Page 57 of Requiem

Julia 20

When he wraps his arms around me, the whole world melts away. The people dancing around us just seem to fade into the background. All at once, the sounds of loud chatter and clinking glasses are drowned out by the crickets and the wind as it whispers through the leaves. I look up, at him and at the sky beyond him. It isn’t until right now that I truly understand the meaning of the phrase ‘blanket of stars.’ There are millions of tiny, glittering points of light winking at us from every direction. If I could just find a way to affix a sound to each of them, they would create a beautiful, celestial symphony.

I sigh contentedly as I snuggle in closer to my husband, putting my head against his chest. The beat of his heart nearly matches the beat of the music swirling around us. Matthew holds me tightly, guiding me gently from side to side and in a circular motion around the dance floor created just for this occasion on the back lawn of a spectacular mansion. We are in Nassau County, in an area known as ‘The Gold Coast,’ where some of Long Island’s most affluent citizens call home.

Michael and Danielle Milano are huge arts patrons and are hosting this gala as a fundraiser for The Walton String Quartet. From where we are dancing, I can see the young couple as they make their rounds to every table. With his height and dark good looks and her blonde hair and stunning features, they’re hard to miss...as are the two perfect little boys who chase around after them. What are their names? Mark … no, Mason. Mason and Steven … the little guy runs like David …

“I know what you’re thinking, Mama Bear.” Matthew says, resting his chin atop my head. “You’d like to have our little monster running around out here too.”

“Well … maybe a little …” I confess.

“Are you having a good time, or are you counting the minutes till we can leave?”

I stop dancing and look up at him with a disbelieving smile.

“Are you nuts? Dancing with you under the stars on a beautiful night? I can’t think of any place I’d rather be right now!”

He leans down and gives me a sweet and gentle kiss.

“How about the Gold Coast Inn?” he asks when he pulls away.

“Ah, well, yeah, that might give this a run for the money. They say that place is amazing, with a fireplace in each room …”

“ … and a hot tub for two,” he adds.

“Well, I guess I’m not the only one who’s seen the ad on TV,” I tease. “Why?”

“Because we have a reservation there tonight.”

“What?”

He cannot be serious. The most modest room at the Gold Coast Inn starts at five hundred a night. And, if I know Matthew Ayers, he didn’t give the modest room a second look.

“I was right the first time! You are nuts!” I exclaim, shaking my head.

He just smiles and shrugs.

“And what about David?”

“No worries there, I booked Natalie for an overnight with him weeks ago. She’ll stay in our room tonight and make sure he gets to his play date in the morning so you and I can enjoy a late check out … in the hot tub, I hope.”

He’s giving me his most suggestive grin.

“And what am I supposed to wear?” I challenge.

He leans close and whispers in my ear. “Well, you won’t be needing any clothes tonight, I’ll make sure of that. As for tomorrow, Nat packed an overnight bag. It’s already in the car.”

That little Mata Hari! She didn’t drop so much as a hint!

He stands back and surveys me with a very self-satisfied smile on his face. I’m about to comment when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

“May I cut in?”

It’s Philip Tonka, our friend, and a fellow cellist. It was his spot that I took in the Walton Quartet.

“Of course!” I say, stepping back to leave him and Matthew together with a giggle.

“Oh, no!” Matthew groans, shaking his head and waving his hands. “The last time I danced with this guy, he stepped all over my toes. I think you’d better take this one, Julia.”