Heart Strings

CHAPTER 8

Friday arrived and because she had taken the day off, Bucky stopped over at the house before he left for work. Holly was up, looking very much like a calm and serene professional, regardless of the adorable baby doll pajamas she wore with her hair pulled up in a messy pony tail. She was sipping on a cup of hot tea and he could smell the bread toasting.

"Hi baby... I know I won't see you again until the show tonight so I wanted to stop in to wish you good luck and give you this. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her so sweetly, so deeply, so completely it took her breath away. "I know you don't need luck because you are that good, but I didn't want to say 'break a leg'. That always sounds so wrong to me!"

Holly giggled. "Thank you Bucky. I would rather have one of your kisses than a thousand good luck wishes from anyone else."

He was wearing a dorky smile on his face as she put her cup on the table. "I can't wait to see you guys play tonight. I've only heard bits and pieces of your performances and I know you are going to be so amazing... you, you aren't nervous are you? I mean my being there isn't going to distract you, is it?"

Holly snorted, "I don't know, are you going to take your shirt off?"

"I'll take everything off if you want me to. Anything for the cause."

Laughing, she took his hand in hers, "I'll appreciate seeing you in the crowd. You always make me feel special and safe. I don't see how your being in there near the front row of the music hall will be any different. Are you going to be able to get there early? I would love to show you off..."

"I'm not sure about that. But I will be there as soon as I can be. Speaking of work, I better get out of here before you lose control and pull me over to that couch and ravish me... or something."

Holly shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, something like that! Now go! And have a good day!" he kissed her on the forehead and waved as he headed out the door.

After Bucky left, she nibbled on her toast and finished the tea. She'd had the dress she would be wearing picked out for months, and she had a hair & makeup appointment at 2:00. Looking around the house, she wondered what she should do to keep herself calm for the rest of the morning. She carried her empty cup to the sink and looking out the window, her eyes were drawn to the garage. The garage that had been of such interest to a man she had never met. Considering everything that had happened, she couldn't help but wonder if there really was anything of interest tucked away inside. There had been those boxes that took up a small corner in the very back...boxes that she had avoided searching when she first moved in because she just didn't have the heart to go throw her dead relatives belongings at the time.

Making her decision, she darted up the stairs to her bedroom and found some comfy jeans and an old t-shirt to change into and then grabbed a pair of garden gloves on her way out the kitchen door, just in case. As the door rose she got the oddest feeling of deja vu' and a small chill ran down the back of her neck. Going straight to the corner she had to smile as she noticed the boxes that had been knocked sideways when Bucky had pushed Greg into them. Quickly sorting through the totes and boxes that she recognized were hers and setting them to the side, she came to the ones she was looking for. She opened the first two and found one was filled with pictures, which she quickly set aside. She knew from experience just how much time could be lost going through old photos. She didn't want to fall into that trap at the moment. The next box held several knick-knacks wrapped in newspapers, which she also set to the side. The third box was heavier and she thought it was big enough to hold a violin case.

Ripping the tape off of it and lifting the flaps of the box, she was immediately disappointed when she found several vinyl albums along with a couple of dozen old magazines. Shaking her head, she began to scold herself for even considering the Strad would be among these old mementos. Just then, a shadow fell across the stack of boxes, making her gasp out loud a she turned to see who or what had made it.