Cary was pleased
with himself. The meeting had exceeded his expectations, with all of his goals
accomplished. He strode the plush carpeted hallway toward the elevators with a
springy step. If his mind were not engaged in euphoric recollection of recent
events he might easily be whistling while he walked. As it was, he almost
collided with a woman who was waiting for the elevator.
“I beg your pardon,” he offered. “I wasn’t looking where I
was going.” She looked at him appraisingly,
with a faintly amused expression and replied, “No harm done.”
He’d been happily
distracted before, and the sight of her did nothing to diminish his cheerful
state of mind. Above medium height, with a complexion many describe as peaches
and cream, and wearing a simple, long sleeved princess style, just at the knee,
black wool dress. Her elegant demeanor was enhanced by the plain leather
handbag and her medium heel black court shoes - and above all, the three rows
of pearls at her neck.
Now Cary, in the
eyes of connoisseurs, would not be described as shabby. Tall, dark, and
handsome is a universal hallmark of manly acceptability - and these attributes Cary
possessed in abundance. Decked out as he was in a charcoal gray, pinstriped
suit, black tasseled loafers, a brilliantly white Hathaway French cuffed shirt,
Wedgwood cufflinks and a gray and maroon paisley tie - he was doing nothing at
all to counteract his physical magnetism.
Benjamin Franklin may have been jolted into discovering
electricity - but it was more like a trickle charge at this chance encounter. A
palpable current of energy flowed between them; they both felt it - and neither
was inclined to turn off the switch. He glanced at the elevator indicator,
noticing that it glowed in the ‘down’ position, while acutely aware of her
subtle perfume and congratulating himself that they would be sharing the ride
down.
Moments later, by mutual agreement, they were seated at a
secluded table in the refined salon of the Edgemont hotel. They raised their Kir
Royales and gently clinked glasses - while gazing steadily into each others
eyes.
“This was not a chance encounter, Laura - you know that,
don’t you?”
“I’m convinced you’re right,” she said, and smiled warmly.
Her faultless white teeth against full lips, and her sensuous voice pitched low
- Cary was sure he had never seen anyone as beautiful, and couldn’t believe
that she was sharing her time with him - if only for a short while.
Their gently bantering conversation slowed as the hour
passed and their shared attraction enshrouded them in a cloak of intimacy.
Profoundly aware of each others presence, eyes unwilling to let go, both
knowing they didn’t want the afternoon to end - and infinitely sad that it
might.
I can’t let that happen thought Cary.
This has been such a wonderful day, I must risk it and ask her to have dinner
with me tonight. His mood brightened - some of the former exhilaration
recaptured, he said, “I need to know you better, Laura. I was instantly attracted
to you. I adore the way you look, the way you dress, and the way you talk. I
can’t accept that I may never see you again. Will you have dinner with me
tonight?”
“I’m so happy you asked, Cary.
I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. I’m staying at the hotel and they have
a superb dining room, if that’s alright with you?’
“It couldn’t be better. I love this hotel, and dining here
is a pleasure. It’s a reminder of a time when elegance was the norm - and it
suits you so very well. Pearls and the Edgemont belong to each other - just as pearls
and you were meant for each other.” He gazed at her with obvious admiration,
and said, “I can’t imagine you without pearls, Laura. You should always wear
them. Promise me you’ll wear them tonight?”
Arranging to meet at eight, they reluctantly parted,
lingering over their good-byes and sharing a growing intimacy. She watched him
emerge from the revolving door onto the sidewalk briefcase in hand, where he
spoke a few words to the doorman before turning to look back through the glass
but failing to catch a glimpse of her.
Just before eight, Cary
reentered the Edgemont and made his way to the house phones and called her
room. She answered hesitantly, and said that “…she hoped he wouldn’t be
offended, but she had cancelled the reservation for the dining room, thinking
they would enjoy dinner in her suite.”
He assured her that he couldn’t be more pleased; and she told him to
come on up “…the door will be unlocked.”
He knocked gently on her door, and she called out for him to
‘come on in.’ It was an exquisitely decorated and tastefully furnished living
room, but Laura was nowhere to be seen. A table for two, draped in white linen
and with crystal candleholders, was positioned in front of a softly glowing
fireplace. Her voice wafted through an open door - “I’ll only be a moment;
please make yourself comfortable, Cary.”
He strolled around the room, noting that the paintings were
originals - and recognizable. The grand piano supported a collection of
photographs in silver frames, and the bric-a-brac scattered around the room
brought him to the realization that this was more than a rented suite - this
was where she lived.
Eddie Duchins’ sophisticated piano styling of "Fool’s
Rush In," was playing in the background, and the roses which he'd sent
were prominently displayed in a crystal vase on the piano.
She spoke from behind him, with a slight tremor in her
voice. “I’m so very pleased you could come, Cary.”
He turned toward her with a smile on his lips, and uttered a gasp of surprise.
Holding two flutes of champagne, her ash brown her hair upswept; he thought he
had never seen anyone so ravishing. She was wearing the pearls…only the pearls!
