Ardmore Pt. 03

Acceptance of my fate overtook me as I walked along the corridor. It had been a good run these last thirteen months. I had successfully completed over 450 contracts and my tuition money for the next three semesters was sitting in the bank. If I left at that moment I would still be ahead; it wasn't about the money.

The huge double doors swung open and I heard those words said too often during my contracts.

"Surprise!! Happy Birthday!!"

My legs almost failed me as my mind adjusted to the change of fortune. What a relief it was to find that I was being given a surprise party for my birthday!

The lounge was packed. Cassie must have known about this because she had a broad smile when our eyes met and she winked at me. Near them were Serena and Dee Dee along with almost everyone else I had driven all year.

I was speechless, trying to keep my emotions in check. Cassie took over and guided me through the crowd. Then there were hugs and kisses all around, and for each kiss there was Serena snapping away with her camera.

It gradually dawned on me that several other women were wearing their work clothes and Cassie was suddenly missing. Had they dressed up for me? Why? Did they intend to make ME the client for the next couple of hours?

Panic set in. That's all I needed, to be sitting down while Bunny, or worse, Cassie, gave me a lap dance. I hustled Serena to the side to ask her if that was planned. Between my words, the look of anguish on my face and my faltering voice she understood my panic completely. Why did I ever tell her that?

For remainder of the party I was teased unmercifully. Gradually everyone left to go change. The ladies got a big kick out of my discomfort and Serena was quick to capture it all on film. Even with my minor anxiety attack it still remains my most memorable birthday.

The party was what I needed to clear my head. I became much more relaxed on the job after that. A few weeks later Serena delivered to me a 3-ring bound album of pictures that captured it all.

At first I was tempted to show the book to my family, but I had not told them of the party, and they would not appreciate it anyway. Instead I took the book with me that Sunday when I went over to Gary's. He was anxious to see the ladies I worked with and this was a safe way to introduce them. I knew the pictures would be a welcome surprise.

We were in the family room talking about wrestling, the latest standings in Division I. Of course the topic was Iowa, and Penn State's chances that year of defeating them. We looked at the potential match-ups from every angle. Our consensus: Iowa was unbeatable.

"Hey look, I've got something I want to show you." I said as I picked up my album. "You've been bugging me about seeing some of the ladies I work with..."

Gary took the album placing it on the coffee table as I moved around the side to join him.

"These are from my surprise party a few weeks ago."

He turned to the first page and immediately was drawn to picture of me being flanked by Cassie and Serena.

"The one on the right dressed as a belly dancer, that's Cassie. There are a few other close-ups of her a couple of pages back."

"Whew, she IS gorgeous David. Now I understand your problem."

Gary flipped back a few pages to a close-up of Cassie taken as she rested her chin on my head. Her arms were draped over my shoulders from behind while I sat below her. It was great shot and really did justice to her fabulous smile and hypnotic eyes. I hadn't noticed before but my smile was just the opposite, filled with apparent embarrassment. Gary cracked up.

He was making such a noise that he drew Adrienne into the room, curious as to what we were doing. Before I could say anything he was pointing me out in the photo and she was beside me with an intense look on her face. I turned away not wanting to be drawn into any potential questions.

"That's my friend Cassie", I said continuing to avoid her stare.

"What's this, a party?"

"Yeah, for my birthday."

I sat waiting for the other shoe to drop. It didn't. She was quiet as Gary flipped through the pages and I identified my other coworkers. It was not apparent to me before but there were a lot of pictures of Cassie, Bunny, Dee Dee and I. Towards the back there were shots Serena and I, a couple with our arms around one another.

I'd forgotten that Serena too was in her stage wear. She looked almost naked as the pasties and g-string were so small as to be virtually invisible in the photo. I could feel Adrienne holding in a breath.

"Who is that!" asked Gary, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Dr. Serena Jones, associate professor of psychology. She's my unofficial faculty advisor", I added proudly.

"Whoa, if you've got teachers like that at Temple then it's time I transferred," chuckled Gary.

