Sarah & Allison Magic
Part III
The entrance to the Grand Ballroom was framed by a pergola. Draped with vines and red and white streamers, hung with red and white balloons, and surrounded by greenery, one got the impression they were entering a formal garden on the Cote d'Azur.
What they saw on the other side of the pergola was just as fantastic. A massive chandelier hung in the center of the room, reflecting off the mirrored ceiling. A liveried greeter was framed by twin staircases. Not long, the staircases almost met at the bottom.
The greeter addressed Sarah's parents, "Your invitations, please?" They handed him their invitations and he looked at them briefly. He turned and announced, "Dr. and Mr. Alistair Black."
Sarah's mom went down the right-hand staircase and her dad, the left. When they met at the bottom, her dad bowed deeply, took one of his wife's hands in each of his, and kissed them. He asked, "Be my valentine?"
Her mom replied, "Of course, my darling. It would be my honor and my pleasure."
The greeter turned to face the girls, "Your invitations, please, Ladies." Sarah and Allison handed him their invitations. He turned again and announced, "Ms. Sarah Black. Ms. Allison White."
Sarah went down the right-hand staircase and Allison the left. When they got to the bottom, Sarah took one of Allison's hands in each of hers, kissed the back of each, and curtsied. Allison curtsied back. They said in unison, "Be my valentine?" And replied in unison, "It would be my honor and my pleasure."
Sarah's mom watched the girls as they descended the stairs. She saw two very beautiful young ladies, confident and sure of themselves. Sarah and Allison had developed an almost unflappable calm since they'd been together. Sarah's mom was sure the girls would develop into 'movers-and-shakers' in whatever field they decided to go into.
The four of them looked around the ballroom. The orchestra was playing off to one side. The dance floor was in front of them. On the other side of the dance floor was the entrance into the main dining room, where the buffet was set up. Sconces lit the wall every few feet.
"Dad, what's that table for over there?"
"That's the Renaissance Foundation table. See the flag in the center of the table?"
"Yes." Sarah could see a small multi-colored flag on a black dowel in the center of the table.
"This is the primary fundraising event for the Foundation. The organizing committee is wearing a lapel pin that looks like the flag. People will be bringing them checks and pledges. Members of the committee will be visiting others to pick up their pledges and checks."
"Which group are you and Mom in?"
"I suspect that someone will visit us before long."
"May Allison and I contribute also?'
"Certainly. When they come to pick up our contribution, I'll ask them to bring you a card."
"Thanks, Dad."
"No problem, punkin. I'm very happy that you want to help out."
"We talked about it and decided that we wanted to give something." Sarah's dad kissed her on the forehead.
Even this early, there were a lot of the people on the dance floor. Sarah's dad turned to his three escorts, "OK, ladies. Time to shake your bootie."
"Daaaad!"
"I can't help it that I'm a party animal." To Sarah and Allison, "The next dance on each of your cards is reserved for me. OK?"
"OK, Dad…"
"OK, Mr. Black."
He spun his wife onto the floor.
Sarah turned to Allison, "May I have the pleasure of this dance?"
"Certainly." They stepped onto the floor and started to put their lessons to good use. The easy waltz allowed the girls to show off a little and still look at the different styles around them. At the end of the song, Sarah's dad led the three ladies over to the buffet. He invited Sarah's mom and Allison to indulge themselves while he danced with his number one princess.
This number was a little faster and had a different rhythm. Sarah's dad looked at her, "Feel like something a little different?"
"Sure. Lead on, Gentle-Sir." He showed her the steps for the foxtrot. Starting slowly, Sarah was doing pretty well by the end of the number. "That was fun. We'll have to show that to Allison."
"You bet. How about something to eat?"
"Sounds like a plan." Her dad led her back to the table where Allison and her mom were sitting. "Dad showed me the foxtrot. You have to try it if you get a chance."
Sarah's mom smiled. "I guess I'll have to bring the girls more often if it means getting you to take me dancing."
"Hmmm. We might be able to work something out." Turning to Allison, "Ready for your turn to trip the light fantastic, sunshine?"
"If you teach me something new, I'm there."
Listening to the music, Sarah's dad said, "Sounds like a cha-cha. You're on," and led her towards the floor.
He brought Allison back to the table at the end of the song and got himself a plate from the buffet. They talked about the dancing and other inconsequentials. Sarah and Allison were agog at the number of important people that were at the Gala. They saw politicians, local TV personalities, newsmakers, even a movie star.
After a few minutes, an older gentleman approached the table. "Good evening Al, Alice. Having fun?"
Sarah's dad stood up and shook the gentleman's hand. "Good evening, Governor. Yes, lots of fun. This is my daughter, Sarah, and her friend, Allison. Between the three of them, this is the first chance I've had to sit down."
"How about I take Sarah off your hands for a few minutes and let you get something to eat?" Turning to Sarah, "May I have the pleasure of this dance, young lady?"
Sarah gulped, "Sir, it would be my honor," and got up. She turned to Allison and made a 'What have I got myself into' face.
The Governor sighed. "Thank you. It isn't often that I get to dance with such a beautiful young woman." Sarah took the Governor's hand and allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor.
Sarah's mom and dad were smiling at her predicament. "I don't know, but I think I just got my nose tweaked."
"You did, dear, just a little. It was in a good cause, look at our baby."
Sarah's mom looked at Sarah dancing and chatting with the Governor, poised, confident, and beautiful. Another gentleman approached the table at that moment. "I see our distinguished Governor has made it here before me."
