you at night before you go to bed," Julian told Summer. "Are we ok now?"

"I just wanna ta see you. Can you come and eat with me? Today’s peanut butter and jelly day." She may have only been four, but Summer had learned to do a good begging face. "Please."

"Let me get to the meeting I have set up and then I’ll be happy to come and have lunch with you." Julian hugged her before turning Summer around and scooting her back in the direction of the playroom. "I’m Julian Lowe," she held out her hand to Chris.

"Chris Breaux, it’s nice to meet you."

"Thanks for calling me. Summer’s going through some tough times I think so don’t think you’re bothering me if she wants to see my face every so often. I might not be able to come right down, but I’ll try." She bent down and retrieved her bag figuring it was the only way to get the young woman to let her hand go. "Is it all right for me to come down here and have lunch with her."

"I doubt PBJs are your usual lunch fare, but we encourage our parents to come down and have lunch with the children whenever they can. Sometimes working takes up huge chunks of our day, so it’s nice to have a moment to sit and listen to your three year old tell you about their day."

"Thanks, Ms. Breaux, I’ll be back in a little while."

Chris turned and laughed when she saw Kiki hiding behind one of the large stuffed animals trying to listen in on their conversation. "It’s safe now so you can come out. I’m not real sure what you’re worried about but she seems really nice. What’s the deal?"

"She came in this morning and gave me a little attitude, almost like she owned the place."

"Wait let me guess, you gave back in spades, right?" Kiki nodded her head as she chewed on the corner of her thumbnail. "And what do you know, she owns the place."

"Come on, how many times do you talk back to someone and they turn out to be the one person who can have you fired?"

"It’s happened to me once already today as a matter of fact." The tease got Chris a hard slap to her arm. "Let’s tidy up a bit, the boss is coming to lunch."

Kiki was about to say something when she felt a tug on her sweatshirt. "Hey, sweetie, do you have to go to the bathroom?" she asked Summer.

"No, Miss Kiki, I wanna to tell you that today’s Jubian’s birthday. Miss Rebecca made her pancakes with candles in them this morning. Neat, huh?"

"That is neat," Kiki looked at Chris as they both went through a mental inventory of what supplies they had on hand. "We’ll have to sing to her when she comes back. Do you know the birthday song?" Summer went back to play singing the song as loud as she could. "I’ll take that as a yes. Do we have any cake batter handy?"

Before Chris could answer the elevator opened again so Linda Lamm from HR could step out. "Should I send you all flowers or would you prefer chocolates?"

"I’d prefer tequila but if those are my only choices I’ll take chocolate." Both of the other women laughed at Chris’ response knowing it was totally honest. "What? I’m expecting my period and a good piece of milk chocolate always hits the spot. To what do we owe the pleasure of your company? Your boss get bored and decide to stop buying us toilet paper?"

"My boss got an earful from Julian Lowe and then got his ass fired. I figured I was next when I got called to the penthouse, but when I left she gave me his job and had me do a slew of paper work. Call me Santa girls, because when I’m done you are going to be some happy Lowe employees."

The memo she handed them outlined everything she and Julian had discussed but the clincher was that Julian had made the raises retroactive from the date of their employment. It was like getting a Christmas bonus a couple of months late.

"I’m not real sure what she was doing down here this morning, but after getting a lecture from one of you she reviewed the structure and pay scale, and made some major changes. Just sign those and send them up whenever you can for processing. Don’t spend it all in one place and try not to dawdle. I want to be able to cut those checks for this payroll." She snapped her fingers in front of the two shocked women before heading back to her desk. "Congratulate everyone for me. I know how much Sandy loves it down here, so I’m glad you’re finally getting appreciated for your hard work."

"I’ll be damned," Chris and Kiki said simultaneously.

************************************************************************

"Sign here, here and here and we’re done," the trust attorney pointed to the appropriate spots on the page he’d handed her. In the years the money had been in their care it had grown to an almost obscene amount. Enough so that Julian could walk out and not work a day in her life until her great, great, great grandchildren were ready for a home.

"Thank you, Maurice, you and the firm have done a wonderful job over the years. I’d be nice to her now, and maybe she’ll retain your services," said Eugenia from her place next to Julian.

"There is one more thing, Mrs. Lowe."

"You’re throwing some money into the pot?" joked the old woman.

"Before your son passed away so tragically he came in to make provisions for his new child." The silver haired attorney turned his attention to Julian before he went on. "That was a long time ago and I believe I still had some black hair mixed in up here," he pointed to his head, "But I can still remember him sitting in that chair telling me about you. He was so excited, enough that he almost kept pinching himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. The one thing he knew for sure was that you would be taken care of no matter what happened in the future. You and your mother were his life." From the top desk drawer Maurice pulled out an envelope. "Just like you, Sebastian inherited the bulk of his trust when he reached the age you are now. Your grandfather was still a part of his life, but he wondered what would have happened if his life had been cut short."

If Julian afforded herself any nervous ticks it was twirling things between her fingers. The pen she loved so much, because it had been her father’s, moved steadily from one end of her hand to the other. "What does this story have to do with me?"

"Your father was a progressive thinker, Julian. He was preparing to be a new father and he wanted to do the best job he could so he told me he had sat the night before he came to see me and wrote you a letter. It was his intention to be sitting here with you today when you came for what he considered a right of passage. When he received the money his father had set aside for him, he considered not a time of growing older and leaving behind his youth, but a time to anticipate what the rest of his life held. Being a good father and a good husband I think topped his list, but in the eventuality that he couldn’t be here for you, he left you a piece of his heart on paper." Maurice extended his hand and gave her the last thing Sebastian had ever written. "I’m sure it’s a poor substitute but I’ve safe guarded it all this time and it gives me great pleasure to fulfill a promise to an old friend."

Julian’s fingers felt numb and the pen fell without grace to the top of Maurice’s desk. The heavy linen paper of the envelope felt bumpy under her fingertip as she ran her fingers over the letters on the front. It was addressed to Baby Lowe. "Thank you," she said through a tight throat filled with emotion.

"I hope when you read it you find the essence of the man who loved you from the day your mom told him you were on your way. Happy birthday, Julian."

With the paperwork complete, they left the office and decided to go to the cemetery. "Are you going to open it?" asked Eugenia. Julian had fallen into silence from the time they had left Maurice.

"Eventually, but not today."

"Aren’t you curious as to what your father wanted to tell you?"

"More than anything in the world, I want to hear his words, but it might be nice to savor the fact I can hear them at all for just a little while longer. Is that ok?"

"My Julian, of course. It’s your letter after all and he wrote it with you in mind, so you read it whenever you want." She patted her granddaughter on the leg and looked out the window as the car rolled toward the river. In the middle of an old street in the uptown section of town was a small plot of land that held the graves of the Lowe family.

When Rudy stopped and opened the door, Julian helped her Nanna out and across the entrance. From her coat pocket she produced two stones and handed them to Eugenia before pulling out two for herself. They stood together in silence for over fifteen minutes before laying the rocks on top of the headstones marking Sebastian and Birdie’s final resting place. They were just a sign that they had been there to remember the people they loved. Her grandmother started to walk away from her to head a little more to the left, but stopped when Julian’s hand came to rest on her forearm. From her pocket she pulled another stone and gave it to Eugenia. She bent down so her Nanna could place a kiss on her cheek for her thoughtfulness. Next to her son was where Eugenia had buried her husband.

"So are you finally taking an old woman’s advice and taking out a young beautiful woman?" asked Eugenia as Rudy headed in the direction of her house. Julian had apologized and promised an early dinner instead of lunch if her grandmother would forgive the change in plans.

"She’s cute and she’s definitely young, but don’t get your hopes up, I don’t think it’ll last."

"Does dinner come with an explanation?"

"If you want we can eat at my place and you can meet her," Julian gave no other hints.

"She’s living with you already and I’ve never heard of her? What’s she after?"

"Not my money for sure, but I’m guessing a bit of my time will earn me a friend for life." Julian kissed Eugenia’s cheek when the car pulled under the portico of her house. "Go take a nap and I’ll see you at six thirty."

"If you need me for anything today just call."

"I do need one more thing," Eugenia waited hoping Julian would let some of that pain she carried out. "Would you be my Valentine?"

"Get off my property before I have Alice come out here and fill your butt with buckshot." They both laughed as Julian offered her arm to help Eugenia to the door.

"Happy birthday, Bernie," yelled the maid when Julian opened the door. She handed over a brightly wrapped box and smiled as Julian ripped through it.

"Alice, if you could give Nanna great grandchildren I’d ask you to marry me," said Julian as she looked down at the dozens of brownies stacked in the box.

"If I could give the old buzzard great grandchildren I’d take you up on the offer."

"The world just doesn’t appreciate older women," said Julian as she waved before leaving.

On the way back she sat in the front with Rudy and shared some of her gift so he’d have time to brush his teeth before Rebecca could find out he’d been eating sweets. After the emotionally wrenching morning she was looking forward to seeing Summer again. It was nice to have someone who depended on her, if only for a short while.

