“Very nicely put,” she said. “That’s exactly what someone did. He stole it and put it behind bars. And as long as I stay in Harmony, I’m never getting it back. I’m destined to be dull and boring.”
Her grandmother’s brows elevated slightly. “You? Dull and boring? Impossible.” Gran-Gran stood up and approached Tangie.
“I can see how it would happen here,” Tangie said. “I feel like my voice has been squelched.”
“Impossible. You’ve got too much chutzpah for that. Besides, folks can only take what you give, nothing more.”
“Maybe I just don’t know enough about how to compromise with someone like Gregg Burke. But one thing is for sure, this gig in Harmony doesn’t feel like a long-term plan for me.”
Gran-Gran’s eyes misted over right away. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” Tangie sighed when she saw the hurt look on her grandmother’s face. “I’ll stay till the Easter production is over at the beginning of April. But then I’m pretty sure I’d like to go back to New York.”
“Really? But I thought you were done with New York,” Gramps said, a confused look on his face.
“Well, see, I got an e-mail from my friend Marti last night. She just found out about auditions for a new show. They’re going to be held a few days after the production and the director, Vincent, is an old friend of mine. He directed a couple of plays I was in year before last. I’ll stand a better shot with this one, since I know someone.”
“Honey, I know you enjoy being in those shows. You’re a great little actress.”
Tangie cringed at the words little actress. How many times had her father said the same thing? And her directors? She didn’t want to be a little actress. She wanted to have a career. A real career.
Gran-Gran continued, clearly oblivious to Tangie’s inner turmoil. “But, as good as you are, that’s not your ministry. You’re a teacher. You said it yourself when you stood up in front of the church to talk to the congregation. You’re a gift stirrer. Your real ability is in motivating and teaching those kids. And if you go away. . .” Gran-Gran’s eyes filled with tears. “Well, if you go away, nothing will be the same around here. There’s no one to take your place.”
Tangie shrugged. “Gregg will do fine. And Ashley. . .she’s great with the kids.”
“Yes, but she’s too busy. That’s what I was saying before. She has a full-time job at the school, teaching second grade.”
“Right.” Tangie sighed.
“That’s why she couldn’t help with the Christmas production. She was doing a show of her own. I know her pretty well, honey. She would probably agree to help, just to appease Gregg, but she’s just too overwhelmed to take on anything else right now.”
“I’m sorry, Gran-Gran. I just don’t think I’m up for the job long term. It’s going to be hard enough to make it through one show.” Tangie tried not to let the defeat show on her face but couldn’t seem to help herself.
Gran-Gran plopped down in a chair, a somber look on her face. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Very sorry.”
As she left the room, Tangie reached for an oatmeal raisin cookie—her third. She took a big bite, pondering everything her grandmother had said. Looked like Tangie was right all along. She wasn’t meant for small-town life.
What did it matter, really? Apparently she was destined to fail at everything she put her hand to—whether it was in the big city or in a tiny place like Harmony, New Jersey.
***
Gregg picked up the phone and called Gramps for a much-needed chat. The elderly man answered on the third ring, his opening words packing quite a punch. “What took you so long, son?”
“H–hello?”
“I know it’s you, Gregg. Saw your number on the caller ID. I’ve been sitting by the phone for the past hour, ever since Tangie talked to us about that meeting you two had at the diner this morning. She was plenty worked up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Gregg started. I—”
“Ruined a perfectly good round of Jeopardy,” Gramps interrupted. “I figured you would’ve called me before this.”
Gregg groaned. “I guess I should have. Things didn’t go very well.”
“So I hear. There’s actually talk of her leaving. Going back to New York City. I’d hate to see that happen. Why, the very idea of it is breaking my heart.”
“No way.” She was giving up. . .that quickly? Why? “Can you put her on the phone, please?” Gregg asked.
He heard Gramps’ voice ring out, “Tangie, you’ve got a call.”
Seconds later, she answered. “Taffie, what happened? Everything okay with the baby?”
