Love in E Flat (7 page)

Agata chuckled. “No, thank you.”

“So what are we talking about?” he asked as he took the empty glasses.

“None of your business,” Lou said.

Agata laughed then; Lou decided Agata looked lovely when she laughed. “I was asking Lou if she always wanted to be a writer of sports.”

Luke stiffened and glanced at Lou, who caught Agata glancing at both of them, but said nothing. “Lou’s just a big jock.” He patted Lou on the shoulder as he left.

“That’s me.” Lou lifted her glass. “So let’s get back to the interview.”

“As you wish,” Agata said.

The eyes of scrutiny were upon her, so Lou quickly continued. “Is your grandmother still alive?”

“No,” she said sadly. “She died several years ago. I was in England and couldn’t get back to her in time.” She stared at the table and said nothing else.

“Were you on tour?” Lou asked softly.

Agate blinked, then nodded.

Lou sipped her coffee and watched the pensive look. “What was it like for you growing up in Russia?”

“It was not as bad as it was for others. As I said, I had privileges that other children did not have. But my parents and my grandmother made sure I was not spoiled. Though I would see the harshness of Communism without their help. It was all around.”

“Did your grandmother live with you?”

“She could have.”

Lou cocked her head. “What does that mean?”

Agata took a sip of wine before answering. “The government allowed Baba to live with us…” She laughed when she saw the look of confusion on Lou’s face. “Baba is a nickname for grandmother. That’s what I called her.”

Lou grinned. “Say it again.”

Agata raised an eyebrow. “Baba,” she said softly. “May I continue?”

Suddenly, Lou was aware she had been staring at Agata’s lips. “Oh, sorry. Yes, please.”

“I notice you take no notes.”

“I don’t need to. I’m special.”

“I can only imagine.”

Her low seductive voice had Lou chuckling again. “Continue, please, Aggie.”

If Agata heard the nickname Lou used, she made no show of it. “My grandmother would stay for short visits, but she longed to be back in Poland. It was her home. She had a small house in the countryside.”

“What about your grandfather?”

“He was a farmer. Died of pneumonia when he was fifty. I barely knew him. Baba had the farm taken from her, but she had the house.”

“Seems she could have had a good life living with you and your parents.”

Agata looked across the table. She searched Lou’s face for a moment. “Privilege has its price. It was a price Baba would not pay.”

Lou heard pride mingled with sadness in Agata’s voice. “Communism?”

“She hated it. It was bad enough in Poland. She knew if she stayed in Russia, she would say something or do something. So she came for visits. After my parents died, I went to stay with her from time to time. When the Berlin Wall came down, she wept openly. In the years to come, we could move freely, and I stayed longer. But my music took me all over Europe, and I saw her less and less. I wanted her to join me, but she would not leave her home.”

They sat in silence for a moment before Lou went on. “Can I ask some personal questions?”

Agata raised an eyebrow. “What have you been asking?”

Lou smiled sheepishly, and Agata mercifully let her off the hook. “You may ask if you will not be disappointed if I do not answer.”

“Deal,” Lou said with a smile. “I did a little research tonight. You never married. Don’t be offended, but I’m surmising you’re in your forties. Though you don’t look like it.”

Agata raised the other eyebrow. “Older?”

“No, no. Younger. So no suitors? You’re an attractive woman.”

“Thank you.” Agata ran her fingers around the stem of her wineglass, apparently gauging her answer or whether to answer at all. “I have had my share of companionship. But with my schedule and my life, I have not devoted any time to it. It would not be fair.”

“Because you travel so much?”

“Yes.”

“Would you like to get married?”

Agata grinned. “I am a little busy this week…”

Lou laughed. “Okay, I get it.”

“Enough personal information for now,
nyet
?”

“
Nyet
means no, correct?”

Agata nodded slowly. Lou narrowed her eyes. “And
da
means yes?” Lou asked. Again, Agata nodded. “So are you saying no or yes?”

“I am saying enough for now, Comrade Preston.”

Lou cocked her head. “But perhaps more later?”

“You are persistent.” Agata finished her wine. “Perhaps.”

“Oh, one more thing. The young boy who played the piano. He was amazing. Do you know who he is?”

Agata seemed once again very guarded. Lou wondered if it was her natural state.

“Yes. He is quite amazing. Another child prodigy—”

“That some would like to exploit?” Lou gently prodded.

“I believe that is sufficient for the evening.”

“Okay.” Lou glanced at her watch. “Wow, we’ve been here for nearly three hours. I apologize for monopolizing your time.”

“You have not. I would not have stayed if I did not want to.”

