Chapter Three: Of Baseball Bats and Piano

The following days found Sarah carrying out quite the schedule for herself and Toby. Every day, from Monday to Friday of this week, she had tech week for Cinderella from 10:30 to 5:00. During that time, Toby would do his schoolwork, whether at the theater with her or at the apartment, though both he and Sarah much preferred he be at the theater. Baseball did indeed start that Friday, and so at 5:30, Sarah brought Toby in for practice. On Saturday, after work, she brought him to the library, showing him how to get there so that he would be able to do so without her help on the weekdays. Sunday morning and evening was filled with church, and the afternoon was left opened for relaxation and for the brother and sister to spend some quality time together.

This brought Sarah and Toby to Monday morning of the next week.

Toby was awake and ready to go by 8:00, but it wasn't until 8:55 that he and Sarah made their way upstairs to Mr. Caper's apartment. It was raining outside, a steady pitter pattering heard through the large hallway to the stairs as the brother and sister made their way up the flight of wooden steps.

Mr. Caper's door was already a crack open, and he called out a friendly "Come in!" when he heard Sarah and Toby approach the door. He warmly shook hands with Toby and introduced himself as soon as Sarah and her brother were inside, and then he gestured to his leather furniture in the living area, offering Sarah some hot tea while he and Toby moved over to the piano. An old-fashioned teapot, with steam billowing from the spout, waited for Sarah on a small wooden table, and next to it were several china teacups and saucers. Sarah poured herself a cup of tea and then sat back quietly, watching as Mr. Caper and Toby began their lesson.

Toby wasn't one to be immediately comfortable with a stranger, and he easily became nervous when it came to lessons of any sort, but he was instantly at ease with Mr. Caper, something that Sarah found interesting. They spoke back and forth quietly, like old friends, as Mr. Caper began to show Toby the very basics of the piano and its notes and scales. Lithe, gloved fingers traced across ebony and ivory colored keys, and from beneath those fingertips came light and airy tunes or deep and meaningful melodies.

The music helped sooth Sarah's restless mind, for she was trying to put together an agenda for the next several weeks while "Cinderella" was playing. Last week's entire schedule was now going to have to change, due to shows every day, one afternoon showing and one night viewing each day of the week. Sarah was going to be dodging back and forth between baseball, piano, the theater, and church, and she wasn't looking forward to the craziness of it all. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to think, and she never noticed when the piano lesson was over and Mr. Caper was standing over her, looking down at her schedule that was a scribbled mess in her hands.

"I do believe we're finished, Miss Sarah."

Sarah jumped at the soft voice and then laughed lightly, embarrassed, as she stood up and tucked her calendar under her arm. She moved her left hand to her jeans pocket and rummaged in it until she found the cash she needed.

"Do I need to pay you for any books or anything?" she asked, handing Mr. Caper his money.

"He can use the books I have here. The only thing I would suggest you look into is a keyboard, so that he can practice. He has a good ear," Mr. Caper praised, shaking Toby's hand as the young man made his way towards the apartment door. "He'll be a great student."

"Thank you," Sarah smiled tightly, her mind still buzzing with her wild schedule. "Shall we come back next Monday?"

"Of course," he bowed slightly, and then Sarah turned and followed after Toby, leaving Mr. Caper standing to watch her go.

The first showing of "Cinderella" started at 2:00 and went until 5:30. That gave Sarah just enough time to run home, eat a fast dinner with Toby, and then get back to the theater for the showing at 7:00. By the time Sarah was finished with work for the evening, she was exhausted. Toby had stayed up for her at the apartment, and he went to bed as soon as she came through the door and then locked it behind her. Sarah could barely think as she moved to the bathroom and showered before going to her bedroom and collapsing atop her bed, immediately falling asleep.

On Wednesday, Sarah made time in the morning to bring Toby to the baseball field so that they could practice together. She only had an hour to spend with her brother, but an hour was better than nothing at all. Sarah was by no means an expert at baseball, but she could catch and she could bat, and that was all Toby needed from her. He was more pleased that he would get to spend time with his sister than he was that he would get to practice baseball anyways.