Adrienne moved away as he said that. I hadn't seen her face but I knew she wasn't happy, and from somewhere deep inside I knew why. I wanted to say something as she walked away, but what? I didn't have the words. I looked over at Gary for guidance. He was busy inspecting the pictures, oblivious to her departure.

He and I kibitzed about my job for another hour; by then I had to leave and Adrienne was no where to be found. Not wanting to make an issue of her absence I left as if nothing was wrong, yet my gut was saying otherwise.

**

In mid-March both Gary and I were off for Spring Break. He had recently started taking golf lessons and was hooked. He asked me to go with him to check out some drivers at a pro shop. From there we were off to an indoor driving range. I went along for the ride even though I knew nothing about the game. After a frustrating couple of hours trying to hit the little white ball I realized why I intuitively avoided golf.

By noon we were having lunch at a nearby diner.

"David, I need a favor." Gary stated with a touch too much hesitation.

"Sure, if I can. Please tell me it's not about the ladies at the club. I don't arrange dates and I don't do introductions."

"No, nothing to do with them, though that might be easier for you do. Look, heh, Adrienne needs a date for her prom. Will you take her?"

I certainly had not seen that coming. "You're kidding, right? Why me? What about Ari?

"He's out of the picture, but you should know that. You haven't seen him around recently have you?"

"I haven't been by the house in a few weeks." I debated whether to tell him the reason for my absence and in the end decided to leave it alone. "There are guys in her class who would jump at the chance. Why not get one of them?"

"She wants a 'safe date', not someone she'll have to wrestle with at the end of the night." Gary paused for a moment. When he resumed speaking I noted a pleading quality in his voice. "She really wants to go you know. It may be the last time she'll see some of her friends."

"Why don't you escort her if she wants to go so badly?"

"I offered. She doesn't want to be seen with her brother. It would be too awkward. She asked me to ask you if you would do it. Hey, you already have the tux."

"She asked? I don't know Gary; I'll have to think about it. I can foresee this being a problem, particularly if she makes any cracks about my job. It could turn into a real long night for both of us, so I'm not going to commit at this moment. Tell you what, I'll be at your house tonight; she and I can discuss it then. "

"Take a look at this, maybe it will help make up your mind." Gary handed me what I thought at first was a passport photo. It was actually a small beat-up picture encased in laminate.

There were two children in the shot, one of whom I instantly recognized as Adrienne. The other child was me; the Cowboy outfit being a dead giveaway. I had to have been, what, nine at the time. I pondered it for a while and placed it on the table in front of him.

"What does this have to do with me?"

"I found this in Adrienne's wallet."

"You went through her wallet?"

"Yeah, look I normally don't do that kind of thing, but you saw the one she was using. I bought her a new one for Christmas and I wanted to make sure it would hold all of her stuff before I wrapped it. One morning while she was taking a shower I slipped into her room and did a little test. That's when I found this."

"So again I ask, what's that got to do with me?"

"Wake up David. She's been carrying this around for years. Doesn't that tell you something? You've got to see it, how she acts around you? She's always calm and together...except for when it comes to you. You're the only one who can get her to blow her top. I won't ask how you feel about her, I already know."

He had that look of teacher disappointed in their student for not doing their homework. "Have you ever asked yourself why you started dating Brenda AFTER Lit hooked up with Ari?"

"What are you talking about?"

My friend was looking at me with the strangest smile and shaking his head.

"You honestly don't see it do you? Let me spell it out for you. First of all, my father has been pushing Ari on Lit for years. Everyone in my family knew that. But Lit wasn't interested. Neither was Ari, by the way. But as soon as you start telling us about how Brenda was flirting with you, then suddenly Lit hooks up with Ari. That's a heck of a coincidence."

"Up until then you and I were joking about Brenda's very obvious attempts to get your attention. But let Lit and Ari become an item and you team up with Brenda, yet another coincidence. See it now David?"

I should have been stunned. I wasn't. Those were the facts, and he was drawing some logical motives. I had to admit that there were feelings between us we had not given words to, had not explored in any way. I could not hide that from Gary. "It's not as simple as that." I finally managed to get out.

"Isn't it?"

