Falling Through Shooting Stars Read online

  “You look beat,” Carrie said as Julia walked through the door.

  “Yeah. What a day.” By the time Julia had removed her coat and made her way to the kitchen table, Carrie was already heating up a plate and pouring her a glass of wine. That was one of the things Julia loved the most about her wife. Care took great satisfaction in doing the little things for people that she knew mattered the most to them. People always assumed that Julia called her wife Care as a pet name for Carrie. That was only partly true. Carrie Stevens was one of the most compassionate and caring people Julia had ever met and the pet name “Care” seemed perfect.

  Julia met Carrie met not long after she and Michael had separated. Carrie was exhibiting her photography in the college library. Julia had just finished meeting with one of her students and had the good fortune to trip over a stray backpack and land squarely in Carrie’s arms. Looking up from the less than flattering position Julia found herself in; her embarrassment was met by pair of warm, golden brown eyes. The comforting smile that Carrie offered seemed to all at once banish Julia’s blush of embarrassment and replace it with a rush of fascination. A few cups of coffee later, and Julia had found herself suggesting that they meet again for dinner. Julia still wasn’t certain she had any idea where they were ultimately headed, but she surely knew that she wanted to see Carrie Stevens again.

  Fourteen years and two daughters later, Julia and Carrie had fallen into a comfortable existence. The years hadn’t changed Carrie much at all. She was still curvaceous in the most inviting way, and her eyes still glistened whenever Julia looked at her. They had created a good life; a balanced life. It was the kind of life most people dream about. Carrie had opened a successful studio in the city, and Julia had found a career that seemed to both fulfill her intellectually and simultaneously provided a substantially better salary than her teaching positions had. Their children were at the center of their lives and Julia and Carrie shared every responsibility; save the fact that Julia had been given the privilege of bearing them all.

  “Hey, Mom,” a voice greeted me from the doorway.

  “Hey, Megs. How was your day?” Julia asked. Meghan was their first daughter. She was nearly twelve and already almost Julia’s height. Carrie’s brother, Ted, had been their donor and Julia was thrilled that Meghan seemed to take after the Steven’s side of the family. Both daughters had Carrie’s eyes, but Meghan resembled Carrie a great deal in both her physical stature and demeanor. Just as Julia sometimes pitied Jake for taking after her so much; she envied the reflection she saw of her wife in Meghan.

  “Long,” Meghan drew out the word.

  “Really? Why long?” Julia asked with a smile as Carrie put a plate in front of her.

  “We got stuck waiting for Jake,” Meghan griped.

  “After practice?” Julia asked, looking at Carrie for confirmation.

  “Yeah, Ma had to go find him,” Meghan complained.

  Julia looked at Carrie, who just shrugged. “Should I drink this wine now?” Julia asked.

  “He was just off with his friends. Lost track of time,” Carrie said.

  “Yeah, he does that a lot lately,” Julia groaned. “I’ll talk to him,” she said, watching Meghan grab a can of soda from the refrigerator.

  “It’s not a big deal, babe,” Carrie said. “What about you? You’re home late.”

  “Big benefit to plan for December 20th.”

  “What kind of benefit?” Carrie asked.

  “Eh, you know; dinner, some dignitaries and a keynote speaker,” Julia explained as she sipped her wine.

  “Another author or another politician?” Carrie asked. It was typical for the foundation to have well-known authors and politicians speak at fundraisers. The events generally timed to a new book release or the kickoff of either an election season or some piece of important legislation. Seldom was it solicited merely by an interest in the foundation itself which Carrie knew annoyed Julia.

  “Nope.” Julia looked at her wife and daughter’s expressions in amusement and smiled. “Katie Brennan.”

  “Coffee with Katie, Katie Brennan?” Care asked.

  “Yep. That would be the one.”

  “Are you serious?” Carrie beamed.

  “What? Do you have a crush on the morning host?” Julia laughed.

  “Maybe a little,” Carrie winked.

  “Oh geez, save me Megs,” Julia called to her daughter.

  “Save you from what?” Jake asked from the doorway.