They managed to find an area near one of the baseball diamonds that wasn't occupied, and Sarah and Toby started playing. Toby pitched and Sarah caught, and then they switched places. They added the bat in a short while later, and Sarah fast found herself getting worn out from catching Toby's excellent hits. She watched as he hit yet another ball that would very well have been a home run. Her eyes followed the baseball up into the air, over her head, and then out a good whiles away. She turned to go get the ball, but then she saw someone in the distance pick it up, a boy in a baseball hat, and he came trotting towards the brother and sister.

"Hey Toby!" the boy waved, coming to a stop next to Sarah and grinning from ear to ear.

"Mouse!" Toby exclaimed happily, hurrying to his friend. "Sarah, this is Mouse. Well, his nickname is Mouse, anyways. He's on my baseball team," Toby explained, smiling at the slightly shorter boy.

"You weren't at practice last night. Everything okay?" Mouse asked, grinning at Toby with light brown eyes and a dimple in his right cheek.

"I wasn't able to get him to practice, I'm afraid," Sarah smiled, tossing her catcher's mitt to Mouse. "Did you want to play, Mouse? Chances are you are better at this than I am."

"You're Cinderella in the show, aren't you?" Mouse asked, throwing the baseball to Toby.

"I am," Sarah nodded, watching as the boys drew apart so they could play.

"You sure looked pretty. I watched you last night. Mom likes to take me to all the plays, since Dad's always gone for work," Mouse said, catching the baseball.

"Thank you," Sarah grinned. "Do you go to school?" she asked, noting that it was still morning.

"I have private tutors," Mouse nodded. "I'm getting trained to be a bodyguard, and they can't really teach that in public schools."

"A bodyguard? Really? Aren't you a little young?" Toby asked from across the grass.

"It's a family thing," Mouse shrugged. "All of the males in my family have been bodyguards since I can remember."

"So you must know plenty of martial arts," Sarah said, amazed.

"Plenty enough. I can always learn more. It just runs in the Knaves' blood."

"Christopher Trent Knaves!" A voice called, and Sarah turned to see a young woman, dressed in a business suit, trotting towards the ball-playing boys. "Mouse, we have an important meeting to go to! Hi, I'm Celia Knaves," she said, holding out her hand to Sarah. "Sorry to have to rush Mouse home, but we have a meeting to go to."

"Mom, do you think we could start bringing Toby to baseball practice?" Mouse asked as Sarah shook Celia's hand and introduced herself. "Miss Sarah is Cinderella in the play, so she's limited on time, and we live in the apartment complex next door to them."

"I wouldn't mind doing that, if that's all right with you, Sarah," Celia smiled, her perfectly white teeth nearly sparkling in the sunlight.

"I suppose that would be all right. That would be wonderful. Thank you," Sarah smiled in return. "I wish I could bring Toby myself, but the theater takes up my evening hours and I don't want him going to and from the field by himself."

"I understand perfectly," Celia nodded, taking Mouse's arm. "Let's go, Mouse."

"Why Mouse?" Sarah couldn't help but ask.

"His favorite movie is 'Lady Hawk.' He chose the nickname," Celia winked, and then she and Mouse left the field.

"We're going to have to borrow that movie. I'll see if the library has it," Toby grinned. "That's a strange name. He certainly isn't quiet like a mouse."

"Maybe he is when he's working on his bodyguard stuff. That certainly is unique," Sarah chuckled.

"No kidding."

Night came again, and Sarah gave another outstanding performance. It was later than usual when she left the theater after the show, and she had a large craving for coffee. There was a luxurious restaurant not far away from the theater, located in a ritzy hotel, and it was open all hours of the night. Sarah had a friend that worked there, Eric the theater janitor, and so she made her way to the restaurant, knowing that he'd be quick to get her a seat in the restaurant and that he'd be swift to get her the coffee she desired.

The hotel wasn't active at all when Sarah stepped through the sliding glass doors and made her way to the diner. She couldn't hear anyone talking, and the usher at the front doors was quiet, waving politely as she went to the exquisite glass doors that separated the hotel from the diner. She just barely heard the clinking of glass against glass through the door, but when she opened the door, the sweet notes of a piano, being gently played due to the hour, infused her soul, immediately putting her in a quiet and sleepy mood.

"Hello Sarah," Eric smiled, walking over to her dressed in a formal suit. "What can I do for you tonight?"