Sarah's dad stood up again and shook the man's hand, "Just barely, Mr. Mayor. This is Sarah's friend, Allison, and she is waiting for a handsome gentleman to ask her to dance. She's lonely sitting here with us old-timers. Do you know anybody who might be able distract her for a moment?" Allison couldn't see him smile.
"Mr. Black…"
"I believe I just might." Turning to Allison, "May I have the pleasure of this dance?"
Allison had a similar 'What have I got myself into' look on her face, "It would be an honor, sir." The Mayor took her right hand in his and kissed the back of it. She rose and followed him onto the dance floor. It was crowded enough now that they had to wait a moment for an opening.
Sarah's mom and dad watched Allison. They watched her chatting with the Mayor after she relaxed. The Governor and Mayor switched partners before the girls danced together again. It was one of those very slow, barely move your feet numbers. Sarah snuggled in close, hugging Allison around her waist. Allison cradled Sarah's head with her hands. At one point, Allison drew Sarah's chin up and kissed her. It was obvious how much they loved each other.
Two women passed between Sarah's parents and the girls. They heard one of them say, "Look at those two hussies making a spectacle of themselves."
"Excuse me, Mrs. O'Bannon, Alistair Black. Which two hussies are you talking about?"
The lady looked at the girls, "Those two…" She glanced furtively about and whispered,"…lesbians."
"What's interesting, Mrs. O'Bannon, is that the two young ladies are my daughter and her friend and..." The lady looked a little shocked.
Before Sarah's dad could say anything else, the Governor came up. "Wait, Al. Let me handle this." Looking at Mrs. O'Bannon, "Madam, In this day and age, that is an outrageous attitude. Both young ladies are outstanding examples of the youth in this city. As a founding member of the Renaissance Foundation, I can assure you that that attitude is anathema to us. Any contributions you've made tonight will be returned and we would like you to leave immediately."
The Mayor appeared at that moment, "Is there a problem, Governor?"
"Yes, Mr. Mayor. Mrs. O'Bannon has made disparaging remarks about Mr. Black's daughter and friend. I have asked her to leave."
"That's interesting. I've spent time with both young ladies tonight and they are bright, outgoing, and very intelligent."
Mrs. O'Bannon seemed to be saying, "But," silently, over and over, standing next to two of the most powerful men in the state. The Governor continued, "Would you escort Mrs. O'Bannon over to the table so she can pick up any contributions she's made tonight before she leaves."
"It would be my pleasure, your Honor." Turning to Mrs. O'Bannon, "If you would accompany me, please."
"Al, let me apologize for this. The Foundation will have nothing more to do with her. Your daughter and her friend are suited for each other. They are beautiful, well spoken, and obviously in love with each other. You should be proud of both of them."
"I am. Thank you." Sarah's dad looked and saw the girls on the other side of the floor, so they probably didn't know about the incident.
It seemed that Sarah and Allison were the Belles of the Ball. Someone was always waiting by the table to ask one of them to dance or passing by. Sarah's mom even got asked to dance. The anchor of the top-rated TV news program approached, "Dr. Black, good evening. How are you enjoying the Ball?"
"A good evening it is, Mr. Fallon. I'm enjoying the Ball quite well. I'm enjoying watching my daughter and her friend dance with themselves and everyone else. I'm enjoying dancing with my husband. I don't get to do it enough."
"I'm glad you're having a good time. May I have the pleasure of a dance with you?"
Sarah's mom fluttered her hand like a southern belle might, "Why Mr. Fallon, how very forward of you. I would be honored to dance with you." At the same time she was talking, she caught her husband's eye. An indication of their closeness was that only a nod passed between them and he knew she was going to be dancing. The floor was still crowded and they had to wait a moment before folding in.
It was about 11pm when Sarah's dad caught up with her and Allison. They were taking a break and had gotten a snack from the buffet. "Girls, having a good time?"
"Yes, dad…"
"Yes, sir."
"I take it, then, you're not ready to go."
Emphatically, "No!"
"Well then, your mom is tired. I'm going to take her back up to the suite and come back down for you. I'll be back in time to have another dance with each of you before the last dance. Try not to burn the place down while I'm gone."
"We'll try real hard, Dad. See you in a few minutes."
"Oh, here is the pledge card you wanted."
"Thanks, Dad. We'll fill it out."
"Just hang on to it until I come back."
"OK."
The next time Sarah saw her dad, she was dancing with Allison and he was standing at the edge of the dance floor. He had a look on his face that could only be described as a combination of love and admiration for his grown-up little girl and wistful longing for his little girl that he didn't want to grow up. A woman passed between them. When she had passed, Sarah saw her dad was frowning. He saw her looking and smiled.
When the number ended, he came over and asked Allison to dance.
He asked Sarah to dance next. About halfway through the number, Sarah looked up, "Dad, I saw you frown when that woman passed between us. Did she say something?"
"Nothing for you to worry about, honey. Now, shall we finish with a flourish?"
"At your lead, Gentle-Sir." He twirled her into a dip that almost touched Sarah's hair to the floor as the music faded.
Sarah went to look find Allison for the last dance. Sarah's dad passed along the girl's pledge card with a note that he would match every dollar they gave.
It was almost midnight when the bandleader stepped to the microphone as the music started. "Ladies and gentlemen, The Guy Lombardo Royal Canadian Orchestra would like to thank you for a wonderful evening. This is the final dance. So, partners, take your significant other in your arms, hug them close, and make it memorable." Then he started singing, "Pennies in a stream, falling leaves a sycamore, moonlight in Vermont,…"
Allison hugged Sarah around her waist. Sarah hugged Allison around her neck, kissed her, and laid her head on Allison's shoulder.
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© 2004 Donal