Sadie breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed into a waiting bar stool. She ordered a gin and tonic and felt her whole body relax. It was Lundi Gras, the day before Mardi Gras, and already it had been a long day. She had gotten up early to sign paper work and then catch the parades. Aunt Marie's house was finally sold, and the lifting of that burden brought a bitter sweet relief.
Sadie was born in New Orleans, but had moved when she was seventeen to Atlanta. Her great aunt had elected to stay behind in a formidable garden district mansion on St Charles Avenue. Sadie's mother was from the west coast and had never liked the city, seeing decay where others saw beauty and charm. For various reasons she had never returned, and had encouraged Sadie to stay away. Now her mother was dead, and so was Aunt Marie, and she was the only one left to close up the house, and prepare it for its new owners.
Outside a trumpet player blasted "When the Saints Go Marching In" She stirred her drink and hummed along. Sadie had always loved New Orleans. She especially loved the hotel she was staying in. The Ponchatrain was beautiful. The Grande Dame had lost a few stars over the years, but her room was lovely. At one time the hotel had been an apartment hotel and Sadie's suite had once been an opulent home.
There was a baby grand piano in the small sitting room that was said to be haunted by the apartment's last tenet. Last night she had played a few songs on the ancient piano and found it beautifully tuned. So far no ghostly sonata, but who knew, tonight could be the night.
Lost in her musings Sadie did not notice the man sit down next to her until she caught a whiff of his cigarette. She had not smoked since collage, but felt a sudden urge.
"Got another of those?" She said turning. Sadie gasped, he was incredibly handsome. His eyes and hair were dark and glistening in the chandeliers golden light. His black t-shirt was stretched tight over his muscular arms and chest. He smiled and handed her a cigarette, lighting it with silver Zippo.
"Happy Mardi Gras" He said raising his glass.
"Happy Mardi Gras" Sadie replied trying not to cough on her cigarette. They clinked glasses and she noticed his drink looked odd. It was mostly clear with a greenish cast, and green flecks.
He noticed her looking at signaled to the bartender, "Sazerac for the lady Antoine." He smiled at Sadie, as she nodded her thanks. "My name is Kurt"
"Sadie, nice to meet you"
They shook hands, hers soft and well manicured his rough with dirt under his nails. Sadie found herself struggling to break contact as an electric charge darted up her spine.
"So" He said "you from here? Or visiting"
"Visiting, I'm the executor of my Aunts will and we sold her house. I finished up today, and am going home to Atlanta on Ash Wednesday."
"Sorry to hear about your aunt. I lived in Atlanta for awhile, but it was too big, so I came back here. I hang out with these losers" The bartender laughed and went back to polishing glasses. "And run a construction company in the Irish Channel. Is this your first time here?"
Sadie smiled, "No I lived here till I was seventeen. We lived on the avenue, and did our laundry at Igor's when we got bored. My first drink was in this bar, though I must admit I snuck in. Shhh!" she put a finger to her lips.
Kurt laughed, "I think we are past the statute of limitations on your crime, but just in case lets tip Antoine big"
They had another drink, although not another sazerac. The bitter liquorices flavor of the anise turned her off. Sadie switched to a crisp Riesling. They continued to talk and laugh. Kurt was fascinating. He knew tons of New Orleans history and was happy to share. Sadie talked about her childhood memories. They shared a fondness for snowballs, parties at Lake Ponchatrain, and Easter mass at St Alphonse's the majestic old garden district church. The afternoon passed quickly, and Sadie knew it was almost time for one to her favorite parades of all, Orpheus.
"Would you like to come to Orpheus with me?" Sadie asked shyly.
"I'd love to" Kurt paid for their drinks, giving Antoine a healthy tip and put his arm around her shoulders. Once again she felt electric at his touch. He pulled her close smelling of aftershave, sticky sweet wine, and slightly of cigarettes. She had given up smoking after her first, but didn't mind the smell on him; it was simply part of this fascinating man.
They cuddled together in front of the hotel waving and shooting for the trinkets being thrown to the revelers. Sadie and Kurt laughed at the theme floats, and gasped at the beauty of the costumes. They both cheered at the flambeaux men that lighted the parades way dancing with there torches.
In Kurt's arms she felt the thrill of new love, and an astounding depth of nostalgia. Kurt reached up his hand and caught a red silk rose. He turned to face Sadie and presented it to her with a little bow. She laughed in delight as his arms went around her again. He gazed in her eyes and kissed her.
Time seemed to stop. Far away she heard the drums and the shouts of the crowds. None of that mattered. Kurt's lips were gentle and tender on hers. His hands snaked into her long brown hair as their embrace intensified. Sadie felt his tongue slide between her teeth and she allowed hers to dance with his. She gasped, at the rawness of her passion just as he pulled back.
They held each other, Sadie's head rested on his strong shoulder. It was amazing that she could be so comfortable with a stranger. Still something about Kurt was so familiar she felt she had known him forever.
They spent the remainder of the parade cuddling and stealing kisses. Sadie grinned as the last of the parade passed. Her neck was so weighted down with beads it was starting to hurt and the drinks from earlier had left her with a slight dizzy buzz.
"So shall I walk you into your lobby, Sadie?" Kurt said
"Is it time to say goodnight?" Sadie asked flirtatiously.
"It doesn't have to be" Kurt whispered in her ear revealing his intentions with a nuzzling kiss to her neck.
The trip to her suite in the elevator seemed an eternity. Kurt's hands slid over her back and over her behind drawing her close. The pushed apart quickly when an elderly couple got on the elevator on the fourth floor. Sadie collapsed in a fit of giggles when the old woman gave her a knowing wink.
Finally they reached her suite. Sadie fumbled, dropping the pass key. Kurt picked it up opened the door smoothly and carried her inside. Sadie gasped with delight as he carried her to the couch.
"Have I mentioned you are gorgeous?" He asked before drawing her into another drowning kiss.