************************************************************************

There were streamers with little hearts on them hanging from the ceiling around the dining tables and cardboard cutouts of Cupids stuck to the windows. Julian stood back unobserved and took in the whole room as all the women who worked with the children led them through a medley of songs. All of the toddlers had a stack of small white envelopes in front of them, and Julian was surprised to see a stack in front of Summer.

"Ok everyone, look through your stack and find the one that has this name written on the front." Kiki held up a big card with the name Amber on it. "Pull it out and hold on to it," she instructed.

"I can’t find one, Miss Kiki," said a little girl at the head of one of the tables.

"That’s because everyone else is going to give you one, honey. Everyone lets give Amber her Valentine’s." A mad rush to the small redhead ensued after Kiki’s suggestion. It went on for about twenty minutes as the kids really got into it and waited as Kiki worked her way through the alphabet. In the end every child had a stack of Valentine’s Day cards with special treats like stickers sitting in front of them to enjoy.

A vague memory of kindergarten ran through Julian’s mind of experiencing the same thrill when a little girl in her class had given her one. She still felt slightly guilty at having nothing to give in return, but it was great to see that Summer wouldn’t have the same problem to worry about years later because of these thoughtful women.

"Hey, everyone, it’s our special guest Julian. Can everyone say hi to Miss Julian?" asked Kiki when she spotted the tall brunette leaning against the counter.

Julian waved and told them hi back, blushing slightly from all the attention. "I’m not too late for lunch am I?"

"Just in time, boss," said Chris pulling out a small chair between Summer and Tiger. "We had the kitchen staff pull out the good jelly in your honor."

Kiki laughed at the giant sitting so close to the ground surrounded with little people. If the chair had been any lower, Julian’s knees would’ve been wrapped around her ears. "Look at all my stuff," Summer held up all her cards to show Julian.

"I see that, it must be nice to have so many Valentines."

"What’s a Balentine?" Summer slightly mangled the word.

"It’s a person who cares about you and every year on this day sends you a card and maybe some chocolate to let you know they do," Julian watched Summer get up effortlessly from her chair, thinking she wasn’t going to be so lucky when the time came.

"Who’s your Balentines, Jubian?" A little hand landed on her shoulder.

"I don’t have one, sweetie."

Both Tiger and Summer pulled a card from their stacks and handed it to her. "You can be my Balentine," said Summer.

"And mine too," Tiger chimed in. Kiki was stunned by the transformation of the handsome face when Julian really smiled. It was hard to believe someone so gorgeous wouldn’t have someone who was waiting at home with some red lingerie and a card to let Julian know how they felt.

"Thanks, guys, my cup runneth over."

"You sure say some funny stuff, Julian," said Tiger.

"Tiger," Kiki dragged out the name as if she disapproved of something.

"I mean, Miss Julian."

"No problem, buddy, and maybe all I need to do is start watching cartoons then I won’t say such funny stuff. What do you think?"

"Cartoons are my favorite."

"Mine too," added Summer from the other side. The bookends talked through the whole lunch entertaining Julian with their limited experience in life. It was something very different from her usual day, since even as a child Julian had never been much of a talker.

"You two have a good afternoon. I have to go back to work," said Julian after two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She had to fall forward on her knees before she could contemplate standing up.

"Not yet, we aren’t done," said Kiki from right behind her. The kneeling woman noticed a large bonus and pay raise had softened Katherine’s tone considerably.

"What I’m missing cookies for dessert?" She turned her head slightly noticing the yellow specks in Katherine’s eyes she was standing so close. I wonder what she would look like in a black evening dress and pumps? The question popped uninvited into her brain and Julian shook her head a couple of times as if to make it pop out of her left ear. "Any more sugar and you’ll have to peel me off the ceiling."

"A little sugar never hurt anyone, so have a seat."

"And you were having a salad for lunch because?"

It was flattering in a way that Julian noticed anything about her. "I was saving myself for dessert." Her voice sounded a little huskier than Kiki was comfortable with so she straightened out and started toward her office. She looked back and pointed a finger at Julian. "Don’t move, I’ll be right back."

With help from Tiger and Summer, Julian was able to get back in the little torture chamber passing for a chair for whatever Katherine had planned. She almost fell out of it again when the blonde came out carrying a cake with thirty-five lit candles on it. Chris had a few sheet cakes on a cart behind Katherine and put her hand up in direction so the children would start singing. One big blow later, they all broke out into applause.

"It seems I’ve been missing out hanging out in the ivory tower," Julian told Katherine as she took a bite of the yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It was not a professional job and she wondered if Katherine had made it for her. She held up a forkful and smiled, "This is delicious by the way. Now that you have money to spend at the bakery, is this your last creation?"

The blush was cuter than hell and Julian’s smile got bigger having guessed right. "No, it’s one of the best things about this job and one of the saddest."

"Why sad?"

"When they get a year older, they’re a year closer to heading off to school. After you spend all day with these little ones you grow attached. I hate seeing them go, but I feel good that we’ve taught them enough of the basics that they do well in real school." Kiki had taken Tiger’s chair when the little boy finished his cake and went off to play with his new sidekick Summer.

"Where’s your child during the day?" Kiki licked the rest of the icing off her fork as she hiked a brow in Julian’s direction. I wonder what she would look like in a black evening dress, with pumps and licking icing off my lips? Julian ended up shaking her head again to clear her thoughts but it didn’t do any good.

"Is there something wrong with your head, and how do you know so much about me?"

"The idiot we had in H.R. asked you a bunch of illegal questions in your application and I read them when I requested everyone’s records after you told me I was paying you squat. I guess that means you can sue me, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. Attorneys can be such a pain in the ass."

Kiki’s laugh was heartfelt and it made Julian join her. "I’m sorry about this morning so I guess that makes us even. To answer your question, I spend all day with my son," she pointed to Summer’s companion. "He’s four going on forty when it comes to negotiating for something he wants, but I love him anyway."

"Ah, that explains the working for peanuts."

"I used to teach, but then a friend told me about this place when you were putting it together. In the classroom I didn’t have the ability to spend this kind of time with him, so the salary was a small compromise. Whose idea was this?" She waved her arm to point out the whole facility.

"It was mine but I let other people finish it for me. Teach me not to follow through huh? Thank you for lunch, the cake and the great job you all do. And I’m sorry about this morning too. I was joking with you about the money but I’m glad you reacted the way you did. It helped me correct the royal screw up Simpson did to you. I’ll be upstairs for the afternoon if Summer needs anything."

"Thank you for what you did. You were way too generous but we’ll take it anyway," joked Kiki. "I really thought you’d end up firing me when I found out who you were."

"Well you’ll get fired if you turn it down, Katherine, so keep up the good work." Julian put her hands on the small of her back when she was finally able to straighten it out. "Have a good afternoon."

"Just one more thing, Ms. Lowe," said Kiki before she walked away too far. She got her own raised eyebrow in return. "You can call me Kiki."

"I see that Summer isn’t the only one lucking out today making friends, thank you. You can return the favor and call me Julian." Julian winked loving the return of the blush.

************************************************************************

Julian was totally amazed with the way her grandmother had taken to her new houseguest, and wondered what it would be like to have a child of her own for Nanna to spoil. Growing up it had been a blast to find the surprises Eugenia was always leaving around for her to find. Seeing her with Summer made her think any child she might have would think of the old woman as their own living fairy godmother.

"What you need is a bicycle, a pink one I’m guessing," said Eugenia to her captive audience. "And a little bell on the handlebars so Julian can hear you around the yard when you ride."

"I don’t know how to ride."

"Summer, when you’re speaking with an adult you have to use the words ma’am and sir if you want to be polite," corrected Julian softly.

"Sir, I don’t know how to ride," Summer tried again.

"In this case we’ll go with ma’am, ok?" Julian jumped in again.

"Let’s make it even easier and go with Nanna." Eugenia lifted her glass in her grand-daughter’s direction not as a toast but to get her to shut up and stop interrupting her. "When Saturday rolls around we’ll go shopping and pick you up a few things."

"Nanna, Summer’s mother will be coming back soon and we don’t want to burden her down with too many things."

"Julian, when you’re four you can never have too many things. When I was growing up my parents were poor but we still had lots of things. Sometimes it was a stick and a ball of string, but they still belonged to me and I loved to play with them. Now I’m not poor and it would give me great pleasure to buy Summer a bicycle. You would sit there and deprive an old woman of that simple gift?"

"Old woman my…"

"Ah, don’t say another word or I’ll have Rebecca come in here with a bar of soap." Eugenia turned back to Summer and laughed. "What kind of bike would you like?"

"A Barbie bike. Do they make those, Nanna?"

"Do you like Barbie?"

"I love Barbie."

"Then we’ll get you that kind. You know when Julian was growing up," started Eugenia only, to be stopped by the subject of the upcoming story.

