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CHAPTER – 47: An Angel Sings, the Devil Awaits
Ulysses greeted Dana with a smile. “Hello, Dana. What a pleasure to see you.”
Dana made the introductions, and when it was my turn, he said, “I’m terribly sorry for the incident. I hope it didn’t spoil your night,” extending his hand. When we shook hands, it felt like I was holding a dead fish, his grip almost non-existent; I tried to keep my distaste from showing on my face, when I felt him perform the same check—more subtly than Pete had. Then a light bulb went off in my mind, and I knew it had been a ploy, considering what Pete must have told him about me. I tightened my grip a bit more, and he returned it firmly, his lips curling slightly in an apologetic smile, acknowledging what he had done.
“No harm was done. I understand he’s new at the job,” I said.
“Yes, he is, but if he keeps that attitude he might be looking for a job somewhere else,” he said with a grin. “Especially when he offends friends of mine, and their friends.”
“Ah, well. He’s a bit young, and you have guys like Pete, who might show him the ropes.”
“I’m glad you’re being so understanding. It’s difficult to find qualified personnel these days, but... that’s enough about my work problems,” he said. With a polite smile, he changed the subject. “These young ladies definitely need more attention than Jones.”
“Well, Ulysses, how have you been?” asked Dana.
“Same old, same old. You know how it is. How are you doing?”
“Same old, same old. Flying here and there,” she replied in the same fashion with a wry grin.
From the easy way they talked, I surmised they must have had an interesting history.
Then we heard some raised voices, and turned to see what was happening. Pete, Jones, and another bouncer were steering the troublesome group away. The asshole turned towards our table, shaking his fist, but Pete had him in a good grip, and turning him around, walked him toward the door, with the rest of the bouncers escorting the others.
Turning to us Ulysses asked, “Were they the trouble makers?”
Dana answered, “Yeah. At least one of them tried to get physical with me and then with Mitchell.”
“I’m sorry. My guys should have been more careful,” Ulysses said.
“Well, no harm was done, Ulysses. They can’t be everywhere. We understand,” I said.
“Thank you.” Turning his attention to Sarah, he asked, “Another angel in the sky?”
Laughing, Dana said, “This angel is the healing type.”
“Really? Are you a doctor?” he asked to Sarah.
“Yes, but I’m still studying,” Sarah answered.
“You might be able to help me, then,” he said cryptically.
When Sarah raised an eyebrow, he said, “You see, I have a serious heart problem. This beautiful creature,” he pointed to Dana, “keeps breaking my heart.”
“I’m sorry, Ulysses. I’m an orthopedist,” replied Sarah with an apologetic smile.
“My luck, as usual,” he said, raising his hands in resignation, “but I think I might have some broken or cracked bones.”
“I told you he’s a terrible flirt,” Dana quipped.
“You see. Another chip off my weak heart,” Ulysses said to Sarah, getting a giggle in return.
“I think when you stop banging your head against the wall, you won’t have a heart problem,” Dana retorted.
“The idea is appealing. Now that I know a beautiful orthopedist.”
He was incorrigible. Sarah was also taken by his charming flirtation, and suddenly I had a flash of a great idea. I wasn’t sure how Sarah would react, but it was worth a try.
I leaned in, and with a conspiratorial tone suggested to him, “She’s not only a healing angel, but she sings like an angel as well. If you have an acoustic guitar around here, and ask her, maybe we’ll all get to listen to her.”
“No, Mitch. Please,” Sarah objected, coloring up.
Dana was surprised by the revelation, and she asked, “Do you sing?”
Hitting me on the arm, she turned to Dana and said, “A bit. Among friends.”
“Oh, come on now, Sarah. You were even going to quit school to turn professional.”
“You rat! I’m not professional. I just sing among friends,” she said, with a fluster on her face, suddenly getting very shy about her singing.
“Honey, you’re among friends, and I’d love to hear you sing,” Dana said, then directed a questioning look to Ulysses.
“I’m more than intrigued, Miss Morgan. If your voice is as beautiful as you, I wouldn’t want to miss it. It’s not really crowded, tonight, and I doubt anybody would mind live music. You can think of this as your first live tryout in public... if you have aspirations to turn professional. Are you sure you don’t want to give it a try?” Ulysses gently prompted Sarah.