“Taffy?” Gregg repeated. “What does taffy have to do with anything?”
“O–oh, I’m sorry. I thought for sure Gramps said my sister was on the phone. Who is this?”
“Gregg Burke.”
“Oh.” The tone of her voice changed right away. In fact, her initial excitement fizzled out like air from a flat tire.
“I’m calling to apologize,” he said, his words coming a mile a minute. “I’ve really messed this one up. Please don’t go anywhere. I need you too much for that.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” He sighed. Might as well just speak his mind. “To be honest, I think I’m just insecure. I don’t know the first thing about drama, but it’s still hard to admit that I’m a failure at anything. Does that make sense?”
“More than you know.”
“I think my pride was a little hurt, is all. I’ll be the first to admit it.” He paused a moment. “Your ideas about the Easter play are. . .different. Very different from anything I would’ve come up with. But maybe that’s why they hired you. They want different. And this is for kids. Kids need kid stuff, and I’ll be honest, I don’t know the first thing about kid stuff. I think I proved that with the Christmas play.”
“Well, I’m different, all right,” Tangie responded. “But I don’t want you to think I’m so off the wall that I’m going to end up embarrassing you or the kids in any way. That’s not my intention. I can see this production being really cute, but if you’d rather do something more traditional. . .” Her words faded away.
“No, it’s fine. I just think we need to meet to get this settled, one way or the other. Can you send me a copy of what you’ve written by e-mail attachment? I’ll take a look at it and see what I can do with it from a music standpoint. Then we can talk again before next week’s auditions. How does that sound?”
She hesitated, but finally came back with, “Good. Thanks for giving me a second chance.”
“No.” He sighed. “I shouldn’t have been so quick to shut you down the first time. I’m just used to being the creative one, and you. . .”
She laughed. “I know, I know. When God handed out creativity, He gave me a double portion. I’ve never understood why.”
“Oh, I think I do,” Gregg said. “He knew He could trust you with it.”
She paused for a moment and then a much quieter Tangie came back with, “Thank you. That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a long time. I needed to hear that.”
By the time they ended the call, Gregg felt a hundred pounds lighter. Until he thought about the giant Easter egg she’d proposed for the opening scene. Then his stomach began to tighten once again. Lord, this is going to be. . .different. Give me patience. Please.
***
Tangie sighed as she hung up the phone. Gregg’s plea for help had surprised her, especially after his reaction this morning. Who put him up to this?
“Gramps?” She called out for her grandfather, but he didn’t answer. Tangie looked around the living room, but couldn’t find him anywhere, so she bundled up in her coat and headed out to his workshop behind the house. There she found him, carving a piece of wood.
“Oh, wow.” She looked around the tiny room, amazed by all of the things she found there. “You’re very crafty, Gramps.”
“That’s what they tell me.” He held out a wood-carved
replica of a bear and smiled. “What do you think of this guy?”
“I think he’s great. I also think. . .” The idea hit her all at once. “I also think I’m going to use your services for the kids’ production.”
“So, you’re sticking around? Gregg did the right thing?”
“I’m sticking around.” She shrugged. “I would’ve stayed till after the play anyway, remember?”
“Now you’ll stay longer?”
She sighed and rested against his workbench, thankful for the tiny space heater at her feet. “I can’t make any promises. Who knows where things will be in a few months? There’s this really great show. . .”
“I know, I know.” He sighed, then reached to give her a peck on the cheek. “In New York. A chance of a lifetime. Something you’ve been waiting for. . .forever.” He stressed the word forever, making it seem like a mighty long time.
“I know you want me to stay here,” Tangie said. “And I promise to pray about it.”
“That’s all I ask, honey.” He nodded and smiled. “But let me say one more thing.” Gramps peered into her eyes, his gaze penetrating to her very soul. “Your mother isn’t the only one with a case of wanderlust.”
“What?”
