Free Strangers in the Night by Inés Saint

distractedly. She was busy staring at Keila. “Wait a second, aren’t you and Jake dating or something like that?” she asked.
    Briefly, Keila thought of trying to get out of the event. But she knew she’d seem ungracious and she’d never get invited to play with them again. So instead, she set them straight.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Keila arrived at the Lincoln Park address half an hour before the fundraiser was scheduled to begin. The event was being held in a historic, picturesque brick home with an old-fashioned, wrought iron fence guarding the front yard. Ivy lined the sides of the home, and Keila was charmed by its appearance. Inside, she was shown into a spacious parlor off a long, narrow hallway.
    Simone was already there, speaking to an elderly woman. As planned, they were dressed nearly identically in satiny black, floor length skirts and ivory blouses, their hair in French braids.
    Keila looked around and noted four chairs set up in a diagonal line to the left of the room and gathered that’s where they’d play. To the right were six silvery blue clothed round tables set off by intimate, soft glowing candles. The wood paneled walls and a magnificent marble fire place made the room seem cozy despite its size. She wondered if Jake Kelly was there and hoped he wouldn’t arrive until she was already sitting down, lost in her music. No doubt he would notice her, but hopefully, he’d leave her to her playing and go schmooze with the guests who’d paid to be here and spend time with him.
    Ralph walked in, and Keila smiled at how grown-up he looked in his black suit. She knew Ralph wanted everyone to believe he was a rebel without a cause, but his baby-face looks were more High School Musical than Woodstock . Though she’d gotten to know most members of the orchestra a little over such long hours of practice, she’d especially warmed up to the members of this string quartet. Their personalities meshed well and they’d shared a lot of thoughts and personal history during the long, tiring, after-hour practice sessions that last week.
    Michelle arrived next and soon the newly formed string quartet was playing as if they’d been together for years.
    Keila forgot all about Jake Kelly as Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nacht” streamed from her instrument. As people filed into the room, they played pieces by Mozart and Beethoven.
    They put their instruments down to change their sheet music, and Keila realized the room was now full. She guessed there must’ve been at least sixty people, and she wondered if Cate was there. She’d been so busy practicing; she hadn’t called her friend to find out if she’d be there with Jake Kelly. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Tyrone speaking with a man in a dark suit, red tie, and incongruous pony tail.
    As agreed, they began playing a more modern fare, beginning with Keila’s personal favorite of the music they’d be playing that night. It was very rare for a second violinist to play anything personally moving at a gig, and a feeling of exhilaration filled her heart.
    Depending on the music, Keila sometimes felt as though she was soaring across the sky one moment, then dipping and gliding the next. Sometimes she felt as though she was flying fast and low. Tonight, the music was all about spiraling, and it was both exciting and ominous.
    • • •
    Jake Kelly arrived to the sounds of stringed instruments and a marathon of whispered names and instructions by Tyrone.
    No sooner was Tyrone finished than people began taking turns to greet him and subtly press for time so they could in turn, press their issues.
    Because the activity was a fundraiser and the required donations steep, attendees had to be well-to-do citizens. Not wanting to owe anyone favors he couldn’t or wouldn’t repay, Jake had hand-picked the attendees. All were outstanding leaders and citizens with no hidden agendas, only legitimate concerns. Jake listened to people congratulate him on his