Clattering Sparrows (26 page)

35

TWO MONTHS AFTER JUDY’S death, Jon and I arrived in Manhattan to take in a few shows, to dine at a few of our favorite restaurants, and to simply unwind. The past several weeks had been extremely challenging to both of us. I loved the excitement of the Big Apple, and all it had to offer since childhood. As a last resort, Jon hoped the trip would help ease the pain of losing Judy. Our many gatherings with my mother’s family in Brooklyn often included going into the City, and those outings had been a special treat then, as were the memories of them now.

We stayed at The Plaza so we could be close to Central Park, and for the next few days, we set out to relax and allow our spontaneous getaway to begin the healing process. We had no set plans to attend the theatre and no advance dining reservations. Although the main reason for our trip was to clear our thoughts of the past weeks, at Jon’s suggestion, I brought along the business card that Ira had given me, and we made plans to get in touch with Daniel Heller.

The building that housed the corporate offices of Heller Pharmaceuticals was located on Fifth Avenue a few short blocks from the hotel. Our meeting was scheduled for noon. We were ushered down the hall to a beautifully appointed conference room and upon entering we could see that a table had been set for lunch.

Moments later, I turned as a young man walked into the room and said, “Good afternoon. I’m Danny Heller. Thank you for coming.”

As I stared into the face of Tony Russo, I put my hand on Jon’s arm to steady myself. It hadn’t been an illusion after all. The man I saw at the back of the chapel as we were leaving the funeral home was indeed real and standing before me. The one difference in the mirror image was a deep dimple in his right cheek just like Judy’s. Even Jon had to agree with me. The resemblance was uncanny even after all these years.

Over lunch we learned of the sequence of commonplace happenings on a long ago August night that changed the course of so many lives forever.

When Danny learned that his friend Ira’s wife was his biological mother, he decided that he could no longer put off the inevitable. He began to realize that although Natalie Parker’s dilemma had driven her to make godlike decisions, in her mind she felt she was doing the right thing. He no longer viewed her as a monster. He loved Jack and Katherine with all his heart, and no one could have asked for better parents, or the life he now led because of them.

At first he was disappointed that Katherine had hired the investigator without confiding in him, but remembering his initial outrage after leaving Carter’s office, he understood that she didn’t want him to feel slighted when she was merely following a mother’s heartfelt desire in seeking information about her biological son’s remains.

His trip to Maryland to meet with Dr. Rubin turned into a long overdue meeting with Judy as well, and with Ira by her side, she learned that her son had not died that August night, but was alive and quite well and lived less than 300 miles away. He was married, had a son, and was expecting another child in a few months.

She was startled to learn that Ira had been doing business with him for years, and that on one occasion long ago, had she not been attending a school meeting, would have joined them for dinner.

Just days after his visit, Judy was readmitted to Suburban Hospital where she died at week’s end.

Danny blamed himself for not seeking his birth mother sooner and Judy’s death so soon after he found her, evoked persistent feelings of guilt and remorse.

He chided himself for not acting responsibly when Charles Carter revealed Dr. Parker’s misplaced acts of faith.

He looked to me for salvation. At long last and with Katherine’s blessing, he wanted to know everything and anything about Judy Levine Singer and Anthony Marc Russo.

Judy’s last words to me, “Call me tomorrow. I’ve got something incredibly wonderful to tell you.” had certainly proven to be true. When she hung up the phone, she told Ira that she wanted me to meet Danny. Her death the very next day prompted him to give me Danny’s card. Their meeting had been all too brief, and she knew that only I could fill in all the gaps.

We spent the afternoon with Danny, and getting to know him was yet another blessing that Judy brought into our lives. He graciously invited us to dinner at their beautiful home on Long Island Sound, and we spent a wonderful evening getting to know Nicole and Jack, as well. Knowing that fate is sometimes cruel, I couldn’t help thinking that in this instance, it unquestionably was. I found it heartbreaking that Judy only briefly met Danny, and tragically didn’t live to see or get to know his wonderful family.