“I mean, you have a hard time staying put in one place for long. And with one job for long.” He paused. “Now, I don’t mean anything negative by that; it’s just an observation. Maybe your trip to Harmony is a lesson in staying put awhile.”
“Hmm.” She shrugged. “I don’t know, Gramps. I just know that I always get this jittery feeling. And bolting is. . .”
“Easier?”
“Sometimes.” She sighed. “I’m sure you’re right. It’s a learned behavior. I wasn’t always this way. But when one show after another shut down, I just got in the habit of shifting gears. Now I’ve turned so many corners, I can hardly remember where I’ve been and where I’m going. And bolting just comes naturally. I’m not proud of it. I’m just saying it’s become second nature, that’s all.”
“Well, pray before you bolt. That’s all I ask this time.” He wrapped her in his arms and placed a whiskery kiss in her hair. “ ’Cause when you leave this time, it’s gonna break some poor fella’s heart.” He dabbed his eyes, then whispered, “And I’m not just talking about Gregg Burke’s.”
EIGHT
On Friday morning, Tangie stopped off at Sweet Harmony, the bakery where she’d purchased the cookies. Penny greeted her with a welcoming smile.
“Great coat. Love the shoulder pads. Very 1980s.”
“Thanks.” Tangie chuckled. “That’s the idea. I love wearing clothes from every era.”
“Kind of reminds me of something Joan Collins would’ve worn in Dynasty.” Penny paused, then gave Tangie a pensive look. “Been thinking about that proposition I made?”
“I have.” Tangie smiled. “I think I’d like to work here, but I might only be staying in town till the first week in April. Would that be a problem?”
“Hmm.” Penny shrugged and wiped her hands on her apron. “Well, I can really use the help, even if it’s temporary. I’ll take what I can get.”
“We’ll need to come to some agreement about my schedule. I’m working part-time at a local church.”
“Church?” Penny rolled her eyes. “I used to go to a church. . .back in the day.”
“Whatever happened with that?” Tangie asked.
Penny shrugged. “Gave it up for Lent.” She slapped herself on the knee and let out a raucous laugh. “Oh, that’s a good one. Gave up church for Lent.” After a few more chuckles, she finally calmed down. “Let’s just say God and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms and leave it at that.”
“Ah.”
“And I guess I could also add that the church hasn’t exactly laid out the welcome mat for me. But, mind you, I haven’t been to one since I was in my thirties, so I’m not talking about any church in particular here. I just know that churches, in general, don’t take too kindly to unmarried women with kids.”
“Whoa. Really?” Tangie thought about that for a moment. Most of the churches she’d attended—both at home in Atlantic City and in New York—had always reached out to single moms. But it looked like Penny had a different story. Then again, Penny was—what?—in her late fifties, maybe? So, anything that happened to her had to have happened twenty or thirty years ago, right?
“Back to the bakery. . .” Penny gave her a scrutinizing glance. “How are your cake decorating skills?”
Tangie shrugged. “We didn’t do much pastry work at the candy shop, but I’ve decorated cookies and other sweets, and I’ve got a steady hand.”
“You’re hired.”
“Just like that?” Tangie laughed. “You don’t need references or anything?”
“Your grandfather is Herbert Henderson?” Penny stared at her thoughtfully.
“Yes. How did you know that?”
“He’s my best customer, and he’s been telling me all about this granddaughter of his from the candy shop in Atlantic City. He described you to a tee, right down to the tattoo on your wrist. What is that, anyway? A star?”
“Yeah.” Tangie shrugged. “A theater friend of mine talked me into it years ago. She said I was going to be a big star someday, and that looking at my wrist would be a good reminder not to give up.”
“Have you?”
“W–what?”
“Given up?” Penny gave her a pensive look.
“Oh, no. Not really. I, um, well, I’m just on hiatus from acting right now.”
“Okay.” Penny pursed her lips, then spoke in a motherly voice. “Just don’t let me hear that you’ve given up on your dreams. You need to go after them. . .wholeheartedly. I let mine die for a while.” She looked around the bakery, then grinned. “But eventually got around to it. Just wasted a lot of time in-between.”
