The car slowed to a stop in the expansive parking lot of Johns Hopkins University. Annie's heart raced as she
got out of the car and crossed the pavement to enter the Peabody Institute of Music.
She walked inside, feeling incredibly small as she moved through the large hallway that led to her older
brother's office.
Please don't be in class... Please don't be in class... she prayed silently.
She peered into the tiny glass window in the door, overcome with relief when she saw him sitting at his desk;
the sunlight brightening his blond hair.
Her hand shook as she pulled the door open and walked into the office. Dennis was so engrossed in his work
that he didn't even notice that she was standing in front of him.
"Hey." She said, giving him a nervous smile.
He looked up and rose to his feet, smiling at the sight of her.
"Annie! What a wonderful surprise!" He said, enveloping her into a bear hug. "When did you get into town?"
"Oh... last night." She said, suddenly feeling guilty that she hadn't told him that she was coming.
"Last night? My goodness, why didn't you call? Betsy and I would have loved to have taken you and Sam out
for dinner. How about tonight? I know this great Italian place that's right-."
"Sam's not here." Annie said quickly.
"Oh... Well that's too bad. I was looking foreword to seeing him."
Annie's eyes filled with tears and she looked away, hoping he hadn't seen.
"Annie? Honey, what's wrong?" Dennis asked.
"I-I left him." She said tearfully.
He reached into his pocket and handed her his handkerchief.
"You left him? Dear God, what happened? Why, from the letters you sent, it sounded like you'd found the man of
your dreams."
She blotted her eyes and nodded. "So did I. Everything was so perfect!"
"So what happened?" He asked again. "You seemed so happy!"
"His wife... she was so beautiful and perfect and he loved her so much. I just can't compare with that, Dennis!"
"Annie, I've only met Sam once, but I believe that his love for you is genuine. I doubt he'd have gone to the
trouble of whisking you away to Seattle if he wasn't in love with you."
Annie smiled. "I know. I want to believe that. But then there's Jonah."
"His son..."
"Yes. I think he resents me being there, Dennis!" She said; her voice breaking.
"Why? What's he done?" Dennis asked.
"He's so abrupt with me all the time and I try so hard to be his friend, but... he's just not like the sweet little
boy who brought Sam and I together in New York!"
Dennis sighed and took Annie's hands in his. "Annie, he's a child. And he just lost his mother barely two years
ago! It's going to take time for him to accept someone new in his dad's life; much less in his home. Have you
talked to Sam about this?"
"Well, I tried, but I don't want to come between him and his son."
"Annie, you could never do that. You're a warm and caring person."
Annie smiled and hugged her brother warmly. "Thank you, Dennis! You have no idea how much I appreciate '
this. I love you!"
To her surprise, he grinned; his face turning a bright shade of pink. He was never very comfortable with
sentiment.
"Anytime!" He said, giving her a wave as she dashed out the door.