Twenty two
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Until now Tanya could only guess at the age of the home. The floor of the room was a pattern of honey maple and mahogany. The home was at least fifty years old and impeccably maintained. Sam saw Tanya look at the expanse of floor space.“ The people who built the place loved to square dance. It is a party room made just for dancing,” Sam said, leading them into the next room through one of the two sets of french doors. Two long tables with white table cloths held a variety of fair from caviar to bar-b-cue. Sam introduced Eddie as one of the new partners at Melling and Associates. Tanya, his wife, was in the second oldest profession, education. Handshakes came with nods, laughter and smiles of approval. Eddie plucked a shrimp cocktail from a bowl of crushed ice. The appetizer was immediately replaced by an attendant in white chef’ s coat and pants. Tanya took Sam aside.“ How did you do all this on short notice?” Tanya asked. Eddie listened.“ Cash. The band was supposed to play elsewhere. I saw them on Austin City Limits and had to have them. They canceled after I doubled their previous offer. But don’ t worry John will cover it with his winnings or I will justify it with his losses. Either way, I win,” Sam laughed, and went to greet other arrivals. Tanya and Eddie mingled while the band took a break.
People began to arrive in a steady stream and Sam ended the formal introductions. Eddie and Tanya took seats at one of the small tables in the dance hall before they all filled. The bass fiddle was moved front and center. Microphones were set near the bass and the piano. The olive skinned girl who had been plucking the thick strings of the bass added her rich mellow voice. Back up vocals were provided by the pianist. The gathering became silent and the band was encouraged to continue with rounds of applause. This appreciative crowd was being treated to a most intimate concert.
A couple started to dance and were quickly joined by others. The band turned it up a notch and the whole room was moving to the sound. Sam was dancing with everyone who asked. Tanya danced with a few men throughout the evening, but saved most for Eddie. It was close to midnight when trays of champagne moved through the crowd and were quickly emptied. The band stopped.“ Who are you going to kiss at midnight?” Tanya asked Sam who had just finished dancing with Eddie.“ Anyone I want. It’ s my party. I thought I would start with you and your husband. If you don’ t mind,” she said, with slightly slurred speech. The count down began. The new year was toasted. Tanya kissed Eddie as Sam waited patiently. Sam kissed Eddie and then Tanya. Tanya tasted the champagne Sam had been drinking all night. Sam moved on to collect kisses from other guests.
Tanya might have been upset with the way Sam kissed Eddie if she had not kissed Tanya in a similar manner. Tanya chalked it off to Sam’ s friendly nature and a little too much bubbly. The band played for another hour. Sam pulled Tanya to the dance floor as Eddie observed and sipped his wine. Two uniformed officers attended the valet parking. Tanya was glad she had accepted the limo ride. Before keys were returned to the drivers they had to submit to a breathalyzer. A few automobiles would be waiting for their owners in the morning. Eddie and Tanya had to share their limo with one such couple. The man complained that it was only a couple of miles home.“ You can walk or ride in style. But you can’ t drive because I have a wife and three lovely children to support and I would be the one in trouble if I handed you the keys,” the cop stated and held the door open for the couple. The gentleman’ s rant only lasted the few minutes it took to reach his home. Eddie and Tanya had the huge back seat to themselves. They snuggled and drank more champagne. Eddie wrinkled the dress and her pantyhose were bunched up in his coat pocket as the car swung into their driveway. They gathered themselves as they heard the drivers door open and shut.
The chauffeur waited for Eddie to open the door before assisting Tanya from the vehicle. Heading upstairs, they planned to finish what they had started on the ride home. Tanya began to laugh as she headed down the stairs the next morning. One of her shoes sat on the floor in the entryway next to one of Eddie’ s shoes. The tuxedo seemed to be scattered everywhere. Eddie’ s pants hung askew on the newel post at the bottom of the stairs. The other pair of mismatched shoes were halfway up the staircase. One of his socks was discovered the next day, by Nicole, inside the wall sconce on the landing. Nicole thought the bulb had burned out. When she reached inside the metal fixture, she felt something warm and soft. Her scream brought her parents on the double. Eddie fished the sock from the fixture. Nicole’ s immediate response was to blame her brother for scaring her.