"Now you look like you're ready for an evening with the big boys instead of a Madonna concert."
"Can you come live with me and dress me every day?" she asks coyly.
"I think Mike might have something to say about that."
"Fuck him." she laughs.
"I wish." I reply automatically. Instantly, I regret my flipness as Danna just smiles. The best thing to do here is to just go on as if I hadn't said it, but my racing heart fuels my fear at having been discovered.
"Well. Let�s head downstairs." I finally manage to say. We head towards the rear stairs, pausing at the windows to watch the dancers in their evening class.
"I always wanted to take ballet." Danna says wistfully as strains of Mozart drift throughout the floor.
"Why didn't you?"
"We were too poor to afford lessons. You danced didn't you?"
"Yeah, almost five years."
"Did you like it?"
As we watch the young men and women paired off together, their bodies mingling in intricate patterns, sharing the music, their sweat, their strength, I can think of no other way for two individuals to be closer other than sex. Somehow, the passion of it all tangles my words and I find myself unable to truly express it.
"I loved it."
We watch for a while longer, Danna's warm hand on my shoulder, her wide eyes recording every move from every boy and girl.
* * * * *
The huge reception area of Harnick, James, Goldberg & Dean is filled with partners, attorneys, wives and girlfriends all enjoying three different kinds of cheap wine and a buffet set up on the huge reception desk. A jazz trio plays softly in a corner of the lobby and though it may seem like a luxurious expense, the flutist is actually Harnick's younger brother and the cheap bastard actually gets them to play for free. Others are scattered throughout the wide hallways, meeting rooms and even the occasional office. I pour Danna a glass of wine and hand it to her. We move to the buffet and as I'm forking myself a cocktail weenie, the girl next to me does the same. I recognize her immediately.
"You must be the future Mrs. Dean." I offer my hand.
"Yes, how did you know?" she says as she shakes it.
"Kerry talks about you all the time. I'm Grayce Connors."
Sometimes I amaze myself with my own slickness.
"Heather Hughes, soon to be Dean." she laughs. I notice that she's had her roots done�
We make all kinds of small talk about everything including her wedding plans. Suddenly I notice that time has totally escaped me and Danna has disappeared. I excuse myself and wander around looking for her when I notice Mike slipping out onto the balcony, nodding his head for me to join him. As I get there he's unwrapping his cigar and Kerry is also there just starting a Montecristo of his own. I pull mine out of my pocket and begin to unwrap it as well.
"Hey buddy, where you been?" Mike asks.
"I've been flirting with your fianc�e Kerry. I think she wants me bad."
Kerry roars with laughter, slapping me on the back. "You're O.K. kid, you're O.K. Berghoffs' was great man, thanks for the tip. I'm gonna let you be my guide from now on."
"It would be my pleasure." I reply pulling my cutter from my pocket. Mike hands me his cigar for me to cut for him.
"Where's the cutter I gave you that went with the lighter? Did you lose it?"
"It's not lost, um� It�s just misplaced."
"Misplaced my ass. Anytime you "misplace" anything you may as well kiss it goodbye." I reply as Kerry pulls a box of cigar matches from his pocket. A momentary lull from the spring wind gusts gives him the chance to light us up. We hang out for a bit, talking about cigars and other assorted guy topics and enjoying the mild evening winds.
"Hey guys, I got a little something in my office that would be perfect right now." Kerry says laying his cigar in the ashtray for safekeeping.
"A hot little redhead about two and a half feet tall maybe?" Mike retorts.
"Shiiiit. I wish." Kerry laughs, leaving Mike and I alone on the balcony together.
"You're a pig Mike." I say laughing. "Where do you suppose Danna could be?"