"There is no reason for Summer to hear about anything I did growing up, she needs to be her own person."

"I raised you, so that means I have the privilege of making fun of you, so hush." She pointed at Julian as a warning not to butt in again. "When Julian was growing up she didn’t like Barbie."

"Why?" Summer looked at her caretaker for the moment with a mortally wounded expression.

"Because Barbie was a little materialistic, sweetie."

"Well she is," Julian said with conviction. "Who else has their own hot pink aisle, both sides mind you, at the toy store?"

"What’s that mean?" asked Summer, having still not recovered from the fact Julian didn’t like her idol.

"It means Barbie likes lots of stuff," supplied Eugenia. "But you know what?"

"What?" parroted Summer.

"Now she loves Barbie."

"You do?" Summer looked back at Julian feeling her world tilt back to center.

"Yes she does. It happened around twelve, I think."

"Ok, time for bed," Rebecca jumped into the deep end of the pool Eugenia was swimming in and rescued Summer before the two dueling relatives really got after it.

Julian laughed as she walked Eugenia out to the car after Summer spent ten minutes kissing and hugging her newly anointed Nanna good night. Julian could see that the youngest and oldest person in the room looked rather sad to see the evening come to a close. "Don’t get too attached. She’s not a puppy and we have to give her back in a couple of weeks," Julian told her grandmother.

"Just a few things she needs then I promise to be good. Tell me again why her mother left her with you?"

"Because I’m an easy mark who won’t turn the kid over to protective services after finding her on my doorstep. After I spent ten minutes talking to her though, I would never do that to Summer. She seems like a lost little soul starved for attention, but she should be getting it from her mother not me."

Eugenia reached up and patted Julian’s cheek. "She’s lucky to have found you, my darling. I know your attention has always been the greatest blessing of my life."

"I love you, Nanna."

"I love you too. Now get inside and tuck your new little charge in for the night."

The only thing Julian could see above the blankets when she walked into the room was a little blonde head and long rabbit ears. "Hey, you need anything before I turn out the lights?"

"Why doesn’t my mama like me, Jubian?"

Her face stayed motionless but Julian felt like someone had cold cocked her. "My name is kind of hard to say isn’t it?" Every time she heard Summer try to wrap her tongue around her name the Julian came out differently but always wrong.

"Kind of, I’m sorry if I’m saying it wrong."

Julian put her hand on top of the blanket and held it open, not having to wait long to find a smaller one lying in her palm. "My oldest friend in the world calls me Bernie."

"Why?"

"Cause my middle name’s Bernstein and she thought I looked more like a Bernie than I did a Julian. The other reason is she thinks it bugs Nanna." She got a giggle from the last statement. "If you want, since we’re good friends, you can call me Bernie. And we’re good friends, right?"

The question got Summer to scoot up a little to get closer to Julian, showing off her Barbie pajamas. "We’re best friends like me and Tiger?"

"That’s right, so you have two people who care about you and want to be your friend."

"But my mama doesn’t."

"I think your mother loves you, she left you with me didn’t she? And I love having you here so that’s a plus. Sometimes people need time to see how special the people in their lives are, Summer, and when they do you won’t have to ask why something isn’t and just know something is." Julian found herself with a lap full of little girl and rabbit. "Does that make sense to you?"

"I’m glad my mama left me with you, Bernie. You’re lots better than all the other times."

She had a hard time fighting down an irrational amount of anger before she opened her mouth again. Deanne was turning out to be a bigger shit than even Julian had given her credit for. "When she comes back I’ll tell her that if she ever has to leave again I want her to bring you to stay with me."

"Really?"

"Really, you can come as often as you want, but now it’s time for you to leave and go to dreamland so tomorrow you’ll be ready to go to school and see Tiger. Do you need to go to the bathroom or something?"

Summer reached up and kissed her cheek before crawling back under the covers. "No, Miss Rebecca made me go before. I love you, Bernie."

In a second Julian’s eyes teared up and she felt warm all over she felt so good. "I love you too, sweetheart. Sweet dreams and come and get me if you need to." She pulled the covers back up to her chin and reached down and kissed Summer’s forehead.

Before she turned in, she sat at the desk in her study and pulled her journal out of her briefcase. Turning to a new page, Julian pulled out her pen and uncapped it.

Julian waited a moment before closing the book, so the ink would dry and not smudge, before opening the safe and placing the treasure she’d been given earlier inside. Her last act was to blow out the Yartzeit candles.

The wisps of smoke curled toward the ceiling, but for once Julian thought of Summer’s sorrow instead of her own. What she didn’t realize was Summer was the key to opening her heart.

************************************************************************

"Did you run out of sweatshirts this morning?" asked Chris as she plucked at the pink cashmere sweater Kiki had on over a pair of blue slacks.

She wanted to die when Chris leaned closer and noticed she had put on a light coat of pale pink lipstick to go with the bizarre choice of outfit for work. In the course of a day they dealt with so many finger paints, glue and sticky little hands that it was a disaster waiting to happen if you wore nice clothes. "I felt like dressing a little differently today, shoot me."

"Just felt like a change, huh?"

"Yes, it happens you know. I just wanted to change my routine a bit."

"And here comes the reason now," said Chris looking at the two stepping off the elevator.

Julian had chosen a dark pinstripe wool suit with a shirt so white the two women studying her thought it had just come out of the package and a pair of Italian leather shoes Eugenia had ordered custom-made for her. On one arm was a long black cashmere coat and her briefcase, and tucked snugly in the other hand was Summer’s.

In unison, Kiki and Chris let out a long breath and fought hard not to moan when Julian smiled at them. There was something about the way the skin around her eyes crinkled that made her seem sexy. Julian was like a citified, female version of the Marlboro man. Healthy and rugged were two words that popped into Kiki’s mind as she watched her lead Summer to where they were standing.

"Good morning, ladies. We’re ready for our second day," Julian said looking down at Summer.

It had scared the crap out of Julian when she opened her eyes that morning and found the little girl’s face inches from her own, but she managed to smile instead of letting out an expletive. Over breakfast she noticed that her little charge was starting to get an appetite and now laughed at every joke Rudy told her.

"Good morning, Summer." Kiki got down on one knee and helped her off with her coat and hat. "Miss Chris is going to take you and get you ready for your morning snack ok."

Miss Chris gave her a cross between a frown and a smirk before taking Summer’s hand. "Wait, Miss Chris," said Summer, digging her heals into the carpet.

"Don’t you want to go in and play?"

"I wanna to tell Bernie goodbye." Summer pulled her hand free and ran back to Julian. "See you later, Bernie. Remember I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie. Be good today and call if you need anything."

"Will you come eat with us again?"

"If all my big boats are where they’re supposed to be, we’ll see. Go have fun." Julian watched her go until they turned the corner out of sight. She found Kiki smiling, at her expression she guessed, so it was just best to ask. "What?"

"You don’t look like a ‘Bernie’."

"’Julian’ was just giving her a hard time is all."

"I’m not questioning your reasoning, I just think it’s adorable as hell." The elevator closed and Kiki knew their time was about to get cut short by someone getting on at the first floor. "You’re welcome to come back. We’re having chicken nuggets today."

"My cholesterol level and waistline may never be the same again."

"Actually the woman who owns this place buys peanut butter with no sugar added and all white meat non processed chicken, but don’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret."

"She sounds so generous I may have to go to accounting and see what’s going on here," Julian teased back. Kiki had crossed her mind more than once that morning and on the way in she found herself anxious to see her again.

"We named her ‘The Goose’ after she dropped off her golden egg yesterday, so don’t say anything bad about her, we think she’s the best."

"I see. You love her only for her money, huh?"

"It’s the all white meat, non processed chicken actually." Kiki continued her teasing but finished on a serious note. "The money was nice but it was taking up for us that was the most valuable thing."

The dark head nodded and Julian heard the bell behind her announcing more incoming parents and children. "I’ll tell her when I see her, Miss Katherine." Julian leaned forward a little and lowered her voice as she felt the people by the door stop, probably wondering what she was doing down there. "I wanted to tell you something before I go."

After running through a catalog of smells trying to pinpoint what Julian’s perfume reminded her of, Kiki narrowed it down to citrus combined with the ocean. If there was such a smell as crisp, it was filling her nostrils as Julian got close to her. "What?"

"You look very nice."

It was when the pleasant smell disappeared that Kiki noticed her eyes had been closed the whole time and Julian was in the elevator. Kiki could’ve sworn her boss had winked before the doors slid shut. For what seemed like an eternity she was frozen in place with the hair on the back of her neck standing at attention. It had been so long since she’d had that reaction to anyone just whispering a compliment. Relax, Kiki, she probably tells everyone she runs into how nice they look. She tried to convince herself of that but it wasn’t working, but she had until lunch to make it stick. Kiki was in no position to be accepting anything from Julian except a job. Attraction or whatever the hell she was feeling was out of the question.