"She's like my sister Gary."

"You don't believe that yourself. OK, I had to ask", he conceded. "I know you'll do what's best for her, you always have."

As he picked up the photo my eyes followed it as he placed it back in his shirt pocket.

We talked for a few more minutes before I begged off. This was only the second time in my life Gary had asked me to do something for his sister. I knew I would do it even as I voiced my objections. I wouldn't let her down, particularly since I really wanted to spend some time alone with her.

Later that night I had dinner with their family. It wasn't lost on me that Ari was missing. Our little party broke up as Adrienne and I made our way to the family room. When I asked to speak with her about the prom she surprised me by leading us out to the porch.

It was a typical March evening, a bit brisk because of a chill wind. It would not have been my choice for a private talk and I couldn't understand why we were outside. Evidently, she wanted to ensure no one else heard us.

I had to gather my courage before I began. "Lit, I'm uncomfortable with us going out. I'd do anything for you, you know that, but I don't like the idea of movin' in on another guy's girl. Have you and Ari broken up?"

"No" came her answer, though she was looking elsewhere when she gave it.

"What's going on here?" I thought. If she and Ari were still a couple how did I fit in? Was she trying to involve me in some plot to make him jealous? No, that wasn't her. If I was patient she would explain it all.

She turned her back to me and walked over to the railing. By her action I didn't know if she were still upset with me or merely disappointed I wasn't Ari. It was obviously a moment she wanted for herself.

Adrienne was not the kind of girl to be silent for long. That night she was uncharacteristically quiet. The lull in the conversation afforded me the opportunity to look at her more closely. It was difficult not to compare her to the women I worked with.

She was a good five foot seven inches tall without heels. Gone was the baby fat of her early teens, replaced with a form that could have easily qualified her as a dancer at the club. She had the legs, the rear, even the arch that propelled her breasts. The only thing that remained of her childhood was the mass of curly brown hair that highlighted her face and the adorable little baby fat under her chin.

I remember reading once that there were perhaps 2,000 standard faces in the world; a defined limit on genetic diversity. We all looked like someone else. Today for Adrienne I would have paired her with the actress Madeleine Stowe; she of the doleful eyes, full lips and deep dimples.

There was sincerity in that face. There was trust, empathy, and I knew from experience, loyalty. It was a face I could never knowingly hurt nor disappoint. It came to me that whatever I had to do to get back in her good graces I would; and yet, some things about her behavior did not fit. I wanted a few answers.

"Why isn't Ari taking you to the prom?" I said, showing my impatience.

She turned to look at me, her expression somewhat sad. "Ari doesn't want to go."

"He's in your class and he's your boyfriend. He can't give up one night for you?"

"He's not my boyfriend" She said while lowering her voice. My face must have shown confusion so she added, "I can see you don't understand. What I'm going to tell you must not be repeated."

She was so intense at the point that I merely nodded, curious to hear more.

"Ari is gay." Adrienne almost whispered.

The statement went by me. I must have unconsciously hunched my shoulders, for she added clarification. "He's gay, you know, homosexual?"

"He likes guys?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, that's deep. So he can't take you because, what, his boyfriend objects?" I said rather glibly.

"How did you know?" she said showing both awe and relief.

"I didn't know he had a boyfriend. I was joking. It was just a lucky guess, nothing more. Now that I know, I presume this whole act at dinner every Sunday is to throw off his folks, as well as yours?

She looked at me without any sort of affirmation.

"Well, I won't tell, but he should. Lit you shouldn't be involved in this."

"I'm not a child and my name is Adrienne. Furthermore, my relationship with Ari is none of your business. I'm sorry I mentioned it. Sometimes David, you..."

"Sometimes I what....? I don't like to be lied to? You've got your father thinking this kid is going to be your future husband. Ari's father thinks the same. And when they find out, and you know they will, what then? Got a lie for that one?"

Her eyes became slits as I knew I had hit a nerve. It wasn't enough, so I continued.

"Whatever the reason, no matter how much you think this will help him, it won't. I don't understand how he can be that way, that's his problem, but I do know that lying about it is the worse thing he can do."