“Come on, Sarah. Please? You know you’re good, and Dana and Ulysses never heard you play and sing. As he said, here’s a great opportunity,” I pleaded.
“It’s not that simple. I’m not sure what kind of music they play here, and what I play and sing may not go well with the crowd,” she tried, but I could see she wasn’t as reluctant as she sounded, perhaps a bit self-conscious finding herself put under a spotlight so suddenly.
“I think that would be easy to figure out. Our DJ knows what bands play what kind of music, and you can discuss a suitable selection with him,” Ulysses said, trying to encourage her.
“One of these days, Mitch, you’re really going to learn about paybacks,” she retorted, with a resigned tone.
“We’ll teach him, honey,” Dana added, “but first, I’d really love to hear you.”
Now that she agreed, Ulysses stood up, and went to Sarah. Taking her hand, he kissed it, and said, “Please allow me the pleasure of escorting you,” receiving an amused giggle from her. Helping her off the stool, he guided her to the DJ to introduce her and make the necessary arrangements.
Dana and I cried, “Break a leg,” after her, and she flashed a quick grin over her shoulder.
We watched Ulysses make the introductions. The DJ’s face lit up when he recognized her from the dance show, and he turned to Ulysses talking in an excited manner, probably telling him about the dance, if Sarah’s shy and embarrassed reaction was an indication. After Ulysses kissed her hand, he moved to the side. We saw the hurried scurrying of one of the bouncers bringing an acoustic guitar, and a stool, while the DJ hooked up two mikes. Then, he and Sarah got into an animated discussion, probably going over a selection of songs.
Dana asked, “Is she good?”
“Oh, yes. You’ll be surprised how good she is. Kathy and she started around the same time as part of their music class in the ninth grade, and Sarah was really gifted. She took private lessons for a year or two, and has kept practicing since then. Last Saturday she did a recital at her place, and even without the mikes and other gimmicks she was great. I wasn’t joking when I said she almost quit college. She is that good.”
“What happened?”
“According to Sarah, Kathy reminded her she should graduate before considering a career in music. It took her some time, but she finally managed to convince Sarah. In her own words, she owes Kathy big time. She realized things might not have worked out, because she was so young, and she remembered she wanted to be a doctor. She knows she could try turning professional anytime after finishing med school.”
“Is that why you insisted?” she asked. “So that she could get a taste of it?”
“Nope, it was payback,” I replied a bit flippantly and Dana slapped my arm, indicating she didn’t believe a word of it. “Yeah. Kind of. Everybody has dreams. I just thought it might be a night she would remember fondly, if nothing else. And after school, it might be easier for her to make up her mind, with the experience she would have here, and not worry too much about whether she should have or not,” I said.
She leaned and kissed my neck, whispering, “She’s lucky to have you.”
“She’s lucky to have you, and Kathy, too. I’m lucky to have both of you. I wouldn’t have thought of doing something like that in a million years.”
Giving me another kiss on my neck, she said, “I think you would have.”
To shut her up, I locked my lips to hers. “You talk too much.”
The music faded away, and we saw Sarah perched on a stool with a mike in front of her, and another one below it for the guitar. The DJ had one soft spotlight illuminating her, and cutting the music out, he quickly announced Sarah, and let her take over. Understandably, Sarah was a bit nervous, as she had never sung in a club like this, but only in school functions and at her friends’ parties. She ran her fingers on the strings experimentally, and did a few quick adjustments. With a hesitant voice, she introduced herself, getting a feel for the mike, and then composing herself started playing and singing.
As I expected, once she started she settled right down, forgetting her nervousness. After the first half a minute or so, it got very quiet, the audience captured by her crystal clear voice. The DJ was smiling, keeping to the rhythm by nodding his head like a drum player. Dana clutched my hand and squeezed it hard, then with a smile she said, “She’s really great.”
“You had doubts... even after what I told you?” I responded with an incredulous tone.
“Well... I... Of course, I be—”
“But she was someone I knew for a long time... a good friend?” I interjected. When she nodded instead of a reply, I realized I carried my joke too far. “I’m sorry, Dana. It was a joke. I didn’t mean it—”
“You WHAT?”
