Audrey stands in the hall with her hand on the knob of the closet door, ready to gather her coat and purse. She stops as she hears the footsteps above her head. She looks down at the dress she has been wearing for events for the past 10 years. She would love a new frock, but there is always something more important. The navy-blue dress with the spotted white pattern has served her well. It’s been laundered and pressed, and she is comfortable. “That’s all that matters,” she tells herself as she smooths down the skirt. She turns away from the unopened closet as Siegfried’s feet announce his arrival to the ground floor. She watches him in silence as he turns towards the office to retrieve his pipe. Once it is tucked safely in his breast pocket he turns to her. “My,” the thought escapes her lips before she can think to stop herself, “aren’t you looking dapper.” He stands in place as if to let her take it all in. He is wearing his good dark 3-piece suit, with a white shirt and a burgundy tie. A matching handkerchief tucked in with his pipe. Audrey steps toward him to pull at his cuffs which had bunched up when he pulled on his jacket. She tries hard not to notice how good he smells. She steps in farther to straighten his already straightened tie. “Looking forward to the dancing?” she asks as she steps back to assess her work.
“Yes,” he grins then thinks better of it and his brow furrows. “Of course, the Daffodil Ball is a fund raiser for the community.” He is headed down the hall towards his overcoat. Audrey is right behind him. He gets to the coatrack, and she reaches around him to grab his coat. Now she is so near he can smell her bath salts. It makes him stop in his tracks.
“I bet Dorothy is really looking forward to being out with you.” She is holding his coat out for him. As he slips his arms in, she says, “it’s been near a week since you’ve been out for an evening.”
Siegfried pulls his coat around himself, “it’s been a busy week.”
She nods as she brushes her hand across his back as she always does. “I’ll miss this,” she thinks to herself.
The doorbell rings, pulling them both from their separate thoughts. Audrey starts for the door, then turns back to him. “You better get going,” she smiles. “You don’t want to keep Dorothy waiting.” She doesn’t wait for his reply.
“Come in,” Siegfreid hears her say at the open door. “I’ll just grab my coat.” Audrey quickly moves down the hall to the closet, followed by a tall figure dressed in a tattered overcoat.
“Alderson?” Siegfried’s mouth hangs open.
Richard stops, leans in and nearly whispers into his ear, “I can’t believe you let this one get away.” He nods toward the open closet door, where Audrey has disappeared to get her things. She immerges, smiling at the two men.
“All set,” she steps forward as Richard takes her coat to hold it out for her. Her smile broadens as she slides her arms in, then turns toward Siegfried. “We’ll see you there,” she takes Richard’s arm and is out the door before Siegfried can respond.
It’s been decades since Audrey attended a dance. She feels a little shaky as Richard leads her by the hand to the dance floor. “This might be a little dangerous for you, Richard,” she is smiling up at him as his hand touches lighting on her back. “I haven’t dance in so long.” She looks a bit worried. “I hope your shoes are made of stiff leather,” she looks down at their feet.
Richard places a finger under her chin, raises her eyes to his. “I think I’m tough enough to handle your tiny feet.” He is grinning. She relaxes a little as they start around the dance floor.
Siegfried nearly pushes Dorothy through the door, pulling her coat from her arms and throwing his and hers towards the coat check. He doesn’t wait for the ticket before pulling Dorothy onto the dance floor. As he slips his arms around her, he searches the room. He and Dorothy see them at the same time. “They actually make a lovely couple,” Dorothy smiles at him. Siegfried is frowning but can’t look away. “It’s a wonder they haven’t gotten together before,” she continues. They fall silent.
Dorothy’s thoughts turn inward. “This could never work,” she has known this after only a couple of dates with Siegfried. On their last date, she lost count of how many times he brought up Audrey in conversation. “She is the only thing on his mind,” she reminds herself silently.
Dorothy had brought it up in the car. She had told him, “This isn’t going to work out.” He hadn’t even fought her when Dorothey continued, “she is the only thing you can focus on.” She tried to smile as he turns his head slightly toward her, “and I can’t come second.” She had taken a big breath, “it’s just not in me.” They rode the rest of the way to the dance in silence. As Siegfried was rushing her through the door, she said, “you have to tell her.” As he pulled her out of her coat, “tonight!” On the dance floor he gave her a quick nod before scanning the room for Audrey.
Audrey is surprised to find herself so comfortable in Richard’s arms, as they glide through the crowded dance floor. She is hardly thinking about her feet as she takes in all the couples. Of course, everyone she has expected were there, Siegfried and Dorothy, James and Helen, and Tristian and Charlotte. Charlotte’s father is leaning against the bar. They had introduced her to him when she and Richard arrived. Charlotte had thought it would be good for him to get out and be part of the community. She had told him, “It will be fun.” As he stands staring into his drink, Audrey doesn’t think he is having fun.
Audrey smiles when she sees Maggie dancing with Tom. She turns her eyes to Richard again. “That’s an unexpected but perfect match.”
Richard looks over at the couple, “Aye, that’s been brewing for some time.” His eyes twinkle a bit, “there may be wedding bells soon, as our Helen tells it.”
Audrey laughs, “That would be wonderful!” Her eyes continue to drift around the floor. She giggles a little as she spies Phyllis dancing with her son, Billy. “I heard he bought their tickets and insisted on her coming.”
Richard’s smile brightened, “He’s a good son.” He moves them closer to the couple.
“Let’s switch partners”, Audrey surprises him, “shall we?” Richard nods. “Is he being shy or grumpy?” Audrey wonders, like Siegfried, it’s hard to tell with some men.
Richard speaks first, “how’d ya do?” Phyllis smiles as the four stop. “Shall we switch partners?” Richard directs his question to Billy. Phyliss looks at Billy as well. Billy nods his approval, as Phyllis replaces Audrey in Richard’s arms. They quickly lose them into the crowd.
Billy stands awkwardly starring at Audrey. “I could use a refreshment.” Billy sighs in relief. “How about you?” Billy nods his head as they move toward the bar.
Siegfried expression softens for the first time this evening as he sees Audrey standing at the bar with Billy, of all people. She is chatting with him and the General. What a strange combination, he thinks. They are all smiling as Billy speaks enthusiastically, then Audrey and the General laugh.
“Here’s your chance,” Dorothy takes the lead and maneuvers them towards the bar. When they arrive at the small group Dorothy announces them a little too loudly, “I’m gasping.” She nods to everyone, “lovely evening, isn’t it?” Siegfried busies himself ordering their drinks.
The conversation interrupted, Audrey looks out onto the dance floor. “It is a lovely evening,” she nods at Dorothy. “One of the best I’ve had in a long time.” She smiles again, “everyone is so happy.”
Dorothy raises her eyebrows as she receives her drink from Siegfried, “and love is in the air.” She stares at Siegfried, then motions towards Audrey.
Audrey is starring at her feet, “well isn’t that springs way?”
Dorothy sets her half-drunk glass on the bar and turns to the General, “I’m Dorothy.” She offers her hand; he takes it. “Shall we?” She motions towards the dance floor. They come together quickly, leaving Audrey alone with Siegfried. “Where has Billy got off to?” she thinks to herself.
They both set their drinks down at the same time. Siegfried catches her eye, without a word, Audrey tucks her arm into his, as they head to the dance floor.
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