Smooth Jazz Ch. 05

"I'm gonna go to the restroom, stay away from my woman. I'll fight you old man," Connor warned playfully and left out the room.

"You know, I'm really glad you're here." Dave smiled at her warmly and took her hand.

"Thank-you for having me, I have to admit I was nervous. Connor means a lot to me Dave, I feel like I can tell you that."

"He better be treating you right." Jazz laughed

"Connors a sweetheart, he's so kind, and just such a gentlemen. You raised an awesome son." She gave his hand a squeezed and he squeezed back.

"Well I'm glad; it wasn't easy on my own, little brat." He said but with so much endearment in his tone Jazz smiled.

"I hope you don't mine me saying but Connor told me about his mother, I'm so sorry for your loss." He smiled at her sincerity; he could tell she was genuine.

"Your fine, his mother meant the world to me and I can tell Connor means a lot to you. But you're holding back, why?" Jazz was going to deny, protest and refuse the claim, but one look in those jade green eyes, that were the same color but different then Connor's, and she gave in to the truth.

They were so wise and knowing, and so warm with understanding and love for Connor.

"Yes, it's just I'm scared," Jazz tried to find the words.

"Long story short, I thought I loved someone before, but I didn't. It wasn't right, and this time I feel like it's real but if Connor goes back I don't-"

"It's gonna be okay," he wiped under her watery eyes.

"It'll work out, but you have to talk to Connor about it. I know he can be a little stubborn, but I can tell he cares about you very much."

"I know, it's just hard," She sniffled.

"Look at me, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. This is probably not the best first impression." Jazz laughed.

"Anybody who can put a smile on my son's face like that doesn't need to impress me. I'm already impressed. I'm just glad I have a beautiful face to go along with the light that has come into my son's life. He's been through a lot and I feel in my heart you're here to lead him on a better path."

"Listen to your heart, good or bad it'll always lead you in the direction you're destined to go. I've haven't always listened to mine, and its put me in some pretty tough spots." Dave wanted so bad to follow his own advice but could not. He didn't want to hurt his son. He knew he was wrong.

He let go of her hand and Connor came back in and eyed them both suspiciously. Maybe they had a heart to heart, which knowing his dad wasn't farfetched. His dad had a knack for making people open up.

"What's going on in here?" Connor smiled, still happy that they were getting along so well.

"Nothing, just going to get some pictures and show her what a fat baby you were," His dad got up and moved towards the photo album in the living room.

"Oh damn, it's time to go Jazz." Connor grabbed her arm and she wiggled loose.

"I love chubby babies!" She laughed and his father went to go get the pictures right away.

*

JAZZ EVENTUALLY SAID HER GOODBYES AND HAD LEFT HOURS EARLIER. Her kids were already out of school and she already had three lessons lined up. Connor had spent the last few hours helping his dad finish off the crab legs and then clean up.

"So what did you and Jazz talk about?" Connor asked his dad as they sat on the couch watching TV.

"She's very special. She's everything you said she was and more." His Dad said a faraway look in his eyes, ever since Jazz left his dad had been acting strange.

"I'm glad you finally brought her by, and I just talked to her. I could tell she was nervous and was holding back, just like you."

"Thanks for talking to her dad. I'm trying to get her to open up more."

"And what about you," his dad laughed. "You got your walls up too."

"True. I haven't told her why I'm on leave yet."

"Connor,"

"I know dad, I know I should tell her. I just don't want to scare her off." Connor spoke honestly.

"Connor this is my first time meeting her and I know she's not that kind of girl. Talk to her son. She's genuine. I can tell. Hm," his dad looked at his watch.

"Isn't it time you be going?" His father started to get nervous, he still needed to change. He wasn't nearly ready.

"Kicking me out so soon," Connor laughed but was a little suspicious. What was his dad hiding?

"No, I just didn't think you'd want to hang around me all day." His dad laughed nervously again, and then yawned.

"I'm getting tired anyway. It's getting late."

"Dad, come on now, what's really going on?" Connor stared at him and Dave pulled at his collar, something they both did when they were nervous. They both broke the stare down when a knock sounded at the door. Dave whistled as if he didn't hear it.

"Are you expecting someone Dad," Connor asked and he didn't receive an answer. The knock sounded again and this time Connor rose to get the door.