“Sorry!”
“Oh, you! And I was worrying—”
I shushed her with a finger on her lips. “Come on, you’re missing a good song.” She gave me an annoyed look, but settled down, and turned her attention to the stage.
When the first song was over, the audience was quiet, then slowly the clapping started and picked up fast, with a few whistles here and there from several tables. As the clapping died away, there were shouts for more, and with a shy smile, she thanked them and moved into another song, then another, and another. She was on a roll, but while she was singing her fifth song, her voice cracked, and when it happened again, she stopped.
“I’m sorry. I’m a bit nervous, and a bit dry,” she said, then turning to the DJ she asked for a glass of water.
As one of the waitresses was bringing her a drink, somebody from the crowd shouted, “Come on, honey, hurry up. We don’t want to miss that great voice.” This was followed by whistles, clapping and some laughter from the audience. The waitress was a good sport though, and she wasn’t offended. Sarah thanked her profusely and apologized to her for the ribbing she got from the audience.
After Sarah took a couple of sips, she was ready again, but instead of leaving, the waitress stood a few steps to her side and behind. “I’m not going to let you go dry, Miss. It’s a better job and safer than walking by the tables,” we all heard her say, her comment caught by the mike. That elicited another round of laughter and clapping, to her embarrassment. However, Sarah added her own quip, to put her at ease. “You heard her guys. Be nice to my new friend, or else...”
Then she was back in the groove. After another seven or eight songs, she closed it by saying, “Thank you very much. You’re a great audience. Now, I’d like the DJ to put on some music, so I can take a whirl on the dance floor.” The applause was thunderous.
“Can I have the first dance?” somebody yelled from one of the tables.
“I think my boyfriend might take exception to that,” Sarah replied with an amused tone, getting a few laughs and boos, while somebody else yelled “Lucky guy!”
Dana was chuckling at the responses, while she continued to squeeze my hand. Ulysses escorted her back to our table, through the gauntlet of well-wishers and congratulations from the various tables. When she arrived she was short of air with excitement, but aglow.
“You were great, really great, honey,” Dana said, kissing and hugging her, with Ulysses agreeing with her.
“I knew you could do it,” I said, and she leaned to collect a kiss from me too.
She tried to thank Ulysses, but she had trouble speaking, so we helped her get seated, and Ulysses signaled one of the waitresses. A few minutes later, we were drinking champagne in fluted glasses, celebrating Sarah, and the nearby tables joined in by raising their glasses.
When she managed to settle down, she exclaimed, “I still can’t believe I did it.”
“You were great, Sarah. Mitchell was right. You’re not only a healing angel, but an angel with a voice,” Ulysses said, getting nods from all of us. “The crowd loved you. You saw it. If you ever decide to start someplace, please give us a call first.”
“Thank you, Ulysses. I’ll think about it, but being a doctor still comes first.”
“And she doesn’t even live here. We’re just visiting for the weekend,” I added.
“What a pity. I was hoping she might give it a try as a part-time thing. If you get a job in one of the hospitals here, please visit us.”
“Thank you. You’re sweet,” Sarah said.
“Oh, no. He’s thinking of the business, and the competition,” Dana retorted.
“I don’t know why I put up with you, Dana. You keep breaking my heart.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” Dana retorted.
It must have been a private joke, because Ulysses was laughing hard. “At least dance with me,” he said.
“What? And let you step on my feet?”
“You’re being cruel to him,” Sarah quipped.
“You tell her angel. Maybe now she will dance with me.”
Standing up, Sarah said, “Come on let’s dance,” urging all of us, knowing we couldn’t say no.
Ulysses led Dana, with Sarah and me following behind them. From the way he walked he was light on his feet, and I doubted he would step on Dana’s feet while dancing. We spent quite a bit of time on the dance floor, with Sarah still feeling giddy from her performance.
“God, that was great, but it made me horny. I could rape you on this floor.”
“Really? How come?”
“It was exciting, almost like sex, but different.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. It’s difficult to explain. I had a blast; it was a real rush.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sarah. I hope you don’t... rush into it.”
