| 33. Dancing 7:48 pm A small orchestra and a few singers were on the stage of the dance floor at the Pearl playing �At Last� by Etta James. Meg couldn�t be happier, in Paul�s arms, her father talking to an old friend he�d caught up with. Dancing with Paul was undoubtedly the perfect ending to a perfect end to a perfect evening. He looked great, too, as she hardly ever saw him in anything other than jeans and a shirt. But tonight, in black slacks and a navy blue shirt and black satin tie, he looked especially gorgeous. �At last my love has come along,� they sang softly. �And not a moment too soon, eh?� she whispered. �There you go, being Canadian again,� he joked mournfully. She laughed. �Don�t start on me now, Paulie.� He grinned. �So sorry.� �No you�re not!� He laughed. �Nope.� She laughed. �Too bad you�re so mean; I might like you.� He pouted, sticking out his lower lip. �Okay I�ll forgive ya.� �Good,� he said, satisfied. �May I cut in?� a voice asked. Meg looked up at her father. �You mind, Paul?� �Of course not!� Paul stepped aside as her father began dancing with his daughter. �Are you having a good evening, Meghan?� �Of course I am. How�d you hear about this place?� �Ron Parsley, at work, told me about it. I needed a nice place to take Beth for our anniversary in January.� She smiled slightly. �I can�t help but feel bad about the whole thing. I mean, I�m the reason y�all are divorcing.� �No you�re not, Meg. Your mom and I stopped loving each other a long time ago, when she became wrapped up in your singing and I became obsessed with composing. The friendship ended a long time ago. The marriage is the only thing that�s ending now.� He smiled. �It�s not your fault, Honey.� She frowned. �Tell Mom that.� Garrett sighed. �I think you�re better off not listening to anything your mother tells you. The woman is not well, mentally.� �When�s she moving out?� �Well, originally, I was supposed to move out, but after she met Reginald or Raoul or someone at ballet, she wants to move out.� �I�m sorry, Dad.� �Don�t be. I�m glad she�s leaving.� Meg laughed. �You�re incorrigible.� 34. At Last 7:50 pm Paul nervously popped his knuckles and drew in a breath as he walked to the band director. �Good evening, Paul. Think you�ll be ready after this song is over?� �I hope so. Thanks for everything, Rick, I really appreciate it.� �No problem. I love doing stuff like this. I also love having guest musicians.� He smiled. �Good luck, okay?� �Thanks a lot.� Paul sighed and stood by the wall near the orchestra. He rocked back and forth on his heels, thrusting his hands in his pockets. He was grateful that Garrett and Rick were willing to help him out. �And here we are in heaven; for you are mine at last.� The song was over. 35. Action 7:52 pm �How�s it feel to be cancer-free for once?� �Oh, amazing. Physically, I don�t feel different, but I feel like a new person at the same time. Is that weird or what?� �Understandable, at least.� Meg laughed. Suddenly, a familiar song was being played, and a familiar voice began singing. Paul�? |