“Something tells me you don’t do much you don’t want to.”

“It is a waste of time.”

Lou grinned. “And this was not a waste of time for you.”

“No, it was not.” She sat back.

Lou thought she might want to leave; she said quickly, “How much longer are you in Chicago?”

“I have three more concerts remaining this week, and I am scheduled to visit a music center for underprivileged children.”

“Really?”

Agata smiled. “Yes, really. Why does that surprise you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not really surprised. Well, maybe a little. I wouldn’t think you’d have the time.”

“Well, this is a special trip.”

When she didn’t elaborate, Lou gave her a questioning smile.

“You are tenacious. When I am done here, I am to go back to Connecticut.”

“That’s a busy week. Is there another concert in Connecticut?”

“No. It is where I live when I am not in Europe. I have dual citizenship. I have scheduled nothing during the holidays.”

“You’re going to stay in the States for Christmas?”

Once again, a pensive mood hung in the air. Lou saw the faraway look as Agata stared at her empty wineglass. In the back of her mind, for some reason, Lou hoped she would stay in Chicago. How stupid was that?

 
“What else can I get you?” Luke asked, breaking her thoughts as he cleared the glasses from the table. “More coffee?”

Agata shook her head and smiled thankfully. Lou watched, fighting the urge to ask her why she looked so sad and lost in thought. Even Luke seemed curious. “Well, I’ll leave you alone then. Just holler.” He looked at Lou as if it were her fault for Agata’s mood.

“Have I asked the wrong question?” Lou asked softly.

Agata blinked and looked at her. “No. It is all right. I do not know what I am doing for Christmas.”

“Well, it has a habit of creeping up on us. Before you know it, it’ll be here and we’ll be scrambling to get all the shopping done.”

“And I have a feeling you are a scrambler.”

Lou laughed and agreed. “Horribly so.”

“And you have someone to scramble for?” Agata absently ran her hand over the linen tablecloth.

“Conducting the interview now, are we?”

“It seems fair.”

“Okay.” Lou took a deep breath. “No. I have no one to scramble around for this Christmas.”

“But in Christmases past?” Agata looked into her eyes.

“Long past, yes. And that’s all you’re getting out of me, Aggie. You don’t mind if I call you Aggie?”

Was Agata Karetnikov blushing? Lou grinned slightly and waited.

“
Nyet
. I do not mind. You Americans love nicknames.”

“Just makes it more personal somehow. Not so distant.”

“There is something to be said for distance, Comrade.”

“Perhaps. There are times when I have found that to be true, as well. But we still hope,
nyet
?” Lou grinned hopefully.

Agata shook her head. “You are like dog with bone.”

“So I’ve been told. Well,” she said, once again looking at her watch, “I think we’re done for tonight. I-I’d like to continue this interview, perhaps tomorrow?”

Lou was happy to see a slightly stunned look, which she was sure Agata seldom showed. “You do not have the information you need?”

“Well, you have a few more days in Chicago. Perhaps I can show you some of the city. I’d like to be thorough, you know, for the article.”

“Of course. What did you have in mind?”

“When are you performing?” Lou tried to ignore the butterflies that were doing the conga in her stomach.

“I have nothing tomorrow but have an evening concert on Friday.”

“Wonderful.” Lou leaned forward. “Have you ever seen a college football game?” She smiled when Agata warily shook her head. “You look suspicious.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Agata’s mouth. “I have a good feeling it is warranted.”

Lou laughed. “Can I tell you something?” She went on before Agata could answer. “I enjoy your company. I know we got off to a rocky start, but you’re actually delightful and not standoffish as…” She stopped when Agata glared. “I mean, I don’t listen to…I think you’re very approachable and…”

Agata cocked her head and sat back. Lou swallowed, feeling the heat spread up her neck to her face but felt compelled to dig the hole deeper. “I mean, hell, I’d approach you if…”

“Oh, Good Lord, stop talking!” Luke pleaded from behind the tall plant situated next to their table.

Agata put her hand to her mouth, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Why don’t you pull up a chair instead of hiding in a potted plant?” Lou asked angrily.

“Why bother?” Luke walked away, shaking his head.

“Do not be angry with Luke,” Agata said, still chuckling. “And I appreciate what you are saying. Thank you.”

Lou laughed grudgingly. “You’re welcome.” They sat quietly for a moment or two. “Anyway. I have to cover a holiday benefit game at Northwestern tomorrow. It’s a university nearby. Would you like to go with me? Maybe have dinner afterward and continue the interview? Unless you need your rest. I know lugging that huge violin around might be taxing.”