“Oh, no. This was great, and I would think seriously about taking it up as a part-time thing, but I want to finish school first. I am a doctor. This rush is fleeting. I know it will stay with me tonight, perhaps tomorrow, but it will fade away. But being a doctor is different. It’s not fleeting.”
To tell the truth I wasn’t expecting that response from her. I was stunned. I had been a bit anxious that she might be encouraged to pursue a music career after tonight’s experience, putting aside all her hard work. I pulled her against me, and held her in a tight embrace. Her arms flew around my neck and she held me tight. Raising her face she looked up, and I kissed her.
“You were scared I would drop everything, weren’t you?” she asked after the kiss.
“It did cross my mind.”
“I can’t do that to myself, or to Kathy. She helped and gave so much. I know what I want. And if I forget it, I’m sure she won’t hesitate to remind me.”
“Sarah, what you want is more important than what somebody else wants for you.”
“I know that, Mitch. But it’s good to know that there are people who know me better than I do. Sometimes, I feel lost.”
“Yeah. We all feel lost sometimes. But deep inside we all know, I think. And you know it, too. Just listen to your instincts.”
“Like you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Dana doesn’t know anything about your training, does she?”
“No, she doesn’t.”
“Why do you hide it?”
“I don’t hide it, but it’s not something I advertise.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because people think it’s only about breaking bones, and fighting, rather than attaining peace, calm and enlightenment.”
“So you think Dana might take it the wrong way?”
“To tell the truth I don’t know how she would take it. How do you take it?”
“You were never a violent person, and you’ve always been serious about it. I’ve also seen you practice, and it was beautiful. I believe you find calm and peace in your studies.”
“Yes, I do. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Well, not everybody sees it the way you do.”
“I know you, Mitch. I’ve known you for a long time. Don’t underestimate Dana. I think she would understand it as well.”
“Maybe.”
She kissed me softly, tracing her fingertips along my jaw, trying to comfort me, and I held her tight, looking into her eyes, after the kiss. We didn’t realize we stopped dancing. Dana and Ulysses asked if something was wrong when they moved next to us, seeing us in a serious conversation and we smiled sheepishly, before resuming dancing. A song later, we changed partners, Ulysses dancing with Sarah, and I with Dana. There were a few more couples on the dance floor, but they had politely kept their distance when I had been dancing with Sarah, assuming I was her boyfriend. When she danced with Ulysses, they congratulated her again and I heard a few of them asking for a few more songs. When the song was over we headed to our table, but got stopped several times by people from various tables, well-wishers also requesting a few more songs.
“Tonight’s your night, Sarah. Go for it,” Dana encouraged her. “They want you.”
Ulysses was also urging her gently, and when Sarah looked like she might consider it, more people joined in requesting another recital. Thanking them she acquiesced to the general demand. Pulling Dana and me aside, she said, “I’ll do it, but I want to know what I could sing for you two?”
I directed a questioning look to Dana, but she said, “You choose, Mitch.”
I was already busy racking my brain to find a suitable song, but I seem to have forgotten all my favorite song titles, until...
“Do you know Dance me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen?” I asked; an old song I used to listen to... romantic, with great lyrics. I wasn’t sure if the audience would like it, but it was definitely something different. I always thought it was better than his well-known Suzanne.
Sarah looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes, and said, “Yeah. A very good choice. Now, here’s the catch though... You two are going to dance to it. Deal?”
“Oh, come on, Sarah. This is your night,” I tried.
“Oh, no. This is our night, and I want to see you two dance to that song. You put me up on the stage, now you’re going to pay for it,” she retorted. “If you don’t, I’ll tell the audience why I won’t sing,” she said, drawing laughs from Dana and Ulysses.
“She drives a hard bargain, Mitchell,” Ulysses said in between laughs.
Looking at me, Dana said, “We’ll do it honey,” and I nodded bowing to the inevitable.
Kissing us both, she went back to the DJ, and we moved to the side of the dance floor. Several other people from back tables moved closer as well, standing next to the dance floor to watch her performance.
Dana asked me why I was reluctant to dance, and I told her I didn’t want to be the only one on the dance floor. “It’s a great song, romantic, and easy to dance to. I’d love to dance to it with you. I just feel uncomfortable when everybody is going to be watching.”