  “Ma has a crush on Katie Brennan,” Meghan laughed.

  “Who?” Jake asked.

  “Never mind, Jacob,” Julia answered and turned to her wife. “You like those redheads, don’t you? Older ones,” she winked.

  “You,” Carrie tugged Julia’s hair lightly, “are not really a redhead.”

  “What are you saying?” Julia scowled playfully.

  “Nice try, Jules. You are about as much a redhead as I will ever be a blonde.”

  “Auburn is red,” Julia declared.

  “Yeah and brown is blonde. You are a blonde missy. The only reason your hair is that color is to hide all that gray,” Carrie said.

  “Hey! What’s your excuse?” Julia shot back.

  “I like being blonde. I have nothing to hide,” Carrie laughed.

  “Yeah, well, now I know why you wanted me to use that color….pining away over the news lady,” Julia surmised.

  Jake rolled his eyes and Meghan laughed. “Why are you all laughing?” another voice asked.

  “Your mother wants us to believe she is really a redhead,” Carrie winked.

  Jordan entered the room and studied Julia closely. She put her arm around her mother’s shoulder. “She has red hair,” Jordan defended Julia. Jordan was a delight. She had just turned eight and was still a bit unsure of many of the jokes that seemed to permeate the Riley household. While she had Carrie’s eyes and skin, she was very much like Julia as a youngster. Everything was an adventure, and she thrived on being around people. Jordan would try just about anything once and had given Julia and Carrie most of their lessons in Heart Attack 101. She attempted to fly like Superman when she was three and jumped off the top stair resulting in a broken elbow. Jordan was never content to simply sled down the hill in the backyard. At four, she was emulating everything her brother did; including attempting to sled over tree stumps. She was fearless, resilient, and opinionated; a stark contrast to her quiet and sweet older sister.

  “All right,” Carrie said with just enough forcefulness to convey it was time to settle down. “Let your mother eat in peace. She can’t help that old ladies have to hide the gray somehow.”

  Julia rolled her eyes at the fit of laughter that followed and watched her children clear out of the kitchen. “You know, Katie Brennan isn’t any younger than me,” Julia quipped.

  “Or any cuter, babe,” Carrie soothed.

  “Nice try. It’s too late. I already got the news bulletin.”

  “Aww…babe, she probably colors her hair too,” Carrie consoled Julia.

  “Great,” Julia replied. “Let’s just hope she’s not a bit…”

  “Jules,” Carrie warned.

  “Yeah yeah…”

  “Don’t be jealous,” Carrie grinned.

  “I hate dealing with…”

  “I’ve heard she is very nice,” Carrie assured her wife.

  “You read too many magazines in the checkout lines,” Julia laughed.

  “Julia, she is very popular. She will be a huge draw.”

  Julia sighed. “I know,” she admitted as she walked to place her plate in the dishwasher. “I’m beat. What do you say we go finish this wine in bed?”

  Carrie just smiled quietly. “I’ll be in shortly,” she patted Julia on the butt. “Try not to fall asleep in your clothes.”

  “Mmm,” Julia groaned. “Six weeks,
Katie Brennan. Six weeks. Merry Christmas to me,” she chuckled.

  2

  DECEMBER 2014

  “You can’t be serious? Lunch and dinner? Come on, Dan,” Julia griped.

  “Relax. It will give you a chance to get acquainted with Katie in person before the benefit tonight,” Dan said. “You are going to be with her all day tomorrow, so you might as well get comfortable.”

  Julia hated dealing with public personalities. It was an element of her chosen profession that many considered a perk. For Julia, it was a nuisance. She had stroked the egos of enough politicians, authors, academics, and the occasional actor to last her a lifetime. While most were polite and engaging, the majority of celebrities she encountered were less than interested in the actual work that they were supposedly “passionately” promoting. She groaned her frustration as she made her way into her office with Dan following close behind.

  “What? Was Ms. Brennan less than cordial when you spoke with her or something?” Dan asked.

