All the Right Strings

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

That night, my cello and I arrived at the museum about twenty minutes before we were to start. I sat and tuned my instrument until all the others had arrived.

“You’ll have to find another cellist for a few weeks,” I announced as we prepared to play. “I’m going on vacation.”

“Where are you going?” the violist, John, asked.

“St. Lucia,” was my answer.

“Whoa!” the first violinist, and leader of the quartet, Cheryl exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were that rich.”

I smiled. “I’m going with a friend.”

“Then he must be rich, A lot of famous people go there on vacation,” John added. I just smiled at them. We started to play some Haydn.

I glanced up once between pieces to see Car standing there with a wineglass in her hand, watching me. I smiled as we began some Beethoven.

When the set ended, we stood up. There was a smattering of applause but most people were viewing the new exhibit. I looked around but Car was nowhere in sight.

“Will you be back in time to rehearse the Dvorak for the opening of the Bohemian exhibition?” Cheryl asked me.

“When is that?” I asked.

“It opens in two months.”

“I should be back before then,” I informed her. “I should only be gone for three or four weeks. I’ll call you if something comes up. But if you find a better cellist, you have to leave a message on my phone as soon as possible.”

She patted me on the shoulder. “We like the cellist we have.”

Then Charlotte, the second violinist brought us each a bottle of water. We sat back down, sipped from them, and began some Strauss.

* * * *

“Very nice,” I heard as I was wiping the rosin from my cello. I looked up into Car’s eyes.

“Thanks,” I mumbled.

Cheryl came over to me, her violin case in her hand. “Have a wonderful time,” she said. “And call me when you get back.”

“I will.” I stood and we gave each other air-kisses. Then she walked away. The other two members of the quartet also came over to me to add their best wishes.

“If you decide to get married, let us know. We’ll play at your wedding,” John added as he gave me a hug.

“That won’t happen,” I assured him as he walked away.

“You seem quite popular,” Car said as I laid my cello into its case. “What was this marriage thing about?”

“They just assumed I was going on vacation with some rich guy,” I said as I flipped the locks closed.

“Don’t they know you’re gay?”

“It never came up,” I said as I picked up the cello. “We don’t usually talk about personal things, just about the music. I know John and Cheryl are both married because they’ve brought their spouses to performances. I don’t know if they have kids. I know next to nothing about Charlotte, except she graduated from Boston University.”

Car c****d her eyebrow at me but I just shrugged.

“Let’s go,” she said, as she stroked my arm. “I hope you have your car. I sent Jack home.”

“It’s right in the back parking lot.” I smiled as I led her to my car.

* * * *

That night was even more amazing than Thursday had been. It was like I couldn’t get enough and neither could Car. She even made love to me, though I made love to her many more times.

“Chris!” she screamed once again. I couldn’t get my breath.

When she could get her breath, she said, “I’m glad you’re mine now,” she said. “I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

“Only yours,” I whispered as I glanced at the contract on the bed table. We’d both signed it as soon as we got into the bedroom.

Something had snapped in me when we signed it. Gone was the worry that this relationship wouldn’t last. Gone was the worry that I wouldn’t please her, that she’d dump me tomorrow. It felt somewhat like a marriage, although the contract said only six months. I was calm inside and I wanted to make her as happy as possible. I knew what I wanted to do and I also knew I had permission to do it. It almost felt that I’d passed all my finals and I was going on to the next grade. The future looked exciting.

* * * *

I woke the next day, just in time to shower, don my black outfit, and kiss Car goodbye.

“Give me a call tomorrow morning,” she whispered.

“All right, Have a great day,” I said as I raced for my car.