“Relax, Mitch. Who cares! Let’s enjoy it and the night.”
A few minutes later, Sarah was standing in front of the mike to the general applause. She was still a bit anxious, but looked more relaxed than the first time.
“It’s me again,” she said with a small girl voice, almost shyly, drawing a good-natured laughter. “You’re being awfully nice tonight. Thank you.” After the applause died, she said, “Before I start singing I have to ask my new friend—Oh my! I didn’t even ask her name...” She turned to the DJ to ask something, before she addressed the audience again. “I have to ask something of Caroline.” She looked around to locate Caroline, and we saw the same waitress heading her way with a tray and a glass of water. There were a few claps and laughs from the crowd directed at Caroline by people who noticed her hurrying to Sarah.
When Caroline was standing next to Sarah, she took the tray from her hands and put it on the stool. After giving her a quick hug and a kiss, she pulled her to the mike. “How are they treating you, honey?”
Blushing, the girl nervously said, “They were great,” and stepped away from the mike, to the whistles and applause of the crowd.
“Oh, no. I need you here, honey. Don’t go away,” Sarah said, pulling her back. “We’re going to sing this song together.”
When Caroline heard that she blushed an even deeper red, and tried to hide her face behind her hands. She looked like she would run away from the stage, but Sarah gently held her, and said, “We are all going to sing this song together. After all it’s your song. Everybody knows this one, Sweet Caroline.” Turning to the audience, she asked, “You will all join in for my friend, Caroline, won’t you?” and the audience clapped trying to encourage the girl.
Dana leaned and said, “She’s a natural. It’s incredible how she plays up to the audience, and they love her.”
Ulysses concurred, and said, “Poor Caroline. She’s a sweet girl, but shy.”
“Don’t worry, Ulysses. She’s in good hands. Sarah will take care of her,” Dana said. “I think it’s great. She’s going to make it a night to remember for Caroline.”
Sarah pulled the girl away from the mike, and offered her the glass, and talked to her to calm her down. Taking the glass, she took a few sips herself, and hugging her, she steered Caroline back to the mike. They stood facing each other with the mike between them, giving the audience a side view.
“For my new friend, Caroline, Sweet Caroline,” Sarah said, and opened the song. A few lines into the song, Caroline joined, and the audience was clapping in rhythm, and slowly joined in during the chorus. It was great, and Caroline wasn’t half-bad at all. We were all singing since it was a well-known song, and everybody was having a ball. Sarah couldn’t have chosen a better song, and involving Caroline had been a stroke of genius, endearing her to the crowd even more. But, Sarah was a very kind person, and I knew she wanted to do something special for the girl, sharing the great night with people and friends.
The song ended with a thunder of applause and whistles, and Sarah moved next to Caroline, hugging and kissing her again, as the girl was overcome with emotion. I had not noticed it, but Ulysses was standing next to the stage, and after the applause died, Sarah steered Caroline to Ulysses, who helped her down from the stage. She was crying and Ulysses embraced her in his arms, and the audience started to clap again, a few people shouting, “Great going Caroline!” to give emotional support to the girl. As Ulysses escorted her away from the stage, he signaled Pete, who was by their side in a matter of seconds. Pete took the girl in his arms, and guided her to the side of the dance floor, trying to comfort her. She looked tiny, like a baby doll in the arms of a giant, and Pete kept rocking her, talking and kissing the top of her head. Ulysses was back, and he said, “Pete loves that girl. He’ll take good care of her.”
Her eyes on Sarah, Dana said, “You know, she is really something.” I heard the admiration and wonder in her voice, and when she gave me a brief glance, I saw her eyes carried an unusual glitter, full of adoration and love.
Sarah was back at the mike. “The next few songs are going to be slow pieces, and I would like to invite the couples to the dance floor. I know that there’s going to be at least one couple dancing,” she said looking in our direction, “after all, the song is a special request from two very special people.”
Turning back to the audience, she continued, “I know that he’s shy, and I wouldn’t want him embarrassed, but he got me up on this stage, and as they say, no good deed goes unpunished.” As the crowd was laughing and clapping, she looked in our direction, and said, “I told you I’d get you.”
