Transparency (14 page)
Authors: Jeanne Harrell
“Barely… She’s staying with me right now because I don’t trust her to be alone. She was a mess when I picked her up at the airport.”
“It’s all my fault – again, -- Eva. I’m an incredibly unfeeling bastard who doesn’t deserve her.”
She laughed again. “Yes, but a bastard who wants her back desperately, right?”
He finally laughed with her. “You’ve hit the target there.”
“… So what’s the plan?”
“Don’t you have a fundraising benefit for the Philharmonic coming up soon?”
“Yes, tomorrow night…”
“Will the Quartet be playing?”
“We will and then we’ll be off our leave of absence and be members of the Philharmonic again. It’s our last performance for a while as the Quartet.”
“I’m going to fly to San Francisco, Eva. Could you get me a key to her condo by the Marina?”
“Okay, but Bryce…”
“… Yeah…”
“You’re not staying in Las Vegas, then?”
“No,” he laughed. “I’ve run my course with this city and this business, and I’m coming to get her.”
Eva smiled from ear to ear. “Just what I wanted to hear. I’ll patch her up to play the fundraiser and you take it from there. All right?”
“Sounds great. Thanks, Eva.”
Bryce packed a bag, called a travel agent that he knew and caught the first plane to San Francisco. He called his mother on the plane to fill her in on everything that had happened so far. Carol was mad at him for screwing things up with Beth, but proud he was going to stand up and do what was right in regards to his business.
Arriving in San Francisco, he took a cab from the airport to Beth’s scenic condo out in the Marina district. She had a place with a nice view of the San Francisco Bay with moonlight reflecting off the water. Finding the key Eva had hidden for him, Bryce hung up his suits and put away his other clothing. He felt at home immediately and went out on her pretty patio to breathe in the moist air. After living in a desert for several years, his skin gratefully soaked up the moisture offered it. He breathed in peaceful feelings as well. Now all he needed was the woman he loved – Beth… Would she even speak to him?
* * *
The performance for the Philharmonic fundraiser that evening was formal with a lovely reception to follow. All the musicians were milling around backstage in black evening attire, straightening bow ties and long, shimmering dresses. Eva and Beth had on their gorgeous black chiffon dresses with beaded belts. And Eva kept fussing with Beth’s hair and makeup.
“What’s the matter with you? I don’t need any help, Eva.”
“Quit being so grouchy. I just want you to look beautiful tonight, as usual.”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know that’s your goal every performance.”
“Ha. Sarcasm noted but overlooked… You’re not yourself tonight.”
“… I haven’t been myself since I got back, have I?” Her eyes slid to Eva’s in the mirror where they were combing their hair.
Eva shook her head. “Nope…”
Beth swallowed as her eyes filled up. “I miss him, Eva…”
She handed her a tissue. “I know it, sweetie. Don’t cry… I’m sure it’ll all work out.”
“… Sure can’t see how…”
‘
Places, please’
was called out on the intercom to all the musicians backstage. They walked out behind the closed velvet curtain to sit in the arranged chairs facing the front of the stage. The beautiful auditorium was decorated with satin and silk banners to highlight the Philharmonic’s fiftieth year of operation. The reception in the outer room was already flowing with caterers bringing in champagne and caviar. It would prove to be a night to remember.
Mozart…
Brahms…
Mendelssohn…
Tchaikovsky…
The evening was dedicated to the world’s most beautiful music. People could argue all they wanted about whether a composer had been left off the list or not, but the pieces and movements chosen were, indeed, quite beautiful. And the elegant group of people listening attentively appreciated the fine craftsmanship of the musicians of the San Francisco Philharmonic.
Near the end of the concert, Beth, Eva, William and James, the Quartet, rose to move to chairs and a piano set up on one side. Theirs would be the final two pieces of tonight’s fine performance. Bryce hadn’t been able to manage a ticket, the performance was sold-out, but Eva smuggled him backstage and out of sight so he could still enjoy the concert.
