Their first date proved to be one for the History book of love. After that first mini date at Woolworth’s for breakfast, she did not hear from him for an entire week.
By now, she had already written him off as a flirt and a tease, when the phone rang early one evening. She answered, “Grace speaking.”
She heard the familiar soft laughter, and her heart fluttered. “Good evening, Mrs. Stuberg. You probably don’t remember me but, I’m an old man who has spent a lot of nights tossing, turning, and thinking about you.”
She replied, “Well, since, as I have said, I don’t date old men, I can only offer my sympathy for your sleepless nights. However, I can certainly understand how you must feel, because I’ve had a few sleepless nights myself thinking about the dapper and very attractive man I met at Max’s office last week.”
Again, the soft laughter; “Very smooth, I like that. Ms. Stuberg, would you please allow me the pleasure of your company for dinner at the Cinder Club, Saturday night?
“I would, except I don’t have a baby sitter.” She replied.
“If that’s a yes, consider that problem solved. I’ll handle it for you. She is a very trustworthy person. You can bet on that. In fact, I‘ll introduce you to her, tomorrow.” He finished.
In a serious tone, she told him, “I hope you understand, but I must approve of her before I leave my children with her.”
“Understood,’ came the reply. “I’ll call you on tomorrow.” With that he was off the line.
True to his word, he came by with the babysitter; a very likable mature lady. He introduced her, Ms. Stuberg, this is Hester. She has assisted me for more than forty years and she is quite trustworthy and works with a lot of children.”
Grace spent time chatting with her. The kids met her and immediately took a liking to her.
He asked, “Does she meet with your approval?
“Yes,’ she answered. “I really like her.”
Hester told her, “Ms Stuberg, I just love children. I don’t have any of my own, so anytime you need someone to watch yours, I’ll be happy to.”
Grace laughed, “Really? I may take you up on that offer.”
Baxter told her, softly, with a smile, “I’m glad that’s over. I can breathe now.”
They left and he told her that he would pick her up at 6:30.
He was prompt, also quite handsome in his black silk suit, white silk shirt, silk tie, sporting a white hat with a black band, and Stacey Adams shoes.
Grace had chosen a high scooped-neck, slinky, sleeveless, black velvet dress with black silk stripes running diagonally around it, ending at the flared hemline, just below the knee. She accessorized with a short white pearl necklace, small pearl earrings, and black, sling back shoes she had accessorized with medium sized pearl clip-ons.
His approval was evident by the smile on his face and the glimmer in his eyes. “By far, you are absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, like an angel.” He said softly.
Grace did not display any emotions at seeing the big white Cadillac in front of her apartment. However, she did note all of his ‘perfect gentleman’ traits as he escorted her to it. He effortlessly eased the car into the circular driveway. The sign outside flashed: The Cinder Club. The valet was there to open her door, almost before the car stops. Baxter gets out of the car and is there to assist her, as well. They enter the club and Baxter tips the maitre’d and told him, “No interruptions. My lady and I want to enjoy our dinner and the evening, privately.”
The Maitre’d agreed, “Sure thing, Mr. Baxter. I’ll see that it is done. He leads them to the semi-private party room where only the rich and famous party.
The waitress immediately appeared, Baxter asked, “Do you have a preference for drink?”
Grace answered, “I’d like Grand Marnier over rocks, please.”
Baxter tells her, “Would you please bring a bottle of Grand Marnier. Lou Rawls was the featured entertainer for the night. When he went on break, he came to the table and greeted Baxter with a handshake and the familiar comments of old friends. Baxter, in turn introduced him to Grace.
They have dinner; dance; flirt; share laughter and enjoy each others’ company in an enjoyable romantic evening. The evening ends shortly before midnight. He escorted her to the door; gives her a soft kiss on the cheek, picks up the babysitter.
LET LOVE BEGIN
That morning, Baxter held a previously scheduled meeting with some of his closest business ties. His heart wasn’t in it. He kept checking his watch and finally ended the meeting, asking the men to leave, telling them, “Gentlemen, I have some pressing business to take care of. We’ll finish this later. He paced the floor in deep thought, trying to decide if eleven A.M. was too soon to call and invite her over for Sunday brunch. He again looked at his watch and then picked up the phone, when she answered, he tried to remain calm at the sound of her voice, “Good morning, my Angel.”
Recognizing the voice, Grace replies with, “Wow! How did I get promoted all the way up to an angel?”
He chuckled, “We’ll get to discuss that. Right now, I’d like to thank you for last night. It was the most enjoyable night of my life.”