She really put us under the spotlight, because following her gaze, people were looking at us, while they kept on clapping and laughing.
“Damn girl. I don’t know if I’ll be able to dance,” I muttered, but Dana was very much amused by the stunt Sarah pulled, and Ulysses was grinning at me. I don’t know where I found the courage, but I yelled, “You love it.”
“Yeah, I do. It’s a great audience, and I’m having a ball,” Sarah responded, and that honest exclamation drove the people bonkers.
When the applause died, Sarah said, “A great song by Leonard Cohen, aptly titled Dance me to the End of Love.”
As she opened the song, Dana pulled me to the dance floor, but my legs felt like they were encased in lead. Feeling me tense, she kissed me and said, “Come on, dance me to the end of love,” giving me a soft look.
With that we started to move, and after the first tentative steps, we were moving in perfect harmony, letting Sarah’s voice carry us. A short while later more couples joined, dancing.
“I love it,” Dana said, listening to the lyrics. “I’m glad you chose it.”
“I think you know how I feel.”
With a soft smile, she looked up, and said “Yes. I think I do. I feel the same way.”
Leaning in I kissed her, before she put her head on my shoulder, and we continued to dance. Later, Sarah told us, we had gotten quite a few raised eyebrows and curious looks from both dancing couples and people sitting at the tables, when we were seen kissing while dancing, probably because they couldn’t figure out who was with whom. We had a good laugh about it, when Sarah said, “If only they knew.”
Pete must have asked permission, because he was dancing with Caroline, which was quite unusual considering they were employees of the club, but nobody seemed to mind it. For the next several songs we danced, and more couples joined in, then we stepped off the dance floor to listen to Sarah’s performance.
“I wish Kathy and Mark were here,” I said.
“Yes. I think Kathy would have loved to see Sarah perform,” Dana agreed.
Then it occurred to me, we didn’t even have pictures to show to Kathy, and when I mentioned it, she looked around for Ulysses. Locating him, we went to him, and she asked if he could arrange a photographer. Ulysses gave us an enigmatic smile, and said, “Don’t worry. This second time I was more prepared. We have some interesting surprises.”
“What do you mean?” Dana asked.
“Patience my dear. All in good time.”
“Come on, Ulysses. What are you up to?” Dana insisted.
“After all the heartbreak you’ve caused me, I think you can wait a little bit. I assure you, you’ll be very pleased.”
“Have a heart, Ulysses.”
“I’m sorry my dear, but weren’t you the one who said what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?” he teased. “Go on, dance and enjoy yourself. It’s a great night.”
Dana flashed him an angry look, but Ulysses was really enjoying himself, and blew a kiss to her, before leaving us to attend to business.
“He can be so infuriating,” Dana lamented.
“Well, we know that he must have arranged for pictures at the very least, and maybe more. So relax, and enjoy it.”
After several more songs, Sarah sang Sweet Caroline again, signaling the end of the program, and the dance floor cleared. When the song was finished, she had a thunderous applause, and Caroline stepped onto the stage with flowers in her arms. I caught sight of a photographer taking pictures. Ulysses joined them on the stage to thank Sarah, and after the congratulations and thanks, he brought Sarah to us. Once again she had to walk through the gauntlet of the audience, but finally we were at our table.
Ulysses had arranged for a new bottle of champagne, and we celebrated Sarah’s success. He mentioned Pete and Caroline wanted to thank Sarah personally, after mentioning Pete’s romantic interest in Caroline. Sarah, of course, was very pleased and urged Ulysses to call them over. They were standing a few tables away, and Ulysses turned and motioned them over. When they joined us, he filled two glasses for them, including them in the celebration. They left after quickly finishing their drink even though Sarah (and the rest of us) asked them to stay a bit longer.
Sarah excused herself from the table to visit the powder room, and Dana accompanied her. When they were away, we talked about Sarah, and her performance, and it was clear Ulysses was very much impressed. While we were talking, Pete came back with several large envelopes, and gave them to Ulysses, whispering something in his ear, and then turned and left us. From the size of them I knew they contained pictures.
