I sat there as I watched her sing ,Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans. I swirled the ginger ale in my glass as Louis belted out the final notes.

I watched as our eyes met, and she smiled a sly grin.

"She's smiling, huh?''

"Yeah.'' I said shooting my drink as she neared.

"Hiya ,Canada. How ya doing?''Canada Lee smiled as Sidney Poitier came over.

"Hello Miss Billie.''

"Hi.''

"Oh Billy this is Sidney Poitier.''Lee said smiling.

"Nice to meet you Lady Day.''

"Whose this fella? He doesn't look like he's from around here?'' Billie said finally noting my presence. The other men nodded and said hello.

"This is Andrew. He's our new Pianist.'' Lee said as Ella began to sing Someone to watch over me.

I watched as Billie hummed the tune and began to sing softly as she sat down next to me.

"So how did you get in here?'' Billie asked seriously as she pulled out a cigarette out of my coat pocket, before sticking it in her mouth.

"Last time I checked this was an intergrated nightclub.'' I said as I offered her a light.

She cocked a grin as she looked at me.

"Whatcan you play?''

"Anything.'' He said ,eventhough he hadn't expected to play until tomorrow.

"Will you play?'' she asked her tone condesending.

"I said I can play anything?'' I said firmly,my tone equally matching her own.I didn't blame her for coming off as was tough skinned.

"Alright,hey Joe, get our friends over here some drinks.'' Lee said suddenly trying to relieve some of the tension. I stared at her before noting the magnolia in her hair was lopsided. It was a stupid observation, but it was noticeable. that her favorite flower? I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of clinking glasses. Billie sipped her drink, while I just sat there staring at the amber colored liquid.

"Whats the matter, sugar? Don't you drink?'' I was slightly taken back by the endearment. Nobody had ever called me sugar before.

"Um not really. I play better sober.'' I said simply as she chuckled.

"Well I'll call you Ginger man, since you love that ginger ale. You need a nickname in this joint anyhow.'' I couldn't help but smile at how her voice picked up some spice .

"Well lets see if that's true. We're up in a few.'' She said taking my hand and leading me to the side door leading to the stage. I watched her before making a sharp turn towards the piano as the lights began to dim.

The sound of clinking glasses and laughter stopped immediately as the lights dimmed. I stared at her ,trying to keep my mouth from gaping. She was wearing a dark blue dress, the fabric hugging her curves. I swallowed. She looked amazing. I was snapped out of my thoughts for the third time tonight , by Louis' final trumpet blast.

She turned back towards me giving me a sweet smile, before closing her chocolate colored orbs. She looked strangely ethereal the way the light illuminated her. Like an angel. She turned back opening her eyes as she began to sing Them there eyes.

I fell in love with you the first time I looked into
Them There Eyes
And you have a certain lil cute way of flirtin'
With Them There Eyes

They make me feel so happy
They make me feel so blue
I'm fallin', no stallin'
In a great big way for you
My heart is jumpin', you've started somethin'
With Them There Eyes

You better look out lil brown eyes...if you're wise
They sparkle
They bubble
They're gonna get you in a whole lot of trouble
Oh baby...Them There Eyes

I wanted to mentally curse,but I couldn' after all this time being on earth I couldn't. I wasn't raised to curse and I certainly wasn't about to now.

"Focus.'' I told myself as she continued. I focused solely on the piano keys as she finished her song. The crowd began applauding as the manager thanked everyone for coming . I got up as the crowds dispersed.

I spotted her not heading the dressing room ,but to the bar. I frowned. I didn't like seeing a woman drink. Correction: You don't like seeing her drink. You don't want her drinking. She's to beautiful to—

I caught myself, surprised at my behavior. I was acting like she was mine. Well she was my assignment anyway ,until Tess arrives.

"She's a grown woman for petes sake! She's not a child.'' I thought as I walked towards the bar.

"You're a good pianist.'' She said her back towards me. She handed me a glass of scotch. I took it not caring if my senses were going to be cloudy later.I downed the drink, the liquid burning my throat. I remembered the main reason why I didn't touch the stuff. It hurt like hell.

"Another?'' she asked as her arm grazed mine.

"No just gingerale.''I said getting ahold of myself. I needed to focus on my assignment. I pulled out the money after I received my drink. She smiled watching me as I sipped my drink slowly despite wanting to chug it down.

"You certainly like gingerale.'' She said as I finished.

"Yeah.''

"Would you like to dance?'' I asked surprised that that had come out of my mouth.

She grinned before playfully chastising me.

"You are a bold white guy you know that?''

"Is that a yes or no?'' I asked a smile playing on my lips.

"Fine why not.'' She said sliding off her bar stool and following me onto the dance floor.

I cranked up the old record player, before taking her hand as Blue Moon began to play.

The dancing was slow, as we made conversation.

"Is a magnolia your favorite flower?''

"Is ginger ale your favorite drink?'' she countered.

"Yes.''

"Then there's your answer.''

I chuckled.

"You sang beautifully.'' I whispered in her ear. She looked at me surprised.

"You really are bold, but thank you.''

"Sorry.''

"Don't be. I didn't know you liked chocolate colored women.''

"It was a compliment. I wasn't flirting.'' I said quickly, blushing.

"Really?'' she said a little crest fallen. I was surprised. She was upset?

"Not unless you want me to.'' I said smiling. Where in the world was I getting this boldness from? The liquor? What was I doing?

"Ok, Gingerman.'' She said as I spun her around. I could smell the perfume on her neck. Just then the music stopped. We both realized we were dangerously close, our bodies pressed against one another. I stepped back, tipping my porkpie hat.

"Thank you Miss Day for dancing with me.''

"Your welcome.'' She said trying her hardest not to be flustered.

'Um I'd better go, see you later Ginger man?''

"Um yeah. Sure.'' I said as I watched her walk to her dressing room.

"Well that was interesting.'' Joe said surprised. I couldn't tell if he was mad or surprised.

"She never lets anybody dance with her, at least not white people.'' I mentally cringed. I hated to be reminded of that. For some reason I did.

"No kidding .'' I said as I walked out , heading to my hotel down the street.