I sat at the bar halfway through my first martini of the evening when I saw her in the mirror behind the bar as she entered with her girlfriend. I couldn't help the surge of excitement as it made its way through my body and settled into a holding pattern a little below my belt. As always, I was first drawn to Tina's smile. No matter how many people were in a room I could always find her with just a glance just from that smile. She had her hair pulled up in a loose knot and was wearing tight black jeans and a purple top that hung loose in the front showing off two things that she knew excited me, her ample cleavage and her string of pearls. I also noticed that she did not have Max with her. Max was her long hair Chihuahua that went literally everywhere with her.
Max was a rock star guaranteed to gather a crowd anywhere they went together. Her friend Kelly was taller than her, but that may have been because of heels. I could not yet see their shoes; however I knew that Tina abhorred heels in this environment.
I was happy that I spotted them in the mirror because it gave me a chance to look closely without appearing awkward. Kelly was very close to what I had pictured in my mind after hearing Tina's description of her on the phone. Short dark hair swept to one side of her face, crystal blue eyes and an aquiline nose that suggested of southern European or even Middle Eastern descent. She leaned over and whispered something into Tina's ear that made them both smile as Tina took her hand and squeezed it.
The jazz band that was playing was just finishing their version of St. James Infirmary Blues when Tina, always the most attentive person in ANY room, caught my eye in the mirror. I had told her that I would let them get there first and get settled into a festive mood before I showed up. I was sure to hear about that from her later. "Charlie, just do what you say you are going to do!" I know one day I am going to wake up with that phrase tattooed on my forehead. Or worse in a place where she could point it out in more intimate moments and torture me with it. But that was for later. She knew how impetuous I could be, and really, I'm sure that she knew that I would already be here.
As she lead Kelly through the club by the hand, she stopped to talk to no less than 6 people who hugged her and delighted in the smile that she gave them in return. To each she presented her friend, and while I could not hear the conversation, I knew exactly what Tina was saying..."Well hellooo! It has been waaaay to long. Noooo I had to leave Max at home tonight as he is a little under the weather. No nothing too serious. I would like to introduce you to one of my best friends from back in North Carloiiina. Yes she did go to Paris with me this past summer! Kelly this is my dear friend Robert. A fine gentleman even though he is from Ohio, and one of the most accomplished artists in all of New Orleans. Now don't blush Robert, you know I always tell the truth."
When Tina wanted to be charming, even Scarlet O'Hara would have had to take a back seat. While Kelly had obviously known Tina much longer than I, I wonder if she had ever seen Tina in her native environment. Kelly's cheeks burned red all the way through the club, and the phrase came to mind "flattery will get you everywhere". I wondered how her cheeks were going to look in candle light a little later on in the evening.
After my martini was finished I ordered a second and told the bartender I would be back in a minute or two. I slipped into the men's room to straighten up a little, splash a little cold water on my face and make sure there were no previously undiscovered blemishes on my shirt or jacket. I felt great. The wash of relaxation that always comes from that first martini had already coursed its way through my veins. I had no illusions about who I was or how I looked, but I knew that I always did the best I could with what I had. And there were some moments when the "best I could" was actually pretty damn good. Tonight was one of those nights.