Lunch came and Julian joined them again for a little while, this time sitting with her legs stretched out in front of her to get a little more comfortable. She had come without the jacket and if the staff had thought she looked good that morning, the more relaxed Julian looked ever better. At one point when she smiled up at Kiki, the small blonde managed to pour a glass of milk on Chris’ head, stopping only when she heard the howl of outrage.

Three days and three lunches and three spilled beverages later it was Friday, to Kiki’s and Chris’ relief. The blonde needed the weekend to get her perspective in alignment with her reality, sure of the fact that by Monday, she’d be fine. Every night when she was lying in bed trying to go to sleep, Kiki wondered what it was that was happening to her. Julian was always polite, cordial, but never outright flirted with her, so Kiki felt like her feelings were insane like some sort of hormonal imbalance.

"Are you coming down for lunch today?" Kiki asked Julian as she walked her to the elevator.

"Actually I have a lunch meeting with the Cat representative, so I won’t be down here bothering you today."

Kiki put her hand on Julian’s forearm and just as quickly pulled away. "You’re no bother, and Summer and Tiger love when you come down here and read to them. I’m glad they’re getting along so well, and Summer likes being here." Shut up now, you’re babbling.

"Are you ok?"

"I’m fine, just tired. Have a great day and we’ll miss you."

"I’m sure Armand’s will be a huge disappointment over…"

"We’re having pizza and banana pudding," Kiki filled in the blank.

"Pizza and banana pudding, but I’ll be back Monday." Julian reached out and squeezed her shoulder briefly before pressing the button of the elevator. "Have a good day, Kiki. You know I have good ears if you need to talk about something." It didn’t hurt to try just one more time.

And a good ass, hair, eyes, hands, mouth, Kiki could have listed twenty things in less than twenty seconds. "Nope, nothing to talk about here. Go to work, Bernie, before you get fired." The nickname had stuck with Kiki from the first moment Summer had said it but she only used it when there was no one else around.

She stood staring at the closed elevator doors for a moment. "With any luck I’ll be hit by a bus on the way home today." Kiki wiped her now sweaty palms on her oldest sweatshirt wondering what was happening to her and how in the hell she stopped it from getting worse.

************************************************************************

"Bonjour, Ms. Lowe. Table for two?"

"Thank you, Pete, we’ll take whatever’s available." He shook her hand and grabbed two menus as he pocketed his tip. It didn’t take long before they were shown to one of the nicest tables in Armand’s.

"This is a treat. I’ve read about the place but haven’t had the opportunity to try it out," said Cassandra, the Cat Diesel representative.

"Give me a big enough discount on my next purchase and I’ll treat every week."

"With these prices I might just have to do that." Cassandra loved spending time with Julian, if only to look at her from across a table or desk. Julian Lowe to her was the total package, the only problem was she didn’t seem very interested, and the Lowe account was so important she didn’t want to blow it by making a false move. The only bright spot was that Julian hadn’t sent her packing back to the office like the previous two reps the company had assigned to her. "Is the ship ready enough for us yet?"

"I called the foreman this morning and he’s thinking maybe in two weeks. Are all my parts in?"

"I have three warehouses set aside for you. Not that I spend lots of time in the shops but I love when you have something new in construction. It’s not often I get to walk into a piston, or that I see a piston that actually has a door. I’d hate to see your gas bill."

Julian broke off a piece of the freshly baked bread and slathered it with butter. "I always found that amusing about our business. It takes a shit load of diesel to transport the crude that will be turned into diesel and gasoline. On the other hand it’s easy to build a big hollow boat with just a few rooms and big engines."

"My bonus will be so big this year from this, maybe I should take you on a cruise ship that has big engines and lots of comfortable rooms."

If the suggestion bothered her it didn’t show in Julian’s expression. "Cruises like that are my definition of hell. I love the ocean and I actually have a license to operate everything in our fleet but that’s different. It’s just you and a small crew to enjoy the solitude the water can give you. Our cruises are a little different, but it’s three months of heaven."

"Then you should invite me the next time you ship out."

"In those heels, you wouldn’t last a week."

"Why, Julian, I didn’t think you cared, or noticed anything about me."

"You’d be surprised what I notice, Cassandra."

"Would you like to hear our specials this afternoon?" the waiter stood with his pad behind his back not really wanting to interrupt but also knowing Julian didn’t like to linger over lunch unless it was Eugenia sitting across from her.

"Fire away, William, and tell me there’s salmon somewhere on that list."

"You’re the first person I know who would do well in captivity since you can eat the same thing over and over without ever getting bored. Salmon for Julian, and for you, Miss?"

"Let’s make it easier on you and make it two." Cassandra wanted to hurry and get rid of the waiter as soon as possible now that she was making some progress with Julian. "So…,"

"So," Julian echoed.

"What else do you notice about me?" Since the first couple of responses could have been categorized as flirting Cassandra decided to take a chance.

Over the woman’s head Julian caught Pete’s eye, prompting him to come running over. "Is there something I can get you?"

"A scotch and cranberry if you would." She smiled up at him before focusing back to Cassandra. "Anything for you?"

"Just make it two." It didn’t sound good but it would be tolerable if it meant everyone leaving them alone.

"Sorry about that, to answer your question I notice lots of things about you. The way you take care of our accounts without mistake, the fairness you show in business and the way you keep everything running smoothly on projects like the Sea Dragon." A little playing around was always fun but it was time to bring this talk to safer waters. Cassandra Jarvis was attractive, smart and witty but Julian’s mind was on someone else.

"I’m sorry to interrupt again, Julian, but there’s a call at the bar for you. Darlene said to tell you it’s important." Pete looked mortified at having come back so soon, but to make up for it he put down two drinks.

"I’m sorry again, crazy day huh?" Julian asked Cassandra.

"That’s one word for it. Hurry back." Cassandra picked up her drink and took a sip, her face breaking out in a grimace after doing so. Julian was good looking and knew a whole lot about running a shipping transport company, but her taste in liquor combinations left a lot to be desired.

At the bar, Julian looked toward the table and felt bad for what she was about to do, but the conversation had drifted into what she thought were stormy waters. She liked Cassandra and enjoyed working with her, but the thought of a romantic involvement was dangerous. If it didn’t work out, she would lose the working relationship they shared and sometimes when you found someone who made projects like the one they were meeting about easy, it was worth more than a game of slap and tickle. The thing she was having trouble with was convincing herself that the same rule should apply to one Katherine X. Breaux.

"Thanks, buddy, I owe you yet another one," said Julian to Pete. The manager as well as most of the wait staff knew that when Julian ordered the strange drink, there was to be an urgent call from the office.

"Anytime. It’s always nice to help a friend."

"Let me go and make my apologies, so could you have Rudy bring the car around." Julian set her face in a slight scowl and started back to the table. "Cassandra, you’re going to hate me but I have to go back to the office. Please enjoy your meal and Pete’s great service and I promise to make it up to you."

"It can’t wait?"

Pizza and banana pudding don’t sound like something you want to eat after it’s been sitting out for a while, so no, it can’t wait. "One of our departments is having a thing and I think it’s best for me to be there. Call me next week and we’ll make plans to run out to the storage units at your place and see what’s the best way to proceed."

"Sure, thanks." There was nothing else to say as Julian shook her hand and turned to leave. The waiter was close by, so Cassandra got his attention and switched to white wine. No sense in suffering with something that tasted like it had fermented a little too long now that she was alone.

Julian leaned against the counter that contained little lockers on the other side where the staff stored the children’s things during the day and watched as Kiki sat close to Summer and Tiger with a plate balanced on her lap. A hand with really delicate looking fingers combed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear, and Julian studied her with her chin leaning on her palm. There was something about this unassuming woman that she found endearing. Kiki was dressed casually again and her face was free of makeup except for a small amount of coral tinted lip-gloss. The overall effect was stunning, and Julian couldn’t remember running across someone so beautiful. In a way Kiki reminded her a little of Deanne, only she wasn’t insane. It was why Summer and Tiger looked like they could have been twins.

Kiki could sense someone looking at her and it made the hair she had just brushed behind her ear fall back in her face again when she whipped her head around. Finding Julian in such a relaxed pose looking right at her was the last thing Kiki expected. It had already been a long day after finding out the CEO wasn’t joining them for lunch. In only one week Julian had managed to change the dynamics of the place with her steady presence for an hour or so every day.

"You guys finish up here, I’ll be right back." Kiki patted both Summer and Tiger on the head before getting up and walking slowly to the counter and walking around it to stand next to Juliana and mirror her pose. "You’re a big surprise."

A dark brow went up and Julian swiveled her head in Kiki’s direction but kept her chin in her hand. "Kind of like when you get a thick envelope from the IRS?"

Kiki laughed and slapped Julian’s arm. "No, Bernie, more like when someone gives you flowers unexpectedly."

"Got any pizza left?"

"I thought you had a big lunch meeting today."