After their first piece, a lovely sonata by Mozart, the Quartet acknowledged applause from the audience and then looked in the direction of the piano. Beth had been given the honor of closing tonight’s performance with her beautiful rendition of ‘
Joy
’ by Johann Sebastian Bach – once again… The whole Quartet knew how difficult it would be for her to play it, seemingly since she’d broken up with Bryce. Everyone knew it had become Beth and Bryce’s favorite song.
From the first bright notes to the last, Beth’s skilled fingers skimmed over the piece obviously pouring her anguish into it. Eva’s face became pink and teary, while William and James took turns visibly swallowing. It cost them all to sit and listen to the heartbreaking version Beth spun of the beautiful Bach movement. Bryce’s composure backstage wavered as the music hit him hard.
Soon he was looking for a tissue in his jacket before she’d even finished playing.
As for Beth herself, she played with such heartfelt emotion and splendor, yet with her tears falling right onto the keys. The other musicians were all becoming affected and by the time she finished the piece, the audience was on its feet applauding. It was a beautiful, poignant closing for the concert. The Quartet received two encores and the whole Philharmonic received four encores.
Backstage after the performance, the musicians all happily stowed their instruments and made their ways to the outer reception. Flowers beautifully decorated the hallways along the route to the reception, filling the air with jasmine, alyssum, roses and gardenias. Bright, varied colors of pink, red, white and yellow created a feast of visual delight for all those participating in the lovely reception. Tables boasted elegant china and crystal glasses, Wedgwood vases and linen tablecloths. Soon people were laughing and smiling, talking and snacking… Enjoying themselves and the closure of a classically stunning performance.
Eva had kept Beth in the backstage dressing room with various little things for her to do until everyone had left. When she finally heard a knock at the door, Eva gave Beth some sheet music to put away and went to answer it.
“That’s all I’m doing, Eva. Can we please go to the reception now?”
Beth turned around to see Bryce standing in front of her with a beautiful bouquet of white and pink roses… Eva was gone, as was everyone else. She sputtered and came to a dead stop. Bryce’s eyes were sparkling at her and then he stepped a little closer. His dark hair was recently trimmed and combed smartly to one side. She glanced at his gray pinstripe suit, her favorite, that he was wearing. Roses were her favorite and the aftershave he was wearing was her favorite… He was leaving nothing to chance.
Without speaking, Bryce handed her a thick envelope. Opening it, Beth found two first class tickets to Washington, D.C. in the names of Bryce and Beth Barron. She looked up at him with wide, surprised eyes. He laid the flowers on a nearby table, stepped closer to her and took her hand. Then he dropped to one knee in front of her while her heart stopped.
“I’ve loved you all my life, Beth Lane. Please marry me so we can finally start our lives together. And the first thing we have to do is get on an airplane. My testimony is scheduled for the day after tomorrow and I want you with me when I go.” He looked up into her teary eyes. “Please marry me, Beth. I told Nick to forget it and I put my place in Vegas up for sale. I’ll do anything to make you happy, but first you have to speak to me…”
Beth cleared her throat and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“You broke my heart again…”
“I promise to fix it.” He reached into a pocket in his jacket and brought out a diamond ring between his fingers. “Will this help to fix your broken heart?”
She looked from the shining ring to his shining eyes…
“… Are you sure this is what you really want?”
“Without a single doubt… Is it what you really want?”
Beth nodded. “I’ve loved you all my life too, Bryce Barron. Yes, I’ll marry you… Maybe then you’ll stop breaking my heart.”
Bryce stood and slipped the diamond ring on her wedding finger. They looked at each other for a minute and slowly, big smiles came to both their faces.
“I thought you were supposed to be this big player…” she teased.
“I’ve been played out. The only woman I want to play with now is you,” he whispered.
When she nodded, he happily pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry for all my stupidity, Beth…” he began.
She shook her head against his chest. “Nope. Don’t do that… None of it matters now. Leave it all behind us…”
“Okay, honey,” he sighed, kissing the top of her head.
She raised her face to gaze at him happily. “I guess you’re unemployed now, huh?”
He laughed. “Yes, you might have to support me until I get back on my feet.”
