once, it did not seem forced or awkward for Ben to encounter small-talk.
“He is very good, don’t let him fool you,” Terri said.
“A man of many talents,” Kate said. “I’m impressed.”
Ben smirked. “Well, when you practice criminal law in a small town, you have to do something that’ll make people like you.”
Kate and Terri both laughed at the comment.
He looked at Kate, wondering if he’d be rejected. What the hell, go for it. Then he said, “Perhaps I could show you around town sometime?” Ben thought Kate looked shy suddenly, though she had not looked this way the entire conversation.
“That would be great, Kate,” Terri spoke for her. “Ben knows so much about the area. This is his hometown, too.”
“Well,” Kate said as she smiled, still appearing a bit nervous, “I suppose that would be nice.”
Ben could not tell if she felt obligated because Terri had forced the notion on her, or if she truly wanted to, but he really did not care. She had agreed to it. There was something about Kate he instantly admired. Sure, she exemplified beauty and seemed to have a nice, approachable personality, but something about her seemed down-to-earth and genuine. It felt unlike anything he had ever felt before.
“Let’s do it soon,” Ben said.
“Yes,” Kate said, appearing less anxious now. “Let’s do that.”
Ben, who worried he would not shine in small-talk situations, figured he had better leave while he was ahead. Despite the fact that so many people thought he possessed an incredible ability to talk to anyone and comfort them from the beginning, he did not have the same confidence in himself.
“Well, I’ll let you guys go,” he said. “Terri, you did an amazing job tonight on your solo. Kate, it was nice to meet you and I’ll look forward to seeing you again soon.”
“Take care,” Terri said genuinely.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Kate followed. “Bye.”
Kate’s smile spoke to Ben. He could not put his finger on it, but there was something very special about her. He hoped to get to know her. She, like Terri, seemed to be a breath of fresh air amid the toxic environment that was Freeden.
As Ben walked away, Dwight peeled from a nearby conversation with out-of-town regulars at the concert hall.
“My good friend, Ben.” Dwight exclaimed.
“Did it again, Mr. Kerry.” Ben replied.
They hugged. Dwight did his usual kiss on the cheek. Most men in this area were so homophobic that they would not be able to live with themselves if they allowed him to do that, though he never did it to show romantic affection; he simply did that with his friends. Ben was always weirded out a bit by it, mainly because he feared what others might think if they saw it, but he appreciated it as a gesture of kindness from a dear friend.
“Congratulations, Dwight, on another success.”
“Well, I am just so glad you finally agreed this time to participate in the chorus. You did great!”
Ben chuckled. “I successfully filled a void, we’ll say that.”
“Oh please.” He laughed. “You’ve come a long way.”
“Yes I have,” he acknowledged, “thanks to you.”
“Well, you have been just a pleasure to work with.”
“Please let me pay you for the private vocal lessons you provided me, Dwight.”
He looked around the room to see if anyone had heard the conversation, then he placed his hand on Ben’s right arm. “You already paid last week, remember? You wrote me a check for the whole spring season.”
Ben looked confused. Then Dwight leaned in and whispered, “You’re not paying me for anything and don’t speak about this too loudly. I’ve got about five old ladies I am charging out the ass for their grandchildren’s lessons within twenty feet of us right now.”
“Ah, yes,” Ben whispered, “my apologies.”
Dwight stepped back and started laughing and smirking again. “Shall we continue on Tuesdays in preparation for the next performance?”
“Nice try,” Ben said. “I’m not committing to anything quite yet.”
“Oh please, you’re hooked now. I can tell it.”
“We’ll see. Seriously though, thank you for mentoring me. I really have gotten a lot out of it.”
“I know you have. Everybody gets something out of a lesson with me.”
Ben laughed. “Tone it down. I’d hate for you to come off as humble.”
“Well, you know me, I’d hate for anybody to notice my work,” he said sarcastically.
“Look, you’re a great friend, Dwight. Seriously, thank you for everything.”
“Jesus, please tone down the emotions here! Let’s have a good night. Say, why don’t you join me tonight for dinner at David’s?”
“Well, it’s going to be late probably and–”
“Oh please, you don’t have anything to do.”
Ben sighed. “Okay, okay but I will not stay too late. And I am not drinking wine with you tonight.”
“See you there at nine-thirty.”
Dwight immediately walked away as soon as the time and place were set and continued his politicking with the little old ladies and wealthy folk, taking in every compliment he could find. Ben made his way to the exit, and on to David’s Restaurant. David’s was the only fine dining in Freeden, and Dwight’s favorite place in town. He ate there every night except for Monday, and only because David’s was closed on Mondays.
Ben arrived at David’s around nine-thirty-five. He thought he was late, but Dwight was not there yet. Go figure. Dwight was sharp and on-time for serious things, but often in social settings preferred to show up fashionably late. Since they had become friends, Ben had regularly reminded Dwight he could be quite the diva – and Dwight never disagreed.
Finally, about fifteen minutes later, Dwight walked in the front glass door of the restaurant, and everyone in the building heard him talking on his phone as he belted out a recap of the concert to whoever was listening on the other end. Ben was already seated at Dwight’s table, the table that was reserved for him by restaurant owner David Ball for his every-night-other-than-Monday dinner. Ben sat in the seat that was usually left open at his table, as he knew better than to sit in Dwight’s seat.
Dwight walked to the table and joined him.
“Well, let me let you go, I’ve carried on long enough and I’m having dinner with a friend,” he said. “Why, yes,” he paused, “I’m at David’s, where else would I be for dinner?” He looked at Ben, smiling. This was one of Dwight’s happiest moments. Ben was happy for him. The night belonged to Dwight.
“Okay, yes, take care… okay… bye bye…yes.” He put his phone face down on the table. “My goodness, I’m finally here.” He looked down at his watch. “And shit, I’m late!”
“Sixteen minutes late to be exact,” Ben said.
“Well, damn, what did you expect? You know I’ve got to shake hands and kiss babies.”
“You did enough of it tonight to last a year.”
“Well, you know, I’ve got to kiss ass long enough for these people to think I like them,” he said.
Ben laughed. “Well, you really did a good job.”
“Thank you” he said