Pearls

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!