you’re standing right next to me practically telling me what to do.”
“Now, now, give yourself some credit,” he said. “You’ve come a long way since the beginning.”
“Again, I have you to thank for the guidance.”
He patted Ben on the back. “Hopefully we can do it again in the fall. You were a good addition to our bass section, my friend.”
“Well I’ve always wanted to be a part of the community chorus, just finally made the time for it after Dwight asked me about fifteen times.”
He chuckled while he, too, grabbed his belongings. “Well, you better sing with us while you can,” he said. “Rumor has it Dwight may be retiring from the school and the community chorus, too.”
“What?” Ben asked, surprised. “Dwight didn’t tell me, I would have remembered if he had.”
“Yes, he’s been teaching for thirty years and directing this choir for almost the same amount of time, maybe more. And of course, as you know, he serves as music director and organist at Freeden Baptist. From what I’ve heard, he plans to give that more attention in the days ahead.”
“I had not heard that.”
Selfishly, Ben did not want Dwight to retire. They were, of course, friends, but in addition to their companionship, his musical mentorship proved great for Ben and he had extended his range considerably since working with him. But his retirement would be an even bigger loss for this chorus -- and for this town, for that matter. They could surely find someone to fill the role, but it was hard to believe that anyone would give the effort to this thriving yet small, local chorus like Dwight did. He and Ben had bonded quickly once they began working together, but he had not mentioned anything about retiring. He wondered if it were simply a rumor that perhaps sparked about this time every year when the concert was over and summer was approaching.
“You staying for the reception, Dr. Johnson?”
He walked toward the door, and turned back to Ben before exiting. “No, sir, early start tomorrow.” He winked. “Take care of yourself.”
Most choir members had already left the dressing room to socialize at the reception, so Ben walked to the lobby to join them.
Dwight continued to work the crowd and take in all compliments that attendees sent his way. Ben wanted to talk to him, pay him his own respects for another tremendous production, but all the old ladies in town were so enamored by him that Ben recognized he would simply have to wait. Ben walked closely by him and heard a bit of it. Kathy Thompson, chair of the Freeden Town Beautification Committee, said, “Dwight, I think you just make ‘em sound better every time!”
Julie Patterson, chair of the Freeden Baptist Finance Committee said just after Ms. Thompson spoke, “Well, Kathy, we get to hear him every Sunday!”
It amazed Ben how many people loved him for his music and ability, but if the man ran for political office in the local elections, he would be slaughtered. One time over lunch, Ben heard an elderly lady say, “Elton John might be going to hell for being gay, but I still love his music!” Likewise, people just could not get over Dwight’s sexuality. He was gay, and that was different. It hurt Ben to know how people felt about Dwight, because the little old ladies and others that often paid him compliments for his work at the concert hall and church would be the first to drag him through the mud behind his back.
Ben went over for a glass of wine at the bar, and saw Terri standing there with her husband, Shawn.
“Terri,” Ben said, smiling as he approached them.
“Ben!”
He shook her husband’s hand. “Shawn, so good to see you.”
“And you too,” Shawn replied in his subtle, soft-spoken way.
“How’s the baby girl?”
Shawn picked her up and held her as she sat on his left arm. “Oh, she’s doing good, aren’t you, Anslee?”
Anslee chuckled.
“How are you holding up?” Terri asked.
The joy of watching Shawn and his baby girl bond left Ben’s face as he pondered over how his marriage had failed and hopes of having a child would have to be delayed, but he still smiled, hopeful that his decision to leave Rachel would still prove to be good for his happiness. And sanity. “I am doing well.” Then he leaned in and spoke softly, “We separated a few days ago.”
“Oh Ben, I am sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he exclaimed, then nodded in affirmation. “It had to be done, and I am doing okay.”
She sighed. “Well, we will be praying for you.”
“Yes, yes, I know you will.”
Shawn walked away with Anslee in an obligatory manner, understanding that the subject matter was really between Ben and Terri. They both watched them walk away.
Terri restarted. “If there is anything we can do for you, please let me know.”
“I will, but seriously… I’ll be fine. I’m relieved more than anything.”
“I can imagine it’s a load off, with all that was going on.”
“You are correct.” They both shared a laugh.
“Take care of yourself.”
“I will. See ya.”
Ben began to walk away when he overheard someone say, “Terri!”
“Kate!” Terri replied.
“You did so great tonight.”
Ben turned his head as he gradually walked away and noticed a woman, dressed in a classy, semi-formal dress, approaching Terri. They hugged, and then restarted the conversation. Then suddenly, Terri yelled toward him. “Ben!”
He turned back and looked at her, but not for long.
The woman next to Terri was gorgeous. Stunning. His attention was naturally drawn to her.
“Ben, please come meet my friend,” Terri said.
Ben stepped back toward Terri and her friend. He had never believed in love at first sight; in fact, his experience with love had long been so dismal and disappointing that he believed it was the most ridiculous notion. But he felt something at this moment that he could not explain.
“And who is your friend?” Ben asked.
“Ben, this is Kate Gregory, she is the new assistant district attorney and her office is right here in Freeden. We went to Chapel Hill together. She just moved here from Charlotte.”
Ben shook her hand, and they made eye contact. “I see. Well, Freeden is quite a different place from Charlotte.”
“Yes, you could say, that,” she replied, smiling.
“Ben Bailey,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Gregory.”
“Wow,” she replied, “you’re quite the gentleman to be calling someone your own age Miss anything.” The two shared a laugh. “Call me Kate.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Kate,” he said.
Terri jumped in. “Ben is a local attorney. He has his own firm here in Freeden.”
“What kind of law do you practice?” Kate asked.
“Criminal law.”
“Then we will likely see quite a bit of each other, I would imagine?”
“Perhaps we will. I practice more cases outside the county than here though.”
“Wait, didn’t you perform tonight too?”
“Yes, he is an extraordinary baritone,” said Terri.