Free The Players by Gary Brandner Page A

her. “You look absolutely terrific.”
    “I hope you didn’t worry about your gentleman friend, Paula,” Christy said. “I’ve been taking excellent care of him, haven’t I, Mike.”
    “First rate,” Mike said.
    “Naturally, I did try to get fresh with him, but he wouldn’t have it. He’s a man of iron, Paula.”
    Mike introduced the young men at the table, who turned out to be tennis players. Two of them were pleasant Australian boys who excused themselves almost at once and went off to join some friends at the bar. The third, an American named Tim Barrett, remained at the table apparently unable to keep his eyes off Christy.
    “Come on, Timmy, let’s dance and give these people a chance to talk to each other,” Christy said. Tim allowed himself to be taken by the hand and led away toward the dance floor.
    Left suddenly alone, a momentary embarrassment overcame Paula and Mike.
    “What did you think of Christy?” Paula asked.
    “As you said, she’s something of a knockout. It looks like she’s abandoned me for a tennis player, though.”
    “Being faithful to one man is not part of Christy’s makeup.”
    “As long as I know it wasn’t just me.”
    “Seriously, Mike, it’s so good to see you.”
    “You too,” he said. “You’re doing your hair differently.”
    “I’m wearing it a bit longer than I was in New York. Do you like it?”
    “Love it.”
    Mike ordered drinks, and for a time they stopped trying to talk above the din from the dance floor as the amplifiers strained to deliver the last agonizing decibel. At a break in the music Christy and Tim Barrett returned to the table flushed with their exertions.
    “The music is really super tonight,” Christy said. “Aren’t you two going to dance?”
    “Not I,” said Paula. “I bruise too easily.”
    “The last time I tried one of those dances I spent a week in traction,” Mike said.
    “Look, would you mind awfully if Timmy and I left you?” Christy said. “There are ever so many places I want to show him.”
    “Go ahead,” Mike said. “Well try to survive.”
    “Good, then, we’ll be off.”
    The young couple rose together and Tim said, “Good night, Mike, Paula. Nice to meet you.” With an embarrassed grin he hurried after Christy.
    “They make one feel a hundred years old, don’t they,” Paula said when she and Mike were alone at the table.
    “If so, you are the best looking hundred-year-old lady I ever saw.”
    Paula felt a flush of pleasure creep into her cheeks, and hoped it hadn’t sounded as though she were fishing for the compliment.
    “You’re very kind,” she said.
    “Is there any reason why we have to stay here?” Mike asked.
    “Not really. Would you like to go somewhere else?”
    “Some place a little quieter, maybe, where us elderly folks can talk about the good old days.”
    “It’s all right with me.”
    Mike signaled for the waitress and paid the check. He led the way through the crowd and back outside where the night air washed over them like a refreshing wave. A taxi moved up along the curb and stopped in front of them.
    “Where to?” Mike asked. “This is your city, and I put my fate into your hands.”
    “We really needn’t do all our night-clubbing tonight. If you like, we could go up to my flat.” Paula stopped suddenly, surprised at her own words.
    Fer a moment Mike hesitated, looking at her curiously. “Do you have a view?”
    “I’m afraid not,” Paula said, angry with herself for feeling flustered, “but it’s quiet there and we can talk.”
    “It sounds great,” Mike said. He held the door of the taxi for her and they got in. Paula gave the driver her address.
    She leaned back in the seat while Mike made small talk that she really didn’t hear. She could hardly believe she had actually asked a man up to her flat. It was the first time since her divorce from Eric.
    In the first months after their breakup she’d let Eric come up several times. In those days he was still