"So did I, but when I was sitting at a nice table with my diesel engine rep sitting across from me flirting, all I could think about was pizza and banana pudding." And you, Julian finished silently.

"If that’s what was on your mind, you’ve come to the right place." Kiki reached up and pulled Julian’s arm down by the wrist almost making her smash her face into the wood surface she’d been leaning on. "Sorry, how about I buy you a slice of pepperoni to make it up to you?"

Julian looked down at the fingers wrapped around her wrist and wished for something sappy like her class ring to ask for some sort of commitment from the blonde. "I gave up salmon in a mushroom truffle sauce for sausage?"

"No for pepperoni in a delightful tomato sauce with pineapple."

"Oh well, I should stop my bitching."

The boss ended up eating four slices of pizza, finding it a strange combination with milk, but then thought of the atrocious drink combination she’d left Cassandra with and stopped herself from asking for a coke. Before she retreated back to her office she’d taken the time to read twelve books to a drowsy audience.

"What kind of person do you think Julian really is?" asked Chris as they sat in the office. She was helping Kiki do their time sheets to turn into accounting and was growing more and more curious about the woman who had been down more than any other parent. The few that had come down for their weekly lunch visits had been shocked to find Julian sitting with the two small inseparable blondes.

Kiki looked up from her paperwork and scrunched up her face trying to fathom what Chris meant. They always tried to finish stuff like this when the kids were taking a nap. Bringing up a topic for discussion like this would mean staying late. "You don’t think she’s nice?"

"I didn’t say that, I think she’s great, but I just want to know what you think of her."

"She seems noble and kind."

The redhead lifted her arms up and pretended to be playing a violin. "Come on here, sappy, it’s the new millennium."

"She is in my eyes. Julian got thrown a curve ball with Summer and she’s trying to make the best of it. I never cease to be amazed at how many people drop their children off with us in the morning and then never give them another thought until they pick them up in the afternoons. The greatest thing about my day is I get to watch Tiger run around like a nut for most of the day."

Chris’ eyes closed a little before she continued her covert interrogation. "Could we add watching Julian read or do just about anything else while she’s here?"

There was no real way to answer the question and not lie, so Kiki was as honest as she could manage. "I like that she likes children."

"Give me a break, Kiki, she’s crazy about you, and considering how annoying you are it’s amazing it’s taken her all of a week to fall in love with you."

"I’m not annoying, I’m passionate about certain issues, and there’s no way in hell Julian’s in love with me."

"Hello," Chris leaned forward and tapped her on the head. "Have you noticed the way those killer blue eyes follow you around the room?"

"Please, you know I can’t encourage that in my life right now. It wouldn’t be right."

Chris opened her fist and cupped Kiki’s cheek. "Tell me right here, right now that you’re happy and I’ll never bring this up again."

"Just leave it alone is all I’m asking. Julian’s great, I admit, and I really do enjoy her company but that’s all."

"Then do you mind if I take a shot at her?"

Kiki’s eyes dropped back to her desktop so Chris wouldn’t see she was upset. "Sure, it’s not like she belongs to me."

B — I — N — G — O and Bingo was his name-o. Sure you don’t mind, sweetie. You keep telling yourself that and eventually you’ll choke on the truth. "Thanks, I didn’t want to do anything to mess things up for you."

************************************************************************

"Bernie, you coming down anytime soon?"

Julian looked at her watch and couldn’t believe it was fifteen till seven. One thing after the other had gone wrong at the construction site of the Sea Dragon then a stowaway had been spotted jumping out of one of their incoming ships. "I’m sorry, Kiki, I’ll send for Rudy to come pick up Summer and bring her home."

"Not so fast, she’s expecting you and we just got her to stop believing you’ll forget her. I don’t think she’s mentioned that statement for at least two days so we’re not going backwards here. Will I be shot on sight if I come upstairs with her and Tiger?"

The laugh was the only thing she’d enjoyed all day aside from the lunch surrounded in little people with greasy hands. "I’ll have the killer squad stand at ease until you make it safely in my office."

"Darlene?"

The assistant was sorry none of the windows in the building opened if only to rip the intercom out and toss it to a well deserved death on the streets below. "Yes, what can I do for you?"

"Could you meet the elevator and lead the eclectic group you’ll find coming up to my office? I promise once they’re safely deposited you can go home." Darlene let out the air she was holding in her lungs. "Just one more thing, thank you for all the hard work today."

"Thanks, it’s nice to be appreciated." Darlene locked her desk before heading to the elevator bank in the main lobby of the upper suites.

All together there were four offices on the top floor and excluding Julian’s, the other three were as coveted as gold within the company. In the east corner sat the vice-president of finances, the west corner housed the vice president of shipping and their fleet, and sandwiched in the middle was the vice-president of operations. All three reported directly to Julian whose staff took up the other side of the top floor.

The two little blondes followed by the young woman who looked like their mother made Darlene clap her hands together and smile. The three of them cut a cute picture and she hoped to any deity who was listening the only thing missing was Julian. "It’s nice to finally meet the reason Julian has been disappearing on us for so long during the days. She’s on the phone so if you’d all follow me, I’ll show you to her office."

"The definition of stowaway is we didn’t allow them on the boat, Agent Dupont. I want my boat released no later than tomorrow morning. The damn thing is full of crude so there aren’t too many places for this idiot to have hidden anything. Maybe he just wanted to improve his life by coming to America, has that crossed your mind?" Julian stopped her pacing and put her hands on her hips as she looked out the window. "A week? I have your word that after that week I can have my ship back." To Kiki she looked tired as Julian put her hand on the wall of glass before her and sighed. "What choice do I have. A week then."

She took the earpiece and mike off and threw it back on her desk. With all that was going on the INS didn’t take very kindly to guys trying to sneak into the country no matter what the reason was. "Having a bad day, Bernie?"

"Something along those lines." Julian blinked a couple of times but Kiki’s voice did make her feel better. "Thanks, Darlene, I know you know I appreciate you, but I bet Stan would appreciate it a lot more if you went home. I am sorry for keeping you around so long on a Friday night."

"I’m in my late fifties, Julian, Friday nights don’t hold the same allure as they did when I was twenty."

Kiki laughed at the older woman’s humor, glad that this was who Julian got to spend her days with. Someone like Darlene seemed to be efficient at her job but also cared about her boss. "Then you should go home and get Stan to put on a suit and take you out on the town," instructed Kiki.

The assistant laughed herself before waving and closing the door behind her. With just the four of them the children ran passsed Julian and pressed their faces to the windows and looking down at the street and city. The sun had set and the lights in the surrounding buildings made it possible to see into the offices that were still illuminated. Before the two adults could say anything Darlene came in with one last file for Julian to look at.

"I’m sorry, the invitations arrived and Cheryl over at the museum wanted your approval on the final design by Monday if it’s possible."

Julian took it from her and placed it on the desk. "Good night, and thanks, I’ll look at them this weekend. Drive safe going home."

Alone again, Julian sat on the edge of her desk and crossed her arms over her chest. "I should thank you as well. Thanks for taking the time to bring Summer up here. It’s been such a long day that I think I’ll just pack up and finish some of this stuff at home."

"Anything I can do to make it better?"

Julian had stepped around her desk and started to pack when she looked up and thought before answering. "Would you and Tiger join Summer and I for dinner?"

"Dinner sounds nice but I’m not dressed for anything fancy."

"Give me a minute and I’ll change." Julian stepped into the bathroom and found a clean pair of jeans and her boots, deciding to keep the white shirt and just replace the jacket with the suede coat that was her favorite.

The pizza wasn’t as good as the one they’d had for lunch but watching Tiger and Summer run around the restaurant playing every game they could manage made up for the cardboard with sauce. "I bet this is a little different than your usual fair, huh?"

"I’ve seen the commercials for this place but no, I never thought I’d stop the car in front, much less actually walk inside. With Tiger though I bet you come here all the time. He seems a whiz at that gopher thing." The plastic cup full of diet cola felt strange in her hand and the noise level was like no other restaurant she’d been in. At the daycare it seemed easy to make conversation with Kiki, but now Julian felt a little nervous.

"I try not to give in too often but he has a good begging face, so yes we come here quite regularly."

Julian nodded and looked toward the sea of balls the kids were swimming through wondering how long the flu virus lived outside the body. She wanted to ask Kiki something but was afraid of the reaction she’d get. She liked the blonde but Kiki also worked for her. "Do you like art?" Sometimes the direct approach was the best.

"What kind?"

"Eclectic."

"Is that like finger painting or something?"

The joke was meant to loosen Julian up and it worked when she laughed and her face relaxed rewarding Kiki with one of those smiles she liked so much. "It means modern to classical and everything in between. My mother loved art in all forms. It was her passion, or so I’m told. To her anyone brave enough to put brush to canvas deserved to be praised and given a way to showcase their efforts."

"You make her sound like she was a wonderful woman and knowing you don’t embellish on too many things, I’m sure she was. That’s a beautiful sentiment for anyone to have. I would’ve liked to have met her." Kiki put her hand over Julian’s and squeezed the cold fingers.