In August Nicole gave birth to a baby girl. At her suggestion, they named their new daughter Judith.

***

Several weeks later, Jon and I were invited to attend a lecture in Waltham, Massachusetts. As we stood awaiting the elevator in a building on the campus of Brandeis University, I noticed a plaque on the wall that read,
“Tread gently into the future for we are never without our past.”

Immediately, I recalled that on our trip to San Francisco so many years before when we dined at the Golden Palace, and later found the Magic Paintbrush Gallery, as well as our dear friends An Lei and Su Ling, my fortune cookie at dinner had read,
“We are never without our past.”

At the time I had no way of knowing how significant those words would become, or how accurate they would prove to be. The small piece of paper with its adage printed in red still rests in my jewelry box to this very day.

36

OVER THE SUMMER MY Dad came to spend some time with us on the Cape. He was amazing. Although he was almost ninety, his appearance belied it. He still had all his faculties about him, including his wonderful sense of humor, and walked at least a mile every day. He read the newspaper and kept up with current events daily. He corresponded with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren frequently by e-mail or phone, including his new cell phone. He never left home without it! It was sad that so many of his friends in Florida had passed away, but he still had his one good friend Don, his golf buddy, and they frequently took in dinner and a movie, as well as their games of golf when weather permitted.

During his stay, we talked at length about Judy, and he knew I missed her terribly. It was during his visit that I told him I was contemplating writing a novel about our friendship. When Jon and I were married, and we embarked on our journey in life, I wrote my parents a letter expressing my gratitude for their guidance and support in raising me. I told them that above all, they taught me that in pursuing my dreams and expectations that the one quality they had instilled in me was to always have compassion for others. My Dad told me that he still had that letter, and that he had cried when he read it.

He knew that writing a novel had always been my dream since my early days in journalism, and thought it would be a good way for me to release the past and ease the persistent ache in my heart. In addition, he felt that my compassion would be the key in portraying Judy’s true spirit. Jon enthusiastically agreed.

I decided to write my novel as a work of fiction mainly to protect the privacy of the many prominent people involved. One morning a couple of weeks after my Dad returned to Florida, I awoke and armed with a fresh brewed pot of coffee sat down at my computer, and began to chronicle my journey back in time.

It was extremely therapeutic for me, and with each page the healing process grew stronger. There was no research to be done, no characters to develop, and certainly no events to devise. Although the public would read my novel as a work of fiction, in conclusion, every word correlated our journey exactly as it happened. Only the names were different.

***

It took me just a little over six months to finish
Clattering Sparrows
, which explores the depth and breadth of our love and friendship, beginning at the age of five, when Judy and I became best friends. Our families moved into adjoining row houses in northeast Washington, D.C. in the spring of 1941, just months before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Although our friendship is the main theme of the book, The Fabulous Five, An Lei, Su Ling, and the delightful game of Mah Jongg detailed our journey, as day after day I sat at my computer, and my genuine and heartfelt words filled page after page after page.

We shared secrets as children, shared dreams as adults, and as I neared completion of my novel, sharing our life’s journey allowed me to begin to let go. I knew that physically she was gone, but in my heart and mind she was eternal. No one could take away the memories of my dear friend—Judith Levine Singer.

Throughout my months of writing, Jon was my biggest critic, reading each chapter as I wrote it. I took his suggestions and constructive criticism seriously. At last after many additions, corrections, and deletions, but quite pleased with the finished product, I embarked on the long hard road to publish
Clattering Sparrows
.

The dedication page reads simply: To Judy—I promise I won’t forget to bring the Set!

Epilogue
Cape Cod, Massachusetts—2010

SARA SAT ON THE deck overlooking Nantucket Sound, once again reading over the movie contract that she had been offered for
Clattering Sparrows
. Jon had made some notes that he wanted her to consider before their final meeting with the production company the following week.

Gina Alexandra was so taken with the book, that she approached her old friend Leo Gold who directed her in
Ghosts of our Past,
to see if he had an interest in bringing it to the big screen.
As captivated by the storyline as Gina, he jumped at the chance with the promise that Gina would play herself in the film. With no unforeseen delays, the movie due to be shot on location, whenever possible, is anticipated to be in theatres by the end of 2012.

