"Hi!"
"Terri, I apologize. I am running late with a client. I shall have to meet you at the ballet."
"That's okay."
"I have asked Francisco to pick you up. He will be there in five minutes."
"Oh, but he doesn't have to..."
"He is already on his way. He will be able to take you there quickly."
"Oh, okay. All right, well, I'll ride with Francisco and I'll see you there."
"Yes," Riccardo confirmed. "I am so sorry."
"It's okay."
"Grazie. Ciao!"
"Ciao!"
Terri decided to give Louise a quick ring to note the change in plans, but the call went to her voice mail.
"Hey, it's me. I just wanted to let you know that because of some delay with Riccardo's client, apparently he asked Francisco to give me a ride to the ballet. Kind of unexpected, but I'll be meeting Riccardo there, so hopefully things will go smoothly. Anyway, that's the scoop. I hope that you're doing okay. I'll give you a call when I get back tonight, all right? Love you, bye!"
Terri did a last minute touch up of her make-up, put on a pair of expensive earrings, checked the lights in the apartment, picked up her purse and phone, took one last look in the mirror and locked the door. Francisco was waiting at the curb.
"Nice to see you again!" he said.
"Nice to see you, too!"
"You look very nice!" he said.
"Thank you!" Terri replied cheerfully. "I didn't expect to see you today."
"Riccardo's clients," Francisco explained, "they can be very demanding. He is often running late."
"Well, thank you for the ride."
"It is no problem. We'll be there soon."
Frank left the car with the valets. True to his word, Riccardo was there waiting by the box office.
"I am SO sorry," Riccardo explained. "I actually have to get back to my clients. But I have picked up the tickets." He handed one each to Terri and Francisco. "I hope that the two of you can enjoy the show."
Riccardo noticed the frustration on Terri's face. "Bella donna," he said to her. "I call you tonight, sì?"
"Sure!" Terri said with a hint of disappointment in her voice. Riccardo kissed her on the cheek and strode away with a vigorous wave.
Terri and Frank made their way into the concert hall, passed security and the ticket takers and followed plushly padded carpeting toward their seats - front row, center, first mezzanine, literally the best seats in the house. Terri leaned her arms against the rail; the view of the stage was breathtaking.
The show began. The dancers enhanced and accentuated beautiful music with fluid, inspired choreography. Handsome gentlemen struck dramatic poses and launched into impressive leaps from their well-muscled legs. Delicate-looking ladies showed remarkable power and flexibility as they glided across the stage.
"I'm going to have to bring Louise to the ballet sometime!" Terri thought to herself.
At intermission, Francisco offered to buy Terri a drink. He came back with two glasses of champagne. Terri took her glass and looked off into the distance with a vacant stare. "This was all one big setup, wasn't it?"
Francisco sat back in his seat. "I'll bet that people underestimate you," he said. "They should not."
"YOU shouldn't underestimate me," she shot back without making eye contact.
The lights went down for the second act. Terri considered leaving but decided to stay. She was enjoying the show and was curious to hear Francisco explanation, and when and how he had coordinated the switch with Riccardo.
After the show, they worked their way silently through the crowd to the exit. "I owe you an explanation...." Frank said once they had stepped outside.
"You don't own me anything," Terri shot back. "Nothing at all."
"Nevertheless," said Francisco, "I would like the chance to explain."
"There's nothing to explain," Terri half laughed. "You lied to me. You brought me here under false pretenses. I can't quite imagine you being that desperate, Frank, you OR your little wing man Riccardo."
"I understand that you are upset," Francisco began.
"You don't understand anything, Frank! If you had, you would not have pulled a stunt like this. Not if you ever expected to see me again."
"Terri, I apologize," Francisco said. "But please. All I ask is for the chance to explain."
"Okay. Explain."
"Please, there is a restaurant here. Join me for a drink."
"Believe it or not, Frank, you're not the first man who has asked me out for a drink. And I've turned down better looking men than you. Much better looking."
"I have no doubt," Francisco continued, "that you could attract any man on the planet, and he would be honored to be by your side. I did not bring you here to insult you. I brought you here so that we might have a chance to talk. So please hear what I have to say. One drink, and I shall not bother you again."
Terri thought for a moment. "One drink."
"One drink," Francisco confirmed.
She would listen his explanation - and then teach him a lesson in manners.
"And when that drink is done," she said. "I'm gone."
'The Horse Farm'
Copyright © 2013 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
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