  Julia flopped into her office chair with a chuckle. “No, of course not. I’m certain that Katie Brennan understands the importance of professional P’s and Q’s. Always be polite and make every statement quotable,” Julia smirked.

  “God, you are so cynical,” Dan laughed. Julia just shrugged. She would not deny the accusation. Her cynicism was built over time and based on experience. “Just behave,” Dan winked.

  “Scouts honor,” Julia pledged as Dan left her office. “Everett!” Julia called loudly.

  “Yeah?” the young man scurried into her office.

  “Apparently, I have a lunch date with Dan and John Fortin at noon to review tonight’s festivities. I need you and Mandy to run over to The Fairmont and check on things,” Julia directed. Everett nodded and turned swiftly on his heel. “And, Everett? Black tie means black tie; not purple, blue, green, or polka dotted,” Julia called to him without raising her eyes from the desktop.

  “It’s called pizzazz,” he called back.

  “It’s called black tie, Everett. Black.”

  Katie Brennan smiled at the host who had begun fidgeting slightly with the menu in his hand. She had never gotten used to the nervous reaction her presence sometimes spurred in others. She had become accustomed to that response as the wife of a major league baseball player, but Katie had never anticipated anyone would find her of particular interest. Her husband Bill Brennan was in the spotlight from the day she had met him. He thrived in the spotlight and adored the attention. Katie was only beginning to launch her career when she met the star baseball pitcher. She had been content to walk in his shadow. It had never been on Katie’s bucket list to anchor anything. Investigative journalism was Katie Brennan’s passion. There was little cause for that anymore it seemed, and once Katie had made the jump to television; her fate seemed inevitable.

  “The rest of your party is already seated,” the young man said to her, careful not to make eye contact.

  Katie sighed inwardly and looked at his name tag. “Thank you, Robert. Do you have any recommendations?” she asked him quietly. “Give me the advantage before I walk into the lion’s den,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  The young man looked up, his lips curling into a smile. “Well, most people would say that you should try the salmon, or the lobster roll.”

  “Would they? I didn’t ask most people,” Katie smiled. “What is your favorite?”

  He shrugged; a light pink flushing his cheeks. “I’m a burger kind of guy,” he said.

  The young waiter’s thick Boston accent made Katie smile broader. He gestured to the table in front of them, and Katie watched as the three bodies who were currently seated rose to greet her. She gently took hold of his arm and leaned into his ear. “Thanks for the tip. I’m on your team,” she told him.

  “Well, Katie!” John Fortin took his friend into a hug. “Glad you could make it.”

  “Miss a chance to dine with royalty,” she poked at her friend. “Never.” Katie saw the questing smile on the woman standing across from her and laughed. “John has never let me forget that while I might one day be a princess; he will forever be the queen,” she explained. Julia raised an eyebrow and laughed. “You must be Julia,” Katie extended her hand.

  “That’s what they tell me,” Julia responded. Katie’s eyes twinkled as she released Julia’s hand. It was immediately evident that Julia Riley was neither impressed nor intimidated by Katie’s presence. Katie found it refreshing.

  “Sorry about my delay. I’m not used to this Boston traffic anymore,” Katie explained. “So, did you all order?” she asked.

  “No, of course not. We waited for you,” Dan told her. “I can’t tell you how much Julia and I appreciate you taking this time out,” he said as a young waiter approached the table.

  “Are you ready to order?” the waiter inquired.

  “I think we need,” Dan began.

  Katie picked up her menu and opened it. “No, no, go ahead. Let her majesty start,” she joked.

  “I’ll have the salmon,” John Fortin winked at the young man.

  “The same,” Dan said. “It’s excellent, by the way,” he offered to Katie. Katie closed her menu and nodded.

  “Salmon for you as well?” the waiter asked Katie.

  “Actually, I’m more of a burger girl. I have it on good authority yours are excellent.” Katie looked up at the waiter who nodded his agreement. “Perfect. Leave it slightly mooing; if you don’t mind,” she instructed him with a wink. “What about you?” Katie looked across to Julia.