"I'd just like a table and some coffee, please," Sarah smiled tiredly, and he nodded and brought her to a small booth that gave her the perfect view of the restaurant's grand piano. The black instrument was shining with perfection in the dim lighting, entertaining the only six people who were actually customers, and atop its hood was a candelabra, casting a romantic aura over the piano player.

Sarah recognized the pianist instantly as being Mr. Caper, and she felt her mouth go dry as she observed his apparel tonight. He was dressed in a tuxedo, with a white rose in his lapel, and his nearly white hair was brushed back out of his face, standing only slightly on end at the edges. His thin face had a completely serious expression on it as he dove into his work, masterfully letting his fingers run up and down the piano keys, his eyes intense but with a distinct note of pleasure in them. He looked so beautiful like that, passionate and poised, and Sarah never saw Eric put her coffee cup and pot of coffee on the table.

"He's pretty good, isn't it?" Eric commented, standing near Sarah and looking to Mr. Caper.

"He is. It sounds like the music is coming from his soul," Sarah nodded slowly. "How long has he been working here?"

"Three months now, and we're quite happy to have him. He's boosted our business. The women all like him," Eric chuckled. "He keeps to himself, though. He isn't interested in them. And he always wears those gloves of his. I can't help but wonder if there's something wrong with his hands."

Sarah had noticed the gloves. He wore them in his house as well as when he was at work, but she never thought to question him about it. It wasn't any of her business.

Eric left, and Sarah took her time drinking her coffee, letting the warmth flow through her and convince her body that it was now time to rest. The show was over, and she could relax. She didn't realize how the time flew by, and before she quite knew it, Eric was at her side again, this time with the bill

"I'll take care of it, Eric," came that melodic English voice, and Sarah looked up and blinked to see Mr. Caper standing next to the waiter.

"Oh, you don't have to, Mr. Caper, but thank you," she said, standing up and reaching for her purse.

"I would like to," Mr. Caper said gently and handed Eric some money. "I'll see you tomorrow, Eric."

"Are you finished with work for the night?" Sarah asked, somewhat drowsily.

"It is now morning, Miss Sarah," Mr. Caper smiled. "Might I escort you back to the apartment, if that is indeed where you are going?"

"What time is it?" Sarah gasped, looking about the restaurant for a clock.

"Nearly 1:00," Mr. Caper answered.

"Oh dear! I told Toby I'd be late, so he's already asleep, but that's a bit too late for me!" Sarah exclaimed. "If you don't mind, Mr. Caper, I would certainly appreciate you walking me back. I usually have no trouble going through the alleys at night, but as you said, it isn't quite night anymore, is it?"

"How late do you usually walk back from the theater?" Mr. Caper asked, leading her to the doors.

"Before midnight," Sarah yawned. "It's still dark, but…"

"Miss Sarah, might I be permitted to walk you home from the theater every night? I end work at midnight, most nights, and I would feel much more comfortable if you were to let me go with you."

"I am flattered," Sarah smiled, surprised. "I would certainly like that, Mr. Caper. Walking around in the backstreets of New York City in the dark isn't entirely something I enjoy."

He nodded as he opened the restaurant door for her and then followed her out of the hotel door. Sarah never questioned her decision to let him walk her home as they stepped out into the darkness and made their way past the theaters into one of the back alleys. She wondered why she wasn't concerned about him, nearly a perfect stranger, walking with her, just the two of them in the night. If he had wanted to, he would have had the perfect advantage, no doubt being able to overpower her within seconds if he so desired it. But he didn't once give any indication that he was even thinking such things. He still refused to look in her eyes, but he held quiet conversation with her as they stepped into one more street and then moved towards their apartment complex. She barely comprehended anything that he was saying; she was so tired. She hardly noticed when he held the building door open for her.

Mr. Caper watched her move to the staircase, and he stepped inside, turning to close the door. Before he did shut the door, however, his eyes flitted up to the moonless sky. There was nothing but a blanket of black, dotted with tiny sparkles, stretched out overhead, but he couldn't be fooled. His multi-colored eyes had better sight than any of the human eyes in this world, and he caught sight of the dark shadow floating easily above, a black shroud against the tiny stars. He shot a warning glare at the night hawk before he closed the door, blocking out the intimidating sight for yet another night.