“I understand. And part of the reason I’m in Harmony is to figure all of that out.”
“Well, if Herbert Henderson is really your grandfather, I’d say you’ll have a lot of wise counsel. He’s a cracker-jack, that one.”
“You know him well?” Tangie asked, taking a seat at one of the barstools in front of the counter.
“He buys kolaches and donuts for his Sunday school class every Sunday morning. He’s got quite a sweet tooth. My boys were always partial to sweets, too.”
“Tell me about your boys.” Tangie leaned against the countertop, ready to learn more about her new friend.
“What’s to tell? They’re boys. And besides, if you go to your grandpa’s church, you probably know at least one of them.”
“Wait. Who?”
“My oldest, Gregg. He plays the guitar and sings.”
Tangie stared at Penny, stunned. “Gregg Burke. . .is your son?”
“Well, sure. I thought you knew that. Figured your grandfather told you. And don’t you remember the other day when I went on and on about my boy singing in the choir as a kid?”
“Grandpa didn’t say anything.” Tangie would have to remember to throttle him later. “And I guess I just figured everyone was in choir as a kid. Never made the connection.” How interesting, that she would end up working with Gregg at the church and with his mother at the bakery.
She startled back to attention. Turning to her new boss, she asked, “When would you like me to start?”
Penny reached behind the counter and came up with an apron with the words Sweet Harmony emblazoned on the front. “How about right now? I’ve got to make a run to the doctor in Trenton.”
“Trenton?”
“Yep. Planned to close the place down for the rest of the day, but I’d rather leave it open, if you’re up to it. Can you handle the register until I get back?”
“Mmm, sure.” Tangie slipped the apron over her head. “I operated the cash register at our candy store for years as a teen. Anything else?”
“Yes, let me run over a few things with you.” Penny quickly went over the price list, focusing on the special of the day—two
cream-filled donuts and hot cocoa for three dollars. Then she gave Tangie a quick tour of the building. When they finished, the older woman turned to her with a smile. “Do you think you’ll be okay?”
“Should be.”
“Great. Oh, one more thing. When the timer goes off, pull those cookies out of the oven and set them on the rack to cool.” Penny pointed to the tall chrome double oven and then reached for her purse. “Wish I didn’t have to go at all, but I won’t be long.” She took a few steps toward the door, but then turned back. “Oh, and if you see an older fellow—about my age—with white hair and a thick moustache, don’t sell him a thing.”
“W–what? Why?” Tangie asked.
“That’s Bob Jennings. He’s a diabetic. Comes in nearly every afternoon around this time, begging for sweets. His wife would kill me if I actually sold him anything.”
“Why don’t you offer sugar-free options?” Tangie asked. “We sell a whole line of sugar-free candies at our store.”
Penny put her hands on her hips. “See! That’s why I need you. Now that you’re here. . .” Her voice faded as the door slammed closed behind her. Tangie watched through the plate-glass window as Penny scurried down the sidewalk toward the parking lot, talking to herself.
“Lord, how am I going to give her all of the help she needs in only three months?” Three years might be more workable. Still, all of that stuff about not giving up on your dreams. . .was the Lord speaking through Penny, perhaps? Stranger things had happened. Maybe God’s plan for Tangie included at least one more shot at Broadway.
“April.” She whispered the word. Auditions for A Woman in Love were going to be held just after the Easter production, according to Marti. And Vincent Cason, the director, had specifically asked about Tangie for the lead. Though flattered, the idea of going back home to the Big Apple scared her senseless. On the other hand, she didn’t want to miss God. Was He wooing her back to finish what He’d started four years ago, perhaps?
Minutes later, a customer arrived—a woman ordering a wedding cake. Thankfully, Tangie had some experience with cakes. Her mom made ice cream cakes for brides all the time. How different could a baked cake be? She located Penny’s sample book and walked the young woman—who introduced herself as Brenna—through the process.