Free How Do I Love Thee by Lurlene McDaniel Page A

listeners. “And someday she'll play at Carnegie Hall. Just wait and see.”
    “I'll buy a ticket,” Steve said.
    Dana lost sight of him as people gathered around her, enthusiastically congratulating her on the impromptu performance. A man in a business suit thrust a business card into her hand. “I'm the volunteer coordinator here. Have you ever considered being a volunteer? If you'd come in even once a month and play for our shut-ins, it would make a world of difference for them.”
    “I—I—”
    “Will you please consider it? Call me anytime and I'll set it up. I know it's not CarnegieHall,” he said with a laugh, “but you could do our patients a whole lot of good with your musical talent.”
    Bobby slipped his arm around Dana's waist. “I'm her manager.” He grinned, “And we'll get back to you.”
    The group laughed. Dana smiled toa It felt good to have her work enjoyed. Isn't that what she'd always wanted? To play concerts and have people appreciate beautiful classical music? “I'll see what I can work out,” she said.
    When the people had drifted away, Bobby hugged her. Over his shoulder, she saw Steve staring at them. She closed her eyes, wishing that the brothers could trade places, knowing it would never happen. She was Bobby's girl now.

Five

    teve and Bobby's parents came into the room minutes later. “We got your note,” Hank Harrod said.
    “And we heard all about your piano playing from the people who were leaving.” Martha Harrod said to Dana. “Sorry we missed it.”
    “Rain check,” Bobby said.
    Mr. Harrod turned to Steve. “You must be feeling better.”
    “I feel fine when I don't have a headache. And being stuck in that room upstairs isn't much fun.”
    “You'll see Dr. Patelli in the morning,” hismother said. I'm sure he'll have some answers for us.”
    “Hope so. I need to get back to the field. We barely won this past weekend.” The game had been televised Saturday night on ESPN. Dana hadn't seen it. She and Bobby had sat together on her porch, wrapped in a blanket, watching the stars come out.
    His father hooked an arm around Steve's shoulders. “That freshman who replaced you stunk. Couldn't hit the side of a barn with his passes. The defense saved his cookies.”
    They started walking and discussing the game. Martha had gone around them, reaching the elevator ahead of them and pushing the button. Bobby stood in die hall with Dana, as if forgotten by his family.
    Dana watched his lively and animated expression sag. Pity and disgust toward his parents mingled in her. How could they be so blind to his feelings? She slipped her hand into his. “Want to buy a girl a Coke? She's pretty thirsty after all that piano playing.”
    He blinked, as if remembering suddenly where he was and who was with him. “I was flashing back to middle school,” he said apologetically.“Steve Had just thrown the touchdown pass that won the league championship. Mom and Dad were so excited that they forgot me at the field. I was hanging with some other guys in the upper part of the stadium, and the next thing I knew, the car had left the parking lot following after the rest of the team, honking and cheering. They were all the way to the pizza place before Stew asked, ‘Where's Bobby?’” Bobby sighed. “Dad came back for me, and he was really mad because it was my responsibility to keep up. I guess I've just never been good at keeping up.”
    Dana touched her forehead to Bobby's chest. “Then you can keep up with me. And right now I have to go home. But I demand a soda first.”
    He offered her a sad smile. “What would I do without you, Dana? You're everything tome.”
    Dana's phone rang after eleven that night. She grabbed it, knowing her mother didn't like her getting calls that late. Bobby knew it too, so she was prepared to remind him when a voice said, “Hi, Dana.”
    Her breath caught. It wasn't Bobby. “Hi, Steve.”
    “I know it's late,” Steve said. “I hope you weren't