He left her by the side of the car and walked around to the other side. Elly stood awkwardly as he unlocked the door. Okay, try to not to flash anybody, she thought, as she clumsily ducked under the door.
Isaac’s car was incredibly messy. The back seat was cluttered with sheet music, empty plastic containers showing the remnants of some sort of vinegar salad from Groves, the world’s most expensive grocery store, assorted clothing, CDs and dirty used tissues.
Gross, thought Elly and forced her eyes to the front. She turned to Isaac.
“I’ve never been to a jazz club before. I’m kind of excited.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow at her and her heart went all tilt-a-whirl.
“It’s great for the senses. You have the smoke filling your lungs, sweet from cigars and tobacco, the hazy light of the stage, the wine on your tongue…” He lingered on the word tongue. “And then the music. The guy we’re seeing tonight, Jack Shepland, is a genius. Pure, unfiltered genius.” He leaned forward in his seat excitedly. “The things that he does with music are absolutely inspiring. He takes the erratic rhythms and turns them into something so intrusive you don’t even know that you felt that way until you heard these notes. Man, he awakens me.”
Elly really liked the way Isaac gripped the wheel, the way his mouth moved when he spoke and how his hair fell over his left eye. His words fell like rain around her, drenching her, and moving on without her consent. He talked of Jack and musicians with single syllable first names… Joe, Miles, Kay, Huck…all the way to the club, which was simply called Blues.
Blues was located in University City, in an area known as The Loop. It was a young, fresh college area filled with chic furniture galleries, indie movie theaters, contemporary art galleries and homeless people. It was a town of opposites, one that was filled with as many head shops as expensive eateries. Elly rarely ventured here, for it reminded her that she was completely un-hip and she feared getting mugged by one of the many shady individuals on the street. The Loop made her feel both boorish and scared at the same time. Isaac, however, fit in perfectly. He expertly parallel parked – a skill Elly envied – and was still feeding money into the meter when he was approached by some unabashedly cool people and they proceeded to talk in indie jargon that she could barely follow. Elly stood awkwardly beside him, clutching her straw purse with both hands and tottering on her thin heels. Isaac talked for a few minutes before introducing her.
“Hey, this is Elly. She owns a flower shop by my place.” He slipped his hand around her waist. Elly almost fainted. Isaac waved his hand at the group.
“Well, we better head inside before we miss our seats. I mean, I guess we could stand…”
No standing, thought Elly, please no standing. The thought of standing for the next three hours on her tottering heels was terrifying. Elly could barely stand now as it was.
“Hey, it was nice seeing you guys!” said Isaac and there were handshakes all around. Isaac, so cool and confident in every step, led her into the club, effortlessly shaking the line and the bouncer.
The club was dark and intimate, with deep wood walls making an elegant half-circle. A long iron railing that wrapped between the tables was covered with burning candles, and the overhead lighting cast a burgundy glow over the entire place. Elly thought that she had never been to a place that was so unabashedly sensual. As Isaac led them to their table, Elly stumbled into the corner of the bar.
“Ouch!” she winced. “It’s so dark in here!”
Isaac put his mouth against her hair, “It’s a shame. You’re gorgeous tonight.”
Gorgeous Tonight! Gorgeous Tonight! her heart sang back. Their reserved table was up front, near the stage. Isaac sat down and quickly hailed the waiter, while Elly situated herself in her dress.
“Two Scotch on the rocks,” Isaac told the waiter. He turned to Elly. “You can’t listen to jazz and not drink scotch. It would be a crime.”
Elly nodded furiously. The waiter brought over their drinks. Isaac smiled at her and raised his glass.
“To love and freedom and art.”
Elly raised her glass as the music began. She took a long drink, tasting all too late what was in her mouth. She gagged and grabbed for her water, her eyes filling with tears. It burned, dear God, it burned! Once her vision cleared, she saw Isaac laughing.
“You must have never had scotch before,” he mused.
Elly gasped, “I can’t imagine why anyone EVER would have scotch. This tastes like turpentine!”