A lot has transpired in the years since Judy’s death, the novel’s ultimate publication, and the pending movie offer.

America’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is ongoing; Americans are struggling through the worst economy since the Great Depression—the figures on home foreclosures and unemployment are staggering; many corporate giants have disappeared from the financial landscape, but as always there is optimism and hope for the future. We have elected our first black President.

Both Ely Miller and Leon Franklin have passed away, but the legacies they left are priceless, and will continue to live on through future generations. Franklin Farms Creamery continues to thrive and expand, and produces no-fat, low-fat, and low-carb ice cream, as well as frozen yogurt, to keep up with public demand for new trends.

Katherine Heller learned that her biological son’s remains rested in the Russo family plot at the Cemetery of the Sacred Heart on Long Island, and one bright sunny afternoon, Danny and Nicole accompanied her to place flowers on his grave.

From time to time when she feels the need, she continues to return alone. On one such occasion, she passed a woman leaving the cemetery who looked vaguely familiar. As she approached the Russo family plot, she saw fresh flowers on Tony’s grave. She realized then that the woman she had seen was Irina.

Ira Singer retired and moved to Florida, but traveled extensively in between visits with his children and grandchildren. On one of his cruises, he met a widow who just happened to reside in the same condominium community in one of the neighboring villages. After enjoying one another’s company for over a year, they are planning to be married with the blessings of their children.

Over sixty-five years have passed since the summer Judy and Sara became friends, but to Sara it seems like only yesterday. Whenever she wishes to go back in time, all she has to do is open the cover of a copy of
Clattering Sparrows
and begin reading:

My earliest recollections are of moving into our house on Oates, but more importantly one month later of Judy Levine moving into the house right next door.

1936—Chinese Year of the Rat (SHU)

Jenny, Judy, Sara, Billy, Tony, and Su Ling—were all born in 1936.

Being born a Rat is nothing to be ashamed of. In China, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. It is deemed an honor to be born in the Year of the Rat and it is considered a privilege to be associated with a Rat. Rats know exactly where to find solutions and can take care of themselves and others without problems. They use their instinctive sense of observation to help others in times of need and are among the most fit of all the animal signs to survive most any situation.

Being born under this sign determines many talents, as well as other characteristics. They are very lively and active and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Rats are blessed with one of the best intellects going, and when you add to their intelligence a curiosity and a bright imagination, they are as sharp as a needle.

The sign of the Rat is the first sign in the cycle giving Rat people great leadership qualities making them good at taking the lead. They don’t mind responsibility and they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect. For those with this sign’s nature, status and monetary satisfaction are the utmost motivations.

The Chinese say that others should always listen to the advice of the Rat. Because of their intellect and observatory powers, Rat people possess prudence and perception. They can anticipate problems, and are always able to see the big picture. They can hone in on issues at hand and make measurable judgments. These skills, combined with their sense of aspiration also make them clever operators. Status, money, title, and recognition are important to the Rat. They have keen senses of observation that allow them to foresee business opportunities as well as potential occupational problems. The Rat makes a better boss than an employee and works better in flexible situations where one can be freely creative.

Cunning and thrifty, Rats have a knack with money and are apt to save for rainy days. The Rat is a great money saver, and in strapped times knows how to make something out of nothing or how to turn things and make them advantageous for him/herself. Few Rats suffer financially.

Those born in the Year of the Rat also share the same goals and objectives in life. Rats make excellent
writers, broadcasters, actors, advisors, counselors, teachers, lawyers, politicians, engineers, managers, musicians, historians, and race car drivers.

Generally friendly, sociable, and outgoing, it is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends. They are great speakers and intriguing conversationalists, and generally find something to say on just about any topic or subject. Of course, there is always that renowned Rat lure that allows them to charm the pants off of people! To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular, and supportive, and will go out of their way to be certain their loved ones are content.

Rat parents are dedicated to their children.