"I would’ve liked to have met her too."

The voice sounded so rough with emotion Kiki was at a loss as to what to say so she fell back on the old standard. "I’m sorry, Bernie, I didn’t know."

"I’m not telling you all this to make you feel sorry for me, trust me, I have other motives in mind. For the past ten years or so I’ve been working on the Birdie Lowe collection of art to hang in the Roberta Bernstein Lowe Museum." The hand covering hers gave Julian courage. "The invitation Darlene left me before she left was for the upcoming opening and I was wondering if you’d go with me." She looked up finally and found something that looked like pain in Kiki’s eyes. "Don’t feel like you have to say yes, I just thought you’d might be interested."

"I am," Kiki started and wanted more than anything not to hurt Julian but had no choice, "But I can’t."

"That’s ok, don’t worry about it."

"Don’t do that, Bernie. I really would love to go with you but I can’t." Kiki could see the curtain down behind those beautiful blue eyes hiding Julian’s emotions from her.

"And I said it’s all right. There was no harm in asking and there’s not harm in turning me down."

Summer picked that moment to run up to the table saving Julian from having to say anything else. "Bernie, could you get me a prize?"

"Sure I can and then we have to go. How about you and Tiger pick something out and it’ll be my treat." She left money on the table for the tip and grabbed her coat. "Is that ok, me getting Tiger something?"

"Sure, I’m sure he’d like to have something to remember the night by. He really does love playing with Summer. How much is our share?"

"Like I said, my treat, don’t worry about it."

Both children walked out with a stuffed animal under their arm and it surprised no one that Summer picked another rabbit. She’d explained that Binky had always wanted a brother. Rudy followed Kiki’s directions until they were parked in front of a small cottage in the Garden District part of the city. There was a wrought iron fence that went around the front of the property backed by hedges and behind it a slew of forgotten toys from Tiger’s last adventures.

"Thank you both for joining us. It was a new experience for the both of us I think." Julian said their good byes from the car after noticing the front door wasn’t a long walk down the walk. Rudy waited at her direction until the two blondes were safely inside.

"Oh, Bernie, you don’t know how badly I wanted to say yes," said Kiki from the other side of the door. At that moment every admonishment her mother had issued when she was growing up about the decisions you make came back to haunt her. "She’ll love it when I call her and tell her she was right."

************************************************************************

Monday it was the same traffic jam at the entrance with parents stripping off clothes and putting away supplies, but one thing was missing. It was getting late and Julian and Summer had yet to arrive. As Kiki helped the last child with her things, the elevator opened for Summer and Rudy.

"Sorry we’re running late," said Rudy.

"That’s ok, we’ll give her a muffin anyway," said Kiki accepting a hug from Summer. "Go on in, sweetie." The two adults both watched the little girl run off to the seat Tiger was saving for her. "Is there something wrong with Julian?"

"We had to drop her off at the shipyard this morning, that’s why we’re running late."

Lunch came and went, as well as the afternoon pick up and drop off for four days and there was no sign of Julian. On Friday, Darlene came down and invited Summer and Tiger up to the penthouse to have lunch with Julian, who turned out to be in the building only for that short time. By that afternoon Kiki wanted to cry, the reasons for Julian’s absence were explained as just work related, but she felt like it had a lot to do with her.

When the next Monday came with no sign of Julian, she took a chance and called Julian’s office. "Darlene, this is Kiki from downstairs, can I speak to Julian please?"

"I’m sorry, Kiki, I’d love to put her on the line but she’s not in the building. We’ve had some delays on the new ship in construction right now and she’s been stuck out there longer than she’d like. There isn’t anything wrong with Summer, is there?"

"No, ma’am, I just wanted to speak to Julian for a moment. I’m sorry to bother you."

"Nonsense, I’m sure she misses her lunches down there with you all so I’ll make sure and let her know you called."

On Tuesday Kiki reviewed her messages on her work phone before the children started to arrive. "I’m sorry I missed you yesterday, Kiki, but I was stuck on the west bank until after eight. If there’s something urgent you need call Darlene and she’ll handle whatever is necessary." There was nothing else, but it was just nice hearing Julian’s voice. It would be Friday before Kiki would hear it again.

"Now remember Rudy’s coming to pick you up this afternoon and I won’t see you until tomorrow ok," Julian told Summer as they rode up together to the daycare.

"I remember. Miss Rebecca said we could go to the movies today after school since you won’t be home, then I get to stay with Ellen until you all get back." After all the late nights the one thing Julian always managed to do was tuck Summer into bed, and after all the attention and regular routine she had come to think of Julian’s home as her own.

Kiki’s eyes took her in from head to foot when Julian stepped off the elevator. It had been two weeks too long since she’d made an appearance and it didn’t hit her full force until that moment how much she missed her. "Hi, stranger."

"I feel like one after skulking around the Sea Dragon all this time. Have you been ok? I guess you took care of whatever you needed since I didn’t hear from you again."

I just wanted to see you, but how juvenile would that sound to you now. "Just something minor so don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re back."

"Actually I’m just here to drop Summer off this morning then I’m on the run again."

The suit wasn’t the proper attire for construction zones and wherever Julian was off to wasn’t any of Kiki’s business. "You’re not dressed to do any skulking today." Kiki had accepted a long time before that sometimes being proper was beaten into submission by your heart.

"Skulking still, just at a different location. The museum is finished and I just wanted to do a final run through before tonight." Her project to honor who her mother had been and the thing she loved most in life aside from her father was done and Julian just wanted the opportunity to walk the floor alone before the crowds of the coming gala. "It was nice seeing you again, Kiki."

"You too." There was nothing else to say. When the door slid closed, Kiki had never felt such an acute pain in her life but she had made commitments and she planned to honor them.

************************************************************************

The building had been a coffee storage warehouse built a hundred and thirty years before. When she had driven by it one day, Julian called the number on the large for sale sign bolted to the side of the building and made an offer without ever stepping foot inside. The crew she’d hired to bring it back from near collapse had been small, but they were craftsmen who took pride in doing it the old ways.

Little by little the gunk of the years was stripped away revealing the treasures that only old buildings possessed. They went in concert with the new additions that were necessary. Walls with solid wood cores in the layout of easy mazes were expensive, but necessary for the art they would someday hold. The one pleasant thing that lingered no matter how much varnish went on the old floors, or paint went on the new walls was the faint smell of coffee. To Julian it was like the building’s way of saying ‘I was a blank canvas when you found me, but my past will only enhance the future you have given me.’

When Rudy stopped, Julian sat for a long time just looking at the place and her mother’s name now in brass letters across the front. Wearing suits and lined up by the door was the staff and the curator who had all been a large asset in acquiring all the things inside. For Julian, bringing back the company from extinction had been her gift to her father, but this was strictly for Birdie. The woman who had given her life in exchange for her own.

"Ms. Lowe," said the curator when she finally decided to open the door. He handed her the key to the front door and bent his head just a fraction. "The floor is yours."

The staff had done a masterful job of positioning the pieces. Large bronze modern sculptures captured your attention from the minute you walked in, and their outstretched arms encouraged you to touch. The metal felt slightly warm to her when Julian touched the first one entitled ‘Mother.’ It was a woman of disproportionate features holding a child in one arm with the other held out as if calling another. To most that saw her it spoke of welcome, but to Julian it meant belonging. Never knowing someone didn’t mean you didn’t belong to them.

On the other side of the bronzes, started the collection of modern art pieces that were like an explosion of color. They were hung at different heights throughout the room and all the way up the ramp to the second level where the local artists held the floor. Black, white, Indian and Cajun artists mixed together to paint a montage of Louisiana much like the jambalaya dish the state was known for. Just like the first floor, the second was fun for the visual sense and Julian almost didn’t want to let go to proceed to the third floor where the more serious pieces were hanging.

Here the paintings were further apart so that each could shine in its own special light and importance. The way the staff had placed them didn’t give significance to one over the other, and that’s what Julian had wanted. It honored, in her opinion, anyone who had had the courage to put brush to canvas like her mother had believed, so along side the Renoir was a little less known artist of the same period, and so it was all along the walls.

Then in a room at the center of the maze with two large entrances on either side of one wall, and one lone bench at its center, hung the three paintings her mother had loved most of all. On the wall opposite of where you entered hung a large Monet from his earlier works. It was still a theme of flowers but from before he owned the famous Gevardnie that would be his inspiration till the end of his life. On the other two walls hung two of his later works, a little smaller in scale but not in brilliance.

Julian sat on the bench and looked at the lilies from one of the many parks in Paris. In the wheelhouse of a large cargo ship she felt the part of her that was her father, but here in the quiet, looking at the vibrant colors, she felt the person who had been her mother. The moment and feeling of finally seeing it like it was meant to be viewed made tears spring to her eyes, and as they fell Julian began to laugh. Like in all Monet’s works, the more your vision becomes obscured the sharper the painting becomes.