"Connor wait," Dave called out but he was already opening it.

"Hi, you must be Connor!" Connor looked as he open the door to a pretty middle aged brunette with a short bob, a nice black dress, high heels, and warm gray eyes to go with it.

"Yes I am, are you here for-"

"Me," his dad came to the door and invited the pretty woman in as Connor still looked on in confusion.

"Natalie, this is my son Connor. Connor this is Natalie...my girlfriend."

*

"SO WAS HE GOOD?" Mrs. Walker rubbed her grandson's head. She was one of the mothers Jazz was working with from the inner city. John was her first student she was working towards getting sponsored.

She knew he would be much better, if he could log more hours on the piano. Yet time, transportation and cost for contest and recitals were an issue.

"Yes Mrs. Walker, he's improving day by day." Jazz smiled down at him.

"I think this program would be great for him. Then he can start entering competitions."

"You think he's that good?" She asked hopeful. Jazz knew she wanted so much more for John. Jazz and his grandmother were the only two role models he had in his life.

John's dad was locked up and his mother was out running the streets. Before Jazz had taken him on as a student a couple of years ago, he was acting out in school and not focused at all.

Now John was totally turned around. He had finally found something that he could feel good about. He had found a purpose, something that made him feel that he had worth. Ms. Jazz was cool, and would always be patient and kind with him.

He secretly wished that she was his mother, she always smelled so good, and always had snacks for him, sometimes even homemade. At ten years old his mother had yet to show up as anything in his life but a by passer.

His grandmother was his primary guardian. She had raised him since a baby. Jazz admired her so much. She looked strong and wise. She was a beautiful woman. Her chocolate skin aged beautifully. She wore her gray hair with pride and she walked in strides.

"I know he is. He's amazing. So much so," Jazz grabbed his hand.

"That I'm going to have him perform with me at the next school recital, they want me back this year for their orchestra concert. I just don't think I can do it alone. Plus, some of the people I told you guys about from the banquet will be there."

John's eyes glowed with excitement but he didn't want to get his hopes up and played it cool.

"That'll be straight," he said and Jazz saw right through him but let him keep his "cool card."

"Jazz, I don't know what to say, thank you so much. For everything, we'll be there." His grandmother embraced Jazz and kissed her on the cheeks.

"Will William be there too? I don't mean to pry but are you and William still together or-"

"Me and William are divorced now. Or at least were getting there, thank god." Jazz interrupted her and was shocked at how easy that was for her.

She had been hiding it for quite some time. She was tired of doing that, tired of giving it any more of her thought, time and or energy. She had moved on and was ready to live her life with Con-she stopped herself, maybe she was getting a little too carried away.

"Good riddance." John said. He never liked William, especially the way he would treat Ms. Jazz. He was always rude and made little comments but in a under handed way, that just because he was a kid didn't mean he didn't understand.

"Good chile, I was never fond of him anyway," Mrs. Walker agreed with John.

"Neither was I." Jazz said and they laughed and she realized it was the damn truth.

*

JAZZ FELT SO GOOD AS SHE FINISHED CLEANING UP THE PLACE. Mrs. Walker and John ended up staying for dinner since he was her last lesson of the day. She went into her office to put away the check Mrs. Walker had insisted on giving her.

Jazz open the drawer and the smile fell from her face. A bunch of photos fell out and on the floor. They were all photos of Jazz. There were photos of her and Connor. Each place they had went every coffee shop, lunch spot, movie, dinner, even their first date. Jazz felt her heart rate accelerate. How had they gotten there?

She bent down on the floor and picked up a pink piece of paper that stood out to her.

To my sweet honey,

I've been thinking about you ever since that night in the alley. I can't wait to get my hands on you. I stopped by darling but you weren't home. I figured you were with that bastard that's always hanging around. I hope you're not trying to make me jealous honey, well it worked. I want you alone and waiting for me. Till we meet again my sweet heart.

XOXOXO

Jazz let the paper fall to the floor, as her hands were still shaking. He had been here. Her attacker, in her home, but that couldn't be. How did he know?

Jazz went to grab her phone to call the police immediately, but as she turned around and saw a face in the window, she screamed, dropped her phone, fearing it was already too late.