Free After All by Lynn Emery Page A

hadn't
said that troubled her. Brian had tried to tell her something
without saying too much. Somehow she felt sure it was related to
her parents and their unhappiness with each other. The vague
disquiet caused by his words grew into a nameless dread that took
root in the pit of her stomach.
     
     
     

Chapter 4
     
     
    Michelle was enthralled with the
saxophonist's masterful playing. The deep alto tones rolled out
from him, a palpable force moving the entire audience and holding
them all in the same magical place. The instrument spoke without
words as the soulful rendition of an old Roberta Flack song, The
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, seemed to touch everyone in a
unique and powerful way. Michelle was acutely aware of Anthony
seated so close next to her. She shifted trying move a little
further from him. With each swell of the saxophone she felt a surge
of heat. For a moment she was lost in the music, thinking of the
real heat of his touch. The sweet taste of his mouth on hers. With
a heart wrenching last note, the performance ended to wild
applause. Michelle's eyes flew open wide, startled out of her
waking dream. She glanced sideways to find Anthony regarding her
steadily. He smiled shyly before turning back to the stage.
Michelle was mortified; sure the ardent images of her mind were
mirrored on her face. She made a fuss of gathering her cape and
purse to mask her flustered state. Anthony did not make her efforts
any easier. His hands rested on her shoulders momentarily after
helping to wrap the cape around her. Michelle moved away on shaky
knees.
    “ That was really something
else, wasn't it?” Anthony walked beside her in the crowd as they
left the recital hall.
    “ Every note that guy played
sent chills through me. And the woman playing piano was just as
fabulous,” Michelle said.
    “ The trumpet solo was just
as beautiful, don't you think?”He guided her gently towards his
car.
    “ Great, the whole quartet
was simple wonderful.”
    “ It certainly was,
great.”Anthony unlocked the metallic gray Honda Accord with the
remote control.
    “ Yeah, it was great.”Now
seated behind the wheel, Anthony turned to her.
    “ Yes indeed.”Michelle smiled
at him, then looked away.
    “ Say, why don't we go to
Coffee Call for cafe au lait and beignets?” Anthony's face held a
hopeful, anxious expression.
    “ Sure.” Michelle quietly
took a deep breath, relieved that the awkwardness of where they
were to go next was resolved.
    The cafe was brightly lit and crowded
even at ten o'clock that night. The clinking of ceramic cups as hot
coffee was being served layered the sound of lively conversations
filling the room. The aroma of coffee and the hot, delicious doughy
donuts hung in the air welcoming all who came in from the crisp
fall night. Threading their way through the tables, they finally
found an empty one.
    “ Umm.” Michelle took a long
sip from her mug.
    “ This is the first time I've
been here since I got back home. Man, I forgot how good these
things are.” Anthony shook powdered white sugar over the bowl of
beignets.
    “ I stay away from this
place, too much temptation. And the camera shows every
pound.”Michelle patted her mid-section.”As it is, I could stand to
lose a few.”
    “ I don't see it,” Anthony
said after giving her an appraising look.
    Michelle felt a glow of pleasure.”Yeah,
well these hips are a bit too generous by industry standards. You
know the saying; you can never be too rich or too thin.” Michelle
grimaced.
    “ Then the industry is
wrong.”
    “ I tell you, it's only been
recently that the pressure to be a size four has eased up. You
would be shocked at the number of women who ended up being treated
for an eating disorder because of it.” Michelle stared at a
beignet.
    “ Here.” Anthony pushed the
bowl towards her.”You don't have anything to prove.”
    “ What the heck, I'll just
get rid of it later.”Michelle sank her teeth into one.
    “ I hope you