"Do you like it?"

"Randolph, you and your staff have outdone yourselves. I’m sure my mother would’ve been proud to have her name associated with this place." She noticed the champagne bucket in his arms and laughed again.

"I’m just glad you’re pleased, otherwise you might have hit me with this instead of helping me drink it." He popped the cork slowly not wanting the liquid to spill on his spotless floors and just as carefully poured to glasses. "Here’s to Roberta Birdie Lowe, may she enjoy the fruits of our labors."

"I’ll drink to that."

************************************************************************

"Come up and make yourself comfortable, I’m almost finished," said Cassandra from the intercom upstairs in her apartment. After their lunch date got cut short, she hadn’t expected to hear from Julian again, so being asked to be her escort for the evening had come as a shock.

"Take your time, we’re not in a hurry. I’m thinking they’ll hold off the ceremony until we get there."

"Make yourself a drink if you want."

Julian poured a small amount of scotch into a glass at the bar and looked around Cassandra’s home. On the top of a bookshelf she was surprised to find models of all the ships the Lowe company had outfitted over the years. She was holding one in her hand when Cassandra stepped out of the bedroom. Where did you get all these?"

"Mike your head of operations gave me the first one then Darlene helped me get the whole set. I have a nephew who thinks they’re the greatest things in here when he comes over." Cassandra turned around and presented a long expanse of light brown skin for Julian’s enjoyment. "Could you please?" she asked referring to the zipper.

"Best offer I’ve had all night." It wasn’t a complicated procedure but Julian went slow. "Thanks again for coming with me tonight."

"Thanks for asking, and before we head out can I ask you something?"

Her best client drained her glass and placed it on the mantle. "Shoot."

"Does being your date tonight mean I can hold your hand if I want to without fear of repercussions?"

"I think it’s a safe bet." Julian held out her hand just to put the woman at ease. "You ready to go?"

Julian helped her on with the fur coat Cassandra had chosen for the evening and took her hand for the elevator ride back to the lobby. Both Rudy and Rebecca were in the car since Julian wanted them to be at the opening, and Cassandra leaned forward and greeted them both warmly.

"Is your grandmother coming tonight?" asked Cassandra once they started toward downtown.

"She’s taking her own car so Alice could attend."

"Alice?"

"Old friend of the family and she works for Nanna." From the front seat the older couple smiled. They were in the presence of another generation of Lowe who had inherited the same sense of compassion for those close to them. "Let them park this thing, Rudy. This is no night to let Rebecca walk in alone." Julian pointed toward the valet staff hired just for the night.

Eugenia watched from just inside the door as Julian made her way in with her date. She looked like someone who should be gracing the cover of a fashion magazine and Eugenia thought she looked good hanging on Julian’s arm. "Hello, love, I thought you’d never get here. I need an escort to this thing. Interested?"

"Nanna, I keep telling you they’ll be no other who’ll take your place in my heart."

"Then you’re an idiot, dear. I’m sure this nice young lady doesn’t have to soak her teeth at night."

"Neither do you, Nanna," Cassandra laughed as Julian answered her grandmother.

"Yes, but their about the only thing in its original condition I have left." Eugenia held out her right hand to Cassandra and slapped Julian with her left. "I’m Eugenia Lowe."

"Cassandra Jarvis, ma’am, it’s so nice to finally meet you."

"Please call me Eugenia since we’ll be sharing this big bruiser all night." Eugenia patted Julian’s side and smiled. "She’s nice to lean on when you’re feet get tired. It’s the shoes I think." Both women looked down at Julian’s comfortable but expensive looking flat shoes.

"What, I’m tall enough as it is thank you."

"And the lack of a dress?" asked Eugenia in a teasing voice.

"I’m the same tomboy you’ve known since birth?"

"Don’t knock it, Julian, I might just come back as a lesbian in my next life just for the comfort factor." Eugenia took Julian’s other arm and squared her shoulders. "Come on, kids, lets make the rounds."

Julian moved from room to room accepting compliments and congratulations for the success everyone thought the museum would be. She looked around every so often, glad to see both Eugenia and Cassandra engaged in their own conversations. When she made it to the third level there weren’t too many people she was familiar with so she was able to just relax and enjoy the art. She was leaning on the empty back wall of the Monet room sipping from a champagne flute when she heard the one voice she didn’t expect to find in the crowd.

"You did good, Bernie. This place is amazing."

"Kiki, you changed your mind." The excitement in her voice was hard to miss. "I’m so happy you’re here." And any picture in my mind of how you’d look in an evening dress and heels fell way short of the mark.

"We wouldn’t have missed it for the world," said the woman who walked up and handed Kiki a glass of champagne. "So you’re the Julian Lowe I’ve heard so much about over the last couple of weeks." She held out her hand and smiled. "I’m Rhonda Plessy," she pumped the almost limp hand. "I’m Kiki’s partner."

"Julian Lowe," Julian added weakly. She was glad for the wall pressed against her back but was still afraid she was going to throw up. "It’s a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Yeah, if it’s not Kiki going on about you then it’s our kid. Tiger thinks you’re the best thing since television." Rhonda leaned over and kissed Kiki’s cheek in a sign of ownership. She sounded pleasant enough but there was almost a back off tone hidden in her message. "It’s been just great hearing all about you, Ms. Lowe."

"It’s a pleasure to have met you, but could you both excuse me?" Julian didn’t wait for an answer, she just walked toward the nearest restroom and closed the door. It was as alone as she was going to get in the crowded building. Every look and every innocent touch Kiki had given her since they had met played out in her mind as she splashed cold water on her face. That’s exactly what they had been, innocent, nothing more and Julian felt like a fool.

"Are you all right?"

"I’m fine, just the heat I guess." She couldn’t turn around and look at the blonde. "I’m sorry I should’ve locked the door."

"You did, the guard let me in." Kiki took a step forward but stopped when Julian’s hand went up. "Please let me explain."

"Explain what?" The answer sounded muffled as Julian pressed a hand towel to her face. "Go back to the party and enjoy yourself, Kiki, you don’t owe me any explanation."

"I want to, if you’d let me."

"You work for me, which makes your personal life none of my business, so no explanations necessary."

"Then at least let me apologize to you."

Julian almost tore the towel in half she felt so angry. She felt like something precious had been stolen from her. "Apologize for what, being married and not telling me?"

"Yes."

"I’m a big girl, Katherine, I’ll live. Like I said, you work for me and I don’t expect anything from you except what I pay you for."

"Don’t hide your feelings like that, Bernie." Julian’s use of Katherine and not her nickname stung and inside Kiki was dying at how much pain Julian was in. "You didn’t imagine the last few weeks, and I’m sorry for not telling you sooner but I was having so much fun myself I couldn’t make myself tell you. I didn’t want anything from you except to enjoy your company, which makes me selfish I guess, but I didn’t want it to end."

"Please stop talking."

"Just listen to me, I don’t want you to think I’m a horrible person. Rhonda and I have been together since we met in college but lately, after Tiger was born our life changed and it was too set and boring for her and we’ve been having problems."

"Katherine, please, I don’t want to know all this stuff. You’re here with her and that’s fine, she’s your partner like she said, it shouldn’t matter what I think or feel." The nausea was coming back and Julian felt like the bathroom was getting smaller the closer Kiki stepped. "I’m not your responsibility and obviously you’re not mine."

"I care about you."

"Don’t say things you don’t mean."

"I try never to say anything I don’t mean. I care about you and I believe you care about me." Kiki stepped even closer. "At the risk of sounding crazy, could I ask you to say it out loud?"

"You have someone to tell you all you want to hear, you don’t need me." The tears came close to getting Julian to stay, but she managed to escape back out to floor without taking Kiki into her arms.

"There you are, I thought you’d ditched me again," said Cassandra.

"How about we dedicate this place then go somewhere a little more quiet?"

"Like a wise woman said earlier, that’s the best offer I’ve had all night."

Julian stood with her grandmother by her side on the ramp leading to the second level. Randolph had handed her a microphone and most of the crowd was gathered beneath them with a full glass in their hands.

"I never had the pleasure of knowing my mother while she was alive, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been able to get to know her through my grandmother and the multitude of friends she had who have kept her alive with their stories. The one common thread to all those tales was art. It was her passion and her driving force until she met Sebastian Lowe, but even then, with his encouragement, she helped bring art into as many lives as she could reach." Julian felt her grandmother’s hand come to rest on her back for comfort, to help her get through this.

"The idea for this place came after a talk I had with one of my mother’s old friends. This lady told me that Birdie’s philosophy was that someone who hoards art for their own self enjoyment will never know the pleasure of the canvases speaking to them. But someone who shares them with the world sees them come to life in the eyes of those who love them just as much. On her behalf I dedicate the Lowe collection to her, but I open the doors to share with you. Through your eyes may I hear the beauty she did all those years ago."