“First, give me a minute to come down from cloud nine, and then I can say that I must thank you. I found the evening to be enchantingly perfect.”
He laughs at that. “Thank you for that. Now, may I invite you over for cocktails at two, if you are free? Hester has agreed to keep the kids, again. She likes them and considers them well behaved.”
“Thank her for that remark, but I’ll have to ask her whose children was she keeping last night,’ she laughs. ‘Dinner sounds great, but I have to fix dinner for the kids, first. Not sure I’ll be done by two.”
“Why don’t I send their dinner with Hester. She’ll see that they are fed.”He answered.
Grace asked, “Are you sure she won’t mind?”
“Yes, I’m sure.’ He offered reassurance. “I’ll send her over by taxi around one forty-five. He’s been instructed to wait and bring you here.” She agreed to the arrangement.
The taxi eased into the driveway of the large, white, wooden structure with large red brick supports topped with white wooden porch columns. The porch ran the length of the front of the house. It boasted a well manicured yard, with a carport set back from the street. Baxter waited on the porch. He met the taxi, opened the door, and escorted her inside, without paying the driver.
For some reason, she was not surprised by what she saw inside. He treated her to a grand tour. The entrance hall held expensive paintings, a small antique table stood to one side, hosting an antique antebellum styled lamp. A large gilded mirror hung on the wall above the small table. He showed her into the formal living room. There she saw the wine and beige striped Duncan Phyfe sofa with its ornate carvings and matching chairs, all lending to a breath taking décor, including heavy matching wine velvet and gold drapes lined with white sheer curtains covering the windows.
The formal dining room held a large Duncan Phyfe table with claw feet, eight matching chairs, and a large chandelier with cut glass teardrops hanging above it. There was a matching buffet and china cabinet, along one wall. More of the same heavy drapes covered the dining room windows.
He then led her into the den. There was a long curved, red sofa which could easily seat ten people, nestled atop a thick, shag carpet with shades of blue pile. Three matching large stuffed chairs with varying designs of covering, and each, in some way matched the sofa. There was one extra large overstuffed chair, covered with a red print designer fabric. It played host to a soft blue afghan thrown across one arm.
She had no way of knowing it at the time, but, she would come to have some very specific reasons for loving that chair.
The den also held a music center, a large mahogany bar with six matching stools, a large mahogany liquor cabinet with glass doors, which held nothing but expensive whiskies, brandies, liqueurs and decorative glasses.
The music collection was the largest she had seen since leaving the radio station. He was the gracious host and had chosen soft, romantic music to play in the background. The music was piped throughout the house. Jimmy Smith was playing The Sermon, when she arrived. A bottle of Grand Marnier sat on the bar. A bottle of Dom Perignon champagne nestled in a silver bucket filled with ice . Stuffed shrimp, cajun rice, asparagus tips with a creamy cheese sauce, tiny little rolls, a carrot/raisin/nut salad, and cheese cake waited to be served.
Seeing the champagne, Grace told him, “I must confess that I’m really not a great lover of champagne. The bubbles tickle my nose. I would prefer Grand Marnier over crushed ice.” She replied.”
He laughed, “I thought you would.” He went to the bar, poured hers over crushed ice and took his neat. Grace was reading an album jacket when he handed her the drink. She took it and started to sip it, slowly, still reading the album cover. He stood by, watching her, drinking in her beauty. Finally, he gently removed the glass and the jacket, from her hands, sat the drink on the table, laid the jacket aside, took her in his arms, and for the first time since they met, he kissed her.
Grace, visibly moved by the kiss, stammered, “I, I think I’d better have some food. The drink is making me giddy.”
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself.” He apologized.”
“No need to apologize, I rather liked it.” Came her reply.
They ate, danced and laughed together like young lovers on a Sunday picnic. They sat on the couch and he held her. Then, turning her face to meet his, he looked deep into her eyes, “Grace,’ he started, “I want you to know that this is not a game with me. I fell in love with you that first day. I want you in my life. I promise I will be faithful to you. I will love and cherish you and give all I have to give. Do you think you can accept me as your man for all seasons?” His lips flashed a smile, but his eyes were pleading with her.
“Only, if you promise to be for real.” She replied. “I don’t have time to play games.”
“No games. I promise, with all my heart,” he whispered, huskily.
With the smooth sounds of Dinah Washington in the background, singing, “What A Difference A Day Makes, she held his face with both hands, and what was intended as a light peck on the lips, turned into a deep, passionate kiss, as he responded with fervor.