The girls came back, and Dana immediately noticed the envelopes. With a smile, Ulysses passed them to each of us, saying, “I didn’t know what pictures you would be interested in, so the envelopes contain identical sets. If you’d like more copies, give me a ring. It’s the least I can do.”
Sarah opened her envelope, and we looked at the pictures. It was a mixed bunch, and I didn’t realize Ulysses had arranged a photographer for her second performance from the very beginning, but he had; Sarah and Caroline singing, Dana and I dancing, Caroline giving flowers to Sarah. They were all there. Asking for a pen, Sarah signed the picture of her and Caroline singing, with the caption, ‘to my friend, Caroline, with love and thanks.’
“You’re really an angel, Sarah. Caroline would love it,” Ulysses said, and called up one of the waitresses, asking for a big envelope. A few minutes later, she was back, and he asked her to call up Caroline and Pete, while Sarah put the picture in the envelope.
As Ulysses predicted, Caroline was very much touched by the gesture, and after much kissing and hugging between the two girls, Pete guided her away. As we were caught up with that emotional scene, we didn’t notice the arrival of another person.
A soft, melodic voice said, “Hello, Dana.”
We all turned to the sound. I saw a woman, late 30s, with a soft, round face, and hazel eyes. Recognizing the stranger, Dana said, “Hello, Amy. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Ulysses told me you were here, so I came.”
Dana made the introductions, and when she said, “This is Amy, Ulysses’ wife,” we were surprised, as she had intended.
Sarah turned to Ulysses, and blurted, “I didn’t know you were married,” to the delight of everybody.
“I’m afraid my husband is a rascal. He’s very much married, but an awful tease and a terrible flirt,” Amy said.
Dana concurred. “Yes, he’s a terrible flirt.”
“And you, my dear, are a very charming girl. Too good for the likes of him,” Amy said to Sarah. “Don’t let him rope you into the entertainment business. You’re great, and deserve better than what he can deliver.”
“I’d never do something like that,” Ulysses objected.
“Yes, you would. I know you!” Amy said, flashing him an annoyed look, and Ulysses seemed to hang his head as if guilty of something.
Wow! She must be a lion tamer!
Trying to recover his dignity he asked, “Where are the kids?”
“Upstairs, in your room. One of the girls is keeping an eye on them.”
Suddenly a light bulb went off, and I realized it had taken me long enough to figure it out. Ulysses wasn’t just a bouncer, or the chief bouncer, he was most probably the owner of the club or the manager. Pete had said the head honcho, and I had mistakenly thought he meant he was the big shot managing the bouncers, sort of a security chief. All the arrangements he made, the way he seemed to control things made some sense. However, he must have come from the ranks, starting as a bouncer. His manners spoke of experience, plus the way Pete deferred to him, and how Jones seemed to be wary of Ulysses spoke volumes, not to mention the way he had checked me out.
As we were talking the DJ came with a small envelope, and Ulysses told him he should give the little present personally to Sarah since it was his idea. Taking the envelope, she asked what it was, and the DJ asked her to open it. It was a cassette tape, and he told her it was a recording of her singing. When she had to wait for the glass of water during her first performance, he had decided to record it, hearing her great voice, and later, her second recital, as well. Sarah asked him to sign it, saying that he was the mix master. When she hugged him, kissing him on both cheeks, he looked as if he was crowned king, beaming and rubbing his cheek.
“He’s not going to wash his face for a week,” Amy teased, drawing laughter from all of us.
Being a good sport, Sarah pulled him in again, and gently bussed him on the lips. “Something to remember me by.”
He looked like he was struck by lightening, frozen to the spot. Collecting himself, he kissed her hand, and said, “You’ll be hard to forget, Miss, especially your voice,” and excused himself. As he walked back to his stall, slightly dazed, we saw him rub his cheek.
Dana said, “Poor guy. I hope he has a girlfriend.”
“He’s had a few, but I don’t think any of them would match Sarah,” Amy replied. “I haven’t seen him that stunned before.”