Julian raised her glass and saluted the crowd before tapping it against Eugenia’s glass. "To Birdie, my mother."

It was almost a pure moment of sound as the crystal flutes tapped together simultaneously with Julian’s and Eugenia’s, and then just as quickly the room filled with noise when people went back to their conversations. "Will you be all right, Nanna?"

"Why, are you planning to run off?"

"Actually I am, but not if you need me to stay." Julian placed her barely touched glass back on the tray of a passing waiter.

Eugenia reached up and pulled gently on the perfectly knotted tie that was tucked into the vest Julian was wearing. Just like her Sebastian, Julian was easy to read when she was upset. "What’s wrong, my love? You’ve been looking forward to this night for years and now you want to leave, that’s not like you."

"I can’t stay."

"Is it Cassandra? She seems nice, not like someone who’d upset you."

With a tired sigh, Julian slumped against the half wall of the ramp and pulled the same knot her grandmother had and unfastened the top button of her shirt. "Cassandra’s fine, I just need to get out of here and get some air."

"Bernie, you did great, pal." The deep voice caused her to smile and gave Julian an excuse to escape any more of her grandmother’s questions.

"Her name is Julian, you dunderhead," chastised Eugenia.

"Nanna, it’s so great to see you," J.J. continued as if she hadn’t heard the insult. "Can I buy you ladies a drink?"

"I might be interested but Julian wants to leave." Eugenia looked at Julian in a way that meant their talk would not be forgotten, and then toward J.J. as a hint to get her to open up. Just because Julian was now a woman responsible for herself didn’t make Eugenia stop worrying about her.

"You can’t leave, pal, what would your mother think?"

Blue eyes looked down and followed their progress from one painting to the next. Every touch of delicate shoulders or their holding hands was like a poison running through Julian’s heart. When green eyes looked up and locked with her, Kiki left Rhonda speaking with a woman she knew and walked to where Julian was standing. Both Eugenia and J.J. looked down to see what had Julian standing there as if in a daze, both watching the stunning woman in the black dress moving closer.

It was what I wished for, thought J.J. as Kiki got to the bottom of the ramp. "How about a glass of something besides the bubbly?" asked J.J.

Julian shook her head as her fingers turned white from gripping the railing. "Excuse me." She started down leaving behind a captive audience as to what would happen. They were surprised to watch Julian pass the blonde without a word and continue toward the door.

"Interesting don’t you think?" Eugenia asked J.J.

"Interesting indeed, Nanna. Who is she?"

"From my granddaughter’s reaction, I would say she’s the untested wine."

They watched as a taller woman moved closer and whispered something heated into the woman’s ear before taking her hand and dragging her back into the crowd. "That she can’t have, it seems," concluded J.J.

************************************************************************

Like she had for most of her life, Julian tried to find something to make her forget. Something to throw dirt on whatever was bothering her helping her bury the pain. Tonight she found it in the welcoming arms of Cassandra and in the lips now working their way down her throat.

With the top button undone, it was easy to pull the tie apart and get to the others. Cassandra was planning on making Julian feel like she’d never want to leave the apartment much less her. "You smell so good."

The zipper made its decent a lot faster than when Julian had pulled it in the opposite direction earlier. She was almost impatient to get to the skin that had teased her earlier, and her enthusiasm was making Cassandra smile. "And you look incredible," said Julian when she pulled the garment forward. The woman straddling her lap pulled her hair back slowly making her breast jut out for Julian’s enjoyment knowing the effect she was having from the blatant look Julian was giving her.

"Touch me, Julian." Cassandra let her hair fall down her back and moved her hands to the underside of each breast, holding them as if in offering to the hungry eyes riveted to them. Both mocha colored nipples were hard and begging for Julian to suck on them, and when Julian hesitated a moment too long on her invitation, Cassandra put one hand behind her head and pulled her forward.

The moan Cassandra let out when Julian’s lips encircled the excited flesh made Julian bite down gently on her nipple. She could feel Cassandra’s heat through the dress pooled at her hips and it made her want to see all Cassandra had to offer. Without too much effort Julian stood up never letting her mouth fall away from Cassandra’s chest. Figuring the bedroom had to be on the opposite end from where the kitchen was she started walking.

"Take off the rest for me," she told Cassandra when she put her on her feet next to the bed.

"You want it, you take it off." No sooner had she said it than the dress dropped to the floor. All that was left was a pair of bikini underwear and the thigh high stockings she had put on before slipping into her dress for the evening. "Aren’t you going to…"

Before Cassandra could finish what she was going to say, Julian turned her around and pressed her to the front of her body. "I’m going to touch you, and I’m going to keep touching you until you say stop." Two big hands started at her shoulders and worked their way down to her breasts. Cassandra almost fell forward when Julian flattened her hand and rubbed gently over her nipples with just her palms.

"Please take your clothes off and lets lie down." Cassandra felt like her legs were about to betray her.

Her request only got one hand to stop and slide down her body so Julian could hold her up by the waist. Julian added her mouth to the exercise and started to suck gently on her neck as her other hand moved lower. It still surprised Cassandra when Julian’s fingers slid through the slick wet heat of her sex even though she knew that’s where the woman’s hand was headed.

"That’s so good."

"Then this’ll be even better," said Julian as her fingers concentrated on Cassandra’s swiftly hardening bundle. She rubbed until she felt the butt pressed up against her legs start to move. Cassandra forgot she was standing up, trusting Julian to keep her on her feet. It started so slow but the ending was coming sooner than Cassandra had hoped as she felt the orgasm just a few strokes away.

"Oh God, Julian, don’t stop."

The woman in her arms tensed then slumped bonelessly against her a second later, but instead of feeling good, Julian felt like a user. Cassandra wasn’t who she wanted and she shouldn’t have led her to believe that she did. With the same gentleness she had shown from the time they had arrived back at Cassandra’s, Julian pulled back the covers and laid the woman down and kissed her forehead. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, but I have to go."

"Wait, you can’t go now." Cassandra fell quiet as Julian’s lips softly pressed against her own, then they were gone. "Julian, wait." Her cries went unanswered as Cassandra heard the front door open and close. "What in the hell?"

On the street Rudy just watched as Julian buttoned her coat and started walking. She didn’t acknowledge him, so as much as he didn’t want to, he started the car and headed back to pick up his wife. Whatever was bothering Julian a good walk usually cured the demons in her mind and kept them at bay for another day.

She walked until two in the morning and when she stopped, Julian was surprised as to where she had found herself. The place was quiet and dark, not a surprise considering the hour, and it looked like something she would never have — a home. Granted she had a house she lived in that was comfortable, but this place looked like a place where a family lived. A cute small cottage built with love, with a child to share to complete the perfect picture.

It was Kiki and Rhonda’s home. Not too much different from all the others on that block, but Julian’s eyes took it in with almost an envious eye as her hand wrapped around one of the spikes at the top of the fence. An hour passed before she was able to let the spike go and start toward her own place. With every step Julian took she left behind any feelings she had for Katherine and her heart laughed as it issued its ‘I told you so.’ Another lesson as to why love wasn’t worth the chance.

"You have all your ever going to hope for, Julian, and that should be good enough. What a joke to be born on the one day of the year set aside for lovers when you will never know what it feels like to be in love." She didn’t often talk to herself, but when you’re a loner by nature the sound of even your own voice can bring comfort. "I’ll be ok," she finished as she wiped the tears from her face.

From her sofa Kiki watched the woman standing on the sidewalk studying every aspect of her house. It had hurt to watch Julian leave followed by her date who she no doubt thought was more than willing to offer any comfort Julian needed, but she was in no position to complain. She sat frozen hoping more than anything Julian would open the gate and knock on the door, but she just stood there and then she continued down the street.

"What are you doing, mommy?" Tiger stood on the side of the sofa and rubbed his eyes.

Watching a missed opportunity walk away from my life. "Just sitting, sweet boy. More importantly though, what are you doing up?"

"I missed you."

"Thank you but I’m here now so you can go back to bed and get some sleep." Kiki tried to shake her sadness and smiled for her son. With a grunt she picked him up and carried him back to his room. "Want me to read you a story?"

"I’ll wait until Julian can do it. She makes funny voices for all the people in the book." He turned so he could look at his mother illuminated in the glow of his night-light. "Mommy, why do you look sad all the time?"

"I’m not sad, Tiger, big people just aren’t always happy."

"I don’t like it when you’re not happy."

Kiki combed his hair off his face and left her fingers tangled in the blonde locks. "I have you so that means I’m always happy, even when I’m sad about other things."

"When we’re with Summer and Bernie you aren’t sad."

"That’s because they’re our friends, and friends make us happy."

He closed his eyes, relaxing because of her fingers stroking his hair. "Then we should be with Bernie and Summer all the time and then you’ll be happy like me."

"Maybe so, huh?" she whispered as tears fell down her cheeks. Down the hall she heard the front door click closed signaling how unfair her life was and how scared she was to do anything about it. "Maybe so."

part 2

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