“I’d prefer to keep you off your feet for a while and in my bed…”
“What a sexy devil you are, Mrs. Barron.” And then they were kissing… deep angels-weeping, pull-no-punches kisses that left them breathless and desiring more. He lifted his lips off hers reluctantly, but remained an inch away.
“… Don’t you have to put in an appearance at the reception?”
She pulled his face back to hers for another sexy kiss.
“Yes,” she murmured.
Finally, they were ready to walk out to the reception. Bryce took her hand and brought it up to his lips for a kiss as they walked along.
“I loved your playing tonight, sweetheart. It was incredible… You had everyone weeping.”
She smiled. “Good. I was weeping too… It was appropriate…”
* * *
They were married at City Hall early the next morning and were on an airplane to Washington, D.C. by ten o’clock. By the same time the next day, Bryce was sworn in by a bailiff for the Senate Committee for Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs in the grand Senate Chambers at the U.S. Capitol, and was seated at a long table in front. Beth sat in the row behind him glancing often at her new wedding ring set and then over at her handsome new husband. He glanced back at her once and smiled… Her heart about took flight.
He was asked question, after question by members of the Committee -- She was proud of his honest, direct answers. The Committee members seemed to be appreciative of his honesty and that he hadn’t pleaded the Fifth Amendment. One time he raised his left hand to gesture and she caught sight of his new wedding band. She blushed and was so thrilled… Everything a new wife might feel.
At the hotel later, he received several congratulatory telegrams from people in the financial world wanting to clean up corporate raiding. Bryce received telegrams from the company manager in Mesquite, Nevada as well as the owner of the Gardnerville plant. He smiled at Beth when he read them to her and was proud to be testifying, making a difference.
It was a whirlwind, unique honeymoon for them – Testifying for several days and seeing the sights of the Capitol. Then later on, Bryce and Beth snuggled in bed together, making love and just holding on tightly to each other. Every night they went to sleep amazed, exhausted and in love… And what a great way to start a marriage…
By the time they flew home to San Francisco, the Congressional Committee had all the information it needed to initiate the writing of a new bill to halt the practice of corporate raiding. Bryce and Beth also had all the love they needed to start their marriage on the best foot possible. When they arrived home, Bryce lovingly carried Beth over the threshold… into a new and wonderful life.
* * *
Bryce was glancing briefly at the San Francisco Chronicle while trying to feed the baby. Since he was only three months old, it shouldn’t have been that hard, but the baby turned his head this way and that, ensuring that Bryce would have a tough time. Finally, he got him to take his bottle.
“Beth, honey? Got everything you need?” Beth dashed down the stairs grabbing her sheet music from somewhere along the way.
“Yes, I think so. Why, oh why was a rehearsal called today? It’s our anniversary and I thought I’d have the day off.” She plopped down on a chair in the kitchen by Bryce and the baby. She cooed at the pretty baby lying in his seat on the table, and he laughed at her, spitting milk back at Bryce.
Bryce put the bottle down, blew out an exasperated breath, as he picked up a towel to dry his face. Beth held it in as long as she could, and then the smile she was stifling broke out big time…
“Thanks, sweetie. I just got him to take the bottle.”
“And after the bottle,” she grinned, “you get to burp him.” By this time, Beth had almost doubled over laughing while Bryce rolled his eyes.
“Don’t you have to go somewhere?”
She caught a whiff of something and scrunched her nose. “Oooo… I think it’s diaper change time too…” She smiled big as she grabbed her music portfolio and headed towards the door. “Gotta go, honey…”
Bryce stood quickly and grabbed her hand before she could get too far, pulling Beth into his arms. He gazed into her laughing brown eyes and took his sweet time kissing her long and slowly. When he finally lifted his lips from hers, her knees were wobbling.
“Remember Mom will be here to babysit tonight.” He nuzzled her ear.
“Mmm… Okay… I can be home by three.”
“Do you want any more of this?” he teased as he nipped her lip.
“Bryce… Stop. I’ll be home by two… Okay?” She smiled at him. “Aren’t you going into the store today?”
“Yes.” He kissed her lips again. “Apparently, most of the orchestra is coming in to get strings and other ordered equipment. Having a music store is not for the faint of heart.”