Dana leaned into Sarah and whispered something, getting a giggle and an enthusiastic nod. When I looked askance, Sarah shook her head ‘nothing’, but from the twinkle in her eyes, I knew something was in the works. In the meantime, Dana was whispering something to Amy, and Amy broke into a mischievous grin, too. Ulysses filled our glasses, and we talked until I caught Dana give a nod to Sarah. As if on cue all the girls stood up, pulled us to our feet, steering us to the dance floor. Just like our first dance tonight, Sarah and Dana sandwiched me in between them, and suggestively danced, and then Amy flowed into my arms, while Dana and Sarah gave the same treatment to Ulysses. It was obvious he wasn’t expecting something like that. He looked decidedly uncomfortable, and a bit awkward, even when Amy grinned at him. Eventually though he relaxed a bit. After that the girls kept rotating for a few songs. Sarah left us and went to ask the DJ for a dance. He was busy for a short while, probably arranging a few songs, and then followed her to the dance floor with a big grin on his face. After two songs, he left Sarah to attend to the music, and Sarah joined Dana and me. We had quite a few whistles and clapping from the nearby tables when we drifted to the edge of the dance floor, as the girls were going through their sandwich routine, and when the song was finished we returned to our table amidst shouts of “Great show!”
As soon as we took our seats, Ulysses was on the attack. “You should quit flying, Dana. With Sarah and you, we’d have a great program.”
“Oh, no! You don’t. They don’t need a slave master,” Amy quipped.
“We surely don’t,” Dana agreed.
“At least drop by more frequently. It’s been months since we’ve seen you,” Ulysses tried.
“What he means, my dear, is to make sure Sarah is with you when you drop by,” Amy joined, ribbing Ulysses.
“I did not,” Ulysses objected, but from the knowing smiles of Dana and Amy, I understood they knew him too well.
“I certainly did not. She’s disappeared for a long time, and you missed her, too,” Ulysses said.
Kissing his neck, Amy concurred. “Yes, we both missed you Dana.”
I noticed the music had stopped, and people were leaving. I checked my watch; it was almost two o’clock, quite late for a Sunday night outing. Slowly our conversation drew to a close, and Dana asked Ulysses to call us a cab, but he said, he wouldn’t trust a taxi driver at this hour, and suggested Pete would drive us. Dana reminded him her flat was far away by the airport. Ulysses told her, Pete didn’t live too far, and he was also going to drop off Caroline along the way. I mentioned he might want to drop by at Caroline’s, but Ulysses shrugged his shoulders and said the two would manage to arrange something, adding he was sure that both Pete and Caroline would be happy to give us a lift. He went to talk with them, while we sat with Amy as the club emptied. Ulysses came back with Pete and Caroline, telling us that they would indeed be delighted to give us a lift. Leaving, we bid goodbye to Ulysses and Amy, promising to drop by at the club when we came back to visit Dana.
Pete and Caroline were in front of us, to our right, leading us to Pete’s car in the parking lot that was about 100 yards away from the club. At this late hour the parking lot was almost empty with few cars remaining. Just before we reached Pete’s car, two guys came out of their hiding place behind a big car. I looked back to see another approaching us from behind, and I shouted a warning to Pete. He reacted swiftly; pulling Caroline behind him, he moved to cover our rear. In the meantime, I pulled Sarah and Dana behind me. With the girls out of harms way, and relatively safe, I gave my full attention to the threat. The two guys in front of me spread out, and I recognized the asshole from earlier tonight. This was the same group of three that was thrown out of the club. Although behind me, Sarah and Dana kept on hanging onto my arms.
“Hey, guys. Look what we have here. Three little birds instead of two. One for each of us,” the asshole shouted. He was holding a tire iron, and the other two had large wrenches in their hands. “We’ll have some good fun.”
When Dana heard that her grip tightened on my arm. A quick glance at her revealed she was more than scared; her lower lip was trembling, and her eyes were widened in fear. I realized she was terrorized by the thought of getting raped again. I didn’t have time to reassure or calm her down, and with her hanging onto my arm I knew I wouldn’t be able to deal with the threat. A quick glance at Sarah told me she was scared but not panicking. “Sarah! Take care of Dana, and don’t worry.” As she moved to help Dana, I pulled my arm free, and pushed her into Sarah’s arms. Quickly, Sarah pulled her away from me, while she began talking to her to calm her down.
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