Ketchup Popsicle - 25

Sandra smiled politely, "Sure. Let me just collect my mother-in-law."
Mr. Klein’s eyes dropped to her left hand where there was no wedding ring to be found. Feeling self conscious, she tucked her arm into Bobby’s who was now standing at her side.

Mr. Klein seemed to make a quick assessment of the situation, glancing over at Mr. Neason and Marta, then back at Bobby and Sandra, and gave a little chuckle. "Tight group." He said. "Well, let’s all get some Champaign together then." He said linking into Sandra’s other arm, clearly undefeated.

At the lobby bar the three of them, after a few glasses of bubbly, became like old friends laughing at Mr. Klein’s stories of his intrigues with the many diva dancers of the ballet.

"All these beautiful little dancers….they’re so nimble and ladylike; I can’t help myself when I’m back stage. I can’t tell you how many husbands I’ve had banging on dressing room doors. The best part though is that their husbands are dancers too, not very intimidating men."

"I knew you were a womanizer from the moment I met you." Sandra said, surprising herself a little with her honesty. The alcohol was giving her a courage and comfort she wasn’t accustomed to.

Mr. Klein raised his glass, "Cheers to that" he said and they all drank.

Looking around the lobby Sandra noticed the intricate detailing of the murals and molding around the ceiling. She wondered how many people came through this amazing lobby without noticing the exquisite artistry above. It was as though the ceiling had been removed and heaven was visible to the plain eye. Clouds, cupids and powder white women lounged and posed in eternal painted bliss.

Marta, Mr. Neason and Mr. Smith joined them at the bar. The tone of the conversation turned to the ballet.

"The show is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for having me here tonight." Marta said, not to Sandra but to Mr. Neason with a smile that was genuine and very girlish for a woman of her age.

Mr. Neason bowed his head slightly in such a gentlemanly manner that it reminded Sandra of a Shakespearian play.

Flickering lights indicated that it was round two. Sandra noticed Mr. Klein staying behind at the bar as they all walked toward the stairs. She was going to go back to collect him until she noticed that he was staring directly at a woman wearing a tight black bosom bearing dress sitting across the bar from where they had been. She realized that he had glanced over her shoulder in that directions many times and now she knew what he had been looking at. Mr. Klein rose and walked toward the woman as the rest of the group shuffled back to their seats.

Bobby took Sandra’s hand as they took the narrow stairs to the balcony and pulled her back slightly to wade in the darkness just inside the stairwell as the lights dimmed. "Sandy, I’m glad you came tonight. At first I didn’t want to see you, but I’m glad I came too."
Sandra tried not to be hurt by his words and stayed silent waiting for him to elaborate.
"Jennifer couldn’t shut up about you on our vacation; she was like a crazy person. Crazy with jealousy. It was unbearable." He looked down at the floor, "That’s why I came back early. It was a miserable time."
"So what’s going to happen now?" Sandra asked.
"I don’t know. She’s still there. She said she was going to enjoy the vacation with or without me." He sighed. "She wants me to get my father to fire you."
"Fire me?" Sandra laughed nervously.

"She’s threatened by you. She wants you far away from me."
"Well, I’m no threat. I’m just…me." Sandra said.
"Yes, well that’s the problem." Bobby said. "You are beautiful and you have been carrying around my heart for all these years."
Sandra blushed slightly at his admission. The alcohol must have given him the courage to say whatever was on his mind too. "Do you want it back?" She asked.
Bobby smiled and brought her hands to his mouth brushing his lips across her fingertips and then folding her hands onto his chest. "No. Just hold onto it for me will you?"

Marta appeared at the top of the stairs just as they began to make their way again to the balcony. "I thought you two got lost," She said.
"Nope. Present and accounted for." Bobby said escorting her back to her seat beside Mr. Neason.
Marta was charmed by Bobby but still gave Sandra a look that shook her awake. It was a look that said, "Don’t forget who you have waiting for you at home." And Sandra heard the message loud and clear.
Sandra and Marta left the ballet that night like Cinderella running from the ball at midnight after thanking Mr. Neason for his hospitality of course. Sandra said good-bye and nothing more to Bobby forcing herself not to look back as she walked away from him and into the night.