Chapter 9

We finished our meal just after the combo started their first set. Uncle Billy introduced them saying that this would be a short set and Brad would join them for the second set.

Karen was looking at me pretty hard. I said, "Karen, I told you but the only place I play is here. It's something I've always been able to do without endangering myself or others. I feel even more confident now with your antidote."

She just nodded but gave me a small smile. She said, "I think we still have a lot to talk about. It's not bad but I really want to know 'all' about you, Brad."

We ate and drank our lemonades until the first set was over. Carl brought out an old case which he opened on a chair behind where we were sitting. Karen looked over and smiled. "A tenor sax! That's my favorite sax. I'm really looking forward to this now." The case was old and shabby but the horn inside shone brightly.

Carl said, "Brad, hadn't you told her you play?"

"Yes but I hadn't said much. It just never came up. I don't have a horn anywhere but here and don't play anywhere else." A few minutes later, the combo came back and I walked up there with the sax after giving Karen a light kiss.

I warmed up and tuned up quickly. The trombone player, who was the leader, said, "Stardust. Start it off, Brad." I began to play the old standard with the melody before starting to ad lib. I just let the music carry me away and played. Two full choruses later, I vamped at the end and Mick picked up the lead on his trombone and I played a background to his solo. We passed the lead around until bringing the song to a close.

The applause was better than usual. Karen was clapping and smiling. Mick said, "That was 'Stardust.' This is one of Brad's ideas that we like to play with. It's called 'One More Time.'"

There was more than just polite applause. It was a simple blues chord progression played slowly in a minor key. Mick said that it haunted listeners even though it was never quite the same. Each one of us who wanted took a solo keeping it slow and dreamy. As always, we finished it on a major chord.

We played three from the combo's repertoire and I had accompanying parts or short solos. Then, Mick introduced "Night Train." It had a hard, honking sax solo which I enjoyed and which got people up to dance. It worked this time, too. The small dance floor quickly filled again. Many people seemed to enjoy dancing tonight.

We played two more before taking a break. I sat back down with Karen. Her eyes were shining. "Brad, that was wonderful. I loved it. That one, 'One More Time, ' was mesmerizing. You had me swaying to it." She leaned over and kissed me. "I knew 'Stardust' and loved your solo on it."

She looked at me a little troubled. "Why don't your parents like to hear you play or even hear that you play. Mine would love to come here and listen."

I said, "I also play clarinet and played in the high school orchestra and a community group. That was okay but neither of my parents approve of jazz or blues because it's too plebeian. I enjoy the music. Remember, I'm the one driving the ugly truck. They've not been in it either."

She said, "Oh, Brad, they're missing so much of life and your part in it."

I added. "Don't tell them about 'Student Assistance.' It's not relevant to business. They don't like that I'm a math major either. They wanted business or even engineering so I would eventually take over the business.

"I've told them that Irene wants to run it and she is welcome to it. I'll be a professor in an ivory tower."

She looked at me sternly. I said, "I don't want to fight with them. It's easier just to be a disappointment though I think I can make a mark and enjoy the process. However, music is for fun. I don't take it too seriously."

We stayed late. We danced and I played in two more sets before we left well after midnight. Carl and Uncle Billy each danced with Karen, too. I drove back quietly and parked the truck in its usual corner. Malcolm was in bed and the night watchman only waved as we went inside. Karen took my hand and led me into the same den where my mother and Marianne had met her. She turned one lamp on low. She pushed me onto a couch and sat next to me. We sat quietly for a few minutes saying nothing but just quietly holding each other.

"Brad, kiss me." I did and took my time about it. We finally came up for air.

She said, "You are so amazing. Other than play hobnob in society, is there anything you can't or rather won't do?"

"I don't play running back in football very well."

She giggled. "Bradley Gilman, I bet you could. You would be a great wide receiver because you have great hands." I had been running one hand up and down her back under her blouse again finding no bra. She had a happy, dreamy smile as we held each other.

Marianne broke the spell when she walked in and flipped the lights on. I knew it was intentional and an attempt to disturb us. I didn't rise to her baiting me. Karen froze but held still only turning a little to look at her. I said, "Good evening, Marianne."

"Hello, Brother. Did your evening go well?"

"I think so. We had fun and Karen enjoyed meeting people."

She looked at Karen. "He took you to that ratty restaurant, didn't he?"

Karen took the bait, looked it over and rejected some of it. "I had an enjoyable evening. The food was great and the people friendly. I met some nice people who genuinely like your brother. That gave us something in common since I genuinely like him, too."

Marianne said, "At least somebody does."

Karen looked at her coldly. "It's interesting that his own family knows him less than so many other people and are blind to his considerable talents.

"You've interrupted us sufficiently. Brad, take me to my room. We can sit on the couch there." Marianne was surprised to be dismissed so abruptly. Karen stood and took my hand. She pulled me up and we left the room for her little suite.

Once inside, she closed the door and pushed me onto the couch. She straddled me. "I'm sorry for your family. I understand why you don't bring people here. Your family just doesn't get it." She had tears in her eyes when she leaned in and kissed me.

There was a quiet knock on the door. Marianne's voice came through, "Please, may I come in?"

Karen said wearily, "Come on." Marianne entered and Karen said, "If you're hoping to catch us doing something improper, give it up. Brad has always been a gentleman. He has never tried anything outside my moral boundaries."

Marianne reacted like she had been slapped. "I just wanted to apologize. Brad has never brought a girl home. I'm surprised that he did now. He knows the reaction that our parents will give him. I'm sorry. I haven't done any better. I love my brother even though I don't express it well." She sat on a chair next to us. "Karen, please tell me about my brother."

Karen moved off my body and curled beside me. She said, "First, though you may know it, Brad is on the Dean's List and ranks higher on it than I do.

"Everyone at school likes him. The professors, the students, and the staff people all care about him because they reflect the caring he shows to them. Even with his antics, he is endearing. There are a number of girls who have asked me how I snared him. I didn't snare him. We started working on a project for English to write a romantic story. It became us. He is a lovely, caring man.