She walked towards me, purposely invading my space. I could see the tears now as she spoke.

"His problem? That's why I didn't tell you, you think he's some kind of freak!"

"I don't know him well enough, evidently, to make that call. I do know he is liar though...and a coward." I countered.

"You're one to judge with what you do." She quickly exclaimed.

"You know about my job. I haven't hidden anything from you, and I certainly haven't lied to my family about it."

I saw a shiver from her as a breeze crossed the porch and I shifted some to remove my jacket. Without words I draped it around her shoulders noting how she drew a breath when my hands touched her.


I knew that getting angry with her was a mistake, so I asked quietly, "How are you planning on handling his announcement?"

"He's not making one", she said as if exhausted. Then she stepped back. She was looking downward.

"Oh yes he is. Everyone is wondering what happened between you guys. If you go to the prom without him there are sure to be more questions asked. It will come out. Why doesn't he just tell his family? They may not understand it all, but they're his blood. They love him. If he doesn't tell them, and they find out some other way, it's gonna get real messy. In your heart you know what I'm saying is true. You've got to talk to him."

"He doesn't want to talk to anymore." She shivered again. There now began a long moment of silence as we both withdrew from our argument. "I really screwed up, didn't I?" she mused as if talking to the night.

The question hung there. We both knew the answer. She WAS suffering too and that was all I needed to know. I cut the distance between us and encircled my arms around her.

I didn't know which of them had dreamed up this charade. At first I thought it was Adrienne. She had a habit of getting involved too easily in other people's lives. While I admired her compassion, not every project seemed worthy to me. After I thought she was calm again I gently pulled away. "I've got some studying to do. I'll call you next week, OK?"

With that I left. I wasn't pleased with what I learned. A part of me understood her wanting to help her friend but their little deception was going to eventually blow up, probably right in their faces. I only hoped I was there with her when it happened. She would need a friend then.

I had wondered for some time what the glue was that kept Adrienne and Ari together. There clearly wasn't a lot they had in common. The idea of her going along with an arranged marriage made no sense either; she was too independent for that.

Now I knew my assessment was all wrong. There was no relationship between the two, except as platonic friends. Their behavior now made sense, at least some of it. Gary may have been right; there was another motive at work for me taking her to the prom. I quickly tried to put all speculation about that to the back of my mind, but I failed.

Technically there was nothing keeping us from developing a different relationship. Not only was she available but she was making it clear that she wanted something more from me. She was forcing me to realize how I really felt about her and that I kept avoiding.

However, when I thought about Ari I didn't feel any differently. Of course I was tempted to envision him with another man. That mental picture made me uncomfortable. It seemed weird to me, but that was on him. It really should not have been any of my business except that they made it mine by lying to me.

Regardless of my problems with what they had done, I couldn't leave Adrienne alone for the prom. I called her a few days later to confirm she still wanted me as an escort. It was a short call and you could hear her relief as soon as I asked. We avoided any mention of our earlier conversation and the call was over quickly.

Thursday I saw Rui and told him I needed a couple of days off in early May. He was pretty understanding when he heard I was going to a High School prom. In fact, I hadn't heard him laugh so hard since that first night when he hired me.

Word of my request made it around the club. In the intervening month everyone tried pumping me for information, even Cassie. Unknown to me, more than a few of the ladies had been a bit worried about my social life, or more precisely, the lack thereof.

Now they thought they knew why I hadn't hit on anyone in Xanadu. They were too old. 'I liked 'em young.'

Chapter 11: Unlearning the Tango

On the second Friday in May I arrived at Adrienne's house seated in the back of a limo. Unsure of what awaited me, and contrary to Gary's pronouncement, I did rent a tux. I'm glad I did. My usual attire was fairly conservative and I would have felt self-conscious wearing my 'work' clothes.

Adrienne walked gracefully out of the house as I exited the car. She stood waiting on the landing striking a pose I knew was meant only for me. As I took what seemed like the longest walk of my life I had the feeling that something was afoot. She had a worried look, but that's not what gave me pause. It was the dress.