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John Meets Laura

       "My name is John Dupree." He announced, smiling a broad smile.
       "Yes, I know." She replied. "Are you going to seduce me, sir?" She cocked her head a little to the side and closed her lips tightly in a soft smile.
       John was knocked for a loop. "Excuse me?" He choked, clearing his throat.
       Her long, straight chestnut brown hair hung precariously off her shoulders. She wore a very conservative blue dress with a high collar and flared cuffs of lace.
       "Your reputation is well known to me, Mr. Dupree."|
       With a blank expression on her smooth, petite face the mascara on her long eyelashes and dark eyeliner seemed to enhance the brightness of her eyes, evenly spaced like large sapphires against the whiteness of her smooth skin.
       She held out her empty glass to him. "Would you, please? My name is Laura De Gravolet."
       "Of course." John took the glass from her hand and filled it. "I'm very glad to meet you, Laura. Please, call me John. If my reputation has ever caused me concern it is now. Please, feel completely safe with me. I can assure you, I'm not a seducer."
       "Oh! I see. Violinists are not in season. Is that it?" She sighed and looked up at him as she bit her lower lip."
       "Ahhh! Of course! Laura De Gravolet!. My pleasure, Miss De Gravolet. I have heard recordings of your work. What a wonderful artist you are. As a matter of fact I love the violin."
       "Thank you. And I love the piano! Perhaps one day we will do a duet together." She smiled and took a large sip of her champagne.

As The Evening Was Ending

      "What time is it?"
       "Quarter to ten." He responded
       "I must go."
       "You must?" He asked, a note of disappointment in his voice. "Why even Cinderella stayed till midnight. May I give you a lift?"
       "I have an escort, thank you."
       "Oh!" John knew his disappointment must be even more evident.
       "That's him over there." She pointed to a very handsome young man with blond hair, smoking a pipe near the fireplace.
       John's attention focused on the man. His heart dropped. "I see. Perhaps I may call on you another time." He looked at her with the hope of some encouragement.
      "Silly!" She said. "When I have the famous, or is that the infamous, John Dupree for an escort do you really think I would leave with another. Shall we say goodnight to our hosts." She held out her hands to him. "I better return their instrument and thank them for the use of it."

An Invitation

     How about seeing where my digs are?"
      "Sir, are you proposing a night cap? Your etchings, perhaps?" She smiled in that school girlish way, holding her hands up in front of her as though protecting her innocence. He was still laughing at her mannerisms when they arrived at his apartment house in a taxi.
      "Shall I have him wait, or just call him when we need him again?"
      Looking at him with a coy look, she said, "Your decision, sir."
      He lived in a three story ¥Brownstone' row home. He leased the top two floors from the owner who lived on the first floor. He showed her where he practiced on the third floor. Apart from some furnishings, a very nice Grand Piano sat centered in the large room. Actually, this room was rather sparse. "I like the acoustics."

And Then .  .  . Their Romance Moved Forward

      He stroked her hair, releasing the clips that held it high upon her head. The long main of dark soft hair fell below her shoulders. He kissed her softly on the forehead.
      "And where do you . . ." she paused and looked around, "sleep?" Her eyes came to rest on a closed door.

     Almost two glorious years passed and the hopes of playing duets on stage together were just that, hopes. Still, they did join each other for performances from time to time in an impromptu, un-rehearsed and un-announced manner. And, while the two were attracting more and more attention from the public and the media as off stage love-birds, their joint performances were becoming more and more noticed too.
      Somewhere during that time he explained his marriage, at least what he felt needed to be explained, to Laura. He also explained Whispers to her when something came up and he felt it was time to put it to bed. He also explained Aunt Clara's business and how she remained removed from it and sheltered him from it. It was simply business.
      Laura understood both of these women's lives without judgement. She was beholding to Sophia for her support of him, particularly during his war experience. She did admit to him that she was a little jealous of his times with her, knowing the closeness that existed between them. She promised that he would never lack for anything if it were within her power to grant it. "Anything!" she emphasized. He recalled her saying to him during their early days together, "I want you to teach me everything. Everything that will enhance our time together and bring us more pleasure."

Like Romeo and Juliet, this love affair was becoming known by every theater goer on the classical circuit. They held this couple with such reverence as both lovers and virtuoso performers that the press ran specials about them.
 "Some of the stories are even true", remarked Laura in an interview. "We are in love not only with each other, but with life."

     John and Laura were just finishing breakfast in their New York apartment when the phone rang. Laura answered. "Yes, he's right here. It's someone from your aunt's home in Saint Louis.
     "Hello? Oh hi! What? When?" John listened quietly to the caller and then tears could be seen rolling down his cheeks. "I see. Yes, of course I'll be there. Either tonight or tomorrow at the latest."
      Laura put her arms around him, noticing the tears. "Is it Aunt Clara?"
      "Yes, honey. Apparently she had a fatal heart attack this morning or during the night. That was her attorney. I need to go. I'll call Pete and have him arrange some down time for me."

When The Past Visits The Present

Sophia And John Meet Once Again at His Aunt's Funeral

      "Fifty three isn't too old for you, is it sweetie?" She grasped him between the legs.
 Suddenly, he backed away. It was like being awakened from a dream state. He raised his hands and walked across the room. His ambivalence was gut wrenching. Was it she that he wanted, or was it a longing for the great sex they always had together. This thought ripped through his head.
       Sophia showed her anger at his rejection. "You bastard. What is this? Pay back time? Your precious little nymph has you eating out of her hand. What a sap!. There was a time when having a real woman was what you wanted. Now you want a teeny-bopper; a young, inexperienced bitch like your precious Laura. Ha! Ha! Ha!" Her laugh was sadistic. "The joke is on you. You're not only robbing the cradle, you're robbing your own cradle. You could go to jail, John. Jail!"
       John looked at her hard. "For what? That's enough! Soph. You're drunk." John yelled. "You're just being a jealous bitch. Jesus, Sophia, grow up!"
       "Grow up. I should grow up! I wasn't going to tell you this, but I had your precious Laura investigated, John. Guess what, you fool . . ."she paused while her anger grew.
       "What?" John yelled "You mean to tell me you had the fucking nerve to investigate my fiancee?"
       "Fiancee! What a laugh. Stop and think, John. Who is Laura De Gravolet? Where was she born and when? She is your illegitimate child with Sally." She stopped immediately, placing a hand to her mouth, staring at him - her eyes wide open. It was as though she regretted what she said.

The Climax Is Soon Approaching. While A Lot of Exciting Moments Lay Just Ahead, It Would Be Very Unfair Should We Go Any Further With This Story. We Leave The Rest Of The Journey For You, The Reader.

The Virtuoso ©
Naples, FL2011