  “Too bad they don’t have a salmon burger,” Julia joked, soliciting a smirk from Katie. “I’ll pass on both counts, though. Just a bowl of clam chowder,” she said.

  “Not hungry?” Katie asked curiously.

  “Not a lunch girl,” Julia answered honestly.

  Julia sat for the next hour listening to the conversation at the table. She was surprised at the lack of shop talk. John Fortin and Katie Brennan had known each other since grade school. The pair had talked about homeroom teachers, annoying boyfriends, and over protective parents before anyone mentioned the events planned over the next few days. Julia didn’t mind. She found the playful banter endearing. In truth, Julia did not understand what they needed to have a lunch meeting for. Katherine Brennan was a professional. She’d made thousands of these types of appearances over the years. There was no need to review logistics.

  “So, Julia?” Katie directed her question across the table. “What made a professor decide to go into non-profit work?”

  Julia took a sip of her water and smiled. “Not all that different,” she said.

  “How so?” Katie asked with genuine curiosity. Dan sipped the coffee in front of him slowly. Julia’s lips had rolled up into a recognizable smirk, and he held his breath.

  “Well, both deal with education; for one thing,” Julia explained. “Trying to make an impact on the world through knowledge,” she continued. Dan let out the breath he’d been holding. Julia was a professional, but she had a habit of speaking her mind. She was always polite in her dialogue, but she never excelled at pretending to enjoy what she considered “sucking up” to acquire money. To Julia, the foundation’s work should be able to stand on its own merits.

  “I can see that,” Katie replied. “So, do you enjoy this work more than teaching?”

  “Honestly?” Julia asked.

  “Well,” Katie said. “Honesty is always refreshing in my line of work.”

  Julia could not help but chuckle. “Touché.” She tipped her glass before taking a sip. “Some things I do enjoy more than I did in teaching; yes. Some things not as much. Both have their respective advantages and rewards, and both have their drawbacks. Politics is part of everything. That; I have learned; is unavoidable. Managing personalities and bullshit is just part of life,” Julia said with a smile.

  Dan nearly choked
on his coffee. John Fortin snickered as he watched the two women regard each other with equal amusement. Katie let out a hearty laugh. “You, Ms. Riley, have no idea. Personality and bullshit seem to be the everyday news,” she offered. Julia raised her glass and Katie extended her own in a playful “cheer”.

  “Well, I suppose we should be going,” Dan said.

  Julia followed her friend’s lead, getting to her feet quickly. She felt Katie’s hand pull her back. “Can I quote you on that in my speech?” Katie asked in a hushed voice.

  Julia looked into a pair of mischievous blue eyes and winked. “Only if I get royalties,” she whispered.

  Katie watched as Julia followed Dan out of the restaurant. “She is something,” Katie shook her head.

  “Julia?” John asked. Katie nodded. “Yes, she is,” he agreed. “She likes you, Princess,” he said.

  “That is surprising; I take it?” Katie asked.

  “No. You’re the real deal. She just has little use for plastic,” he told his friend.

  Katie nodded. “Then promise you won’t tell her about my nose job,” she poked.

  “Nope. Loyalty to the royalty,” he promised with a laugh.

  Katie smacked her friend’s arm and sighed. Personal appearances were not one of her favorite parts of her chosen career. The Fledger Foundation funded numerous projects that Katie felt strongly about, and she genuinely wanted to support their efforts. Being raised by two teachers; the importance of education was drilled into her head repeatedly. She had often pondered leaving behind the spotlight to teach herself. Julia’s words had struck a chord within Katie. “Politics and bullshit are everywhere. There’s today’s newsflash,” she silently agreed to the statement.

  Julia walked through the foyer of the large ballroom purposefully. She offered the customary smile and nod as she passed each table, occasionally accepting the proffered hand of a large donor or local dignitary. Carrie was standing a few paces ahead near the bar speaking with John Fortin, and Julia wanted to reach her wife for a moment before her time would be monopolized. She leaned in and kissed Carrie’s cheek softly. “Sorry, we had some issues with the sound on the stage,” Julia explained.