Maestro by Thomma Lyn Grindstaff Page A

Center.”
    “Oh, that sounds like such an amazing place,” Elena said. She glanced at Annasophia. “I've never been there, you know.”
    Maestro muttered something under his breath that Annasophia couldn't make out. She couldn't see his face, but he didn't seem thrilled to see Elena. With a sigh, he moved away from the piano and put the bench back where it belonged. Looking pointedly at his watch, he said, “It's getting really late. Close to two-thirty. I was just finishing up here, and–”
    “Perhaps I should introduce myself,” Elena said as she skirted Maestro and approached Annasophia. “I'm Elena Dahl.”
    Annasophia nodded but didn't reply. She figured Elena's dramatic pause meant that she wanted the import of her last name to sink in. Well, the way Annasophia figured it, the import given to that last name wasn't just what Elena made of it, but also what Maestro made of it. In 1973, they'd been divorced for, what, two years now?
    Matt is born in late February 1974 , she reminded herself. Elena's last name had plenty of import. If not now, then soon, Maestro's odd attitude notwithstanding. Who knew how men thought? Perhaps, down deep, he was still in love with Elena, but she'd done something that had really hurt him, and he was having trouble forgiving her or getting past it.
    For Matt's sake, Annasophia would give them a little help.
    “You're Wilhelm's ex-wife,” she told Elena. “Yes, I know. And I can clearly see that the two of you are still friends.”
    A slow smile spread across Elena's face like melting butter, and she nodded. “Are you a friend of his?”
    “We just met tonight,” Annasophia said. “I'm new to the city, and he was very kind. He showed me around, and I asked him to share his Jerry Lee Lewis impression with me. We've had fun. But now, it's time for me to go.”
    Maestro turned, a look of alarm on his face. “But where... I thought you didn't...” He stopped, clearly not wanting to put her on the spot or embarrass her in front of Elena. He knew she had nowhere else to go but to return to her timeline, but she didn't dare go back right now, even if Elena weren't standing here, watching. She hadn't yet given Maestro the information he'd need to find her in the future. If, indeed, by this point he would be inclined to want to do that. She should have stayed in the present, by the aging Maestro's side, to tell him goodbye and thank you. He'd given her enough there, goodness knew – his friendship and mentorship. Why had she come here?
    Well, it was simple. She hadn't wanted to let go of him.
    She could give him the information he needed in a quick goodbye. Away from Elena. She didn't want Elena hearing. It wasn't any of her business, and besides, Elena would have plenty of time with Maestro once Annasophia returned to 2010.
    Annasophia made a promise to herself. After she, in good faith, shared with Maestro the information he would need to find her in the future, she would play the piano to go back to her time, then stay in whatever timeline she found herself, as long as she'd assured Matt's existence. She simply could not come back here, to 1973, and further interfere with the course of Maestro and Elena's reconciliation. She had done enough damage already.
    Something in her face seemed to ratchet up Maestro's anxiety, and he moved toward her and put a hand on her arm. “Please You don't need to go.”
    “Believe me. I do. But...” She looked pointedly at Elena, who was looking down her long nose at Annasophia and frowning. “I would like to say goodbye to, um, Wilhelm. Privately.”
    Elena shrugged and moved toward the bar. She took a seat and angled herself so that while, technically, she faced the bar, she could still watch Annasophia and Maestro out of the corner of her eye.
    Annasophia sighed, then bit her lower lip. It would have to be good enough.
    Maestro took her hands. Oh, how she wanted to kiss him. Just looking up at him, meeting his tender gaze, made her want to